Fall is a magical time in Westchester and the Hudson Valley as the days become crisp and cool and the colorful autumn foliage paints the landscapes. And what better way to celebrate the season than at a local fall festival? 

We've picked out our favorite family-friendly fall festivals in the area, many of which offer fun seasonal activities for kids, from pumpkin painting to carnival rides. With the abundance of farms in the area, fall is the perfect time to sample the local harvest, from freshly picked apples to cider and doughnuts, and many of these festivals are held on the farms themselves.  So whether you want to pick apples, get lost in a corn maze, or enjoy live music while sipping local craft beverages, these festivals are sure to give you the fall vibes you're looking for. 

For even more ways to celebrate the season, bookmark our Guide to Fall Fun in Westchester and the Hudson Valley, our favorite fall day trips, and our Guide to Farms and You-Picks in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. 

As the carefree days of summer draw to a close, these fall festivals in New Jersey give families plenty to look forward to. Chow down on delicious seafood at the Downbeach Seafood Festival, and sneak in some early Halloween fun at Six Flags Great Adventure's Fright Fest and Kids Boo Fest, plus, get a taste of fall at local fairs, including Jersey City's All About Downtown Street Fair and Sea Isle City Family Fall Festival.

Read on for more info on the great New Jersey fairs and festivals happening in September and October. 

Fall festivals in NYC punctuate the changing of seasons with all the pleasures autumn conjures: apple cider doughnuts, hay rides, the hunt for the perfect pumpkin, and cozy family vibes. New York City fall festival favorites include the Richmond County Fair, the West Side County Fair, and the Brooklyn Children's Book Fair. Plus, Mommy Poppins is hosting a Back to School Fall Fest at Pier 57 on Sunday, September 21, and programming Playtopia at the Atlantic Antic on Sunday, October 5, with help from our friends at Brooklyn Bridge Parents.

There are also some cool under-the-radar events you may not have heard of, including an Italian fair in the Bronx that is a lot less crowded than Little Italy's San Gennaro and the Annual Bus Festival in Brooklyn Bridge Park.

Fall festivals in Atlanta mean pumpkins + football + months ending in the suffix -ber! Every weekend Atlanta families can fill their calendars with the best Atlanta pumpkin festivals and harvest fairs, taking advantage of cooler temps and fall colors. 

We've rounded up our favorite fall festivals in Atlanta, including pumpkin festivals, harvest events, wholesome county fairs, and even a festival all about a covered bridge! Some of our favorite fall festivals are in Atlanta and some involve a fall day trip (we kept these to 1.5 hours or less from Atlanta). Need more fall ideas? Use our Atlanta Fall Fun Guide to make the most of the season. And get ready for our upcoming monster Atlanta Halloween Guide for all things sweet and spooky!

Fall festivals in Orlando welcome the season of cooler temps, fun scares, and of course, all things pumpkin spice! Orlando fall festivals are popping up on the calendar so get outdoors and enjoy the (slightly) cooler weather. This is the best time of year in Central Florida for outdoor events. From food and cultural fall festivals near Orlando, to pumpkin patches and craft fairs, plan your upcoming weekends with our roundup of Orlando fall events. We've got pumpkin festivals, harvest events, county fairs, and more awaiting your eager Orlando kids! 

The San Francisco Bay Area is full of great family-friendly pumpkin festivals to celebrate the autumn harvest and the fall season.

Fall festivals in Los Angeles do exist, even if the warm beach weather says otherwise. While other places have a season called fall, LA has something more like extended summer weather with back-to-school fun and a pumpkin aisle at Trader Joe's.

Of course, the beauty of an endless summer that fades gently into Halloween or Thanksgiving—usually right up until that guy in the red suit arrives—is that family-friendly fall festivals keep going strong through November. Check out some of our favorite annual faux fall festivals in Los Angeles, from Labor Day through Day of the Dead. 

For more fall fun, visit the best pumpkin patches in Los Angeles, go apple picking near LA, and see what other seasonal activities should be on your fall bucket list in our Fall Fun Guide for Los Angeles and OC Kids.