Ultimate Guide to Fall Festivals in 2025 for Los Angeles Families

Pick a peck of pumpkins at the Annual Pumpkin Festival Cal Poly Pomona. Photo courtesy of the Cal Poly Pomona Facebook page

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.  

Yosemite National Park with Kids: A Visitors Guide

Take a break along the Merced River as you hike along the Valley Loop Trail in Yosemite National Park.

With breathtaking waterfalls, massive granite rock formations, ancient giant sequoias, and more, Yosemite National Park should be on every family's travel bucket list. But you (understandably) may have some concerns about visiting Yosemite National Park with kids. Like, are they any kid-friendly hiking trails? Are there things to do with kids at Yosemite besides hiking? Are there kid-friendly places to stay nearby?

After taking my own recent Yosemite National Park family vacation, I can assure you the answer to all of those questions is YES! Our visit to Yosemite was part of a larger national park trip, and all three of my kids (two teens and a tween) agreed that Yosemite was their favorite. We spent a whopping 12 hours in the park and can't wait to return!

I've put together a handy guide to help you plan your own Yosemite itinerary with kids, from must-see spots to the best times to visit to what to pack. In the very likely chance that your family gets the national park bug after your visit, our US National Parks Family Travel Guide has tips for visiting more great parks, from the best viewpoints at the Grand Canyon for families to everything you need to know about visit Zion National Park in Utah.

20 Best Things To Do in DC with Kids September 2025, According to Mommy Poppins Editors

Kids will love seeing the colorful balloons at the Flying Circus Hot Air Balloon Festival. Photo courtesy of the festival

Back-to-school doesn't mean family fun has to stop! September is packed with fabulous, family-friendly things to do in DC and all month long.

We jump into fall this month, and with the start of September comes harvest fairs, pumpkin festivals, and other fall festivals across our area.

There are also some fun and unique events happening throughout the month, such as the Kensington Train Show, Homecoming at President Lincoln's Cottage, and the Clemyjontri Park Open House. And you won't want to miss two new shows—The Very Hungry Caterpillar at Imagination Stage and Cirque du Soleil: Luzia in Tysons Corner!

We have so many more great events listed below for your family in September, but don't forget to check our family activity calendar every day, as we're always adding more events.

24 Best Things To Do in Atlanta with Kids September 2025, According to Mommy Poppins Editors

The fun of the beloved Georgia State Fair kicks off on September 26 and runs through October 5! Photo courtesy of Georgia State Fair

Labor Day kicks off September activities, launching Atlanta's season of apple picking, fall festivals, pumpkin patches, and corn mazes.

Families have lots of opportunities to make memories this September in Atlanta. The only way to properly start September events in Atlanta is Dragon Con, the five-day, comic/costume/superhero extravaganza that happens Labor Day weekend. Every weekend in September Atlanta families can get into fall fun with the Buford Corn Maze (animals, jumpy pillow, hay rides) and the Apple Pickin' Jubilee in Ellijay (train rides, mini golf, pig races). Get your fill of fried food at several different fairs in September —Gwinnett County Fair, North Georgia Fair, and the Georgia State Fair

Since we're on the subject of fall and apples, check out our list of the Best Apple Orchards Near Atlanta with Kids as the ultimate fall activity. Get more ideas in our Atlanta Fall Activities Guide!

25 Best Things To Do in Orlando with Kids September 2025, According to Mommy Poppins Editors

SeaWorld Orlando's Halloween Spooktacular entertains kids until November 2, 2025. Photo by author

Labor Day kicks off September activities, launching Orlando's season of fall festivals and Halloween events!

Halloween festivities start at many of Orlando's theme parks this month, including SeaWorld's Halloween Spooktacular, Legoland's Brick-or-Treat, and for those looking for serious scares (over age 13), Universal's Halloween Horror Nights and SeaWorld's Howl-O-Scream. Fall festivals are also popping up throughout September: venture to Clermont for the annual Sips and Salsa Festival; celebrate the lunar holiday at Moon Over Avalon; and enjoy fun farm activities during the Fall Festival at Amber Brooke Farms. Plus, Florida kids get FREE admission at Brevard Zoo all month long! 

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