The Best Fall Events in Los Angeles and Southern California
Even though you may not be able to tell when summer ends and fall begins in Los Angeles, doesn’t mean we don’t have some of the best fall events around. LA parents can take their kids apple picking, to visit a pumpkin patch, find fall leaves, eat fried butter at the LA County Fair and celebrate under a harvest moon. There is no shortage of great things to do with kids in Los Angeles in the fall.
Photo courtesy of Underwood Family Farms
Pumpkin Festival at AGRIscapes
4102 S. University Dr., Pomona, CA 91768
The annual Pumpkin Festival is happening on Saturday, October 6th and Sunday, October 7th at Cal Poly Pomona. This popular Festival features a corn maze, pony rides, petting farm, games, live music, demonstrations, food, and more. The Don B. Huntley College of Agriculture grows 40,000 pumpkins for this special event. The Pumpkin Patch remains open through October 31st (and is closed on Mondays). Check the website for ticket information.
Fried Butter at the L.A. County Fair
1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona, CA 91768
Families can visit the L.A. County Fair from August 31st through September 23rd. (Keep in mind that the Fair is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays except for Labor Day, September 3rd). Many families make visiting the L.A. County Fair an annual tradition. Festivities include rides, animals, performances, and of course, food. Check the website for more information about tickets and a schedule of events.
Griffith Observatory
2800 E. Observatory Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90027
The Griffith Observatory is celebrating the Autumn Equinox on September 22nd. This Observatory offers brief talks twice a day — at local noon (not the same as 12:00 pm) and sunset. These events are free. Check the website for details.
21st Annual Fall Harvest Festival
Underwood Family Farms
3370 Sunset Valley Rd., Moorpark, CA 93021
Underwood Family Farms hosts its 21st Annual Fall Harvest Festival from September 29th through October 31st (from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm each day). The Festival includes lots of fun activities such as tractor-drawn wagon rides, live musical entertainment, a hay pyramid, access to Pick-Your-Own fields, a pumpkin playhouse, animal show, corn maze, and much more. Check the website for fees and a schedule of events. (Different activities may be available only on the weekends). Additionally, Friends of the Farm Weekend is happening on Saturday, September 29th and Sunday, September 30th; Farm Country Weekend is planned for October 6th and 7th, and Antique Tractor Weekend takes place on October 13th and 14th.
5333 Zoo Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90027
Boo at the L.A. Zoo runs from October 1st through October 31st. This annual celebration offers something for the whole family including puppet shows, special animal feedings, pumpkin carving, entertainment, and more. Costumes are encouraged. Special activities may only be offered on weekends; be sure to check the website before visiting. Additionally, trick-or-treating will be offered on Saturday, October 27th and Sunday, October 28th. All activities are included in general Zoo admission.
Pretend City Children’s Museum
29 Hubble, Irvine, CA 92618
The Fall Festival of Fun is happening at Pretend City Children’s Museum on Saturday, September 22nd from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. This day-long event celebrates fall and fall-related things such as leaves, pumpkins, and gourds. Make art, play games, enjoy a story time, and much more. Check the website for a schedule of activities. The Fall Festival of Fun is included in general admission ($12.50 each, infants up to 12 months are free).
Descanso Gardens
1418 Descanso Dr., La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
Enjoy “Slightly Spooky Stories” at Descanso Gardens on Saturday, October 20th and Sunday, October 21st at 11:00 am. The Ensemble Shakespeare Theater will be there with a “family-friendly retelling of your favorite Halloween stories.” Stories are “funny, surprising, and slightly spooky.” Families are encouraged to attend dressed in costumes! The event is included in general admission ($9 for adults; $6 for seniors 65+; children 5-12 are $4; and children under 5 are free).
Lost Hills Rd. And Juan Bautista de Anza Park, Calabasas, CA
The Calabasas Pumpkin Festival is happening on October 20th and 21st from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm each day. The annual Festival features live musical performances, vendors, pumpkin painting, professional pumpkin carving, food, pumpkin treats, and more. Ticket information is available online.
The Original Farmers Market
6333 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA 90036
The Original Farmers Market invites families to its annual Fall Festival on Saturday, October 13th and Sunday, October 14th. This free event is like a “favorite country fair in the heart of the big city!” Enjoy a petting zoo, pie-eating contests, live musical performances, old-time artisans, and more.
80th Annual Mid-Autumn Moon Festival
Central Plaza
943 N. Roadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012
The 80th Annual Mid-Autumn Moon Festival is happening on Saturday, September 29th and Sunday, September 30th. The Festival “celebrates a full harvest moon and is a time to give thanks for a bountiful harvest, and to celebrate with our Los Angeles family in Chinatown style!” Families will enjoy live musical performances, traditional Chinese cultural demonstrations, the chance to view the moon through telescopes, Mooncake samples from Chinatown’s bakeries, food, and more. Check the website for details.
Big Horse Corn Maze and Harvest Festival
33320 Temecula Parkway, Temecula, CA 92592
Mark your calendar for the Big Horse Corn Maze and Harvest Festival which begins September 29th and continues through October 28th. Families will be in awe as they navigate the “largest corn maze in Southern California.” Different events are planned for each weekend including a Classic Car Show on opening weekend. Each weekend, though, the fun includes a pumpkin patch, rock wall, pig races, face painting, hay rides, pony rides, games, and more. Check the website for a schedule of events.
Apple Picking in Southern California
Photo courtesy of Riley’s Farm
12201 S. Oak Glen Rd., Oak Glen, CA 92399
There is a lot to do at Riley’s Apple Farm in addition to selecting some juicy, fresh apples. Special weekend activities run on Saturdays and Sundays from Labor Day weekend through Thanksgiving weekend from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Families can participate in archery activities, cider pressing, and more. There is no admission charge though some of the special activities do require a fee. Find more places to go Apple Picking here.
833 W. Torrance Blvd., Torrance, CA 90502
Alpine Village is “the home of the oldest Oktoberfest celebration in Southern California.” While Friday and Saturday festivities are adult-only, Sundays are family days. Enjoy traditional food, music, and fun. Check the website for ticket information.
The Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch
5380 3/4 University Dr., Irvine, CA
The Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch runs from September 29th to October 31st from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm each day. At the Pumpkin Patch, families will enjoy a wagon ride, corn maze, petting zoo, pumpkin stand, and more. On the weekend, additional activities are planned including face painting, food, interactive activities for kids, games, and more. Check the website for details.
Forneris Farms
15200 Rinaldi St., Mission Hills, CA 91345
The Fall Harvest Festival at Forneris Farms is a yearly tradition for many families. The fun includes a corn maze, pony rides, face painting, petting zoo, live entertainment, and more. Entry to the farm and the pumpkin patch is free; all attractions do have a fee. Some activities are only offered on the weekends.
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