Guide to fall things to do in Dayton and the region

Visitors check out vendor booths, food and beer trucks, and pumpkins of all shapes and sizes on High Street during Operation Pumpkin Friday, Oct. 13, 2023 in downtown Hamilton. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF

Credit: Nick Graham

Credit: Nick Graham

Visitors check out vendor booths, food and beer trucks, and pumpkins of all shapes and sizes on High Street during Operation Pumpkin Friday, Oct. 13, 2023 in downtown Hamilton. NICK GRAHAM/STAFF
Lifestyles
By Alex Cutler
Updated Sept 7, 2024
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Autumn has nearly swooped in, and while the warm weather may soon be leaving, that doesn’t mean outdoor activities will go with it.

From celebrating the spookier side of the season, to honoring Ohio’s agricultural roots, the following is a guide to the fall festivals taking place in the Dayton area.

🍂Ohio Renaissance Festival

Celtic Fest Ohio happened at Renaissance Park near Waynesville on Saturday, June 15, 2024. Featured activities included the St. Andrews Highland dancers, Miller Border Collies sheep herding demonstration, live music by the Piper Jones Band and Drowsy Lads, Irish Red & White Setters, food & drink, shopping and more. TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Credit: Tom Gilliam

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Credit: Tom Gilliam

When: 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. weekends Aug. 31 through Oct. 27

Location: 10542 E. Ohio 73, Waynesville

Description: The Ohio Renaissance Festival offers a number of different activities and shows for guests. Each weekend also has a unique theme, from pirates to romance.

🍂AlterFest

Alterfest, a Labor Day tradition for over 40 years, drew crowds to Archbishop Alter High School Friday through Sunday, Sept. 2-4. The annual event featured live entertainment, rides, food, drinks and games for people of all ages. Proceeds from AlterFest go towards the school's operating budget and special projects. DAVID A. MOODIE/CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Credit: David A. Moodie

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Credit: David A. Moodie

When: Aug. 30 -Sept. 1

Location: 940 E. David Road, Kettering

Description: This long-running city event will feature food, drinks, live shows and other activities

🍂47th annual Italian Fall Festa

The 46th annual Italian Fall Festa was held from Friday, Sept. 8 through Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023 at Bella Villa Hall in Kettering. Did we spot you there on Friday? TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Credit: Tom Gilliam

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Credit: Tom Gilliam

When: Sept. 6-8

Location: 2625 County Line Road, Kettering

Description: For nearly 50 years, this event has brought together the community of Kettering with traditional Italian food.

🍂Dayton Greek Festival

Dayton's Greek community celebrated its history and traditions during the 64th Annual Greek Festival at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church the weekend of Sept. 9-11. Greek dancing, music and food were featured during the three-day event. Visitors to the the festival also had the opportunity to tour the church and learn about the Greek Orthodox faith and its traditions. David A. Moodie/Contributing Photographer

Credit: David A. Moodie

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Credit: David A. Moodie

When: Sept. 6-8

Location: 500 Belmonte Park N., Dayton

Cost: $5, ticket can be used all weekend

Description: This event will feature authentic Greek food and wine, live entertainment and more.

🍂Beavercreek Popcorn Festival

Popcorn in all types of variations was the snack of choice during the Beavercreek Popcorn Festival on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 9-10. The two-day event also featured children's activities, live entertainment, a car show and lots of food and drinks to go along with the popcorn. DAVID A. MOODIE/CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

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When: Sept. 7-8

Location: Dayton-Xenia Road, Beavercreek

Cost: Free

Description: This event features a number of different food stalls, games and inflatables. There will also be live music and a car show.

🍂Waynesville Fall Fest

When: Saturdays and Sundays Sept. 14 through Nov. 3

Location: 7392 E. Ohio 73, Waynesville

Cost: $14 for adults, $12 for children younger than 10. Those two-years-old and younger get in free.

Description: This festival has corn mazes, mini golf, rides, foot golf and more. Season passes are available.

🍂Autumn Fest at Learning Tree Farm

Learning Tree Farm’s family-friendly fundraiser Autumn Fest returns Saturday, Sept. 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. With 85 acres of farmland, families can enjoy activities, food trucks, educational opportunities and more.

Credit: CONTRIBUTED

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Credit: CONTRIBUTED

When: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 21

Location: Learning Tree Farm: 3376 S. Union Road, Dayton

Description: This event is in support of Learning Tree Farm’s non-profit organization. There will be pony rides, hayrides, food trucks, games and more.

🍂Hispanic Heritage Festival

The 22nd annual Hispanic Heritage Festival, hosted by PACO (The Puerto Rican, American and Caribbean Organization) was held at RiverScape MetroPark in downtown Dayton on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. Did we spot you there? TOM GILLIAM / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

Credit: Tom Gilliam

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Credit: Tom Gilliam

When: 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sept. 21

Location: RiverScape MetroPark: 227 E. Monument St., Dayton

Description: This festival is the year’s largest fundraiser for the Puerto Rico, American and Caribbean Organization. There will be music, dancing and Latin American food at the festival.

🍂Preble County Pork Festival

The Preble County Pork Festival is 6:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday and 6:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday in Eaton. There is free admission to the event that features food, vendors and exhibitors. There will be a Friday Night Kickoff Concert and Aerial event with a $10 entry fee. Get more details at porkfestival.org. FILE PHOTO

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When: 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Sept. 21 and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept 22

Location: 722 S. Franklin St., Eaton

Cost: Free

Description: This event will feature a number of food vendors, a paint the pig contest, a beer garden and more.

🍂Country Applefest

When: Sept. 28-29

Location: Warren County Fairgrounds: 665 N. Broadway St., Lebanon

Cost: $1 per person, those 12-years-old and younger are free. Cash only

Description: This event will feature over 300 craft and food vendors. There will also be live entertainment both days. This festival is fully accessible.

🍂Dayton Art Institute Oktoberfest

When: Sept. 28-29

Location: The Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park N., Dayton

Description: DAI’s Oktoberfest is southwest Ohio’s longest-running Oktoberfest celebration, and the museum’s largest annual fundraiser. This community event boasts artisans, unique foods, ample domestic, international and craft beers, international wines, kid-friendly art activities, live music throughout the weekend, and much more.

🍂Lebanon’s Feast and Fall-y

When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 28

Location: Downtown Lebanon

Cost: Free

Description: The 10th annual event will have food trucks, local vendors, downtown merchants, live music, photo ops and more.

🍂Germantown Pretzel Festival

Pretzel lovers from around the region converged on Germantown's Veterans' Memorial Park for the town's annual Pretzel Festival on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 23-24. The two-day event not only featured pretzels, but also a wide variety foods, craft vendors, games and live entertainment. DAVID A. MOODIE/CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

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When: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 28 and noon-6 p.m. Sept. 29

Location: Veterans Memorial Park: 190 W. Warren St., Germantown

Cost: Free

Description: This event will feature live entertainment both days, a beer garden, shopping and a number of pretzel-based dishes.

🍂Greenville Harvest Extravaganza

When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 28 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 29

Location: 5207 Weavers Fort Jefferson Road, Greenville

Description: This event will feature live bluegrass music, jewelry, craft vendors, antiques and more.

🍂Liberty Twp. Fall Festival

When: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 28

Location: Liberty Park, 6757 Yankee Road in Liberty Twp.

Cost: Free

Description: Family event celebrating the season.

🍂City of Trenton Fall Fest 2024

When: 2-9:30 p.m. Oct. 5

Location: Trenton Community Park, 440 Dell Drive

Cost: Free

Description: Live music, car show, food trucks, vendors and more.

🍂The Great Pumpkin Fest

When: Oct. 5

Location: Keehner Park, 7211 Barret Road in West Chester Twp.

Cost: Free

Description: For families and includes entertainment, puppet show, costume contest, petting zoo, non-scary haunted trail and more.

🍂Operation Pumpkin

When: Oct. 11-13

Location: Downtown Hamilton, multiple streets

Cost: Free

Description: Multiple blocks of craft and food vendors, pumpkin weigh-off, alcohol for adults, live music, rides for children and more.

🍂Austin Landing Pumpkin Fest

When: 2-8 p.m. Oct. 12

Location: The Park at Austin Landing, 10400 Innovation Drive, Miamisburg

Cost: Free

Description: This event celebrates all things pumpkins, from pumpkin pies to pumpkin pizza.

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🍂Vandalia Fall Festival

When: Noon-6 p.m. Oct. 12

Location: 1111 Stonequarry Road, Dayton

Cost: Free

Description: This family-friendly event will feature food trucks, a pumpkin patch, inflatables and more.

🍂Yellow Springs Street Fair

The streets of Yellow Springs were filled with artisans, musicians, vendors and shoppers looking for the perfect purchase during the village's annual Fall Street Fair on Saturday, Oct. 8. DAVID A. MOODIE/CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER

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When: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 12

Location: 202 Dayton St., Yellow Springs

Cost: Free

Description: This event brings together more than 250 craft and food vendors to the streets of Yellow Springs.

🍂Fall Farm Fest 2024

The Farm Fest at the Lost Creek Reserve near Troy draws thousands of visitors to the Miami County Park District property each fall. CONTRIBUTED / FILE

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When: Noon-5 p.m. Oct. 12-13

Location: Lost Creek Reserve: 2385 E. Ohio 41, Troy

Cost: Free

Description: The festival’s website states it will “celebrate Miami County’s agricultural heritage.” There will be a pumpkin patch, pony rides and a corn maze.

🍂Ohio Sauerkraut Festival

When: Oct.12-13

Location: 174 S Main St., Waynesville

Cost: Free

Description: This community fundraising event will feature food, live entertainment and local vendors. This event also provides fund for the city’s scholarship funds.

🍂Middletown Family Fall Festival

When: Noon-5 p.m. Oct. 19

Location: Sunset Park, 2698 Milton Road, Middletown

Cost: Free

Description: Live music, food trucks, crafts, free family photos and more.

>> Submit your event

Don’t see your festival on the list? Email alex.cutler@coxinc.com to get it added.

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About the Author

Alex Cutler is a graduate of Sinclair Community college, with degrees in Communication and Multimedia Journalism. Alex looks to continue his education and career in the near future.