40+Things to do in Ohio in October that you don’t want to Miss (2022)

Fall is here and I’m ready for it! I’m all about throwing on my favorite oversized sweatshirt, pulling on my fall boots and heading outdoors to hike, camp and check out some fall festivals and pumpkin patches.

Some of my favorites include the Ohio Renaissance Festival, The Prairie Peddler Festival and the incredible Circleville Pumpkin Show.

We’ve gathered a list of things to do in Ohio in October so you can spend less time searching for things to do and more time doing those things. 

Ongoing Events in Ohio in October

• Ramseyer Farms in Wooster knows how to put the fun in fall. One of my family’s favorites, you can explore the giant corn maze, hayrides, pet the farm animals and SO much more. Your admission provides access to 50 fun fall activities. Don’t miss the fun photo ops and make sure you take home a pumpkin or two. Tip: If you plan to go more than once make sure you buy the season pass.
  
• All Hallows’ Eve | Terror Town will get you in the mood for Halloween! This haunted house attraction outside Cincinnati is full of spooky fun for adults. Attractions include a haunted trail, ghost town, and axe throwing. Open every weekend in September and October. 
  
• The Akron Zoo hosts Boo at the Zoo on the last three weekends in October. The Zoo has 12 trick-or-treat stations set up. They also have special hours on October 29 for sensory-sensitive children. 
  
• Burnham Orchards in Berlin Heights hosts different themed Fall Harvest Weekends in October. Choose from Family Fun Weekend, Apple Butter Weekend, Open House Weekend, and Halloween weekend. 
  
• Every weekend from mid-September through mid-October is a different themed weekend at Mapleside Farms. Starting September 10th with Hometown Heroes, followed by Princess & Pirates Weekend, and the Johnny Appleseed Festival.  
  
• The Ohio Renaissance Festival hits Harveysburg on September 3rd.  Running every weekend through October 30, the festival features over 130 daily performances, shows, shopping, themed weekends, and delicious festival foods. 
  
•  Pumpkin Pandemonium at Heritage Farms in Peninsula runs seven days a week from September 24 through October 23. Food trucks, artisan vendors, hayrides, scavenger hunts, and a harvest maze are just some of the fun fall activities available. 
  
• Columbia Station’s Red Wagon Farm hosts the 39th Annual Pumpkin Festival throughout the month. Wander through the corn maze, take a wagon ride, pick your own pumpkins, and enjoy some yummy fall food in the food tent.
  
• Another Cleveland-area fall festival is the Old West Pumpkin Fest at Rockin ‘R Ranch. In addition to the giant pumpkin patch, they also have wagon rides, food concessions, and kids’ activities for all ages. 
  
• The Waynesville Fall Festival is open on weekends from September 17 through October 30. This huge fall festival has way too many activities to list, but suffice to say, this is a must for Ohio families. 
  
• The White House Fruit Farm in Canfield is another spot with several themed fall harvest weekends through October 23rd. Enjoy fresh pressed apple cider, petting zoo, play area, donuts, and pumpkins!
  
• At Young’s Jersey Dairy in Yellow Springs, the Fall Farm Pumpkin Festival runs until October 30th. They have the best fall treats throughout the season: pumpkin bread, pumpkin pies, and other dairy products like ice cream and cheese curds. 
  
• October weekends at the Farm at Walnut Creek bring the Fall Festival to Sugarcreek. They have so many family-friendly activities at the farm, including cooking and craft demos, wagon rides, and food for sale. 
  
• Attending Halloweekends at Cedar Point is a tradition for my kids. Every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday night at dusk, the park is transformed with creatures that go bump in the night. Only the bravest will want to experience the terrifying scenes that await in the designated fright zones and haunted houses.

September 30 – October 2, 2022

• The Prairie Peddler Festival runs the first weekend in October. Since my birthday falls in October, my mom and I always planned to go to this festival that features more than 200 artisans, live music, and delicious food in the rolling hills of Butler. 
  
• High Street in Glouster will host the Appalachian Color in the Hills Festival on the first weekend in October. Activities include a car show, a kid’s day, and a family fun day. 
  
• Mineral City is home to the Atwood Area Fall Festival at Atwood Lake Park. Billed as the festival with “something for everyone,” this weekend features music, comedy, kids’ activities, crafts, tournaments, and more!
  
• Get in the fall spirit at the Gorman Heritage Farm Sunflower Festival in Evendale. You can cut your own sunflowers or enjoy the beer garden, live music, hayrides, craft vendors, and food trucks. 
  
• Just outside Dayton, the New Carlisle Heritage of Flight Festival and Parade kicks off on Friday, September 30. Events include a silent auction, car show, plane rides, pancake breakfast, 5k run, and many more fun activities. 
  
• Sugarcreek is called “the Little Switzerland of Ohio,” so it’s only fitting to hold the Ohio Swiss Festival here. For nearly 70 years, this two-day festival celebrates Swiss culture with food, entertainment, and music. 
  
• Eastwood MetroPark in Dayton is home to the Wagner Subaru Outdoor Experience, a weekend filled with outdoor adventure activities. This is a great opportunity to demo new outdoor equipment and Subarus. 
  
• Wooster will be hosting the 39th annual Woosterfest on Friday and Saturday. This Oktoberfest celebration features free entertainment, food vendors, and a Biergarten. 

October 7 – October 9, 2022

• The Carroll County Historical Society presents the 50th Annual Algonquin Mill Fall Festival. Old-time craft demonstrations and fun children’s areas are a fun addition to the pioneer village and old-fashioned foods on hand. 
  
• Ashtabula County is home to 19 covered bridges, including the longest and the shortest in the country. See them all during the Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Festival. 
  
• In Southern Ohio, Beaver will host the Beaver Oktoberfest, a three-day celebration of local heritage. Live music, a kiddie tractor pull, a parade, and church services are a few of the activities on the calendar. 
  
• The Chillicothe Halloween Festival begins on October 7. Three days of Halloween-themed fun include coffin races, a ghost walk, and live entertainment. 
  
• While German festivals abound in October, don’t miss out on the Columbus Italian Festival! Live music, a parade, and a bocce ball competition are the perfect backdrop for sampling delicious Italian food. 
  
• Miami County Parks will host Fall Farm Fest on Saturday and Sunday at Lost Creek Reserve. Enjoy family-friendly activities amidst the backdrop of colorful fall foliage.
  
• Waynesville draws huge crowds for the Ohio Sauerkraut Festival, with over 400 craft vendors displaying their wares. Live music and lots of sauerkraut round out the offerings at this Ohio fall festival. 
  
• Butler County’s largest festival is Operation Pumpkin, featuring giant pumpkins, pumpkin carving, a pumpkin weigh-off, and over 100 artisan and food vendors. 
  
• Hop a ferry to the 30th Annual Put-In-Bay’s Oktoberfest. Starting Saturday morning, the festival includes live music, German festival food, and lots of ice-cold beer!  

October 14 – October 16, 2022

• For those into knitting or weaving, the Autumn Fiber Festival at the Ashland County fairgrounds is a must! Visit with local fiber producers and artists. Shop for handmade items or watch one of many demonstrations on display. 
  
• The third weekend in October brings the Black Walnut Festival to Camden. A baking contest, beer garden, concert, and car show are a few of the fun activities at this fun festival in Western Ohio. 
  
• Now in its 51st year, the Bob Evans Annual Farm Festival kicks off on Friday, the 14th, with live country & bluegrass music. Of course, there will be delicious local food, plus farm contests, arts and crafts, and free primitive camping on-site.  
  
• Visit Charm at the Farm Vintage Market in Lebanon for their last market weekend. Browse dozens of hand-picked vintage, antique, boho and farmhouse chic vendors to give your home a fresh look for fall. 
  
• The Fairborn Halloween Festival is Miami Valley’s largest Halloween festival. This free event features live music, a beer garden, food trucks, amusement rides, trick or treating, plus a zombie walk!
  
• See why Bainbridge, Ohio is called the “Leaf Country USA” at the Fall Festival of Leaves. This three-day festival includes arts and crafts, a flea market, an antique tractor show, a 5K run, and more!
  
• Aurora is home to the Ohio Wizard of Oz Festival at the Bertram Inn & Conference Center. Meet (or dress up as) your favorite characters from the movie and follow the yellow brick road to fun crafts and food trucks. 
  
• The VanWert County Fairgrounds are throwing three parties in one! The Van Wert Apple Festival, Harvest Happenings, and the Dairy Barn Emporium all converge on the fairgrounds, with craft vendors, apples, apple cider, and great fair food. 

October 21 – October 23, 2022

• Historic Roscoe Village in Coshocton will be hosting the 51st Apple Butter Stirrin’ Festival starting on Friday. Celebrate the fall apple harvest with homemade apple butter, live music, crafts, food, and kids’ activities. 
  
• The Midwest’s largest coffee festival is right here in Ohio. The Cincinnati Coffee Festival brings together dozens of coffee roasters, pastry shops, and chocolatiers for two days of caffeinated fun.  
  
• Starting in 1903, the Circleville Pumpkin Show is billed as the “Greatest Free Show on Earth.”
  This festival kicks off on the third Wednesday in October, featuring giant pumpkin contests, every kind of pumpkin treat imaginable, seven parades, plus live music! I have many happy memories of this festival as a child.

Which of these events do you plan to attend this fall?