Celebrate fall in central PA! Don’t miss these festivals, parties and trunk-or-treats
With a chill in the air and leaves starting to turn, fall has finally arrived in central Pennsylvania. If that’s not enough to get you in the seasonal swing of things, plenty of festivals and events across Centre County might do the trick.
Celebrations centering on harvests, pumpkins, Halloween and all things autumn are on tap as the area rings in the season. You’ve got plenty of options to explore if you’re craving apple cider donuts, itching to carve jack-o’-lanterns or gearing up for a hayride.
Here’s what you need to know about some of the best fall festivals and events in and around Centre County this fall.
State Theatre screenings
When: Throughout October
Where: 130 W. College Ave. in State College
What: State College’s community-owned, nonprofit theater has plenty of movies on deck for those hoping to celebrate Halloween with a spooky screening. Here’s a look at the schedule for October:
- “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” Friday, Oct. 11
- “Scream” Saturday, Oct. 12
- “Bride of Frankenstein” Sunday, Oct. 13
- “A Nightmare on Elm Street” Saturday, Oct. 19
- “Carrie” Tuesday, Oct. 22
- “Nosferatu” Thursday, Oct. 24
- “Coraline” Thursday, Oct. 24
- “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” Oct. 25 and 26
- “The Shining” Sunday, Oct. 27
- “Scooby-Doo” Tuesday, Oct. 29
- “Trick ‘r Treat” Wednesday, Oct. 30
- “Halloween” Thursday, Oct. 31
With fees included, most movie tickets start at $12 for adults and $10 for students.
Several screenings on tap for October will feature 4K-quality picture resolution made possible by the State Theatre’s new digital projection system, which was recently installed following a successful $120,000 fundraising campaign.
Trunk-or-treating
When: Throughout October
Where: Throughout Centre County
What: Trick-or-treat with ease at several trunk-or-treating events throughout the Centre County area this October. So far, we’ve found events at Bellefonte Union Cemetery, the Boalsburg Fire Hall, Park Forest Village United Methodist Church, the YMCA of Centre County, Bald Eagle Area High School, Philipsburg-Osceola Area High School, Calvary Bible Church of Centre Hall and many more.
Eric Jones and Everything Pumpkin
When: 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12
Where: Way Fruit Farm (2355 Halfmoon Valley Road in Port Matilda)
What: Join renowned pumpkin carver Eric Jones for a live demonstration Friday before Way Fruit Farm hosts an action-packed festival day Saturday. Guests can enjoy live music, take a wagon ride to the pumpkin patch, pick apples, shop around at a crafts market and chow down on food provided by area vendors, including Beech Hollow BBQ, Dogs on the Run and Sweet Dreams Snack Shack. Note the pumpkin-carving class is scheduled for Friday only.
Wanted in the Wild, Wild West: An interactive murder mystery party
When: 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, and Saturday, Oct. 26
Where: The Speakeasy at the Gamble Mill, 160 Dunlop St. in Bellefonte
What: The Sock and Buskin Theatre Co.’s interactive murder mystery party is back this year with a Western flair. Guests are invited to mingle, question suspects, inspect evidence and solve a “murder” alongside a sheriff tasked with finding the shady character responsible for the dastardly deed.
The event, reserved for those 21 years and older, offers tickets for $60 that include admission to the party, appetizers and desserts. A cash bar will sell alcoholic beverages for an additional charge. Only 37 tickets are available for each night’s party, so act quickly if you hope to get in on the fun. Head online to read up on the event’s rules and guidelines.
Downtown Fall Festival
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12
Where: 200 block of Allen Street in State College
What: The Downtown State College Improvement District’s annual fall festival will feature plenty of family friendly fun, including free pumpkin giveaways, photo stations, pop-up live music performances, a fun house and other activities. Several local food vendors, including Dulce Luca, Bonnie Blue’s Smokeys & Sweets and Farmstead Fusion, will serve guests.
Wasson Farm Fall Fest
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 12 to 13 and 19 to 20
Where: 2545 Shingletown Road in State College
What: Hop aboard a hayride out to the pumpkin patch at this Centre County farm. Weekend festivals throughout October will also feature games and activities for children, barrel trains, farm animals, wine tasting and a corn maze to explore. Special food offerings include homemade ice cream, Amish baked goods, apple cider slushies and “apples extreme,” a dish featuring sliced apples and your choice of sauces and ice cream toppings.
Guests should note the last hayride will leave for the pumpkin patch at 4:30 p.m. each day. Additionally, only cash and check payments are accepted at the farm.
State College Alliance Church harvest festival
When: 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13
Where: 1221 W. Whitehall Road in State College
What: All community members are invited to enjoy an evening of fall activities and entertainment, including live music, games and inflatables for children, bonfires with s’mores and pinball machines. Although the festival does not charge admission, local vendors Maine Bay and Berry Co. and Brazilian Munchies will serve food to guests for an additional charge.
Haunted Valley
When: 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18
Where: Penn State’s Hintz Family Alumni Center and University House
What: Following fall tradition, Penn State’s Lion Ambassadors will lead lantern tours around campus to explore the university’s haunted past. Each tour will include a stop at a haunted house inside the University House, the oldest standing structure on the University Park campus that housed 11 university presidents over the years.
The event is free and open to the public, but guests are encouraged to RSVP online. The final lantern tour will depart at 9:40 p.m., according to the event page.
The Arboretum at Penn State’s Pumpkin Festival
When: 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19
Where: The Arboretum at Penn State (H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens)
What: The Arboretum’s signature fall festival invites families to carve pumpkins, explore lighted jack-o’-lantern displays, listen to live music, chow down on seasonal food and more. Admission and parking are free.
Those hoping to get in on the pumpkin-carving contest can pick up a free pumpkin from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13. Categories for the contest include “Best in Show,” “Best Arboretum Theme,” “Best Pop Culture Theme” and, of course, “Best Penn State Theme” spread across different age groups. First-, second- and third-place ribbons will be presented to winners at 1 p.m. Sunday. Additionally, a no-carve pumpkin-decorating activity is available for children from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Friday for a small fee.
Halloween Pet Parade
When: 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19
Where: Boalsburg Military Museum (51 Boal Ave. in Boalsburg)
What: Join the Jacki and Brian Rutter group at Keller Williams Advantage Realty for a parade featuring your pets and their adorable Halloween costumes. You, too, should wear a costume as you enjoy refreshments, giveaways, treats and more. The event is free, but donations to Centre County PAWS are encouraged. All pets must be on a leash to participate.
Punkin’ Chunkin’ Fall Festival
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19
Where: Bald Eagle State Park, 149 Main Park Road in Howard
What: As part of its annual fall tradition, Howard Fire Co. will use catapults, trebuchets and cannons to shoot hundreds of pumpkins through the air before they fall in a nearby lake. This event also offers food from local vendors, hayrides, children’s games and activities, a pumpkin pie-eating contest and more for the whole family.
Boalsburg Halloween Celebration
When: 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27
Where: Boalsburg Heritage Museum (304 E. Main St. in Boalsburg)
What: Join the Boalsburg community for a free Halloween celebration featuring book bingo, face painting, pumpkin decorating and more. Guests can snack on apple cider and popcorn while listening to live music from the Brass Rats. Costumes are encouraged.
Halloween Costume Parade
When: 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27
Where: Downtown State College
What: Centre Region Parks and Recreation’s 76th annual costume parade asks participants to line up on Burrows Avenue (between College Avenue and Beaver Avenue) starting at 6:30 p.m. before parading around the borough. Judges will evaluate costumes at Memorial Field in six different categories, including superheroes, witches and monsters and groups. Cash prizes and candy treats are up for grabs, too.
Axemann Brewery Halloween Party
When: 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31
Where: Axemann Brewery (2042 Axemann Road in Bellefonte)
What: Listen to rock/grunge band 91 Stitches at this Halloween party, where customers are encouraged.
This list of fall and Halloween events in Centre County is not exhaustive. If you know of an event that should be included, email information to reporter Matt DiSanto at mdisanto@centredaily.com.
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