Hayrides, scary movies and more: Your guide to fall events across Centre County
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Several fall and Halloween-related events are happening across Centre County this October.
- Events include fall festivals, movie screenings, hay rides, craft fairs and more.
- Most activities run weekends in October; check event pages for times, fees.
Fall has arrived in central Pennsylvania, and with it comes the changing of the leaves, a crispness in the air and a myriad of autumn-themed events.
From fall festivals and craft fairs to spooky movies, celebrations for pumpkins and more, October is packed with events for all ages across Centre County.
Below is a guide to some of the best fall festivals and events in and around Centre County. If we missed any, email reporter Jacob Michael at jmichael@centredaily.com to have them added to the list.
Movies at The State Theatre
When: throughout October
Where: 130 W. College Ave. in State College
What: To celebrate Halloween this year, The State Theatre is showing 31 spooky films throughout the entire month of October, including Halloween classics “The Conjuring,” “Saw,” A Nightmare on Elm Street,” “Hotel Transylvania” and more. Most are shown in the evening, but some — including an 11 p.m. Oct. 31 showing of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” — are late-night features. A full list of the theater’s upcoming movies can be found on its website.
Adult tickets cost $12.68 and student tickets cost $10.58.
Trunk-or-treats
When: throughout October
Where: locations across Centre County
What: Trunk-or-treating is a Halloween tradition where local groups and organizations hand out candy from their vehicle trunks, and the events are popular throughout Centre County. They’re taking place all through October at locations including Bald Eagle Area High School, Bellefonte Union Cemetery, Zion Lutheran Church in Boalsburg, the Penns Valley Intermediate School, Park Forest Village United Methodist Church, the YMCA of Centre County, the Calvary Bible Church of Centre Hall, the Clarence Moose Lodge 1565, Diamondback Covers in Philipsburg and more.
Events at Way Fruit Farm
When: every weekend in October
Where: 2355 Halfmoon Valley Road, near Stormstown
What: Way Fruit Farm is upping its fall festival game this year, with four separate events at the site throughout the month, starting with its Harvest Craft Show from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 3 and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4. The festival will have 60 craft vendors, live music, local food sampling, wagon rides, face painting, a bunny barn and food trucks.
The farm’s next event is its Everything Pumpkin Festival, which will take place from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 10 and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11. It will feature a small craft market, food vendors, live music, a bunny barn, apple picking, wagon rides and a life pumpkin carving demonstration from renowned pumpkin carver Eric Jones.
A “Fun on the Farm” event will take place from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 17 and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18, with farm tours, a small craft market, food vendors, live music, apple picking and wagon rides.
And the farm will host a “Last Chance Pumpkin Patch” event from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 24 and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25. The event will have a small craft market, food vendors, live music, apple picking and wagon rides.
Downtown Fall Festival
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4
Where: 200 Block of Allen Street in State College
What: The Downtown State College Improvement District’s annual fall festival is celebrating its 24th year, and will have activities for visitors of all ages, including a free pumpkin giveaway for children, a fun house, pop-up music performances, food vendors, a photo station and more.
Free three-hour parking validations for the Pugh, Fraser and Beaver garages will also be provided at the event, with additional parking available at the metered lot on Beaver Avenue, McAllister Deck and along the street.
Haunted Lake Loop Trail
When: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4
Where: Black Moshannon State Park (4216 Beaver Road near Philipsburg)
What: Those looking to be scared this fall will enjoy the Friends of Black Moshannon’s Haunted Lake Loop Trail, which transforms one of the state park’s most regularly-traversed trails into a haunted walk through the woods in the dark. Visitors will register for the walk at the state park’s beach house, where they will sign a liability form and receive a wristband.
From there, they’ll stand in line and wait for the spooky walk to begin. Finger lights are available for a donation, and it’s asked that only the finger lights, red lights or glow sticks be used for the walk. The event will also feature a campfire on the beach with marshmallows and candy. The walk is not recommended for those who scare easily.
Wasson Farm Fall Fest
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday in October
Where: 2545 Shingletown Road in State College
What: Those looking to enjoy hay rides, corn mazes and more will be able to do so every weekend in October at the 24th annual Wasson Farm Fall Fest. A straw tunnel, farm animals, games for children, a barrel train ride and a wine tasting will also take place at the festival, and food offerings like homemade ice cream, maple cotton candy, apple cider slushees, baked goods and more will be available.
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.
Dutch Fall Fest
When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5
Where: Wert Memorial Park (2 West St. in Aaronsburg, and the surrounding streets)
What: If you’re craving some apple baked goods this year, look no further than the Dutch Fall Fest in Aaronsburg, where hundreds of homemade apple dumplings are sold each year. Additionally, homemade sticky buns, bread, ham pot pie, apple cider, breakfast sandwiches and soup will be sold.
The two-day event will also have craft, art, antique and produce vendors, handmade quilt raffles, educational demonstrations an a free children’s activity tent, complete with take-home crafts, activities and face painting.
Pleasant Gap Fire Company Fall Festival
When: noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4
Where: Pleasant Gap Fire Company (475 Robinson Lane in Pleasant Gap)
What: Visitors can check out live music and entertainment, food vendors, a beer garden, games and activities for the family, raffles and an equipment demonstration at the fire company’s inaugural festival. All proceeds from the event will benefit the fire company.
State College Alliance Church Harvest Festival
When: 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 12
Where: 1221 W. Whitehall Road in State College
What: 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. The festival is free for visitors, with local food trucks Maine Bay and Berry Co., Brazilian Munchies and Dubb’s Grub selling food to guests.
Pumpkin Fest
When: 5-9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17 and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18
Where: The Arboretum at Penn State (the corner of E. Park Ave. and Bigler Road on Penn State’s campus)
What: Pumpkin-lovers will appreciate the Arboretum’s signature fall event, where visitors can see jack-o’-lantern displays, contests, live music, arts and crafts, activities for children and six different food trucks and vendors — Farmstead Fusion, Gourmet Griddle Company, Idou Coffee Co., Rebelz Mobile Cuisine, Rosie’s Pierogies and The Cakeshop by Tati.
Those looking to participate in the event’s pumpkin carving contest can pick up their free pumpkin at the Arboretum from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 12. The pumpkins must be returned from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16 or from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 17 to be judged on Saturday.
Categories for the contest include “Best in Show,” “Best Arboretum Theme,” “Best Pop Culture Theme” and “Best Penn State Theme” spread across different age groups. First-, second- and third-place ribbons will be presented to winners at noon on Sunday. A no-carve pumpkin-decorating activity is also available for children from 5-7 p.m. Friday for a $10 fee, per pumpkin.
Punkin’ Chunkin’ Fall Festival
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18
Where: Bald Eagle State Park, 149 Main Park Road in Howard
What: Every year, the Howard Fire Company celebrates fall by holding a festival where hundreds of pumpkins are shot out of catapults, trebuchets and cannons into the nearby Foster Joseph Sayers Reservoir — making for one of Centre County’s most unique fall traditions. The event also offers about 100 local craft vendors, food vendors, hayrides, mini trebuchets for visitors to try, activities for children, emergency vehicle displays and a pumpkin pie-eating contest.
Curtin Village’s Apple Festival
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18
Where: 251 Curtin Village Road, Howard
What: Celebrate all things apple and the history of Eagle Iron Works and Curtin Village at this family-friendly event. It features live music, crafts, vendors, goats — yes, goats — tours and more. Tickets are $5 to enter, and children 10 and under are admitted for free. Visit www.curtinvillage.com/news--events.html for more information.
Talleyrand Fall Fest and Halloween Parade
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25
Where: The annex-side of Talleyrand Park (320 W. High St. in Bellefonte)
What: The Talleyrand Fall Fest is a fundraiser hosted by the Bellefonte Area Rotary Club, and will benefit the Bellefonte YMCA, Faith Centre, Centre County Library, Bellefonte Youth Center and more. Visitors can look forward to inflatables and activities for kids, snacks, refreshments and unique vendors.
The parade will line up at the Bellefonte Elementary School 10 a.m. and march down to Talleyrand Park at 11 a.m.
Boalsburg Halloween Celebration
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26
Where: Boalsburg Heritage Museum (304 E. Main St. in Boalsburg)
What: Costumes are encouraged at this year’s Boalsburg Halloween Celebration, a free event that features book bingo, face painting, pumpkin decorating and live music by the Brass Rats. Popcorn and hot apple cider will also be offered.
Halloween Costume Parade
When: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29
Where: Downtown State College
What: Centre Region Parks and Recreation is holding its 77th annual costume parade at the end of the month. Step off will be at 7 p.m. on Fraser Street, and the parade will end at Memorial Field. There, judges will evaluate costumes in five different categories: cutest, superheroes, witches and monsters, most unique and groups.
Cash prizes will be awarded to the winners, and candy will also be offered.
Axemann Brewery Halloween Party
When: 7-10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30
Where: Axemann Brewery (2042 Axemann Road in Bellefonte)
What: Rock/grunge band 91 Stitches will be performing at Axemann Brewery’s annual Halloween party, where costumes are encouraged.
This story was originally published October 3, 2025 at 5:42 AM.