Pumpkin Patches, Apple Orchards, Fall Festivals & Autumn Adventures Across the Show-Me State
There is something special about fall in Missouri.
The mornings turn crisp. The trees begin trading their summer greens for brilliant shades of orange, red and gold. Pumpkin patches fill with families searching for the perfect pumpkin. Apple orchards smell like cider and fresh-baked treats. Small towns close their streets for festivals, craft vendors set up their booths, and weekends suddenly become an excuse for a road trip.
Whether you’re planning a family day with the kids, a romantic fall date, a girls’ weekend, a scenic drive or simply looking for an excuse to get outside, Missouri is packed with places to celebrate autumn.
Grab your favorite sweater, order something pumpkin-spiced and start planning.
Here is Missouri Magazine’s 2026 guide to fall across the Show-Me State.
🎃 PUMPKIN PATCHES & FALL FARMS
KANSAS CITY & NORTHWEST MISSOURI
Weston Red Barn Farm — Weston
One of Missouri’s classic fall destinations, Weston Red Barn Farm combines beautiful countryside with an old-fashioned farm experience. Pick pumpkins, visit farm animals and make time for something delicious from the farm’s food offerings.
Perfect for: Families, couples, fall photos and weekend road trips.
Historic Weston Orchard & Vineyard — Weston
Apple picking meets fall adventure at this Weston destination. The orchard has thousands of apple trees along with seasonal attractions that can include pumpkins, hayrides, a bakery and outdoor activities.
Perfect for: Couples, families and anyone wanting apples and pumpkins in one trip.
The Fun Farm — Kearney
This sprawling farm near Kansas City turns into a fall playground. Visitors can enjoy pumpkins, apples, a corn maze, farm animals and seasonal attractions, plus plenty of fall treats.
Perfect for: An all-day family adventure.
Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch — Liberty
A longtime Kansas City-area fall tradition featuring pumpkins and plenty of seasonal entertainment.
Perfect for: Young families and a classic pumpkin-patch day.
Faulkner’s Ranch — Kansas City
Fall festivities meet a western-style ranch atmosphere at this Kansas City destination.
Perfect for: Families who want fall fun without traveling far outside the city.
Johnson Farms Plants & Pumpkins — Belton
A popular south Kansas City-area fall stop where pumpkins and farm fun take center stage.
Perfect for: Families, pumpkin shopping and fall pictures.
Red Barn Ranch — Harrisonville
A scenic farm setting south of Kansas City offering seasonal activities and a beautiful backdrop for an autumn outing.
Apple of My Eye Farm & Orchard — Platte City
Head north of Kansas City for an orchard experience that makes a wonderful addition to a fall weekend.
🍎 CENTRAL MISSOURI & COLUMBIA
Shryock’s Callaway Farms — Columbia
One of central Missouri’s signature fall attractions. The enormous corn maze is the star of the show, but pumpkins, hayrides, the Big Red Barn and other activities make this an easy place to spend an entire autumn afternoon.
Lloyd’s Family Farm — Ashland
Located between Columbia and Jefferson City, Lloyd’s offers pumpkins, mums, hayrides, a corn maze and other activities in a family-friendly farm setting.
Fischer Farms Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze — Jefferson City
Fall means pumpkin season at Fischer Farms. Visitors traditionally find a large pick-your-own pumpkin patch along with a corn maze, hayrides, slides and farm animals.
Rhymers Ridge — Jefferson City
Another central Missouri pumpkin destination to put on your fall road-trip list.
Hickory Ridge Orchard — Mexico
A charming orchard north of Columbia that makes a beautiful stop for a crisp autumn afternoon.
Noland’s Dusty Boots Pumpkin Patch — Edwards
A veteran-owned pumpkin patch bringing another fall experience to central Missouri. The 2026 season runs into November, making it a great option for families around the Lake of the Ozarks and Truman Lake area.
🍁 LAKE OF THE OZARKS & MID-MISSOURI
Fall at the Lake isn’t just about the water. Cooler temperatures make October an excellent time to explore the region.
Versailles Olde Tyme Apple Festival — Versailles
October 3–4
One of mid-Missouri’s signature autumn traditions fills downtown Versailles with festival food, entertainment, vendors and hometown fun.
Fall Harbor Hop — Lake of the Ozarks
October 10
A Lake of the Ozarks fall tradition. Boaters travel around the lake collecting cards at participating waterfront stops while enjoying a beautiful October day on the water.
For families staying around the Lake, fall also makes a great time for a scenic drive through the Ozarks, a visit to Ha Ha Tonka State Park or an afternoon exploring one of the region’s small towns.
🎃 ST. LOUIS & EASTERN MISSOURI
Brookdale Farms — Eureka
A huge fall destination west of St. Louis featuring pumpkins and multiple mazes, along with wagon rides and other farm attractions.
Stuckmeyer’s Farm Market — Fenton
A longtime St. Louis-area destination where families can combine a farm-market visit with pumpkin-season traditions.
Sullivan Farms Pumpkin Patch — Florissant
A north St. Louis County option for anyone looking for pumpkins without making a long drive from the city.
Pumpkins Galore — Wright City
Travel west from St. Louis for a country pumpkin-patch experience and plenty of fall atmosphere.
Heartland Farms — Bourbon
Located along the I-44 corridor, Heartland Farms combines pumpkins and a corn maze with a variety of family activities.
🍎 MISSOURI WINE COUNTRY & RIVER TOWNS
Fall may be the most beautiful time of year to explore Missouri’s river towns.
Hermann Oktoberfest — Hermann
Every weekend in October
Few Missouri towns embrace October quite like Hermann. German heritage, live entertainment, food, wine and beautiful Missouri River Valley scenery make it especially popular for couples and weekend getaways.
Perfect for: Couples, friend groups and weekend trips.
Pumpkin Palooza — Washington
October 24
Downtown Washington celebrates pumpkin season with activities that traditionally include giant pumpkins, contests, costumes and family fun.
Legends & Lanterns — St. Charles
Select weekends in October
Historic Main Street takes on a completely different personality in October as characters and Halloween history create a festive — and occasionally spooky — experience.
Perfect for: Families during the day and couples looking for a unique fall date.
🍂 SOUTHWEST MISSOURI & SPRINGFIELD
Gardener’s Orchard — Brighton
One of southwest Missouri’s popular orchard destinations hosts its fall season through October, combining orchard traditions with seasonal family activities.
Rutledge-Wilson Farm Park — Springfield
A favorite Springfield destination for family fall activities and an easy seasonal outing without leaving the city.
Pickin’ Patch Farm — Marionville
A southwest Missouri pumpkin destination worth adding to a weekend drive.
🎃 BRANSON
Silver Dollar City Harvest Festival & Pumpkins in the City — Branson
Through October 31
Thousands of glowing pumpkins, enormous pumpkin creations, seasonal foods, craftsmen and Silver Dollar City’s rides combine for one of Missouri’s biggest fall experiences.
Stay until after dark when the pumpkins light up the park.
Perfect for: Families, couples and weekend getaways.
Shepherd’s PumpkinFest — Branson
Through October 31
Pumpkins meet Ozarks adventure with hayrides, pumpkin activities, barnyard animals and plenty of attractions for children.
Sycamore Creek Fall Roundup — Branson
Weekends in October and November 1
Another option for families spending an autumn weekend in Branson.
Cedar Fest — Ridgedale
Saturdays in October
Combine beautiful Ozarks scenery with seasonal activities at Big Cedar Lodge for a fall outing that’s especially fun for couples and families making a weekend of it.
🍎 SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
Beggs Family Farm — Sikeston
One of southeast Missouri’s major fall attractions features a large corn maze, pumpkins and dozens of activities.
Think slides, pig races, games, farm fun and plenty of opportunities for apple-cider doughnuts and other seasonal treats.
Perryville Pumpkin Farm — Perryville
Pumpkin lovers will want this one on their list. The farm grows an impressive assortment of pumpkins and gourds and traditionally offers more than 30 activities across the property.
Knowlan Family Farm — Burfordville
A southeast Missouri farm where visitors can find apples and other locally grown produce. It’s an especially nice stop for travelers exploring the Cape Girardeau area.
McWilliams Pumpkin Patch — Southeast Missouri
Operating during October, this locally owned farm offers pumpkins and seasonal family fun.
🎃 NORTHEAST MISSOURI
Urban Gardens Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze — Kirksville
Fall fun reaches northern Missouri with pumpkins, harvest games, a petting zoo, train rides and other activities.
It’s a great destination for families around Kirksville, Macon and northeast Missouri who don’t want to travel to one of the state’s larger metro areas.
🍎 MISSOURI’S APPLE FESTIVALS
Some Missouri communities don’t just celebrate fall — they celebrate the apple.
Weston Applefest — Weston
October 3–4
Downtown Weston celebrates the season with apple-themed festivities, including food, demonstrations and hometown festival fun.
Versailles Olde Tyme Apple Festival — Versailles
October 3–4
One of central Missouri’s most anticipated fall weekends brings visitors to downtown Versailles for a traditional small-town celebration.
Apple Butter Makin’ Days — Mount Vernon
October 9–11
The smell alone is worth the trip. This southwest Missouri tradition celebrates the old-fashioned art of making apple butter while filling downtown Mount Vernon with vendors, food and entertainment.
Kimmswick Apple Butter Festival — Kimmswick
October 24–25
Historic Kimmswick welcomes enormous crowds for one of the region’s favorite fall traditions. Watch apple butter cooking in copper kettles while exploring vendors, food and the historic town.
🍁 MORE MISSOURI FALL FESTIVALS WORTH THE DRIVE
There’s far more happening this season than pumpkins and apples.
Pony Express PumpkinFest — St. Joseph
October 2–4
Hundreds of carved pumpkins create the spectacular Great Pumpkin Mountain while rides, crafts, food and other activities fill the weekend.
Fall Festival of Arts, Crafts & Music — Lee’s Summit
October 3–4
Celebrate Missouri history with traditional demonstrations, artisans, music and farm activities.
Ozark Fall Farmfest — Springfield
October 2–4
A major Ozarks agricultural event and a great destination for anyone who loves Missouri farm life.
Carthage Maple Leaf Festival — Carthage
October 9–17
A southwest Missouri tradition celebrating the arrival of fall and the beautiful changing leaves.
Hartsburg Pumpkin Festival — Hartsburg
October 10–11
This tiny Missouri River town becomes one of the state’s biggest pumpkin destinations for the weekend. Thousands of pumpkins, hundreds of vendors, food, entertainment and a parade make this one worth the drive.
Caledonia Pumpkin Festival — Caledonia
October 11
Explore historic Caledonia while enjoying wagon rides, pumpkins, a corn maze, food and family activities.
Warrensburg Burg Fest — Warrensburg
October 9–10
Downtown Warrensburg celebrates fall with community festivities.
OzFaire Renaissance Festival — West Plains
October 10–11
Travel back in time with music, games, demonstrations and Renaissance-themed entertainment.
Dexter Fall Fest — Dexter
October 10
A downtown celebration of the season in southeast Missouri.
Route 66 Cuba Fest — Cuba
October 17–18
Celebrate fall and America’s historic Mother Road with small-town festivities in Cuba.
Hannibal Folklife Festival — Hannibal
October 18–19
Historic Hannibal provides an especially beautiful backdrop for an autumn festival along the Mississippi River.
Riverfront Fall Festival — Cape Girardeau
October 24
Celebrate autumn along the Mississippi River in downtown Cape Girardeau.
Pets & Pumpkins Family Festival — Springfield
October 24
A playful Springfield fall tradition combining Halloween fun with four-legged family members.
🍂 FALL DATE IDEAS FOR COUPLES
Fall isn’t only for the kids.
Make an afternoon out of apple picking in Weston. Spend a weekend exploring Hermann’s Oktoberfest. Wander historic St. Charles during Legends & Lanterns. Take a scenic Ozarks drive before dinner in Branson. Visit a pumpkin patch, choose pumpkins for each other and finish the evening around a fire pit.
Sometimes the best fall date doesn’t need an elaborate itinerary — just a country road, a warm drink and nowhere you need to be for a few hours.
👨👩👧👦 MAKE IT A FAMILY TRADITION
Children may remember the giant slide or corn maze now, but years from now they’ll remember something bigger: going together.
Take the annual picture beside the pumpkin sign.
Let everyone choose their own pumpkin.
Get lost in the corn maze.
Split the giant bag of kettle corn.
Drink the cider.
Buy the apple butter.
Take far too many pictures.
And don’t worry if everyone comes home dusty.
That’s part of it.
🍎 BEFORE YOU GO
Fall farm schedules depend heavily on weather, crop availability and harvest conditions. Apple varieties can sell out, pumpkin-patch activities may operate only on certain days, and festival schedules can change.
Missouri Magazine recommends checking directly with each farm, orchard or festival before making a long drive.
Many apple varieties are harvested during September, while later varieties can extend Missouri’s apple season into October and even November. Pumpkin patches typically hit their stride from mid-September through October.
Happy Fall from Our Family to Yours!
Have a favorite Missouri pumpkin patch, orchard or fall festival we should add to our guide? Email us at hello@missourimagazines.com and help us continue building the ultimate guide to fall in the Show-Me State.