Fall is right around the corner! 'Tis the season of oversized sweaters, cool crisp mornings, pumpkin-spice everything, fires in the fireplace, and leaf-peeping. The best part? There's never a shortage of fall activities! Here are some of our favorite seasonal activities to enjoy in the fall.
1. Get Outdoors and Enjoy the Crisp Mornings
As the days pass and the cooler weather sets in, the trees begin to change colors showing us the beauty of nature during the fall season. There are many amazing outdoor spots to go on a long walk or create a fall photoshoot to enjoy nature’s beauty.
- Get out on the water at King’s Mountain State Park and take a relaxing fishing trip on one of their non-motorized boat rentals for only $20 a day.
- Take a leisurely stroll down Piedmont Medical Center Trail.
- Take the family out for a picnic lunch on Anne Springs Close Greenway.
- Get out on the water one last time on Lake Wylie before winter comes.
2. Apple Picking at Windy Hill Orchard
In search of the ultimate autumn experience? Look no further than Windy Hill Orchard! Secure your reservation to pick apples, and afterward, treat yourself to apple cider donuts, delicious slushies, and an array of other delightful offerings.
3. Stroll Through the Fort Mill Scarecrow Crawl
Join the Town of Fort Mill as they host our 9th Annual Scarecrow Crawl from Oct. 6 to 31, 2023! Take a stroll in Downtown Fort Mill to see all the amazing scarecrow entries created by individuals, schools, businesses, organizations, churches, and more!
4. Find a Thrill
SCarowinds
Select nights September 15th - October 29th
Eat, drink, and be scary at SCarowinds! Known as the Carolinas' largest Halloween event, Scarowinds is back and better than ever! Whether it's your first time or your 100th time visiting SCarowinds, you'll certainly be in for a treat (not the sweet kind).
Procession of Nightmares
Select nights from September 15th - October 29th
For scenes from the underworld, the Procession of Nightmares kicks off at 7:30 p.m. This enthralling display promises a convoy of hideous, monstrous structures slithering through the park, joined by grotesque characters, mesmerizing effects, and bone-chilling music. Seven exquisite floats, meticulously crafted by Kern Studios in New Orleans, La., stand as the centerpiece of the parade, adding an air of mystique to the festivities.
The Great Pumpkin Fest
Saturdays and Sundays from September 16th - October 29th
Carowinds' daytime celebration, The Great Pumpkin Fest, offers family-friendly excitement. Running from September 16 to October 29 on Saturdays and Sundays, this special event, with just a speck of spooky, is available during park operating hours from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The culmination of The Great Pumpkin Fest is marked by the roving Halloween party, the Tricks and Treats Parade.
The Tricks and Treats Parade, starting at 3:30 p.m., takes the magic of Halloween to the park’s midways. Adorned with iconic Halloween scenes, the mesmerizing floats wind through Carowinds, offering a visual delight. This daytime spectacle features beautifully decorated floats, cooky-spooky characters that guests of all ages can dance with along the route, and a fang-tastic dance party with iconic Halloween jams.
Mr. Putty's Frightmare on Dam Rd
Dates: TBD
Featuring a haunted house, open-air scare zones, haunted miniature golf, ax throwing, and more, Mr. Putty's Fun Park is transforming their space into a spooktacular experience! $15 General admission includes haunted house admission. Other activities (Miniature Golf, Axe Throwing) are priced per activity & may require a reservation.
Frightmare Bundle – $20.00 per person includes haunted house admission & unlimited Haunted Mini-Golf!
5. Fun on the Farms
Bush-N-Vine
Pumpkin Season: September 23rd - October 31st
Come enjoy this refreshing time of year with your whole family by visiting our pick-your-own pumpkin patch! Whether you choose to pick one big pumpkin for your front porch or a dozen small pumpkins, Bush-N-Vine promises you will enjoy your visit and make memories that will last a lifetime with your loved ones.
The Peach Tree Orchard Pumpkin Patch
Every weekend in October
Join the Peach Tree Orchard every weekend in October for their annual Fall Festival! They'll have massive pumpkin displays, made-to-order hot pumpkin cinnamon donuts, our famous, not your mama’s pumpkin pie crazy milkshake, mountain apples, and a big fall ole truck display for taking pictures!
Black's Peaches
Every Weekend in October
The Black's Peaches Fall Festival is open every weekend in October. $8 per person and activities include a corn maze, skeeball, a farm playground, and of course, hayrides! Unfortunately, Fido will have to sit this one out, as there are no furry friends permitted during the fall festival.
Cherry Place Farm
Saturdays and Sundays in October
During the month of October, Cherry Place Farm is open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays. The October festival is a self-guided tour of their farm that features a corn maze and pumpkin patch. This is a family-friendly event, but all ages will enjoy the activities. They do not require reservations at this time and do allow friendly, leashed dogs. Please check social media for the most recent updates.⠀
6. Get Festive at these Fall Festivals
Old Town's Fall Festival
September 15h
Food Truck Friday just got even better! In addition to the usual lineup, the City of Rock Hill is kicking off fall with their very own Fall Festival! There will be food trucks, pumpkin carving, wiener dog races, and a Kids Fun Zone with rides/inflatables and more!
Main Street Oktoberfest Jam
September 16
Make your way to Main Street in Fort Mill for their annual Oktoberfest Jam! There will be contests for adults and kids, 35+ artisanal vendors, food trucks, face painting, costume contests, live music, and more!
Fall Festival at The Power House
September 23rd
Join The Power House for their first-ever Fall Festival! You can expect a day filled with fun activities, delicious food, and great music. Don’t miss out on the chance to celebrate the season with your friends and family.
October 7th
Curtin Farms Fest is a community gathering for those who appreciate quality, hand-crafted, and unique treasures and for those who have an interest in experiencing a relaxing, family-friendly day surrounded by rolling pastures with the sights and sounds of our 100-year-old working farm.
Catawba Fest
October 14th
Catawba Fest in Tega Cay returns for its second year! Enjoy a variety of Arts & Crafts, Food Trucks, and Local Business vendors as well as a free kid's zone and costume parade. Harvest on the Homestead at Historic Brattonsville
Harvest on the Homestead takes place every Saturday in October
Oct. 7 - Corn, including corn shelling and cooking
Oct. 14 - Apples, including cooking and food preservation
Oct. 21 - Cotton, including natural dyeing with cotton fabrics and cotton ginning
Oct. 28 - Pumpkins, including cooking special dishes and preservation of food
Pre-registration is encouraged; limited walk-up tickets are available.
Windy Hill Apple Harvest Festival
Date: TBD
Apple lovers will delight in apple picking, hayrides, cider making, pumpkin picking, apple peeling contests, Johnny Appleseed stories, and delicious baked apple goods.
Fort Mill Fall Festival
October 21st
Get ready for an evening filled with food, fun, and all things Fall with the upcoming Fort Mill Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 21st, 2023! The event will be held at Walter Elisha Park, 345 N. White Street, from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM. It will feature music in the Fort Mill Amphitheater, as well as vendors, food trucks, kids' activities, trick-or-treating, and costume contests!
Yap Yè Iswà Festival
November 18th
The Nation is excited to announce that they will be hosting the Yap Yè Iswà Festival this year on November 19th at the Catawba Cultural Center. Be on the lookout for more information about the festival! For more information, please contact Frankie Sanders at frankie.sanders@catawba.com.
7. Zipline at Camp Canaan
Don’t just dream of flying anymore, make it your favorite pastime at Canaan Zipline Canopy Tour in Rock Hill, SC. This 3-hour exhilarating adventure starts at the treetops in a 70ft tower, then zips across the Catawba River a total of 6 times. The Full Zipline Tour includes 9 ziplines, a suspended bridge, and walking trails through the woods. This high-flying adventure is for all ages and you don't want to miss it! ⠀⠀⠀
8. Plan a Fall Camping Trip
Why stay indoors when you can experience the beauty around you? York County is home to some wonderful campsites that offer you an amazing adventure and the opportunity to reconnect with nature. Bring a tent, RV, or simply a sleeping bag and enjoy the Palmetto State at its absolute peak!
Why Camping in the Fall is Awesome
- Cool fall temps are so great for hiking and getting outdoors! You won't have to worry about beating the heat or waiting for the sun to go down before getting outside
- Early campfires mean more time for stories around the campfire and opportunities to create memories
- It's hard to avoid waking up at the crack of dawn while camping during the summer. Later sunrises in the fall make it easier to sleep in and recharge your batteries
Discover our complete guide to camping near Rock Hill, SC
9. Plan a Day Trip to Kings Mountain State and National Military Park
York County is home to numerous outdoor green spaces, waterways, and historic sites – but only one State Park and one National Military Park that rolls all of these things into one. Discover Kings Mountain State Park and Kings Mountain National Military Park for a day filled with nature’s beauty, American Revolution history, and more!
Read more about how to plan a day trip to Kings Mountain State and Military Park
10. Complete the YoCo Brew Trail
It's that time of the year again when pumpkin-flavored everything takes the spotlight, and yes, that includes beer too. Become a pumpkin beer aficionado and embark on the YoCo Brew Trail this fall!