Ready for sweater weather, Kansas City? From pumpkin patches and corn mazes to apple picking and German beer celebrations, fall is where the City of Fountains thrives.

Get ready to come alive — or play dead at a fall-tastic haunted house — with this guide featuring 30+ fall events happening between now and November.

Festivals

Overland Park Fall Festival | Friday, Sept. 26–Saturday, Sept. 27 | Downtown Overland Park, KS | Free entry | Bring the whole family out for a hometown parade and farmers market shopping — plus, park away from the crowds with a free shuttle from Shawnee Mission West on Saturday.

Louisberg Ciderfest | Saturday, Sept. 27–Sunday, Sept. 28 + Saturday, Oct. 4–Sunday, Oct. 5 | Louisburg Cider Mill, Louisburg, KS | Free entry | We'll never complain about the drive down when one of the metro's most beloved fall traditions involves fresh apple cider and hot donuts.

Nothing says fall like a hot cup of apple cider. | Photo by KCtoday

Greater Kansas City Japan Festival | Saturday, Oct. 4 | 10 a.m.–7 p.m. | Johnson County Community College, Overland Park, KS | $10–$25 | This year's theme of "Masks & Myths" dives into the symbolism of traditional and pop Japanese culture through exhibits, musical performances, martial arts, cosplay, and workshops.

KC Oktoberfest | Friday, Oct. 3–Saturday, Oct. 4 | Crown Center | $14–$225 | What's better than balancing a stein of your fave KC Bier Co. brew in one hand, a brat in the other, all while playing carnival games and listening to oompah tunes under the big tent?

Weston Applefest | Saturday, Oct. 4–Sunday, Oct. 5 | 526 Main St., Weston, MO | Free entry | Celebrate the apple harvest with handmade crafts, an old-fashioned parade, and all the apple treats you can carry — apple butter, cider, dumplings, and more.

Shawnee Indian Mission Fall Festival | Saturday, Oct. 11 | 10 a.m.–5 p.m. | 3403 W. 53rd St., Fairway, KS | Free entry | Take a tour of the historic mission grounds and learn about the region's indigenous and pioneer communities with archery, handmade goods, and storytelling sessions.

Maple Leaf Festival | Saturday, Oct. 18–Sunday, Oct. 19 | Baldwin City, KS | Free entry | Operating since 1958, this classic fall fest features 300+ craft booths, a quilt show, 5K run, street food, parade, and live performances.

Orchards, pumpkin patches + mazes

Cider Hill Family Orchard | Open Tuesday-Sunday through October | 3341 N. 139th St., KCK | Pay per item/activity | Pick your own apples from the 6,000 apple trees then enjoy special treats like apple cider donuts, slushies + apple pie nachos.

Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch | Open Thursday-Monday through October | 17607 NE 52nd St., Liberty, MO | $19-$40 | Find your perfect pumpkin and then stick around for activities like the Bubble Barn, Farmer's Skee-ball, and weekend pig races. Plus, score 10% off a seasonal pass if you purchase by Friday, Sept. 19.

There's pumpkins and wine galore. | Photos courtesy of KC Pumpkin Patch

KC Pumpkin Patch | Saturday, Sept. 27-Sunday, Oct. 26 | 13875 S. Gardner Rd., Olathe, KS | $20+ | The 60+ farm activities are fun for all ages, but we're big fans of its 21+ only experience at the on-site winery.

Gieringer's Family Farm | Open through October | 39345 W. 183rd St., Edgerton, KS | $10+ | Editor Maddie’s top pick for u-pick: a massive farm store, the freshest produce, and a corn maze rocking this year’s Wizard of Oz theme.

Faulkner’s Ranch and Pumpkin Farm | Open Tuesdays-Sundays, starting Friday, Oct. 3 through Friday, Oct. 31 | 10600, Raytown Rd. | $22+ | Upgrade to the Buckaroo Bundle ahead of time and score admission to its 30+ activities and u-pick patch, alongside two funny money tokens, a pumpkin spice donut, and a petting farm feed bag.

Haunted houses

Full Moon Escapes | Open Thursday‑Sunday through December | The Beast Haunted House | $45+ | As if escape rooms aren’t creepy enough... make your way through themed rooms including The Ghost of Merlin, The Manhattan Project, and The Beast Tool Room.

The Beast opened in 1991 | Photo by KCtoday

Beast & Edge Haunted House | Select nights through Saturday, Nov. 1 | 1300 W. 12th St. | $37+ | The Edge of Hell and The Beast bring multiple floors of terror to KC for the 51st season.

Macabre Cinema Haunted House | Select nights through Saturday, Nov. 1 | 1222 W. 12th St. | $37+ | Join the spookiness with four floors of fright fashioned after a haunted 1930s movie theater.

Exiled Haunted House | Select nights through Saturday, Nov. 1 | 12829 Loring Rd., Bonner Springs, KS | $39+ | Test your survival skills in this outdoor thrill fest — a self-guided half-mile hike through the dark, evil forest infested with deranged creatures.