We’re here to sweat the fall stuff and the first day of fall — aka the autumnal equinox — is tomorrow, Sept. 22.

Orange-colored gourds + crimson mums have already hit local retailers, like Paul’s Fruit Market, but fall festivities are on the rise. So, we put our gourds together and found 5 fall festivals taking place this harvest season that are sure to be unbe-leaf-ably fun.

🍁 Middletown Peddlers Mall Fall Kick-off Outdoor Festival | Middletown Peddler’s Mall | Sun., Sept. 25 | 12-5 p.m. | Free to attend | Shop for vintage treasures, sample food from Valley Dairy Freeze + enjoy music and giveaways.
What we’re falling for: Fresh flowers from Rosedale Mercantile

🍁 Porktoberfest | Copper & Kings Distillery | Fri., Oct. 7 | 5-10 p.m. | Free to attend | This annual pork-inspired cook-off will feature local restaurants + chefs competing in four categories — Judges’ Choice, Best Vegetarian, Most Creative, and Best Dessert — for their pork dishes + patrons can purchase tickets to sample them all.
What we’re falling for: We’re hoping Copper & Kings chef Josh Lehman enters his fried pork sandwich currently on the menu at the rooftop restaurant.

🍁 Belknap Fall Festival | Douglass Loop | Fri., Oct.7-Sat., Oct. 8 | Various times | Free to attend | Peruse over 100 local vendors, hear local bands + savor food trucks and craft beer.
What we’re falling for: The Louisville Leopards Percussionists' performance

Stein holding competition at a previous Belknap Fall Festival. | Photo provided by Belknap Fall Festival

🍁 Kentucky Bat Festival, E.P. Tom Sawyer Park | Sat., Oct. 22 | 4-7 p.m. | $25 | Enjoy live bluegrass music, BBQ + local brews, a silent auction, and of course, live bats at this fundraiser for the Second Chances Wildlife Center.
What we’re falling for: Meet + greet with “batinfluncer” Pepperoni

🍁 ColorFest, Bernheim Forest | Sat., Nov. 5-Sun., Nov. 6 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Included with admission to the forest | This two-day fest will feature live music, hands-on nature activities for kids + a Kentucky arts and crafts vendors all in the picturesque autumn setting of the arboretum.
What we’re falling for: The beer garden — which is new this year