September 01, 2023
Content sponsored by
Courtesy/Cumberland Valley Visitors Bureau
Uprise Festival, Shippensburg
Each season in Cumberland Valley promises an endless array of experiences for the ultimate weekend getaway, but it’s during the fall that this region truly comes alive. Now is the perfect time to plan a vibrant escape brimming with festivals, food, fun, and more. Whether you are traveling as a couple, with family, or alongside friends, you can dine, play, explore, and discover the perfect place to get away from it all. So, pick and choose your favorite events and pair them with outdoor adventure, delicious seasonal bounty, and delightful craft beverages. The quiet beauty of southcentral Pennsylvania is just a short 2-hour drive from Philadelphia. Your weekend is calling.
These highlighted fall festivals cover interests ranging from music and artisan crafts to sunflowers, apples, pumpkins, and more. If you can’t visit this fall, browse Cumberland Valley’s online event calendar for a complete list of year-round festival and events.
Fall Furnace Fest, Pine Grove Furnace State Park
One of the few festivals on the list that isn’t centered around food, Uprise Fest in Shippensburg is a two-day, outdoor Christian music festival featuring over 30 performers across multiple stages. The family-friendly event includes plenty of food vendors, a petting zoo and kids’ zone.
Celebrate all things tea at this unique festival! Held in the herb garden of the Rosemary House in Mechanicsburg, the festival features guided tea tastings, samplings, merchants, informative programs, music, and more.
The annual Harvest of the Arts in downtown Carlisle features artists, crafts, an European Sports Car display, kids’ activities and live entertainment.
Ticket holders to this annual event receive a souvenir glass to enjoy samplings from a variety of breweries, wineries and distilleries. Bring your lawn chair and plan to spend the day enjoying food trucks, vendors, live music and cornhole.
Meadowbrooke Gourds, Carlisle
Visit Meadowbrooke Gourds' scenic 200-acre farm in Carlisle to see the sunflowers in full bloom! Activities include food trucks, sales, artisan craft vendors, live music, food trucks, and free sunflower picking.
Apple treats are the name of the game at the New Cumberland Apple Festival! Over 70 food vendors and 200 craft vendors offer family-friendly offerings, complete with scarecrow making.
This annual fall festival at Kings Gap Environmental Education Center in Carlisle includes hayrides, pumpkin painting, pumpkin bowling, a mum walk, food trucks, an apple cider press, and more.
The annual Pumpkin Fest in Enola features over 100 vendors, games, a car show, great entertainment, and many pumpkin-flavored treats!
Find live pumpkin carving, food trucks, craft vendors, live music, hayrides, and more at this annual festival.
Located in beautiful Pine Grove Furnace State Park, attendees to this event will enjoy food and craft vendors, live music, environmental education program, historical demonstrations, free hayrides, pumpkin carving, scarecrow making and a Pumpkin Float on scenic Fuller Lake.
The Williams Grove Historical Steam Engine Association’s annual Fall Fest features train rides, tractor pulls, a car show, pumpkin painting, apple launching, hayrides, live music, kids' activities, and more.
Appalachian Trail Midpoint, Gardners
Experienced hikers or those just starting out can discover and explore Cumberland Valley's more than 200 miles of scenic trails, including the 13-mile Cumberland Valley Rail Trail and 46 miles of the iconic Appalachian Trail. Sweater weather makes hiking even better when ascending mountains to our Top 10 Overlooks.
Cumberland Valley is also a flyfisher’s paradise featuring some of the world’s most sought-after fly-fishing hotspots including the Yellow Breeches Creek, LeTort Spring Run, and Big Spring Creek Greenway. Stay at Allenberry Resort, one of only three Orvis-certified fly-fishing lodges in Pennsylvania.
The Cumberland Valley Farm Fresh Trail and Cumberland Valley Beer Trail make exploring the area easy and fun. Find u-pick apples, sunflowers and pumpkins or taste seasonal brews as you check-in and earn points towards prizes.
Cumberland Valley’s hotels fit every style and budget. From luxurious lodging, to comfortable and conveniently located brand hotels, to intimate and unique bed and breakfasts, your accommodations promise a perfect home base for your getaway.
Order a copy of the free Cumberland Valley Visitors Guide to help you plan your trip. Once you arrive, pick up free brochures, maps, and guides at the Cumberland Valley Visitors Center.
What are you waiting for? With so many choices, you’re sure to find just the right mix of relaxation and fun during your weekend escape. Your weekend is calling. The hardest part is returning home.
