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Fall Events in West Michigan

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Fall Events
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Autumn is such a great season here in West Michigan. You can visit a multitude of festivals, take a fall color tour to view the spectacular oranges, reds and yellows that take over the landscape, and just enjoy the cool, crisp air. Halloween is not just for kids- our local communities sponsor various parties and events that are fun for the entire family. 

For more information on Trick or Treat dates and locations, read our Halloween story.

Orchard Market
The Market

Local Corn Mazes & Pumpkin Patches

Orchard Market

8400 N. US 31, Free Soil. (231) 464-5534. Wagon rides, corn maze, u-pick pumpkin patch, apple cannons, and more. 11am-5pm Saturdays and Sundays in October. Visit OrchardMarket.us for more information.

The Jam Farm

The Jam Farm is located at 5075 W. Meisenheimer Rd., Ludington. (231) 845-9909. Pumpkin Patch. (NOTE: Pumpkins are only available every other year. The next pumpkin patch will be in 2025.)

Fun Fall Events That Are Currently Scheduled

Mason County

  • Through October 25th, 2024 – Scare Crow Contest hosted by Circle Rocking “S” Children’s Farm – All from Mason, Manistee, or Lake Counties are welcome to enter and addresses must be clearly marked on judging week. For entry forms, visit circlerockingsfarm.org.
  • Tuesday, October 1st, 2024 at 1pm – Halloween Hayride, Costume Contest and Potluck Dinner at Circle Rocking “S” Children’s Farm – 5487 Tuttle Rd. in Free Soil. Bring treats, a dish to pass, and your own beverages and table service. RSVP required by September 27th, 2024 by calling (231) 462-3732. 
  • October 12th, 18th, 19th, 25th, & 26th from 7:30-11:30pm – Camp Sauble Cages of Carnage Haunted Prison – 4058 E. Free Soil Rd. in Free Soil. Entry fee benefits local fire departments. Handicapped accessible and with 2 trails to follow. Not recommended for small children.

Fun Fall Events That Are Typically Held

Mason County

  • Harvest Weekend for campers at Kibby Creek Campground – 4900 W. Deren Rd. in Ludington. Visit kibbycreek.com to reserve your campsite.
  • Halloween at the Station for campers at Vacation Station RV Resort – 5061 W. US 10 in Ludington. The event includes spooky train rides, pumpkin decorating, trick-or-treating, and a site decorating contest. Visit vacationstationrvresort.com to reserve your campsite.
  •  Octoberfest Craft Beer & Music Festival  downtown Ludington.
  • Bring Your Own Pumpkin to Faire Heart Center – 3408 W. US-10, Ludington. For $10 per person or $25 per family of 5, you can utilize Faire Heart’s supplies and special tracers to carve or decorate your pumpkin.
  • Halloween Weekend for campers at Scottville Riverside Park – 700 S. Scottville Rd., Scottville. Includes site decorating contest, hay rides, chili cook-off.
  • Halloween Weekend for campers at Ponchos Pond – 5335 W. Wallace Rd. in Ludington. The event includes trick-or-treating, a site decorating contest, kids’ pumpkin carving, costume contest and more. Visit poncho.com to reserve your campsite.
  • Fall Festival at the Ludington State Park – 8800 M-116, Ludington. Event includes horse-drawn wagon rides, live music, beach bonfire, apples, donuts, and cider. Free event but donations are appreciated.
  • Chili Cook-Off at Ruby Creek Conservation & Recreation Club – 8152 E. Washington Rd., Branch. Enter a pot or sample and vote. Dessert will also be available. Suggested donation is $5 per person. For more info, call Janet at (231) 233-4637.
  • Ladies Night at Faire Heart Center – 3408 W. US-10, Ludington. Event includes a vendor show, live music, complimentary snacks and (non-alcoholic) drinks, and sales in the boutique. Attendees maybe BYOB.
  • “A Scream in the Night” Halloween Drive-thru event to benefit Connexion Point Addiction Treatment & Recovery Program – $5 per person. Cartier Park Campground- 1254 N. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington. 
  • Pumpkin Carving Party at Prayer & Praise Church – 509 N. Staffon St., Ludington. Free event. Bring your own pumpkin and use templates and tools provided for carving. Dinner is provided.
  • Stage Left Theatre Company presents Murder at the Moon Dinner Theatre: “Boo! Goes the Bride” at Blu Moon Bistro- 125 S. James St., Ludington – Tickets are $40 per person and include a buffet meal and the show. Friday and Saturday events begin at 6:15pm and the Sunday matinee begins at 12:15pm.
  • Footsteps for Families Pumpkins in the Park 1-Mile Fundraiser Walk to benefit West Shore Family Support – Glow items, coffee, hot chocolate, and donuts will be provided. Free and open to the public. Cartier Park Walkway Loop- 1101 N. Rath Ave., Ludington.
  • Harvey’s Haunted Garage – 320 S. Madison Ave. in Custer. Haunted maze, family friendly, and free for all. Donations accepted.
  • Annual Smashing of the Apples at Victory Township Hall – 4411 N. Stiles Rd., Scottville. Supplies will be provided to make apple juice and there will be a pot luck. Please bring apples, if you’re able.
  • Stix Biergarten Fall Fest – 1963 N. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington. Admission is free and activities include games, cornhole tournament, special menu, pumpkin painting, costume contest, live music, demonstration by Food Network Channel professional carvers, face painting, bouncy house, and more.
  • Haunted Village at Historic White Pine Village – 1687 S. Lakeshore Dr. in Ludington. Children are encouraged to wear costumes and trick or treat throughout the historic buildings in the village. Admission is $7.50 for adults, $6.50 for seniors 60 & up, $5.50 for youth ages 4-13, 3 & under free.
  • Spooky Slow Roll Bike Ride beginning at Spindrift Cyclesports – 102 W. Ludington Ave. Costumes are encouraged and snacks and prizes will be provided.
  • Halloween Family Fun Run/Walk to benefit the Childhood Cancer Campaign – Participation is by donation and costumes are encouraged. There will also be candy, cider, and donuts. Cartier Park Pavilion in Ludington.
  • Zombie Crawl – Buy a commemorative t-shirt for $20. All participanting businesses are listed on the back with check boxes. Prizes won by posting photos to Facebook and Instagram along the way. Event is a benefit for the Leeward Initiative of Mason County.
  • Annual Harvest Festival at The Inn at Ludington – 701 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington.Games, Prizes, Costumes, Candy, Food, Punch and so much more! The event will include a  Blueberry Pie Eating Contest at 5:30pm, Harvest Maypole Dance at 6:30pm, and a Ka-Pong Tournament at 7:30pm. There will also be games, prizes, costumes, candy, food, punch, and more. Admission is a  recommended donation of $5/person or $20/family. Proceeds benefit Blue Hat Ministries. 
  • Halloween Party at the Mitten Bar – 109 W. Ludington Ave., Ludington. Featuring live music.
  • Run for Your Lives 5k & Half Marathon  – Downtown Ludington. 
  • Halloween Celebration at Legacy Plaza sponsored by Safe Harbor Credit Union – This free event is open to the public and includes games, prizes, treats, and activities. Also includes downtown Trick-or-Treating from 2-4pm.
  • Ludrock’s Night of Fright at Ludington Area Center for the Arts- 107 S. Harrison St, Ludington – Admission is $5 per person. There will be food and beverages for sale, a costume contest, and live music.
  • Halloween Party at the Ludington Eagles – 108 S. Harrison St., Ludington. Open to the public. Costume contest and live music by Bent Carrot.
  • Halloween Charity Event at Photography by Sue Brown – 1676 W. Hansen Road, Scottville. Free photo with donation to United Way of Mason County. 

Oceana County

  • Sloan’s Halloween Display – 5789 N. US-31 in Free Soil. Come browse and take pics at this annual free display. Pumpkins for sale.
  • Steinfest at Golden Sands Golf & Bucket Bar – 2501 Wilson Rd. in Silver Lake. Keg Rolling/Throwing, Stein Hoisting, and more!
  • Haunted Acres – Cost is $25 for three attractions. There will also be food vendors on site and merchandise available for purchase and parking is free. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Free Parking. Haunted Acres- 7970 Park Rd., New Era. Visit facebook.com for more information.
  • Oktoberfest  – Downtown Pentwater. Bingo, Comedy Night, Kids Activities, Entertainment Tent, and more.
  • Halloween Story Time with open gym time and craft at the Ferry Community Center – 3416 Green St., Shelby.
  • Spooktacular in downtown Pentwater – Event includes costume contest (12:15pm), scavenger hunt, and downtown trick-or-treating (12-2pm). Visit pentwater.org for more information.
  • Halloween Haunted Trail – Admission is $8 per person and refreshments will be served. Walkerville Cross Country Course- N. 180th Ave., Walkerville.
  • Free Homemade Donuts & Cider at the Pentwater Fire Department – 486 E. Park St., Pentwater.
  • Haunted Library at the Pentwater Library – 402 E. Park St., Pentwater. Free and open to the public.

Manistee County

  • Fridays & Saturdays in October – Manistee’s Ghost Ship on the S.S. City of Milwaukee historic carferry. This is a truly thrilling and scary adventure. Travel through five decks and 72 stairs, some quite steep. Located at 99 Arthur Street (US 31).
  • Whovilles Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch from 12-5:45pm at Calvin Lutz Farms- 8576 Chief Rd., Kaleva – Corn Maze, You Pick Pumpkins, Games, Cider, Donuts, Wagon Rides and more. Call (231) 889-5594 for more information. 
  • Spooky Story Stroll for families. Start at the 1st Street entrance of the Manistee County Library – 95 Maple St., Manistee.
  • Onekama Fall Festival in Onekama Village Park – Craft and food vendors, inflatables, kids activities, fun run, pet parade, and more! Visit onekama.info for more information.
  • Bear Lake Fall Festival – includes music, pumpkin painting, car show, kids games, “BearCrows”, and more. For more information, visit facebook.com.
  • Macabre Manistee Walk -Adults ages 18 and over are invited to stroll through the downtown and historic district featuring local stories of infernos, mystery, and utter misery. Reservations required by calling Chrissy at (231) 389-6013.
  • Whovilles Family Friendly Corn Maze – Calvin Lutz Farms- 8576 Chief Rd., Kaleva. Maze is not haunted and flashlights are welcome. Call (231) 889-5594 for more information. 
  •  Whovilles Haunted Corn Maze – Calvin Lutz Farms- 8576 Chief Rd., Kaleva. Call (231) 889-5594 for more information.
  • Manistee Fall Festival – various events including a Virtual Pet Photo Contest, merchant Trick-or-Treating, Ghost Ship, and more. Click here for the most updated event schedule.
  • Spooky Science & Children’s Costume Crawl – beginning at the Manistee County Library – 95 Maple St., Manistee.
  • Zombie 5k Run beginning at the Hampton Inn – 57 S. Lakeshore Dr., Manistee. Entry fee is $15 until October 24th and $20 after that. The first 100 entered receive a water bottle and all finishers will receive a medal. Costumes are encouraged.
  • A Nightmare on Mason Street Halloween Party at the Manistee American Legion – 10 Mason St., Manistee. Featuring food from 5-8pm, live music by BVO from 7-10pm, costume contest with judging at 9pm, and a Zombie Apocalypse Gear raffle drawing at 10pm. 
  • Boos, Brews, & Brats  – the Manistee Elks Lodge- 432 River St.. Manistee.
  • Guided Haunted Walk through the Orchard State Park Beach Walking Trail – 2064 Lakeshore Rd., Manistee. 6:30-7:30pm is most appropriate for younger children, while 7:30-10pm will include more frights. Admission is by donation and will benefit the Manistee High School Fine Arts Department and the restoration of interpretive signs for the Orchard Beach State Park trails.
  • Manistee Band Halloween Concert at Manistee High School – 525 12th St., Manistee. 

Stay Tuned for Info on Fun Fall Events in West Michigan in 2024!

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