7 Fall Festivals in Ohio’s Appalachian Region

Ohio’s southern and eastern sides are lauded for their foothill beauty following the rugged path of the Appalachian Mountains. Spanning 32 counties from Ashtabula in the Northeast to Clermont in the Southwest, our state’s Appalachian region is beloved for its scenic landscapes and down-home nature, and is the perfect place to play this fall.

Swiss folk music, beer tasting and a giant cuckoo clock? Count us in! For 71 years, the Ohio Swiss Festival has taken over the village of Sugarcreek in September for the annual Ohio Swiss Festival. The town is the perfect backdrop for the festival, boasting the World’s Largest Cuckoo Clock, and featuring activities like wine, cheese and beer tastings; live music; Swiss wrestling and stone-throwing contests and more.


Barnesville Pumpkin Festival | Sept. 26-29
Celebrating 60 years in 2024, the Barnesville Pumpkin Festival returns to this Belmont County Community with a collection of giant pumpkins and plenty of classic festival fun. The giant pumpkin weigh-off precedes the festival, with the winners crowned on Wednesday, Sept. 25, and the festivities, including a car show, contests and parade kick off Thursday and span the weekend. 

Cambridge Fall Festival | Sept. 28
Celebrate the fall season in historic downtown Cambridge during this festival that is brimming with fun activities that the whole family can enjoy. With no admission cost, the festival is the perfect budget-friendly weekend activity, featuring hay rides, craft vendors, children’s activities and much more. Be sure to pop into the Cambridge Performing Arts Center to check out the art gallery, scarecrow-contest entries and talent show.


Rio Renaissance Faire | Sept. 28
Put on your chainmail, grab your shield and go medieval in Rio Grande for the inaugural Rio Renaissance Faire at Gatewood Trail System. Enter into lands like Springbrook Village where 20 vendors are set up for browsing, or stop by the Blue Dragon Tavern and Muggle With a Pint for a bite to eat or a glass of non-alcoholic butterbeer. Be sure to come in period attire and enter the costume contest too.  

Holmes County Antique Festival | Oct. 5-6
Shop around for a touch of vintage to take home with you in Amish Country during the Holmes County Antique Festival in historic downtown Millersburg. More than just an antique lover’s paradise, this festival has activities that includes live entertainment, crafts and games, touch a truck, a parade, a kiddie tractor pull and much more. Browse the antiques in the outdoor marketplace beginning at 10 a.m. both days of the festival.


Bob Evans Farm Festival | Oct. 11-13
A nationally beloved breakfast stop, Bob Evans got its humble beginnings in the southeast Ohio town of Rio Grande. The restaurant’s legacy and history is celebrated on the original farm every fall and returns this year marking the 53rd anniversary. Enjoy a weekend of live music acts — including Tyler Reese Tritt and Kelsey Hart — as well as primitive camping, vendors and fall eats like apple dumplings, cider slushies and kettle corn.


Ashtabula County Covered Bridge Festival | Oct. 12-13
Covered bridges have a permanent spot in our hearts, and there is no better place to celebrate them than Ashtabula County, home to the longest and shortest covered bridges in the nation. During this free festival at the Ashtabula County Fairgrounds, enjoy live entertainment, a parade and games for kids as well as fun competitions like the Lego Mini Covered Bridge contest.