Event times and details may change. Check with venue or event organizer to confirm. 

Nebraska

Great Pumpkin Festival Oct. 3-4 along Main Street, Crete. There is fun for the entire family at this event. A car show, fun run scarecrow competition, and the Great Pumpkin Competition are just a few of this year’s listed activities. 402.826.2136.
—cretepumpkinfest.com

Harvest Fair and Market Oct. 5 at The Pumpkin Patch at BE Farm, Bayard. Featuring the “Paint and Cider” event with artist Kelly Bhenke, this event also offers pumpkin picking, a duck race, and the Farm Yard with a giant hay bale slide. 308.641.5336.
—bepumpkinpatch.com

Elyria Pumpkin Festival Oct. 6, Elyria. Festivalgoers can enjoy a free slice of pumpkin pie at the 28th annual event, along with checking out the pumpkins for sale. There are many activities for children, as well as vendors and a tractor display. 308.728.7875.
—ordnebraska.com

Old Time Autumn Oct. 10-11 in Brownville. This weekend celebration—taking place where it all began for Nebraska—focuses on historic sights and sounds, with activities such as buggy and trolley rides. 402.825.6001.
—brownvillehistoricalsociety.org

Harvest Moon Fall Festival Oct. 3 in Hemingford. Featuring a goat roping contest, lip sync battle, haunted maze, home-brewed beer contest, and a 5K run/walk, this festival offers something for everyone. 308.487.3562.
—hemingfordharvestmoonfallfestival.com

Nebraska Country Music Festival Oct. 18-19 at Lincoln County Fairgrounds, North Platte. Music, dancing, and entertainment will be plentiful, and this year’s theme is “Nebraska Country Stars.” 308.390.1804.
—necmf.net

Bertrand Fall Craft Show Oct. 17 at Bertrand Community Building, Bertrand. Arts, crafts, beverages, and pastries are offered at this event featuring crafters and vendors from across Nebraska. 308.472.5029.
—holdregechamber.com

Meet chadrONOct. 22 at Bean Broker Coffeehouse and Pub, Chadron. Newcomers, long-time residents, and visitors to the Chadron area are invited to this community gathering to connect with others.308.432.4401.
—chadron.com 

Boo at the Zoo Oct. 26-30 at Lincoln Children’s Zoo. Nearly 40 trick-or-treat booths will be on-hand to give out candy, coupons, and more at Lincoln’s largest trick-or-treat event. All proceeds directly support the zoo and care for animals. 402.475.6741.
—lincolnzoo.org

Superhero Spooktacular Oct. 26 at Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum, Ashland. Guests can arrive in costume and trick-or-treat around various stations, take photos with superheroes, and expect to see games and prizes throughout the event, which includes superhero-themed escape rooms. 402.944.3100.
—sacmuseum.org

Iowa

Oktoberfest Oct. 4-6 at Amana Festhalle Barn, Amana. Beginning with the official keg-tapping ceremony, this festival features special food, events, and music—all with a German flare—and has been celebrated in the Amana Colonies since 1965. 319.622.7622.
—amanacolonies.com

Anamosa Pumpkinfest and Ryan Norlin Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off Oct. 3-4 on Main Street, Anamosa. Titled the “Pumpkin Capital of Iowa,” thousands come to Anamosa to experience this weekend full of giant pumpkins. This year they will not have vendors or the parade, however they will have other Pumpkinfest activities, including the Pumpkin Roll and raffle. 319.462.4879.
—anamosachamber.org

Scenic Drive Festival Oct. 9-11 in towns in Van Buren County. Thousands of people will travel to Southeastern Iowa for this three-day event. This festival is home to one of Iowa’s largest flea markets and many different opportunities for food and activities. 319.293.7111.
—villagesofvanburen.com

Flaming Pumpkin Fest Part Deux Oct. 12 at Squirrel Cage Jail, Council Bluffs. Tricks and treats for the whole family, pumpkin lighting, and a public investigation of the jail are some of the events offered at this event. 402.781.4181.
—unleashcb.com

Ames Artists’ Studio Tour Oct. 10-11 at Various Art Studios, Ames. Children and adults are invited to a “behind the scenes” look at the life of an artist. These self-guided tours through participating studios in the area will allow viewers to learn more about artistry. 515.259.0494. —amesart.org

Callahan Promotions Arts and Craft Fair Oct. 10-11 at Mid-America Center, Council Bluffs. Over 175 exhibitors will show and sell their unique products, including paintings and prints; ceramics; yard and garden art; coffee cakes; salsa; jams and jellies; and much more. Every product sold has been handmade by the exhibitor. 563.652.4529.
—iowastatefairgrounds.org

Spirit in the Gardens Oct. 23-25 and Oct. 30 to Nov. 1 at Reiman Gardens, Ames. Dressing in costume will allow kids and families to participate in trick-or-treating, storytelling, a Jack-O-Lantern Walk, and view 650 lit Jack-O-Lanterns. 515.294.2710.
—reimangardens.com

Kansas

Woofstock 2020 Oct. 1-3 at Sedgwick County Park, Wichita. “Fall’s Fluffiest Festival” has become one of the largest events of its kind in the Midwest. This community building event gives attendees the chance to create a difference for homeless pets. This year will be a drive-thru event, but supporters can participate in the Week of Woofstock featuring fun online activities leading up to the day of the event. 316.524.9196.
—support.kshumane.org

ICT Bloktoberfest Oct. 2-3 at WaterWalk, Wichita. Combining Oktoberfest with a Wichita Block Party, plenty of food and breweries will be available at this local, kid-and-dog-friendly event. 316.285.9227.
—ictbloktoberfest.com

Pioneer Harvest Fiesta Oct. 2-4 at Bourbon County Fairgrounds, Fort Scott. This weekend features one of the largest flea markers in the region and has educational and historic exhibits for all ages. Rock crushing and corn shucking demonstrations are just two of many events happening at the festival. 620.670.2750.
—visitfortscott.com

Mid America Flea Market Oct. 6 at Kansas State Fairgrounds, Hutchinson. A $1 admission fee will allow shoppers to view and purchase a wide variety of merchandise. 620.663.5626.
—midamericafleamarkets.com

Columbus Day Festival and Hot Air Balloon Regatta Oct. 9-11 at Various Locations in Columbus. One of the fastest growing festivals in southeast Kansas, the main attraction is hot air balloons, but the event also includes art exhibits, a car show, and more. 620.429.1492.
—columbusdayballoons.com

Nascar Playoff Races Oct. 18 at Kansas Speedway, Kansas City. The NASCAR Cup Series Hollywood Casino 400 playoff race is an action-packed weekend with excitement for everyone. 866.460.7223.
—kansasspeedway.com

Missouri

Weston Applefest Oct. 3-4 at downtown Weston. Come to Missouri’s “Best Small Town” for one of the area’s best fall festivals. This weekend offers a downtown parade, apple dumplings and apple pie, arts and crafts booths, and much more. 816.640.2909.
—westonmo.com

Kansas City Grilled Cheese & Mac Festival Oct. 17 at Ilus W. Davis Park, Kansas City. Due to rescheduling, The Great Grilled Cheese and Beer Festival of K.C. has combined with the K.C. Mac and Cheese Festival and will take place at the Berkley Riverfront. 816.812.1829.
—kccrew.com

Missouri Day Festival Oct. 15-17 at Trenton High School, Trenton. The largest festival of the year in Trenton, around 10,000 people are drawn to the area for this family-friendly event. Vendors and events—such as a marching band competition—make for an exciting weekend. 600.359.4606.
—trentonmochamber.com

 Boo at the Zoo, Oct. 15-30 at St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis. Explore the St. Louis Zoo after dark at Boo at the Zoo. Bring your little ghouls and goblins to this non-scary celebration designed just for kids. While there is not tricks or treats, costumes are encouraged.  314.781.0900.
—stlzoo.org

Event times and details may change, especially during this pandemic. Check with venue or event organizer to confirm.

This calendar was printed in the October 2020 edition of Omaha Magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.