Nebraska

Harvest Moon Fall Festival Oct. 1 at Dawes County Fairgrounds in Chadron. Featuring a goat-roaming contest, haunted maze, archery shoot, home-brew beer contest, a 5K run/walk, and so much more, this festival offers something for everyone. 308.478.3562
—harvestmoonfallfestival.org 

Great Pumpkin Festival Oct. 2-3 at Perry Campus Center in Crete. From the pumpkin carving demo to carnival games, a food court to the Great Pumpkin Giveaway, it will be a day full of entertainment, food, games, and fun the whole family will enjoy. 402.826.2136
 —cretepumpkinfest.com

Junkstock Harvest Edition Oct. 7-8 at Sycamore Farms in Waterloo. This one-of-a-kind festival returns to Waterloo’s Scycamore Farms to entice vintage, antique, and yes, ‘junk’ collectors not only state, but nationwide. Hundreds of vendors converge on the farm, showcasing attendees a motley of custom and hand-made wares for purchase. The festival also includes live music by seven artists over the span of the three-day event, beginning with the Day Traders 11am on Friday, and capping off with Hector Anchondo 1pm Sunday. An array of food will be provided by area food trucks. One, two, and three-day passes available starting at $10.
—junkstock.com

Sip Nebraska Oct. 7-8 at Haymarket Park in Lincoln. Wine enthusiasts rejoice, as Sip Nebraska returns to Lincoln’s Haymarket Park invites the community to enjoy unlimited tastings from some of Nebraska’s finest winemakers, brewers, and distillers. The event will also broadcast the Nebraska vs. Rutgers football game live on a 34’ jumbo television on Friday. Tickets start at $20 for non-tasting attendees and $45 for those seeking to sample libations.
—blurparties.com/sip-fall

Old Time Autumn Oct. 8-9 in Brownville. Enjoy the Civil War reenactments, Brownville’s famous chicken and biscuit dinner, museums, and various demonstrations and displays. 402.825.6001
—brownvillehistoricalsociety.org

Boo at the Zoo Oct. 26-30, at Lincoln Children’s Zoo in Lincoln. Nearly 40 trick-or-treat booths giving out candy, coupons, and more can be found at Lincoln’s largest trick-or-treat event. All proceeds directly support the zoo and care for animals. Reserve a ticket in order to attend. 402.475.6741.
—lincolnzoo.org

Electric Callboy / ATTACK ATTACK! Oct. 28 at Royal Grove in Lincoln. Lincoln’s Royal Grove lounge and concert venue is marked to be blitzed by metalcore dynamos ATTACK ATTACK! and the newly outfitted Electric Callboy, known for blending comedy and electronicore mania to hilarious, pulse-pounding effect. The two groups have joined forces and aim to reach new heights during their co-headlined ‘The Level Up’ tour, inviting audiences across the nation to join in their frenetic dash toward the zenith of high-octane musicality. Tickets start at $20 and doors open at 6pm for this all ages performance. 402.413.6832

—theroyalgrove.com

Monster Mash Oct 30,  Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum in Ashland. Bring your best Halloween costume and trick or treat around the Museum!  Walkthrough a “Not so Scary” Haunted House.  Create an item to take with you at our Make and Take station, and more!  402.944.3100.
—sacmuseum.org

Iowa

Oktoberfest Oct. 1-2 at Amana Festhalle Barn in Amana. Beginning with the official keg-tapping ceremony, this festival featuring special food, events, and music—all with a German flare—has been celebrated in the Amana Colonies since 1965. 319.622.7622.
—amanacolonies.com

Halloweenapalooza Oct. 7-8 at Bridge View Center in Ottumwa. Currently, in its 12th year, Halloweenapalooza has become known for providing entertainment through its annual film festival which has received international recognition.  The weekend will consist of costume contests, live music, and annual film festival which has received international recognition. There will also be appearances by several  horror film celebrities. 641.799.9770.
—halloweenapalooza.wixsite.com/home

PumpkinFest Oct 7. on Main St. in Anamosa. Enjoy a true Main Street Festival and be part of the festivities that have drawn thousands to Anamosa since 1989.  Some activities include dozens of food and craft vendors, kids’ games, one of the largest parades in all of Iowa, and of course, giant pumpkins. 319-462-4879
—anamosachamber.org

Mac Sabbath Oct. 8 at Wooly’s in Des Moines. Mac Sabbath is an American parody heavy metal tribute band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 2014. The self-appointed founders of "Drive Thru Metal", the band is primarily a parody of English heavy metal group Black Sabbath, utilizing lyricism and imagery centered on fast food.
—woolysdm.com

Callahan Promotions Arts and Craft Fair Oct. 8-9 at Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs. Roughly 200 exhibitors will be showing and selling 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

Madison County Covered Bridge Festival Oct. 8-9 in Winterset. Priding itself on its uniqueness, this festival encourages visitors to participate in old-time entertainments such as square dancing and marble shooting. The festival also has other activities, including a farmers market, parade, a quilt show, cafe show, and the annual horseshoe tournament. 515.462.1185.
—madisoncounty.com

Scenic Drive Festival Oct. 14-16 in Van Buren County. Thousands will travel to southeastern Iowa for this three-day event. This festival is home to one of Iowa’s largest flea markets, and offers many different opportunities for food and activities. 319.293.7111.
—villagesofvanburen.com

2022 Annual Gem, Jewelry, Mineral & Fossil Show Oct.15-16 at Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. The 2022 Annual Gem, Jewelry, Mineral & Fossil Show returns to the Iowa State Fairgrounds - Elwell Family Food Center, Sat. Oct. 15th 9am-5pm and Sun. Oct. 16th 10am-4pm. This event is family friendly, with children's activities, speakers, demonstrations, displays, and much more to see.  563.652.4529.
—iowastatefairgrounds.org

Spirit In The Gardens Oct 22-23 at Reiman Gardens in Ames. Reiman Gardens popular fall celebration is back with even more spooky fun! With 1,000+ intricately carved Jack-O-Lanterns, candy, chemistry experiments, jugglers, cosplay and so much more. Wear your favorite costume and join in the fun. 515.294.2710.
—reimangardens.com

11th Annual Wickiup Fall Fest Oct. 29 at Wickiup Hill Learning Center in Linn County. Kick off the fall season and enjoy a morning of family fun. Come out and experience our friendly trick or treat hike through the woods, pumpkin bowling, straw scramble, creepy critters, and more! Aimed at ages 3-10, but younger and older siblings welcome. Costumes encouraged!
—mycountyparks.com

Scream Acres Oct 1-29 at Bloomsbury Farm in Atkins. Three indoor haunts and haunted cornfield with original story lines, trained actors and talented make-up artists, scream acres creates a haunting experience that truly brings your nightmares to real life. it will be an unforgettable night that haunts you far beyond one night in October. 

Kansas

Columbus Day Festival and Hot Air Balloon Regatta Oct. 7-9 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

Woodstock 2022 Oct 1. Sedgwick County Park in Wichita. Gather with thousands of fellow pet owners and animal enthusiasts for Kansas Humane Society’s fundraising event and festival “Woofstock”, which has become one of the largest events of its kind in the midwest. Participate in the Woof Walk & Breakfast, listen to live music from Dangie Music & Tequila Ridge, compete in stage contests, hang out at the beer garden, shop at vendor booths, and chow down at the food trucks. Check out activities like ruff races, doggy agility course, kid’s play clinic, photo booth, live demos from the WPD’s K-9 Unit, and more.
—kshumane.org/woofstock

ICT Blocktoberfest Oct 7-8. at Wichita Union Station in Wichita. Wichita’s Union Station will be transformed into a Biergarten featuring live music, food, games, and of course – bier. The tap trucks will be loaded with an amazing selection of local, regional, and German beers. Kid and dog friendly. Free admission to the event.

Greater Kansas City Japan Festival Oct 8. at Johnson County Community College in Kansas City. Look forward to traditional Japanese musical performances, Japanese candy artist, traditional Japanese food, traditional Japanese snacks and sweets, bazaar shopping extravaganza, exhibits, Japanese cultural village for kids, martial arts, anime & manga, workshops, demonstrations, and cultural presentations.
—kcjapanfestival.org

KC Renaissance Festival Haunted Huzzah Oct. 15-16 in Bonner Springs. Trick or Treat around the grounds in your spookiest costume, join in some creepy contests & march in our Death Parade. But don’t worry – it’s still a family-friendly good time.
—kcrenfest.com

Maple Leaf Festival Oct. 15-16  in Baldwin City. This traditional weekend has over 300 craft exhibits, quilt shows and displays, performing arts, music, food, and more. The festival is the biggest fall family event in the area, and provides the opportunity for local, non-profit organizations to raise money. 785.594.7564.
—mapleleaffestival.com

Hay, Hooves, & Halloween Oct. 22-23 at Old Cowtown Museum in Wichita. There’s no place spookier than Cowtown during Halloween! A truly safe trick or treating family experience! The Headless Horseman rides the streets, zombie cowboys fight it out in an undead gunfight, ghosts haunt the historic houses, there's dancing, and of course, the kids can get lots of candy!  316.350.3323
—oldcowtown.org

Echos of Fear Oct 28-29. at Old Cowtown Museum in Wichita. Cowtown's ADULTS ONLY Halloween party! Check out our super scary haunted house attractions, plus drinks for sale from Shaken or Stirred Bartending and delicious food for sale from The Bomb BBQ! Pretend Friend will be playing awesome live music. Also, enjoy our spooky displays and photo ops with your friends. Come in costume! 18 to enter, 21 to drink. 316.350.3323
—oldcowtown.org

Night of the Living Farm Oct. 21-22. and 28-29. at Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead in Overland Park. Attendees can experience the Farmstead after dark, if they dare. Enjoy traditional “spooktacular” fun such as scary and non-scary hayrides, a fortune teller, flashlight scavenger hunt, fairy princess party, rand a marshmallow roast. There will also be games, horse-drawn wagon rides, and more. 913.322.6467.
—artsandrec-op.org

MISSOURI

Republic Pumpkin Days Sept. 30 through Oct. 1 at J.R. Martin Park in Republic. Since 1992, Republic, Missouri, has hosted its Pumpkin Daze festival on the first Saturday in October. In 2022, they are expanding to a two-day celebration, with even longer hours on Saturday. Make plans to join on Friday, October 30, and Saturday, October 1.

There's no better place to experience the spirit of autumn in the Ozarks. Giant pumpkins draw participants from the entire region, and vendors gather to show off fall arts and crafts, and families from all over the Ozarks gather to celebrate the harvest season like so many generations before them.

Weston Applefest Oct. 1-2 at Downtown Weston in Weston. Join us for the 34th Annual Applefest, kicking off with a parade down Main St. at 10am on Saturday. Crafts and artisans, food and drinks, kid’s games, apple dumplings, entertainment, and outdoor fun.

KC Oktoberfest Oct 7-8 Kansas City, MO. Modeled after the Munich Oktoberfest in Germany, KC Oktoberfest is Kansas City’s largest traditional Oktoberfest.  Come enjoy the brewery’s authentic German-style bier, Lively entertainment, exceptional Bavarion and American cuisine, games and competitions, and family-friendly activities.
—kcoktoberfest.com

Kansas City Bridal & Wedding Expo Oct 30. at Kansas City Convention Center in Kansas City. At the #1 bridal & wedding services expo, you’ll find everything you need to have the perfect wedding day! Whether you envision a formal black-tie affair or a casual barefoot ceremony on the beach, their carefully selected experts are ready to offer advice in creating timeless memories for your perfect wedding. Find the perfect gown, DJ, photographer, reception venue, band, honeymoon destination, and more.
—bridalshowsmo-kc.com

Missouri Day Festival Oct. 14-15 at North Central Missouri Fairgrounds in Trenton. The Missouri Day Festival is the largest festival of the year for Trenton. This is a family-friendly event that hosts activities for persons of every age. Adults and children alike can shop with nearly 120 different vendors who come from all over the United States. Many vendors return year after year for this well-attended event. Come out to play, eat, and have fun. In conjunction with the festival, there is also a marching band competition for high schools throughout Missouri.
—trentonmochamber.com

This article originally appeared in the October 2022 issue of Omaha Magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.