With glowing pumpkins, tasty treats, and fun for all ages, fall at Herschend properties is the perfect season for families to make memories together. From thrilling rides under twinkling lights to cozy seasonal traditions, each destination offers families a chance to celebrate autumn in unforgettable ways.
Each event below has its own unique happenings waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re looking for delicious fall flavors or beautiful autumn scenery, there is something for everyone to experience.
Families will love Dollywood’s Harvest Festival, running Sept. 12 - Oct. 27, where the Smoky Mountains provide the perfect backdrop for autumn fun. By day, the Harvest Festival fills the park with the sights and scents of autumn with vibrant floral displays, delicious seasonal treats, and the sounds of Southern gospel, bluegrass, and country performances. Thrill-seekers can feel the crisp mountain breeze on rides like the record-breaking Big Bear Mountain coaster, Mystery Mine, or the classic Dollywood Express. When night falls, Great Pumpkin LumiNights transforms the park into a glowing wonderland, featuring thousands of artistically carved pumpkins, a soaring 40-foot pumpkin tree, and enchanting highlights like Hoot Owl Hollow and Dolly’s giant, glowing guitar.
Louisville’s Pumpkins at Kentucky Kingdom, fills the park with fall fun for the whole family. Running Sept. 26 - Oct. 26, guests can enjoy more than 1,000 bright orange pumpkins throughout the park, family-friendly games, live street performances, and playful characters bringing the festival to life. Little ones will love exploring the hay maze and collecting sweet treats along the Trick-or-Treat Trail, while parents can savor seasonal food and shop fall-themed merchandise. When the sun goes down, the park transforms into a glowing wonderland with whimsical, larger-than-life pumpkin sculptures, including an illuminated Derby Horse and Pumpkinseeds Bluegrass Band.
The Harvest Festival is a celebration of autumn’s beauty, tradition, and family fun. Running from Sept. 12 - Oct. 26, the park is filled with the warm scents of apple and pumpkin treats, the sound of rides rushing through the hills, and the sight of master craftsmen showcasing woodworking, fine art, and heritage trades at the Makers Market. Guests can also step into the Cowboy Camp to watch chuck wagon cooking demonstrations, sample delicious eats, and even help crown the reigning “cookie” champion. Families will love the Garden of Giants, where massive pumpkins like Mighty Mabel and Brutus the Vast, each weighing over half a ton, stand proudly on display. At night, Pumpkins in the City, lights up the park with thousands of glowing pumpkins, towering 30-foot masterpieces, and enchanting new displays. Enjoy thrilling rides into the night, including Mystic River Falls, WildFire, and PowderKeg.
Step into a glowing wonderland at Great Pumpkin LumiNights. Running from Sept. 19 - Oct. 16, guests can experience dazzling displays like the Glow Grove, the whimsical Twilight Tunnel, and the mysterious Foggy Forest. There is no shortage of luminous sights to see. Kids love exploring Jack and Luma’s Glow Maze or climbing aboard the Pumpkinville Railway, where quirky pumpkin characters bring the story of fall to life. As the night sky comes alive, the LumiNight Skies Drone Show offers a breathtaking finale, filling the sky with glowing patterns and seasonal magic. Guests can indulge in the flavors of fall at America’s largest Pumpkin Spice Festival, where the menu ranges from Pumpkin Spice Churros with Marshmallow Fluff and Pumpkin Spiced Iced Coffee to heartier favorites like Smoked Sausage Loaded Mac & Cheese and BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches with pumpkin-infused BBQ sauce.
Pumpkins at Callaway Resort & Gardens showcases a harvest wonderland the whole family will love. Running from Sept. 13 - Nov. 1, Guests can marvel at the Garden of Giants, home to some of the state’s largest pumpkins, or get lost together in Cason’s Corn Maze. Families can relax with autumn-inspired bites and drinks in Cason’s Beer & Wine Garden, grab festival favorites from food trucks, or enjoy sweet treats from the Pumpkin Emporium. During the night, the gardens glow with enchantment. The Enchanted Pumpkin Forest invites families to stroll a wooded pathway filled with glowing globes, hanging lights dancing to music, and hundreds of intricately carved pumpkins. A highlight for little ones, Foggy Hollow brims with fog-filled bubbles and holographic woodland critters that bring the nighttime gardens to life.
Dive into the season this fall with Underwater Pumpkin GLOW, returning Sept. 19 – Nov. 2, for a one-of-a-kind adventure. Explore underwater exhibits filled with giant, glowing pumpkin sculptures, including a 10-foot-tall Giant Pacific Octopus made entirely of pumpkins, creating vibrant underwater reefs for sharks, fish, and other sea creatures to enjoy. Kids will be delighted to see animals like fish and frogs nibbling on pumpkin treats as part of their seasonal enrichment. For an extra splash of creativity, children can design their own pumpkin masterpiece at Stingray Hideaway making the perfect keepsake to remember the day. With glowing underwater displays, seasonal surprises for the animals, and hands-on fun for kids, Underwater Pumpkin GLOW is a fall celebration unlike anything else.
Adventure Aquarium invites families to dive into a sea of seasonal magic during the Fintastic Pumpkin Glow festival Sept. 25 - Nov. 2. Throughout the aquarium, guests will discover dazzling displays of glowing gourds in every shape and size, some floating gracefully on the surface, others glowing deep below alongside sharks, stingrays, and other incredible aquatic life. Kids and adults alike can also get creative by painting their very own pumpkin to take home as a festive keepsake.
Celebrate the changing tides of fall with Fin-tastic Fall Days at the Vancouver Aquarium, Sept. 27 - Oct. 31. With more than 65,000 incredible animals, families can dive into interactive fun with hands-on activities like the Shipwreck Wet Lab and special fall animal programs, including underwater pumpkin carvings and bat talks. Seasonal flavors also shine with the return of autumn favorites like the Aquarium’s signature Bat’s Brew plus other cozy fall-inspired treats.
From glowing nights to daytime delights, Herschend’s fall festivals are built for families to enjoy together. Whether you’re exploring the Smoky Mountains, strolling through glowing gardens, or savoring pumpkin spice treats, each destination offers a family tradition waiting to be made.
