Updated September 18, 2024
Autumn in the Lake Geneva area is a special time: changing leaves, corn mazes, hot apple cider on a crisp afternoon. It’s also a great time of year to enjoy a local fall festival, and there are plenty of great options in the area. Here is everything you need to know about eight local fall festivals in the Lake Geneva area!
Photo by Holly Leitner
Pearce’s Oktoberfest
Date: Sept. 21-22, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Location: Pearce’s Farm Stand, W5470 N. Walworth Road , Walworth
Admission: Free; food and beverages available to purchase
Parking: Free parking available
Celebrate the fall harvest at Pearce’s Farm Stand’s Customer Appreciation Days and Sweet Corn Fest. Enjoy live entertainment, and don’t miss the famous corn maze and jumping hay bales for the kids! Shop the Pearce’s Farm stand and enjoy special fall treats and activities. For more info, visit pearcefarms.com.
Dragon Days Fall Fantasy Festival
Date: Sept. 28-29, 2024; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Throughout downtown Lake Geneva
Admission: $20 for a 1-day pass; $30 for a 2-day pass
Parking: Metered street parking; limited free parking on certain side streets
Fifty years ago, Lake Geneva native Gary Gygax co-created the epic role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons. This fun-filled festival for families, children of all ages, fantasy fans and gamers celebrates Lake Geneva as the birthplace of this now-worldwide phenomenon. Enjoy a wide range of activities, including face painting, circus acts, acrobats, archery lessons, a costume contest, kids’ activities, screenings of Dungeons & Dragons Saturday morning cartoons and movies, tabletop gaming opportunities, historical tours and so much more. For more info or to reserve festival passes, visit dragondays.org.
Geneva Lakes Annual Antique & Classic Boat Show
Date: Sept. 28-29, 2024; Saturday noon to 4 p.m., with a boat parade starting at 4 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: The Abbey Marina, Fontana
Admission: Free admission
Parking: Limited free parking available in The Abbey’s parking lots; metered street parking and metered public lot in front of the Fontana Beach.
This popular antique boat show will celebrate its 25th anniversary this year, and organizers are expecting over 250 antique and classic boats on display, with 50 of them in the water. Spectators can get up close and personal with rare, vintage and one-of-a-kind wooden boats. For more on the show, read this article from our Autumn 2024 issue online or visit genevalakesboatshow.com.
Pearce’s Farm Stand Customer Appreciation Days and Sweet Corn Fest
Date: Oct.. 5-6, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Location: Pearce’s Farm Stand, W5470 N. Walworth Road , Walworth
Admission: Free; food and beverages available to purchase
Parking: Free parking available
It’s Oktoberfest the Pearce’s way! Featuring live music, a corn maze, hay bale jumping … plus pumpkin activities and fall treats. Shop the Pearce’s Farm stand and enjoy autumn delicicacies. For more info, visit pearcesfarms.com.
Lake Geneva Oktoberfest
Date: Oct. 12-13, 2024; Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Location: Broad and Geneva Streets, downtown Lake Geneva
Admission: Free; food and beverages available to purchase
Parking: Metered parking downtown; free parking on select side streets
Lake Geneva’s Oktoberfest provides fun for the whole family, with an artisan market, live entertainment, family activities and a beer garden. Check out the restaurant and shopping specials throughout downtown, take a wagon hayride or a pony ride. And don’t miss the Great Geneva Pie Eating Contest or the Dachsund and Corgi Races! For more info, visit downtownlakegeneva.org/events/Oktoberfest.
Elkhorn Oktoberfest
Date: Oct. 19, 2024; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Downtown square, Elkhorn
Admission: Free
Parking: Free street parking available
The event starts in the morning with a 2M-5k Run. Festival attendees can walk around the charming downtown square to buy items from more than 100 crafters and vendors, then check out the classic car show and enjoy beer/wine tastings. For more info, visit elkhornchamber.com.
Pumpkin Drop & Fall Festival
Date: Oct. 19-20, 26-27, 2024; 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Location: Lake Geneva Ziplines & Adventures, N3232 County Road H, Lake Geneva
Admission: Free festival admission, adventure prices vary
Parking: Free parking available on site
Visit Lake Geneva Ziplines & Adventures the last two weekends in October for their Pumpkin Drop & Fall Festival. Families with kids ages 4-10 can partake in the Scavenger Hunt – Pumpkin Expedition. While those looking for a bigger adventure can drop a pumpkin off the final, Dual-Racing Zipline and win a prize. Live music, patio games and fireside snacks are also featured. For more info and reservations, visit lakegenevaadventures.com.
Beer and Spirits Festival
Date: Oct. 26, 2024; 1-5 p.m.
Location: The Ridge Hotel, W4240 WI Hwy. 50, Lake Geneva
Admission: $30 for a designated driver ticket, $60 for general admission, $85 VIP tickets available
Parking: Included in ticket price
This popular festival is back after short hiatus, with a wide variety of brews, bites and so much fun … it’s scary. Enjoy tastings from more than 40 beer and spirits vendors from throughout the Midwest. Costume contests and door prizes available. For tickets, visit lgbeerfest.com.
