Fall has always been our family’s favorite season, and over the years we have built a little list of must do’s that make it feel like fall to us. Some are big outings, some happen right on our front porch, but every one of them has become a tradition we look forward to all year. Here are our favorite fall traditions in the Ozarks.
Carving Pumpkins
This one is simple, messy and completely non negotiable. We pick out our pumpkins, spread newspaper across the porch, and let everyone design their own. Some years they are perfectly carved works of art. Most years they are lopsided and a little goofy, and honestly those are our favorites.
Our tip: Save the seeds. Rinse them, toss them with a little olive oil and salt, and roast them while you clean up. It turns carving night into a snack night too.
The Maple Leaf Festival in Carthage
If you have never been to the Maple Leaf Festival, put it on your list this year. Carthage is known as America’s Maple Leaf City, and the festival started back in 1966 as a marching band competition and has grown into a celebration of the area’s maple trees in the fall. The historic square is gorgeous this time of year, and the whole town shows up.
Our favorite part is parade day. The parade stretches about two miles and is believed to be the largest in the area, so bring chairs, bring blankets and get there early. After the parade we wander the craft booths, grab festival food and soak in that small town fall feeling.
Good to know: The festival kicks off Saturday, October 10, 2026, and the Maple Leaf 5K is set for Saturday, October 17, 2026, which is also the big parade weekend. Registration ends October 15th so make sure to sign up before that if you are interested.
Silver Dollar City
Silver Dollar City in the fall is pure magic. Harvest Festival runs September 11 through October 31, 2026, and the whole park is transformed. More than 20,000 pumpkins fill The City, from real pumpkins of every shape and size to carved masterpieces and towering sculptures. Do not miss the Garden of Giants, where some pumpkins weigh over 1,000 pounds.
We love going during the day to watch the craftsmen, then staying until dark when tens of thousands of pumpkins light up the night. It is one of those places that never gets old no matter how many times we go.
Our tip: Grab the Tasting Passport to try the sweet and savory pumpkin foods made just for the festival, and Harvest Festival is included with regular park admission, so there is no separate ticket.
My Personal Favorite: A Local Pumpkin Spice Latte Tour
Okay, this is the one I look forward to most. Every fall I make it a point to try pumpkin spice lattes at as many local coffee shops as I can. Every shop puts its own spin on it. Some are rich and spiced, some are sweet and creamy, and a few surprise me every year.
It has become my little fall ritual, and it is such a sweet excuse to slow down, support our local shops and enjoy a cozy moment in the middle of a busy season. If you have a local favorite I need to try, please tell me. My list is always growing.
Finding More Fall Fun Near You
If you are looking for more ways to make the most of the season, our Ozarks Edit Events Calendar has a lot of October events already listed, with more being added every day. It is the easiest way to see what is happening around the Ozarks all in one place. And if you know of an event we missed, send it our way and we will add it.
Here is to cozy sweaters, crunchy leaves and making memories close to home this fall.
