The Ultimate Guide to Fall Festivals in the Sioux Empire

It might not feel like it at the moment, but before we know it, the leaves will begin to drop and the crisp fall air will settle into the Sioux Empire. Each autumn brings a fresh lineup of seasonal events to the area. From bustling downtown street fairs and sprawling arts-and-crafts showcases to local orchard gatherings and pumpkin patches, the fall season in our neck of the woods is packed with traditions for every age. Whether you're looking to grab some warm apple cider, navigate an 11-acre corn maze, or browse hand-crafted goods, here is your complete guide to every major fall festival happening around the Sioux Empire this season. Get our free mobile app GET OUR FREE MOBILE APP Country Apple Orchard - Harrisburg, South Dakota Credit: Canva Credit: Canva Located just south of Sioux Falls in Harrisburg, the Country Apple Orchard Fall Festival is a quintessential autumn staple that runs every weekend from September through October. Known for its sprawling grounds, the orchard offers a massive mix of traditional farm fun and energetic attractions. Visitors can take hayrides through the rows of trees, grab a bucket for the apple cannons, explore a corn maze, or burn off energy on South Dakota's largest jumping pillows. Beyond the activities, the orchard doubles as a seasonal food lover's haven. The country store stays fully stocked with fresh-picked apples, homemade pies, apple cider donuts, and warm cider. Coupled with a petting zoo, local food trucks, and live music on the lawn, it serves as a full-day, family-friendly destination for anyone looking to soak in the crisp fall weather. The Country Apple Orchard is open now through the end of October. Check out the details at the Country Apple Orchard Website. Downtown River Fest - Cherapa Place Plaza, Downtown Sioux Falls Credit: Canva Credit: Canva Hosted right along the scenic banks of the Big Sioux River, this free community festival marks a late-summer/early fall favorite with an evening full of entertainment. Grab a spot by the newly upgraded amphitheater for free live music, tasty dinner from local food trucks, and sample cold craft beers while browsing retail and artisan vendors. The family-friendly event also features a interactive Kids Zone, mini-golf holes, and a dog fashion show called "Paws on the Plaza." Alongside the food and music, local organizations will host a Sustainability Zone with hands-on demonstrations highlighting river stewardship and conservation efforts along the Big Sioux. Riverfest returns to Downtown Sioux Falls September 19th from 3-8 PM. Check out the details at DTSF Website. Riverview Pumpkin Festival - Canton, South Dakota Credit: Canva Credit: Canva Tucked along the Big Sioux River in Canton, the Riverview Tree Farm Pumpkin Festival turns a Christmas tree farm into a lively, picturesque autumn retreat every weekend from late September through October. Guests can catch a hayride out to the patch to pick from over 30 varieties of pumpkins and gourds, or hang out on the main grounds for outdoor yard games, inflatables, gemstone mining, and live music. The farm also plays host to the Great South Dakota Pumpkin Weigh-Off, bringing in massive, state-contending giant pumpkins. The atmosphere caters to all ages, pairing kid-friendly fun with adult amenities like an outdoor beer and wine garden featuring local South Dakota brews and autumn-themed drinks. Craving a quick treat? The lodge serves up fresh SDSU ice cream, caramel apples, and warm concessions. For those seeking an extra thrill later in the season, Riverview also runs a spookier, flashlight-lit Haunted Trail through the riverside woods on select nights. The Riverview Pumpkin Festival begins the weekend of September 26 & 27 and runs through the month of October. You can plan your visit at the Riverview Tree Farm Website. The Heartland Country Corn Maze - Harrisburg, South Dakota Credit: Canva Credit: Canva Located just a quick drive south of Sioux Falls, this 11-acre interactive corn maze offers a fresh outdoor challenge every autumn. Navigators wind through towering paths to search for ten hidden checkpoints, answering trivia and gathering clues along the way to win a prize at the end. This year's design features a patriotic layout cut directly into the stalks: a bald eagle honoring America's upcoming 250th birthday. Alongside the main maze, the farm offers concessions, a smaller mini-maze for younger kids, and popular "Haunted Maze" flashlight nights later in the season. The Heartland Country Corn Maze is open now (weekends through October). You can find more information on the Heartland Country Corn Maze Website. Sioux Center Heritage Village Harvest Festival - Sioux Center, Iowa Credit: Canva Credit: Canva This free, community-favorite event steps back in time to bring northwest Iowa's pioneer history to life. The grounds come active with live heritage demonstrations like an apple cider press, a working sawmill, a blacksmith shop forge, rope making, and corn shelling. Visitors can tour over a dozen historic buildings (including a one-room schoolhouse and a general store) or check out antique machinery, a petting zoo, and covered wagon rides. Local food vendors and live music wrap up a great day trip for families. The Sioux Center Heritage Village Harvest Festival is two days (Friday, September 18 & Saturday September 19 from 9 AM - 4 PM). You can find all the details at the city of Sioux Center's website. Rock Rapids Family Fall Fest - Rock Rapids, Iowa Credit: Canva Credit: Canva Hosted right in the heart of Lyon County, this annual autumn gathering brings classic small-town charm to the border region. The street-style festival features pumpkin painting, outdoor games, cider, apple bobbing, and seasonal treats for the family. Local businesses line the area with fall activities, making it an easy trip just a short drive past the state line. This year's Rock Rapids Family Fall Fest will be held on Tuesday, October 20 from 5-7:30 PM at the Lyon County Fairgrounds. Find more details at the Shop Eat Drink Rock Rapids Facebook Page. Jellystone Park Corn Maze & Moonlight Maze - Brandon, South Dakota Credit: Canva Credit: Canva Covering seven acres just north of Sioux Falls, this sprawling maze features towering cornstalks with plenty of twists, turns, and dead ends to navigate. During the day, families can tackle the puzzle alongside campground activities like wagon rides, mini-golf, and jumping pillows. On select autumn nights, the maze stays open after dark for flashlight and moonlight navigation. The park hosts fall and Halloween-themed events running through the month of October, including Pumpkin Patch Weekends and Halloween Spooktaculars. The Jellystone Corn Maze is open weekends, now through Sunday, October 11. Details can be found here. Know of a fall festival that didn't make our list? Let us know! Send us a message here and we'll update our events log.