When it comes to autumn, Wisconsin is tough to beat, boasting unmatched fall colors, bountiful pumpkin patches and apple orchards, and a blissfully mellow climate. Celebrate the season with these eight festivals, all within driving distance from Madison.
Verona (15-minute drive)
Among Verona Fall Fest's offerings are a petting farm, hay rides, food trucks, a beer tent and a bonfire to cap off the evening. Catch the festival's screening of "Ghostbusters" with the family, then come back after dark to watch the 1987 horror-comedy classic, "The Lost Boys." Sept. 26, 4-11 p.m., 111 Lincoln St., Verona
Gays Mills (1.75-hour drive)
The population of Gays Mills, a small town nestled on the bank of the Kickapoo River, barely grazes 500, but it has over a thousand acres of apple orchards. This year’s Apple Festival will have a flea market, a mini carnival, live music and more. (While you're in town, why not stop at one or two of Gays Mills’ six picturesque apple orchards and pick a bushel for yourself?) Sept. 26, 9 a.m.-midnight and Sept. 27-28, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., downtown Gays Mills
West Allis (1.25-hour drive)
The very same park where the Wisconsin State Fair is held each summer also hosts the Harvest Fair annually at the end of September. Attendees can see a lumberjack show, dance to live country music and try their hand at pumpkin bowling. The fair also hosts more than 40 food vendors peddling classics like funnel cake and corn dogs, along with some seasonal items — among them, pumpkin spice and apple crisp-flavored cream puffs. Sept. 26, 5-11 p.m., Sept. 27, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. and Sept. 28, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 640 S. 84th St., West Allis
Milwaukee (1.5-hour drive)
They don’t call Milwaukee “brew city” for nothing. It’s home to one of the largest German-American populations in the U.S. — and the city’s annual Oktoberfest, which pays tribute to the world-famous Munich festival of the same name, does not disappoint. Held on Milwaukee’s Summerfest grounds, Oktoberfest will have live music, a brat-eating contest and German fare provided by 100-year Milwaukee staple, Kegel’s Inn. And of course, there’ll be lots and lots of beer. Oct. 3, 4-10 p.m., Oct. 4, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. and Oct. 5, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., 200 N. Harbor Drive, Milwaukee
Nekoosa (2-hour drive)
The name says it all: This autumnal festival’s main event is a weigh-off of some truly gargantuan pumpkins. Other attractions include a tractor show, carnival rides and a 100-foot giant pumpkin drop. Oct. 4, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Oct. 5, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., 916 Prospect Ave., Nekoosa
Cedarburg (1.75-hour drive)
For an Oktoberfest celebration with a small-town feel, head to the Milwaukee suburb of Cedarburg. Highlights at the festival this year include Foxtown Brewing’s bier garten, live bands and lighthearted contests like best braids and best lederhosen. Come hungry and try your luck in the pretzel-eating competition. When you’ve eaten your fill, do some shopping in Cedarburg’s historic downtown. Oct. 4, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Oct. 5, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., downtown Cedarburg
Mount Horeb (25-minute drive)
Get a head start on holiday shopping at Mount Horeb’s Fall Village Market, which welcomes more than 75 vendors of handmade crafts and upcycled goods to the town’s main street. Make it a high-spirited shopping spree: During the event, local restaurants offer to-go cocktails so attendees can sip while they shop, and new to this year's market is the pop-up Thirsty Troll Beer Garden. Oct. 4, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Oct. 5, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., downtown Mt. Horeb
Baraboo (50-minute drive)
On Oct. 11, downtown Baraboo will draw thousands of visitors to browse the work of almost 200 crafters, artists and photographers at its annual Fall Fair on the Square. Attendees can also enjoy live music performances and explore the Baraboo Farmers' Market, which runs in conjunction with the event. Oct. 11, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., downtown Baraboo
Elsa Englebert is an editorial intern at Madison Magazine.
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