Must-Attend Fall Festivals in the Poconos: 2026 Guide

Autumn in the Pocono Mountains is about more than colorful leaves. From historic harvest celebrations and food festivals to live music, pumpkin events, film screenings, and small-town traditions, the region comes alive with seasonal events from late September through October.

That makes fall festivals in the Poconos an excellent reason to plan a weekend getaway, especially if you want to combine foliage viewing with local food, shopping, family activities, and scenic towns.

For 2026, several major Poconos fall festivals are already confirmed across Jim Thorpe, Hawley, Stroudsburg, Milford, Honesdale, and other Pocono communities. Many coincide with peak or near-peak foliage periods, making it easy to plan a festival-focused weekend alongside hiking or scenic drives.

Here are the events worth putting on your calendar.

1. Jim Thorpe Fall Foliage Festival

Dates: October 3-4, 10-11, and 17-18, 2026
Location: Jim Thorpe, PA
Best for: Foliage, food, shopping, music, couples, groups

Few fall events in the Poconos are as closely associated with autumn as the Jim Thorpe Fall Foliage Festival.

The 2026 festival runs across the first three weekends of October, when Jim Thorpe’s historic streets are surrounded by colorful hillsides. Visitors can browse craft and food vendors, enjoy live music at multiple locations, explore shops and restaurants, and combine the festival with scenic train rides through the gorge. 

Part of the appeal is the setting itself. Victorian architecture, mountain scenery, seasonal food, and the town’s walkable downtown make the festival feel like a full-day experience rather than a single event.

You can also pair your visit with:

• Lehigh Gorge State Park
• Scenic train excursions
• Local restaurants
• Museums and historic attractions
• Fall photography

HolidayKeepers tip: This is one of the busiest autumn weekends in the region, so book accommodation and plan parking early.

2. Hawley Harvest Hoedown

Dates: October 3-4, 2026
Location: Downtown Hawley
Best for: Families, food, music, local shopping

For a more relaxed small-town atmosphere, head to the Hawley Harvest Hoedown.

This long-running community event has been held for more than 30 years and celebrates autumn with live music, vendors, local food, horse-drawn carriage rides, and children’s activities. The 2026 event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. 

Because Hawley is close to Lake Wallenpaupack, you can combine the festival with one of the most scenic lake destinations in the Poconos.

A good itinerary could be

Morning around Lake Wallenpaupack → afternoon at the festival → dinner in Hawley → return to your vacation rental.

For families searching for family fall festivals in Poconos, this is one of the strongest options.

3. Pocono Food Truck Festival

Dates: October 10-11, 2026
Location: Shawnee Mountain
Best for: Foodies, families, groups

Come hungry.

The Pocono Food Truck Festival returns to Shawnee Mountain on October 10-11, with food trucks, live music, arts and crafts vendors, and a children’s area. The 2026 schedule lists hours from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. 

This event works particularly well for groups because everyone can choose something different to eat while enjoying the mountain setting.

Fall foliage around Shawnee also adds another layer to the experience, making it an easy addition to a broader fall weekend in the Poconos.

Consider combining it with:

• Delaware Water Gap
• Hiking
• Scenic drives
• Shawnee-area attractions

4. Quiet Valley Harvest Festival

Dates: October 10-11, 2026
Location: Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm, Stroudsburg
Best for: Families, history lovers, traditional autumn experiences

For travelers looking for something more educational and traditional, the Quiet Valley Harvest Festival stands out.

The 2026 celebration marks the 52nd annual Harvest Festival and focuses on heritage crafts, farming traditions, and life in the 1800s. Visitors can see demonstrations including candle dipping, spinning, weaving, tanning, leather work, scrapple making, traditional cooking, wagon rides, and a Civil War encampment.

The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

This is one of the best Poconos fall activities for families who want more than carnival rides and food vendors. Children can experience historic trades, traditional farm activities, and hands-on seasonal experiences in an authentic farm setting.

5. The Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival

Dates: September 26-October 25, 2026
Best for: Families, kids, pumpkin-season activities

Not every festival lasts just one weekend.

The Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival runs from September 26 through October 25 in 2026, giving families multiple weekends to experience a classic pumpkin-season outing. 

Its long run makes it particularly useful for travelers who can’t coordinate their trip around one specific October weekend.

This type of event also fits nicely into a broader family itinerary involving:

• Pumpkin activities
• Scenic foliage stops
• Fall photography
• Family dining
• Easy hikes

If you’re planning a Poconos fall getaway with children, this is one of the easier festivals to work into your schedule.

6. Festival of Wood

Date: September 26, 2026
Best for: Crafts, heritage, local culture

The Festival of Wood is one of the more distinctive September events in the Poconos.

Scheduled for September 26, the event celebrates the region’s natural and cultural relationship with wood through handmade crafts, music, arts, and heritage activities. 

It’s a good option for visitors who prefer craft-focused community events over larger entertainment festivals.

Because it occurs at the beginning of foliage season, you can pair it with a scenic drive or early autumn hike.

7. Black Bear Film Festival

Dates: October 9-11, 2026
Location: Milford, PA
Best for: Couples, film enthusiasts, arts and culture travelers

Fall festivals don’t all need pumpkins and hayrides.

The Black Bear Film Festival returns to historic Milford from October 9-11, 2026, continuing a tradition that has lasted more than two decades. 

For visitors interested in arts, film, historic towns, and foliage, Milford makes an excellent autumn destination.

Pair screenings with:

• Exploring downtown Milford
• Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
• Scenic drives
• Local restaurants

This is particularly appealing for couples who want a more culture-focused alternative to traditional harvest festivals.

8. Harvest and Heritage Day in Honesdale

Date: October 10, 2026
Location: Downtown Honesdale
Best for: Local culture, shopping, families

Honesdale’s Harvest and Heritage Day brings vendors, entertainment, seasonal décor, food, and shopping to Main Street.

The 2026 event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with free admission and some paid activities. 

It’s an easy choice for travelers who prefer a community-style festival where they can explore local businesses while enjoying autumn activities.

You can also combine the trip with Hawley and Lake Wallenpaupack for a broader northern Poconos itinerary.

9. PEEC Annual Harvest Festival

Date: October 10, 2026
Location: Pocono Environmental Education Center
Best for: Families, nature lovers, educational activities

Families interested in nature and hands-on learning should consider the PEEC Annual Harvest Festival.

The event includes arts and crafts, conservation exhibits, old-time activities, music, local food, and educational stations, all surrounded by the fall landscapes of Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. 

Because PEEC is located within one of the region’s premier outdoor destinations, this festival is particularly easy to pair with hiking or scenic sightseeing.

10. Oktoberfest Events Across the Poconos

Several Oktoberfest-style events appear on the 2026 fall calendar.

Among them are Oktoberfest at Blue Mountain on September 26-27, Sarah Street Grill Oktoberfest in Stroudsburg on September 27, and Oktoberfest at Pint Size Park on October 3.

These events add a different flavor to the traditional foliage-and-harvest calendar and can appeal to adult groups, couples, and friends’ weekends.

If your group wants seasonal food, drinks, music, and mountain scenery, an Oktoberfest weekend can be a fun addition to your itinerary.

When Should You Visit?

Late September through mid-October offers the strongest combination of Poconos festivals 2026, foliage, and outdoor activities.

The region spans around 2,400 square miles and contains three distinct foliage zones, so autumn colors do not peak everywhere at exactly the same time. The official 2026 Pocono foliage forecast is updated weekly through October, making it worth checking conditions before choosing your festival weekend. 

If foliage is your priority, October is particularly attractive.

If you prefer lighter crowds and early-season events, late September provides options such as the Festival of Wood, Oktoberfest celebrations, and the Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival.

Where to Stay During Pocono Fall Festivals

Staying in one central location makes it easier to attend festivals while still exploring different parts of the region.

HolidayKeepers offers Poconos vacation rentals suited to couples, families, friends, and larger groups. Depending on the property, you can find spacious gathering areas, game rooms, hot tubs, decks, fire pits, and fully equipped kitchens.

Areas around Lake Harmony and other central Pocono communities can work particularly well if your itinerary includes Jim Thorpe, state parks, scenic drives, or multiple events.

For groups, having a private vacation home can be particularly valuable. Everyone can attend the festival together during the day and return to one shared space instead of splitting across several hotel rooms.

Conclusion

The fall festivals in the Poconos offer far more than seasonal entertainment. They give visitors a chance to experience the region’s communities, food, history, art, music, and outdoor scenery at one of the most beautiful times of year.

The Jim Thorpe Fall Foliage Festival delivers a classic autumn atmosphere, Hawley brings small-town charm, Quiet Valley celebrates regional heritage, Shawnee attracts food lovers, and events in Milford, Honesdale, and Delaware Water Gap add even more variety.

If you’re planning a fall weekend in the Poconos, choose one or two festivals, pair them with foliage or outdoor activities, and leave enough time to enjoy the journey.

HolidayKeepers can help you find a comfortable vacation home for your trip. For more information about available stays or help planning your Pocono getaway, visit our Contact page and connect with the HolidayKeepers team.

FAQs

1. What are the best fall festivals in the Poconos in 2026?

A: Major options include the Jim Thorpe Fall Foliage Festival, Hawley Harvest Hoedown, Quiet Valley Harvest Festival, Pocono Food Truck Festival, Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival, and Black Bear Film Festival.

2. When is the Jim Thorpe Fall Foliage Festival in 2026?

A: The festival runs on the first three weekends in October: October 3-4, 10-11, and 17-18, 2026.

3. Are there family-friendly fall festivals in the Poconos?

A: Yes. The Great Pocono Pumpkin Festival, Quiet Valley Harvest Festival, Hawley Harvest Hoedown, and PEEC Harvest Festival all offer activities suitable for families.

4. Where should I stay when visiting Pocono fall festivals?

A: Choose a central area based on the events you plan to attend. Lake Harmony and other central Pocono locations can work well for travelers combining festivals with Jim Thorpe, parks, scenic drives, and other autumn attractions.