Fall is the best when it comes to festivals and events throughout the metro. Here are a few of my family’s favorites when we need that “perfect” pumpkin picture (i.e. never perfect pumpkin picture, but mama tried). If you’re all pumpkin patch-ed out, we’ve also got some ideas to recharge and explore with your partner or besties. You can’t go wrong when you’re outdoors and enjoying this cooler season in OKC!
Family Fun
If you’re looking for a classic and incredibly endearing pumpkin patch, WINGS Fall Festival & Pumpkin Patch should be your go-to. It doesn’t cost an arm and a leg to get into, but all admission proceeds (and donations) support members with special needs in our community. Kids of all ages can enjoy a petting zoo, yard games, hayrides, inflatables, photo-ops and pumpkins of all shapes and sizes. Plus, don’t miss the crowd favorite, the pumpkin train! Open through Oct. 22.
Parkhurst Pumpkin Patch is the pumpkin patch and fall festival of our dreams. Enjoy tons of fall-themed activities such as pony rides, huge corn mazes, hayrides, a petting zoo, games, live music, campfire cook-outs and more. The kids’ play areas are made of hay bale mazes with climbing areas and slides, which was a super fun and creative challenge for our kids! Open through Oct. 31.
Round up the littles and head to Storybook Forest at Arcadia Lake. It features a fun, not-scary trail filled with roaming characters. This is a must-do event for kiddos who still believe in the magical land of fairy tales (or at least still play along)! Additional activities include storytime, carnival games, hayrides, concessions and a campfire. Open through Oct. 30, and advanced ticketing is required.
Day Date
If you’re looking for something geared a little more toward the big kids (or even a friend or partner “day date,”), check out Paddlemania on Oct. 1 at Riversport OKC. Get ready for fun competitions including whitewater kayak racing, Battle of the Paddles and community raft races. This event is free to attend ($10 parking).
Another fun “day date” idea is the Foodie Fest on Oct. 7 at Bicentennial Park, featuring the delicious talents of culinarians of color throughout the Oklahoma City Metro. The event will showcase Black, Indigenous, Latino and Asian restaurants and chefs. Take advantage of these mild, breezy days and stroll through some awesome local cuisine!
The OKC metro truly has something for everyone this fall; certainly enough to fill every weekend from now through October! Check out more of the best fall events by searching MetroFamily’s calendar, or view our favorite fall festivals and pumpkin patches across the metro area.
Kirsten Holder is a transplant from Michigan but calls the “land that is grand” her home. She graduated from Oklahoma City University and is passionate about the arts, community development and small business. She is the senior project manager for MetroFamily Magazine, and lives in a historic pocket in OKC with her young kids Jimmy and Millie, husband Andrew and new puppy, Roserock.
