Fall festivals kick off this weekend

The Branson area is home to a variety of festivals each autumn, welcoming guests from all parts to enjoy fall in the Ozarks. September and October bring events of all types—with fun for all ages—to the Ozarks, beginning this weekend.

Hollister's State of the Ozarks Fest is slated for Saturday. Held on Historic Downing Street in downtown Hollister, SOTO Fest is a unique street festival, complete with Ozarks culture, fine arts, crafts, music, creativity, legends and lore, and offers something for all ages and interests. SOTO Fest is a free event celebrating the Ozarks. The 8th Annual SOTO Fest, on Saturday, September 13, will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The Shepherd of the Hills Fall Craft Fair is also set for this weekend. The Craft Fair will include live music, food trucks, mini golf and activities for the whole family. The children will enjoy Lil Pete's Playland, complete with a petting zoo, obstacle course, treehouses and more. Adults will be captivated by the wide array of crafts. Admission is just $5 per adult and children 12 and under are free. The Shepherd of the Hills Fall Craft Fair runs September 12 through 14.

One of Silver Dollar City's most-loved festivals gets underway this weekend. The annual Harvest Festival features Garden of the Giants—a garden full of half-ton, homegrown pumpkins—and Pumpkins in the City, with thousands of lighted pumpkins decorating the theme park. The festival includes a chuckwagon cooking demonstration, western craftsmen and much more. Silver Dollar City's Harvest Festival also includes rides, shows, food and family fun for adults and children alike. Harvest Festival begins on September 12 and goes through October 25.

The 52nd Annual Autumn Daze Festival, a beloved Branson tradition, continues. Due to the streetscape project in downtown Branson, the annual fall craft, music and food festival will be moving from its regular downtown location to the Columns Concert and Event Center on 76 Country Boulevard. This year's event, set for September 18- 20 will feature more than 100 vendors, live music, food trucks, working craftsmen, a kids’ zone and more. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

Shepherd's Pumpkin Fest is slated for select days September 20 through October 26, at the Shepherd of the Hills. The Pumpkin Fest offers daytime fun for the family, with the chance to pick out a pumpkin, enjoy a hayride, build a scarecrow and more. The festival includes a bounce house, a rock climbing wall and a petting zoo, too.  

McKenna Family Farm is the place to be this fall for family fun, including pumpkins, bonfires, fall decor and more. Additional activities include the bounce pillow, big hay bale maze, a hayride and games galore. McKenna Family Farm is open select days September 19 through November 2.

Saturdays in October mean exciting festivities at Big Cedar Lodge with Cedar Fest. The entire family will enjoy the pumpkin patch, pumpkin decorating, inflatables, face painting, pottery painting, mechanical bull rides and more. After dark, it's time for bonfires, smores and movie nights under the stars to complete the Cedar Fest experience.

The first ever Downtown Branson Fall Festival, celebrating autumn, as well as the amazing renovations in downtown Branson is coming in October. Set for October 3 and 4, the Downtown Branson Fall Festival will feature sidewalk sales and store specials, a pumpkin scavenger hunt, face painting, apple cider, fall decor and more. The Downtown Branson Fall Festival is a great way to welcome fall and support your favorite downtown businesses.

Forsyth celebrates fall with their Harvest Moon Festival and Highland Games. It happens on Saturday, October 4, and includes live music, a car show, arts and crafts, games, food and more for the entire community.

Each year, Hollister hosts the annual Grape and Fall Festival in downtown Hollister. Residents and visitors alike flock to Downing Street to enjoy arts, crafts, homemade goods, food, music, games and demonstrations. The day's activities include the Color Me Grape 5K and the ever-popular Grape Stomp. The Grape and Fall Festival is set for Saturday, October 11.

We encourage you to take part in some or all of these festivals as you enjoy the fun that Branson and the surrounding area offers this fall.