Grab your flannel and get excited, fall is here and there are a slew of new seasonal activities for kids, couples and the entire family. Check out our huge bucket list of festive fall ideas.
For fall events in Orange County check out our Fall event page.
The first day of fall is Sunday, September 22, 2024 at 5:43 am PST and fall ends on Saturday, December 21, 2024 at 1:21 am PST, according to the astronomical calendar. The start of fall is known as the Autumnal Equinox.
According to the meteorological calendar, the first day of fall is Sunday, September 1, 2024 and fall ends on Saturday, November 30, 2024.
Fall Activities & Fun Things to Do
Take in Fall at a Family Farm
Family farms have something for everyone including u-pick fall produce, corn mazes, petting zoos, hayrides, farmers markets, fall festivals, farm tours and much more.
Journey through a Corn Maze
Fall is the perfect time to have fun exploring a corn maze.
Visit a Zoo or Petting Zoo
There’s no better activity for a fall day than a trip to the zoo or petting zoo. Crowds are smaller, days are cooler and changing leaves bring a burst of color.
Spend a Day Apple Picking
Apple orchards are perfect for apple picking and they also offer many fun activities such as hayrides, farm animals, cider pressing, and even axe throwing at some.
Play Fantasy Football
It’s football season and Fantasy Football is easy, brings people together, and makes watching NFL games even more exciting.
Visit a Pumpkin Patch
A pumpkin patch is the best place to go on a hunt for the perfect pumpkin while exploring the many fun attractions that are also there.
Celebrate at a Fall Festival
Celebrate the season with a fall festival with a variety of autumn-inspired food and beverages, games, rides and much more.
Go on a Hayride
Hayrides can feel like an Autumn magic carpet ride.
Have fun at an Amusement Park
Everything is extra special at an amusement park in the fall with festive treats and amazing decorations.
Visit a Farmers’ Market
Enjoy the fullest flavors of the season at a Farmers’ Market including apples, pears, pumpkins, winter squash, ginger, potatoes and turnips.
Take a Scenic Train Ride
Take a front-row seat on the train and journey through the beautiful fall colors.
Create an Autumn Wreath
DIY your own autumn wreath with autumnal shades and seasonal elements.
Run a Fall 5k or Turkey Trot
Challenge your fitness level or just have fun with friends and family while getting a little exercise in at one of these holiday fun runs.
Tell Scary Stories in a Tent in the Backyard
Freak out your family and friends with scary stories in a tent or around a campfire.
Get Spooked at a Haunted House
Every city has a dark and dastardly past with a spooky tale, seek out your city’s dark secrets.
Observe Veterans Day at a Parade or Ceremony
Take a moment to give thanks to the men and women who have served or do serve in the military at a local Veterans Day event.
Attend an el Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Event
Commemorate Day of the Dead and participate in a Día de Muertos celebration at a museum, amusement park, restaurant, or even a cemetery.
Break Out Your Lederhosen at an Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest is way more than just beer tents, it is a spectacular event that celebrates the Bavarian culture with authentic beer, food, dancing and many activities.
Go Horseback Riding
View the changing leaves while horseback riding or better yet go horseback riding on a beach.
Plan a Touch Football Game
Rustle up a game of one-hand touch football for an active, action-packed afternoon.
Make Fall Cocktails
Pair a drink with your favorite fall ingredient like pumpkin, cinnamon, ginger, apple, vanilla, and, of course, pumpkin pie spice.
Attend a Scary Halloween Event
Celebrate Halloween in style at the many Halloween events held each year.
Go Line Dancing
Line dancing is a fun and non-stressful way to get everyone onto the dance floor and a chance to dust off those boots.
Make Your Own Fall Candle
With the weather cooling down and the sun setting earlier each day, it’s time to make your own fall-scented candle.
Book a Weekend Getaway
Celebrate the fall season with a weekend getaway in the countryside, mountains, or wine country.
Go Wine Tasting
See the vineyards take on golden hues during grape harvest crush season and taste some incredible wine.
Have a Fall Movie Marathon
Grab your pumpkin spice latte and settle down for the night and watch classic fall movies.
Stay at a Haunted Hotel
Book a night at the many historic hotels, B&Bs and boutique hotels that have spine-chilling ghost stories to tell and chance to encounters with spirits who have lingered long past their check-out times.
Try a Hot-Air Balloon Ride
A hot-air balloon is perfect in the fall for a bird’s-eye view of the whole autumnal picture.
Plant a Fall Garden
Take advantage of an additional growing season and start a fall garden.
Take a Chilly Beach Stroll
Escape the crowds with a walk along a desolate beach.
Organize a Fall Themed Photo Shoot
Fall and photoshoots go together like pumpkins and pie and autumn locations are fantastic.
Tailgate at a Football Game
Tailgating before college and professional football games is an American and fall tradition.
Go For a Fall Hike
Autumn is the perfect time to see the beautiful display of colors that Mother Nature puts on for us.
Rent a Cabin
From lake locations to scenic mountain spots get up close and personal with nature in a cabin. You can not only enjoy the fall foliage, but discover other outdoor activities to keep you active and having fun.
Take on a Mud Run
It’s not too hot and it’s not too cold, mud runs are tailor made for the fall season.
Go Zip Lining
During the fall months ziplining really is an awesome adventure because you can take in everything that comes with fall.
Make a Pumpkin Spice Coffee
So many of us love and crave a pumpkin spice lattes from Starbucks but you can also make your own pumpkin spice latte right at home.
Visit a Brewery and Drink Pumpkin Beer
Skip the pumpkin spice lattes and slices of pumpkin pie and opt for a pumpkin beer at a local brewery.
Binge on the New Fall TV Lineup
Every fall new and returning television shows arrive, grab a fall TV guide and explore all the great shows to watch.
Make Caramel Apples
Fall is also apple season which is why this is perfect time make caramel apples with homemade caramel sauce.
Host a Scary Movie Night
The scary season is upon us and one of the best ways to celebrate is by hosting a scary movie night.
Play Touch Football
A little friendly competition never hurt anyone so play a friendly game of touch football.
Light Autumn Scented Candles
Imagine this: The sweet scent of vanilla, cloves, and cinnamon is wafting through your living room as you wrap yourself up in your favorite blanket. Sounds heavenly, right?
Bake an Apple or Pumpkin Pie
Baking an apple or a pumpkin pie is a fun fall time or you can really get creative and bake pumpkin pie inside a hollowed out apple.
Go To a Beach Bonfire
It may be too cold for swimming but nothing is cozier than a bonfire on the beach and securing a fire pit is much easier in the fall.
Whip up a Batch of Mulled Wine
The days are shorter, autumn is in the air, and it’s a perfect time to end your day with a mug of mulled wine.
Decorate the Outside
From fall porch decorating to yard decor, there are plenty of DIY projects to explore this fall.
Closeout Fall with Black Friday Shopping
The autumn season is not quite over yet and winter is right around the corner, end fall in style with some screaming deals.
Plan an Autumn Date
We’ve given you all the things to do in the fall, now pick a place and make a date out of it.
Best Places for Fall Activities
Here are some of our favorite places to visit during the fall.
- Angels game
- Bates Nut Farm Pumpkin Patch
- Disneyland/California Adventure/Downtown Disney
- Knott’s Scary Farm/Camp Spooky
- Brick-or-Treat Party Nights Legoland California
- Chargers, Rams, UCLA, USC football games
- Calico Ghost Town
- Oktoberfests
- Underwood Family Farms
- Santa Ana Zoo
- Julian, California
- Roger’s Gardens
- Irvine Regional Park
Printable list of Fall Activities & Fun Things to Do: PDF | Image
Printable list of Fall Activities & Fun Things to Do: PDF | Image
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