Fall is a festive time in Washington. Leaves are turning fiery shades, crops are ready for picking, and there’s a freshness in the air before the inevitable winter gloom. While we might all rush off to see the golden larches and red Japanese maples, or be in a hurry to get in the spooky spirit, there’s a lot more happening from the end of September through October that celebrates the fall spirit in the PNW.
Washington State Autumn Leaf Festival
September 26-27
Leavenworth
This time of year, Leavenworth might be famous for its exuberant Oktoberfest festivities, but the Bavarian-inspired town in the Cascade Mountains first welcomes fall another way. During the last weekend of September, come celebrate the brilliant hues of autumn at the Leavenworth Fall Leaf Festival, which has been a tradition since 1964. “Leavenworth sits in the Wenatchee River Valley at the foot of the Cascades, so visitors get a beautiful contrast of golden aspens, cottonwoods, and maples turning red and orange against a backdrop of evergreen mountains,” says Jessica Stoller, marketing and public relations director for the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce.
On Saturday, September 26, join the kids’ parade and Grand Parade, which winds through town. Throughout the weekend, live music will play in the Gazebo, food booths will serve Bavarian favorites, and there will be a book sale, farmers market, and craft vendors.
Courtesy Discover Lewis County
Apple Harvest Festival
October 2-4
Onalaska
The small town of Onalaska, a former logging town in Lewis County, goes all out during the first weekend of October for Washington’s fall fruit. Come celebrate the apple harvest—and arrive hungry. Join in the apple pie auction, pie competition, and pie-eating contest. There’s a parade, a 5K run, a quilt show, and even a royal court. Sample local beers, ciders, and wine, and browse artisan and food stands selling local crafts and bites. The weekend culminates in an Apple Harvest Hoedown. Fill up on home cooking like pulled pork and gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, apple coleslaw, and baked beans before partaking in all the fun: axe throwing, line dancing, and glow-in-the-dark putt-putt golf.
Marcus Cider Fest
October 3
Marcus
It’s no secret that August through November is apple-picking season in Washington. And with apples comes cider. Celebrate the harvest in Marcus, a small community in Stevens County in the northeastern corner of Washington. Cider Fest has been taking place since 1977, when it was held in the old Marcus School. Today, the event has grown significantly and includes a parade, car show, vendors, music, a beer garden, food, a kids’ carnival, and, of course, fresh-pressed cider.
In the early days, 25 people came together to produce 100 gallons of cider. By the mid-1990s, a more industrial machine was built to expand cider production—and also turn it into a spectacle with wheels, gears, buckets, pipes, and bicycle chains. “These days, the Marcus Cyclops produces over 1,200 gallons of cider for the festival,” says Leanna Armstrong, a Marcus Cider Fest board member. “If you come to the small town of Marcus, you might notice that all the streets are named after types of apples. Before the Grand Coulee Dam was built in the 1930s, the shores of the Columbia River were full of apple orchards… Marcus Cider Fest and the street names pay homage to the strong history and deep connection many residents feel for the area.”
Courtesy of Issaquah Salmon Days
Issaquah Salmon Days
October 3-4
Issaquah
Washington’s culture is closely tied to the cycle of salmon. The return of the salmon is a special time in the state—and Issaquah does it big. Salmon Days was first celebrated in 1970, as a much smaller event to commemorate the annual return of the salmon, with a salmon BBQ, art show, and hatchery displays. Today, the celebration has grown into Washington’s largest two-day festival, but the essence remains the same.
“The return of the salmon is at the heart of Issaquah’s identity,” says Julie Hartwig, president and CEO of the Greater Issaquah Chamber of Commerce. “Their remarkable journey home connects us to our natural environment, our history, and our responsibility to protect these waters for future generations. Salmon Days honors that migration while bringing our entire community together.”
Watch the salmon migration at the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery or from other spots around town, like Newport Bridge or Confluence Park Bridge. While the event takes place on October 3-4, the salmon can be seen through November. The highest concentration is typically in October. Chow down on grilled salmon at the Kiwanis Club Salmon BBQ or sample food from more than 70 food vendors. Grab a drink in the beer garden, listen to live music, explore craft vendors, play on inflatables, and get artsy at the salmon coloring station. Take a walk through downtown Issaquah, exploring the city’s salmon-themed public art, from a bench adorned with a salmon design at the public library to a bronze salmon-ring sculpture in front of the Issaquah Senior Center.
The Dungeness Crab Festival
October 9-11
Port Angeles
Calling all crab lovers. Come celebrate your favorite crustacean during CrabFest, which takes place in Port Angeles over three days in October. The occasion celebrates the Dungeness crab (which has long played an important part in Indigenous culture and food), and the natural beauty of the Olympic Peninsula. Explore the extensive vendor market, take a tour of the U.S. Coast Guard boat, tap your feet to live music, and, of course, book a legendary crab dinner. The feast features a 2-pound Dungeness crab, corn on the cob, and slaw—and can be paired with local beers and wines. Food trucks will sell other seafood specialties throughout the weekend, including crab poutine, Dungeness crab grilled cheese, crab mac and cheese, and crab enchiladas.
Fresh Hop Ale Festival
October 10
Yakima
October is hop harvest season, and few places celebrate the occasion better than the Yakima Valley, the hop-growing capital of the United States. In a state that loves its hop-heavy beers, there’s no better place to celebrate. As you might expect, a couple dozen Washington breweries will be pouring pints all day—and each will have at least one fresh hop beer. Old Stove, Mirage, Human People, and Cloudburst will be among the breweries making an appearance. Several bands and musicians, mostly playing country and folk, will perform throughout the festival.
Cranberry Harvest Festival
October 10-11
Long Beach
An ancient North American ingredient, cranberries have long been part of regional cuisine, paired with foods like deer and salmon. On October 10-11, come learn about everything cranberry in Long Beach. Watch the wet-harvest cranberry demonstration from around 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Throughout the day, sample cranberry-themed breakfast and lunch bites, learn about the benefits of the tart berry from Dr. Kirkendall (also known as the “Cranberry Doctor”), and purchase fresh cranberries, cranberry ice cream, and other themed goods to bring home.
Dining and Cooking