Best Fall Festivals, Events & Things to Do in Boise in the Fall

Autumn in Boise is a beautiful time of year and puts the local community into a festive spirit. Harvest festivals, Oktoberfests, Halloween Trick-or-Treating, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and more are on the calendar throughout the Treasure Valley. We've rounded up the best of the fall events and listed them here for you.

The Haunted World

Caldwell, Sep 13-Oct 31 (closed Sundays)

Make no bones about it, the Haunted World in Caldwell is Idaho’s scariest haunted house and Halloween attraction. This attraction is both indoor and outdoor and will treat you to nearly two hours or nightmarish fear. Learn more.

The Farmstead Corn Maze & Pumpkin Festival

Kuna, Sep 20-Oct 30

The Farmstead in Kuna prides itself on being Idaho’s “original corn maze” and has been a popular attraction for years. Whether you’re there for the family-friendly attractions or the Field of Screams, you’ll enjoy your time at the Farmstead. Learn more.

Linder Farms Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch

Meridian, Sep 20-Oct 31 (closed Sundays)

Get those classic fall moments checked off your autumn bucket list at the Linder Farms corn maze and pumpkin patch! Attractions include hayrides, a straw maze, a petting zoo, haystacks to climb on, an enormous slide, and more. Grab a pumpkin or get lost in the corn maze with friends and family during Linder Farm’s 2019 season.

Twin Oaks Farm and Nyah’s Haunted Woods

Eagle, Sep 20-Nov 2

Throughout the month of October and into early November, you can visit the only farm left on Eagle Road for an autumn extravaganza. A corn maze, hayrides, bunny hill, pony rides, petting zoo, and more are available for all-ages fun. After dark, something more sinister awaits the adventurous in Nyah’s Haunted Woods. Learn more.

Emmett Harvest Festival & Street Fair

Emmett, Sep 27 & Sep 28

Living in Idaho means the annual harvest of crops is a big part of many families’ lives, and the Harvest Festival and Street Fair in Emmett celebrates this fact. For over two decades, the Emmett community has marked harvest season with live music, food, vendors, and activities during their annual festival. Learn more.

Pick Your Own Pumpkins & Hayrides - The Berry Ranch

Nampa, Sep 27-Oct 31

Through October 31st, you can enjoy a pick-your-own pumpkin hayride at the beloved Berry Ranch in Nampa. The Berry Ranch is known for their seasonal pick-your-own berries and produce, and their October pumpkin patch is one you won’t want to miss. Learn more.

Scarecrow Stroll - Idaho Botanical Gardens

Boise, Oct 1-Oct 31

The Idaho Botanical Gardens’ Scarecrow Stroll is a popular autumn event in Boise, featuring whimsical and creative scarecrows throughout the garden in the month of October. Thirty-one different scarecrows will represent local community organizations and individuals, so take a walk through the gardens and enjoy the fun. Vote for your favorite and visit the garden’s pumpkin patch while you’re there.

McPaws Oktoberfest - Activity Barn

McCall, Oct 5

Bring the whole family to this annual event to benefit McCall’s regional animal shelter, McPaws! Live music, vendors, food, activities, and adoptable animals are all part of what makes this event a favorite for locals and visitors. McCall is a gorgeous destination in the fall, so make Saturday, October 5th into a day trip for the family and visit McPaws Oktoberfest. Learn more.

Fall Harvest Festival - Idaho Botanical Gardens

Boise, Oct 5 & 6

This family-friendly event features live music, food, activities, and more. Amble through the Scarecrow Stroll, pick out a pumpkin, and get lost in the straw maze. Local beverage vendors such as Sawtooth Winery, Mad Suede Brewing, Meriweather Cider Co, and Country Line Brewing will be serving drinks, and several local food vendors will also be on site.

Oktoberfest - Ste. Chapelle Winery

Caldwell, Oct 6

Sip on beer and wine while enjoying BBQ from Dickie’s with a German flair to celebrate Oktoberfest at Ste. Chapelle Winery. On Sunday, October 6th, you’ll get a chance to hear festive tunes from 1:00-4:00 pm and ring in autumn with a fun-filled day. Learn more.

Old Time Farm Days Harvest Fest

Boise, Oct 6

The Dry Creek Historical Society is throwing an old-time bash on Sunday, October 6th from 12:00-4:00 pm at the Schick-Ostolasa Farmstead (5006 W Farm Court). This preserved farmstead is an exciting peek into Idaho’s agricultural. Kids can pan for gold, learn about life in the 1860s, play yard games, and more! Volunteers from the Idaho Woodcarvers Guild, the Dry Creek Quilters, and Fort Boise Garrison Living History will all be sharing insights into the past. Learn more.

Spooktacular at Zoo Boise

Boise, Oct 11-13 & Oct 18-20

Zoo Boise’s annual “merry not scary” fun-fest is your chance to see the zoo animals at night and enjoy Halloween-themed activities. Special entertainment, animal encounters, costumes, and vendors make Spooktacular a yearly treat. Learn more.

Haunted Halloween Trolley Tours

Downtown Boise, Oct 11-Nov 2

Care to get a scare with a hefty side of history? Boise Trolley Tours has just the event for you, and it’s happening nightly starting October 11th through November 2nd. Join their Haunted Halloween Trolley Tours nightly at 8:00 pm to learn sinister secrets and long-lost terrors. The tours on October 25th and 26th include admission to the Frightening Felons event at the Old Idaho Penitentiary. On Halloween night, you can join their special adults only “Trick or Treat” tour which includes sandwiches and wine.

Witches Night Out - The Village at Meridian

Meridian, Oct 16

On Wednesday, October 16th, support the Women’s and Children’s Alliance at the annual Witches Night Out event at the Village at Meridian. Domestic abuse can’t thrive when we take a stand together, and this light-hearted event has a big goal to end abuse and violence in Idaho. Enjoy fun activities like a Harry Potter sorting hat, raffles, prizes, games, and more—all for a great cause. Dress up in your best pointy hat and hop on your broom for Witches Night Out! Learn more.

Idaho Horror Film Festival

Boise, Oct 17, 18 & 19

Lovers of gloriously gory and terrifying films can get their fix at the 6th Annual Idaho Horror Film Festival this month. This non-profit film exhibition is on a mission to shine a light on Idaho’s emerging filmmakers and features films in five categories. It’s an applauded event that’s perfect for Halloween month. Learn more.

Funtober Festival - Nampa Rec Center

Nampa, Oct 19

This outdoor festival is an all-ages autumn celebration with face painting, activities, dancing, storytelling, crafts, a costume contest, games, and more. Bring the family out for a free afternoon of fun!

Jordan’s Pumpkins Trunk or Treat

Boise, Oct 20

Jordan’s Pumpkin Patch is a local favorite, and this year, they’re hosting a Trunk or Treat event on October 20th in partnership with several local businesses. Their pumpkin patch features free activities and tons of fun photo ops. Learn more.

Villains in the Village - The Village at Meridian

Meridian, Oct 23

A lair of villains, activities, face painting, balloon twisting and more! Villains in the Village is a family-friendly event that starts with an appearance by Corbin Maxey, a nationally-recognized animal expert. Next, Treasure Valley Children’s Theater will perform Villains in the Village. Learn more.

Vintage Movie Night: Hocus Pocus - The Sapphire Room

Boise, Oct 23, 28, 30

There’s never a better time to clutch your date’s hand and watch a scary movie than October. Head to Boise’s “best-kept secret,” the Sapphire Room, and take in Hocus Pocus (PG) with your dinner and drinks. Your tickets to vintage movie nights at the Sapphire Room include bottomless movie snacks with a menu for additional food available for purchase. Learn more.

Trunk or Treat and Dance to the Beat

Downtown Meridian, Oct 24

Join a sea of costumes and vendors who turn downtown Meridian into another world on Thursday, October 24th for the city’s Trunk or Treat and Dance to the Beat. Ballet Folklorico will be performing Day of the Dance in full regalia, and everyone is invited to dress up and participate in the fun. Learn more.

Halloween Carnival - Downtown Boise YMCA

Boise, Meridian, Caldwell, Oct 25

Costumes are encouraged at this FREE family-friendly event at the downtown family YMCA. Face painting, a cakewalk, photo booth, a bounce house, pumpkin decorating, games, and more are all on the menu during this Halloween-themed event.

Frightened Felons - Old Idaho Penitentiary

Boise, Oct 25 & 26

One of the Old Idaho Penitentiary’s most popular events every year is their pleasantly scary Frightened Felons night. All ages are welcome on October 25th while adults 18+ are invited on the 26th to this night of fright and fun. Tour Idaho’s only haunted cell, watch a “Thriller” dance, learn about inmates of the past, and of course, enjoy beverages and food.

YMCA Halloween Run - Ann Morrison Park

Boise, Oct 26

Bring out your glowsticks and don your costume for this fabulously frightening Halloween Fun Run. Choose from either the 1-mile “Monster Mile” or the 5K Fun Run and bring the family for this evening of Halloween festivities. There are prizes for the best male and female costumes, as well as the best group costume, so don’t hold back on your Halloween get-up. Learn more.

Boo at the Zoo - Zoo Boise

Boise, Oct 26

Boo at the Zoo means Halloween fun for the whole family! Trick-or-treat through a mountain of candy, get your face painted, enjoy games, take in Halloween-themed animal encounters, and of course, stroll through the many exhibits at Zoo Boise. Learn more.

Thrill the World Boise - Boise Spectrum

Boise, Oct 26

Maybe you’ve already been lucky enough to catch one of Thrill the World Boise’s performances and have witnessed the amazing spectacle of almost a hundred “zombies” dancing to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” If you haven’t, you’re in for a treat. Whether you’d like to dance or watch, mark your calendars for Thrill the World Boise. Learn more.

Idaho Gourd Festival - The Clubhouse Event Center

Boise, Oct 26 & 27

Celebrate decorative gourd season at the Idaho Gourd Festival! A gourd art competition, silent auction, demonstrations, holiday gifts, and more will all be part of the festivities during this fall weekend. This is the Idaho Gourd Festival’s 20th year, and since the kids are free, bring the whole family.

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