WASHINGTON — It's time to get picking in the pumpkin patch and take in fall festivals this season chock-full of apple cider, donuts and sunsets spent wandering around a corn maze.
Here's a list of family-friendly farms and fall celebrations to spend the day basking in the beautiful autumn season across the DMV with your loved ones.
Looking for a few activities that turn up the fear factor? Celebrate spooky season with these haunted attractions across DC, Maryland, Virginia!
VIRGINIA
Kings Dominion's Great Pumpkin Fest
This fall classic kicks off their season with The Great Pumpkin Fest, which includes pumpkin painting, hay mazes and games; as well as the Halloween Haunt, with rides, haunted mazes and "terrifying" scare zones.
This season also features many new live shows and more than 20 rides.
- ADDRESS: 16000 Theme Park Way, Doswell, VA 23047
- DATES & TIMES: Saturdays & Sundays through Oct. 30 | 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- ADMISSION: Fall daytime and haunt admission starts at $49.99
- WEBSITE: https://www.kingsdominion.com/events/great-pumpkin-fest
Plus, did you hear the news?! Popular Virginia amusement park to be open year-round starting in 2023
Immanuel Church-on-the-Hill's 29th Annual Pumpkin Patch
Organizers say that "100% of Patch profits go to more than 25 local, national, and international charities that directly support feeding, housing, educating, and caring for our most vulnerable neighbors (for example, Carpenters Shelter, ALIVE community assistance, Christ Church/West End Lazarus Ministry, Grace Church Food Pantry, Bishop Walker School, Alexandria Neighborhood Health Services [Arlandria Clinic], Haiti-Micah Project, and many others)."
Learn more about Immanuel's outreach activities by clicking here.
- ADDRESS: 3606 Seminary Rd, Alexandria, VA
- DATES & HOURS: open every day from Sunday, Oct. 2 through Monday, Oct. 31. Weekdays: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Weekends/Federal Holiday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- ADMISSION: Free
- Website: https://www.immanuel-on-the-hill.org/annual-pumpkin-sale.html
Wayside Farm Pumpkin Patch
The pumpkin field is separate from the other farm activities. However, if you’re looking to enjoy all activities in one go, Wayside features a 10-acre corn maze, pig races, a playhouse, hayrides, a hay mountain and more.
- ADDRESS: 5273 Harry Byrd Highway, Berryville, Va 22611
- DATES & HOURS: Sept. 24 through Oct. 30, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.
- ADMISSION: Tickets start at $12 and vary depending on the date and time of day. Some activities and pumpkin picking ($20 per family) are sold separately.
- Website: https://waysidefarmfun.com/fun-on-the-farm/
Belvedere Plantation Fall Festival
The fall festival kicks off with flower picking in September and it will end with a special “Pumpkin Pounding” finale in November. The Great Pumpkin Patch features acres of bright orange Pick-Your-Own pumpkins at 75 cents/lb.
- ADDRESS: 1410 Belvedere Drive, Fredericksburg, VA 22408
- DATES & HOURS: Sept. 17 through Nov. 6, Thursday & Friday Mornings 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday Evenings 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- The last entry into the maze and the last wagon ride is one hour prior to closing and the festival may close due to poor weather conditions.
- ADMISSION: Tickets start at $18.95 and vary depending on the date and time.
- Website: https://belvedereplantation.com/pages/fall-harvest-festival
MARYLAND
Kids BOO! Fest at Six Flags
If you're missing the theme park days of summer, Six Flags' Halloween festivities have already gotten underway!
All family-friendly fall activities will be in one place with no frights - just delights, organizers say. These daytime attractions will include a trick-or-treat trail and a corn maze, plus Halloween-themed kids' crafts.
Meanwhile, Fright Fest will bring the scares to those in search of them this season.
- ADDRESS: Six Flags America, 13710 Central Ave, Bowie, MD
- DATES & TIMES: Sept. 24 through Oct. 30, Fridays, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.; some select weekdays, click here for more.
- ADMISSION: $39.99 to $74.99
- WEBSITE: https://www.sixflags.com/america/events/boo-family-friendly-halloween-experience
Butler’s Orchard Pumpkin Festival
The 42nd Annual Butler’s Orchard Pumpkin Festival includes many activities, including a twisted corn maze, hayrides, corn hole games, pony rides, picking your own pumpkins and more are ready for all of the fall lovers out there.
- ADDRESS: 22222 Davis Mill Road Germantown, MD 20876
- DATES & HOURS: Sept. 24 through Oct. 30, Wednesday through Sunday, Wednesday through Friday: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. (Last entry 4:30 p.m.) Saturday through Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Last entry 4:30 p.m.).
- ADMISSION: Tickets start at $10 for weekdays if bought in advance and $15 on weekends if bought in advance
- Website: https://www.butlersorchard.com/
Jumbo’s Pumpkin Patch
Jumbo’s Pumpkin Patch includes a few unique fall festivities.
Admission includes hayrides, a corn maze, a petting zoo, a jumping pillow, pony rides, a pumpkin patch, face painting and a craft attic that features handmade items from 45+ local artisans.
- ADDRESS: 6521 Holter Road Middletown, MD 21769
- DATES & HOURS: Sept. 24 through Oct. 31
- ADMISSION: Monday through Fridays: free farm admission, a selection of farm-grown pumpkins and mums, fall shopping & petting zoo
- Fridays: above + hayrides to the patch, multiple play areas, corn maze ($8) & Craft Attic
- Saturday and Sunday: Farm Festival Admission is $12 per person. Military & Seniors 65+ is $10 per person. Children 3 & under are free.
- Website: https://www.jumbos.org/
Gaver Farm Fall Festival
The farm and fall fest includes over 60 family-fun attractions.
Included are pick-your-own pumpkins or apples, hayrides, giant slides, a corn maze and more. There is also a bakery on the grounds that features pies, fudge, cookies and brownies, as well as a fresh donut shop with hot and slushie apple cider.
- ADDRESS:5501 Detrick Road Mount Airy, MD 21771
- HOURS: Sept. 2 to Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- ADMISSION: Fall Fun Fest Admission is $19.75 per person on October weekends and $12.50 per person on weekdays. Kids under 24 months are free.
- Website: https://gaverfarm.com/
Queen Anne Farm’s Traditional Pumpkin Patch
Feel all the fall vibes with a picturesque backdrop.
“Our countryside is absolutely radiant in the fall, and we've created lots of wonderful places for you to create your own priceless photographs. Pumpkins of every size and color are all around, as are dazzling mums,” the website reads.
- ADDRESS: 18102 Central Avenue Mitchellville / Bowie, Maryland 20716
- DATES & HOURS: October: Open Daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., November 1 - 7
Open from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Closed for the season Nov. 8. - ADMISSION: $10 per vehicle
- Website: https://www.queenannefarm.com/PumpkinPatch
Montpelier Farms Fall Festival
Montpelier Farms has plenty of other festivities on the grounds if you’re looking for entertainment alongside your pumpkin picking.
Activities include a fall festival, a hayride and a corn maze, as well as a farm market with food and snacks; a donut shop, kettle corn, apple cider slushies and more seasonal favorites.
- ADDRESS: 1720 Crain Highway North, Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20774
- DATES & HOURS: Sept. 17 through Nov. 6
- October: Fridays from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- November: Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sundays: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- ADMISSION: Fall festival admission starts at $18.
- Website: https://www.montpelierfarms.com/
Summers Farm Fall Festival
Every Friday and Saturday night of the season at 7:30 p.m., Summers Farm shoots fireworks into the sky, weather permitting.
The festival has 45+ activities for families to enjoy, including mechanical bull-riding, rubber ducky races, corn pits, mazes, giant slides, zipline, mini-golf and more. There is also farm-fresh food, from pizza, pulled pork and burgers, to kettle corn and apple cider donuts.
- ADDRESS: 5620 Butterfly Lane Frederick, MD 21703
- HOURS: Sept. 17 through Oct. 31 Sunday through Thursday, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.,
Friday, 1 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. - ADMISSION: Admission ranges from $12.50 on some weekdays to $17.50 at certain weekend times. Check the website for details.
- Website: https://summersfarm.com/pages/fall-festival
Clark's Elioak Farm Pumpkin Patch
Beyond a pumpkin patch for pick-your-own pumpkins, the farm also features a petting zoo and an Enchanted Forest.
“Once upon a time, there was a wonderful storybook park in Ellicott City, Maryland called The Enchanted Forest. Opened in August 1955, it thrilled and delighted generations of families from far and wide throughout the next 30 years.” By acquiring many of the historical pieces and adding new ones, the farm has recreated the classic attraction.
ADDRESS: 10500 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042
HOURS: Open through Nov. 6, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
ADMISSION: $8 per person. No charge for infants under 1 year of age.