Autumn is such a great season here in West Michigan. You can visit a multitude of festivals, take a fall color tour to view the spectacular oranges, reds and yellows that take over the landscape, and just enjoy the cool, crisp air. Halloween is not just for kids....our local communities sponsor various parties and events that are fun for the entire family.

For more information on Trick or Treat dates and locations, read our Halloween story.

Local Corn Mazes & Pumpkin Patches:

Lewis Farm Market & Petting Zoo

4180 W. M-20, New Era. (231) 861-5730. Corn Maze opens in early September with other fall activities in full swing by mid-September. Featuring The Apple Express, Barrel Train, Pumpkin Moon Walk, jumping pillow, and pedal carts. U-pick apples and pumpkins for additional charge. Special music is performed some weekends. Visit VisitLewisFarms.com for more information.

Orchard Market

8400 N. US 31, Free Soil. (231) 464-5534. Wagon rides, corn maze, u-pick pumpkin patch, apple cannons, and more. 11am-5pm Saturdays and Sundays from September 28th-October 27th. Visit OrchardMarket.us for more information.

Fun Fall Events Currently Scheduled in Mason County

September 20th-October 4th

Octoberfest Craft Beer & Music Festival has been canceled but new events have taken its place, including a Scarecrow Walk, Soup Challenge, Beers for Peers, and Apple Fundraiser. For more information, visit downtownludington.org

Month of October

Marie Marfia's "Skelly Art" on display at the Ludington Area Center for the Arts- 107 S. Harrison St. in Ludington.

Month of October

Halloween themed coloring contest for seniors and special needs children through Circle Rocking "S" Children's Farm. Drawings may be mailed to the farm at 5487 Tuttle Rd. in Free Soil with a deadline of October 31st. Entries should include name, full address, age, and "sp" if the entrant is special needs. Ribbons will be awarded for the top three pieces of art in each group and ribbons will be mailed out after the deadline. The event is free, there is no limit to the number of entries per person, and artwork will not be returned, but displayed at the barn.

Month of October

Sloan's Halloween Display at 5789 N. US-31 in Free Soil. Come browse and take pics at this annual free display.

Now through November 2nd

Safe Harbor Halloween Contest. Participants take a photo of themself, their pet, or their kids in costume and post it to Facebook or Instagram with the tag @SafeHarborCreditUnion or #SafeHarborCUhalloween. Up to 10 winners will be chosen on November 2nd to receive $100 Meijer Gift Card each.

Friday, October 2nd-Saturday, October 3rd

Harvest Hootenanny for campers at Kibby Creek Campground- 4900 W. Deren Rd. in Ludington. The event includes cider, donuts, hayrides, magic pumpkin planting, tie dye trick-or-treat bags, trick-or-treating, and a spooky nature walk Saturday night! Visit kibbycreek.com to reserve your campsite.

Friday, October 2nd-Sunday, October 4th AND Friday, October 9th-Sunday, October 11th

Halloween Weekend for campers at Ponchos Pond- 5335 W. Wallace Rd. in Ludington. The event includes trick-or-treating, a site decorating contest, kids’ pumpkin carving, costume contest and more. Visit poncho.com to reserve your campsite.

Friday, October 2nd-Sunday, October 4th

Halloween at the Station for campers at Vacation Station RV Resort- 5061 W. US 10 in Ludington. The event includes spooky train rides, pumpkin decorating, trick-or-treating, and a site decorating contest. Visit vacationstationrvresort.com to reserve your campsite.

Saturday, October 3rd, 12-8pm

Award Winning Chili, Soup, & Grilled Cheese Sammies at KRAVE- 103 E. Ludington Ave. Since the annual Chili Walk has been canceled, KRAVE will be serving up White Chicken Chili, Tomato basil soup, and gourmet, one of a kind grilled cheese sandwiches.

Saturday, October 3rd-Sunday, October 4th; 10am-4pm

Early Artsie Craft and Dolloween Show at 505 E. Melendy in Ludington (in the backyard, rain or shine). Dolloween is generally held at Barley & Rye but will be held at this venue due to COVID 19.

Sunday, October 4th, 6-8pm

October Thriller VR Experience with Jump Around Fun Center in the parking lot of Stearns Motor Inn- 212 E. Ludington Ave. in Ludington. Dare to try out a thriller virtual reality game in the Jump Around Mobile VR Trailer. Sessions are $15 for 15 minutes, $27.50 for 30 minutes, or $50 for 60 minutes; per player.

Tuesday, October 6th, 3:30pm

Halloween Hayride, Costume Contest and Potluck Dinner at Circle Rocking "S" Children's Farm 5487 Tuttle Rd. in Free Soil. Bring treats, a dish to pass, and your own beverages and table service. Must RSVP to (231) 462-3732.

Thursday, October 8th, 11am-1pm

Drive Up Spooktacular Soup Fest at Ludington Senior Center- 308 S. Rowe St. in Ludington. Drive up and choose from these soup options: "Heads Up" - Broccoli & Cauliflower Cheese, "Porky's Revenge" - Sausage & Chicken, and "Our Veggie Review" - Hearty Beef Stew. All soups are served with your choice of brownie or cookie. Potato rolls and water. Suggested donation is $6.00

Friday, October 9th-Sunday, October 11th AND Friday, October 16th-Sunday, October 18th

Halloween at Henry's for campers at Henry's Landing- 701 S. Scottville Rd. in Scottville. The event includes pumpkin carving, costumes, trick-or-treating, and campsite decorating! Visit henryslanding.com to reserve your campsite. Event is COVID dependent.

Saturday, October 10th, 3:30-6:30pm

Happy Hour History Hunt at the Historic White Pine Village- 1687 S. Lakeshore Dr. in Ludington. Solve fun riddles to find collection pieces throughout the buildings at Historic White Pine Village. Need help tracking down an artifact? Purchase a clue from one a Clue Captain, and you'll be on your way to finding that unique artifact. Admission is $25 per person and includes delicious hor d'oeuvres, cash bar provided by Jamesport Brewing Company, and Apple Dumplings. Music provided by Third Coast Swing. Please RSVP by October 2nd.

Fridays, October 16th & 23rd and Saturdays, October 10th, 17th, and 24th; 7:30-11:30pm

Camp Sauble Cages of Carnage Haunted Prison- 4058 E. Free Soil Rd. in Free Soil. $10/person entry fee benefits local fire departments. Now handicapped accessible and with 2 trails to follow. Not recommended for small children.

Friday, October 9th-Sunday, October 11th

Halloween Weekend for campers at Ponchos Pond - 5335 W. Wallace Rd. in Ludington. The event includes trick-or-treating, a site decorating contest, kids’ pumpkin carving, costume contest and more. Visit poncho.com to reserve your campsite.

Friday, October 16th, 11am-3pm

Virtual Pumpkin Palooza at both the Ludington Library- 217 E. Ludington Ave. and the Scottville Library- 204 E. State St. Activity packets will be outside on the fence posts in Ludington’s back yard and on the clothesline in Scottville from 11am-3pm. In rainy weather, look for the packets under cover somewhere near the main door. Pumpkin Palooza activity packs include gourds to decorate, activity sheets, a fall-themed workout, and a candy corn craft. You can watch the Pumpkin Palooza pre-recorded video, which includes a story, and craft ideas and instructions starting at 11am that on the Mason County District Library’s Facebook page and link from masoncounty.lib.mi.us.

Saturday, October 17th, Time TBA

Haunted Forest to benefit Connexion Point, Inc. at Cartier Park- 1254 N. Lakeshore Dr. in Ludington. $5/person or $20/family. Not recommended for small children. Drive through.

Saturday, October 17th, 1-4pm

Painting Pumpkins with Pride, hosted by West Shore Pride, at Scottville Riverside Park- 700 S. Scottville Rd. in Scottville. Supplies will be provided, pumpkins courtesy of Shop-N-Save. Please wear a mask and follow posted Covid safety guidelines.

Thursday, October 22nd

At Home Fall Activity: Spider Slime courtesy of Sandcastles Children's Museum. Visit facebook.com/sandcastleschildrensmuseum for instructions.

Friday, October 23rd-Sunday, October 25th

Soup-er Smokin' Weekend for campers at Henry's Landing Campground- 701 S. Scottville Rd. in Scottville. Judges will decide who makes the best soup and who smokes the best meat. There will also be a cornhole tournament. Visit henryslanding.com to reserve your campsite. Event is Covid dependent.

Fridays, October 23rd & 30th from 7-10pm; Saturday, October 24th from 7-10pm; AND Saturday, October 31st from 6-10pm

Harvey's Haunted Garage- 320 S. Madison Ave. in Custer. Haunted maze, family friendly, and free for all. Safeguards will be in place.

Monday, October 26th, 6-9pm

Inspired Parties Pumpkin Paint & Pour at Kristi's Pour House- 211 E. Main St. in Hart. Choice of painting on canvas or wood plank. Cost is $35 for canvas and $45 for wood. Visit inspired-parties.myshopify.com to register or for more information.

Thursday, October 29th, 11am-1pm

Drive Up Spooktacular Soup Fest at Ludington Senior Center- 308 S. Rowe St. in Ludington. Drive up and choose from these soup options: "Heads Up" - Broccoli & Cauliflower Cheese, "French Connection" - French Onion, and "Say Cheese No Burger" - Bacon Cheeseburger. All soups are served with your choice of pumpkin square or monster cookie, potato rolls and water. Suggested donation is $6.00. Sponsored by Parmenter Law.

Saturday, October 31st, 9am

Run For Your Lives 5K/10K/Half in Downtown Ludington. Online registration ONLY at eventbrite.com.

Saturday, October 31st, 5-6:30pm

Halloween Kids Cruise aboard the Princess of Ludington, docked at 610 Lake St. in Ludington. The cruise will be open to the first 25 adults accompanying up to 2 children each. Cost for adults is $20/each with free admission to children 12 and under who wear costumes and are accompanied by an adult. The event will include free popcorn, caramel corn, cider, donuts, and more. Adults may register early by e-mailing Laak1938@gmail.com. House of Flavors will provide prizes for best costume, Greiner Farms is donating a pumpkin to each child in costume, and Hackert Fruit Farms is donating apples for all onboard.

Saturday, October 31st, 6-10pm

Witches Night Out at Four Directions Alchemy- 507 E. Dowland in Ludington. Family friendly Samhain celebration to honor our ancestors and a bountiful harvest.

Fun Fall Events Traditionally Held in Mason County

Mason County Mutts Halloween Spooktacular

Medilodge of Ludington- 1000 E. Tinkham Ave. Bring your pets dressed in costume. Costume contest and lots of prizes.

Friends of the Ludington State Park Fall Celebration

Ludington State Park Beach House. The event includes a horse-drawn wagon ride, doughnut holes, apple juice, music by The Road Less Traveled, a beach campfire and the beautiful views at the Lake Michigan Beach House. The event is sponsored by Friends of Ludington State Park in conjunction with Ludington State Park and Soberalski Farm's Draft Horses of Pere Marquette Township. There is no cost to attend with the Michigan Recreation Passport but donations to and membership with the Friends of the Ludington State Park are encouraged.

Fall Fest Weekend

Mason County Reformed Church- 45 S. Amber Rd. in Ludington. Admission is free and open to the public. Lve music, chili cookoff, Pig Roast and family fun!

Halloween Hustle 1-Mile Race

Beginning at the Cartier Park Gazebo- 1254 N. Lakeshore Dr. in Ludington. 1 Mile Fun Run for students in Grades K-5 at Cartier Park. Runners will begin and end at the gazebo. Drivers must enter from Lakeshore Drive.

CANCELED for 2020.... Safe Harbor Credit Union's Annual Halloween Parade

Beginning at the Mason County Courthouse- 304 E. Ludington Ave. Games and activities before the parade.

Boy Scout Troop 1190 Haunted House

Community Church- 109 N. Harrison in Ludington.

CANCELED for 2020... Ludrock's Night of Fright

Ludington Area Center for the Arts- 107 S. Harrison St, Ludington.

Spooky Slow Roll

Night-time bicycle ride, which makes its way around town for about 5 miles. Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes, and others will be raffled, to those who are brave enough to ride. Expect surprises.

Halloween Charity Event at Photography by Sue Brown

1676 W. Hansen Road, Scottville. Free photo with donation to United Way of Mason County

Fun Fall Events Currently Scheduled in Oceana County

Special Event Weekends

Lewis Farm Market & Petting Zoo- 4180 W. M-20 in New Era.

Saturday, September 19th

Sam Adams Steinfest at Golden Sands Golf & Bucket Bar- 2501 Wilson Rd. in Silver Lake. Keg Rolling/Throwing, Stein Hoisting, and more!

Every Saturday in October, 8pm

Haunted Acres- 7970 W. Park Rd. in New Era. Corn maze and zombie shooting gallery. Three attractions: Field of Screams, Corn Maze Craze, and Vertigo. $20 to enter. Fresh cider, food, and merchandise available for purchase. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Free parking.

Every weekend in October and October 25th-31st

Shadows in the Shedd at 265 E. Tyler Rd. in Hart. $10 per person or $25 per carload.

Saturday, October 10th, 12pm-Midnight

Oktoberfest Downtown Pentwater. Bingo, Comedy Night, Kids Activities, Entertainment Tent, and more.

Saturday, October 29th, 5:15-6:30pm

Ag-Oween at the Oceana County Fairgrounds- 1025 S. State St., Hart. This is a social distancing/drive-through event for kids 12 and under. Kids can collect trinkets and treats that have an agriculture connection. A costume contest drawing will be held at 6:15pm for any child attending in costume. Drawing prize will be a local business gift card. Volunteers are needed to help with the various stations. All trinkets and treats will be provided — volunteers will just need to hand out the items. To add a little fun, volunteers can bring along their spooky decorations and compete for the “Best Ag-Oween Decorated Table” to receive a local business gift card. Anyone interested in volunteering can call 231-796-1119 or email jmarifo@ctyfb.com or walickik@yahoo.com.

Saturday, October 31st, 1pm

Halloween on the Green in downtown Pentwater. Event includes costume contest and goody bags. No yard games this year due to COVID-19.

Fun Fall Events Currently Scheduled in Manistee County

Fridays and Saturdays in October, 7:30-10:30pm

Manistee's Ghost Ship. On the S.S. City of Milwaukee historic carferry. This is a truly thrilling and scary adventure. Travel through five decks and 72 stairs, some quite steep. Limited capacity for 2020, face covers and temperature screenings required for entry. For more information, visit ManisteeGhostShip.com or call (231) 723-3587. Located at 99 Arthur Street (US 31).

Beginning October 19th

Take-home Pumpkin Decorating & Virtual Gallery through the Manistee Library- 95 Maple St. in Manistee. Pick up your pumpkin and decorating kit at the library then share a photo to the virtual gallery. Visit facebook.com/events for more info.

Friday, October 23rd-Saturday, October 31st; 7-9:30pm

Halloween Movies at The Vogue Theatre- 383 River St., Manistee. Favorite Halloween movies for just $5. Visit voguetheatremanistee.org for more information and schedule.

Saturday, October 31st, 11am-2pm

Candy Cruise at the Manistee Library- 95 Maple St. in Manistee. Drive thru trick-or-treat.

Saturday, October 31st, 5-7pm

Trunk or Treat at Faith Covenant Church- 475 8th St. in Manistee. Children are invited to walk through the parking lot collecting candy from a variety of costumed characters with tastefully decorated trunks. If you would like to participate by having a trunk, truck bed or vehicle in the line up, please contact the church office by email at: kateofficefcc@gmail.com

Fun Fall Events Traditionally Held in Manistee County

CANCELED for 2020... Onekama Fall Festival

Onekama Village Park. Craft and food vendors, inflatables, kids activities, fun run, pet parade, and more! Visit onekama.info for more information.

Boos, Brews, & Brats

Manistee Elks Lodge- 432 River St. Costume contests for children and adults, music by Sunset Groove, homemade brats and delicous beer. Also featuring special movie showing at the Vogue Theatre

Stay tuned for updated information on fun fall events happening in 2020!

Want to learn more about all things family in West Michigan? Visit Lakeshore Family Guide and "Like" us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LakeshoreFamilyGuide

Fall Festivals & Events in West Michigan: Ludington, Manistee, Pentwater, Silver Lake, and more...

More to Love About Autumn in West Michigan...

For more activities & attractions, check out these additional links for Things to Do in West Michigan:

Ludington Activities & Things to Do -- Play on a beautiful beach, take a tour at Historic White Pine Village, or explore the barn quilt trail, murals or sculptures in the county--Ludington offers many fun things to do for the entire family!
Have Fun in Manistee, Michigan -- Explore Manistee's historic downtown district and riverwalk, hike the Manistee National Forest, canoe on the Manistee River, and more.
Hamlin Lake -- Just 4 miles north of Ludington, Hamlin Lake is a great destination for boating, fishing and climbing dunes! The Hamlin Lake shoreline is also part of the Ludington State Park.
Silver Lake Sand Dunes -- Visiting the Silver Lake Sand Dunes makes for a terrific vacation because you can take your off-road vehicle for a spin on the scenic sand dunes overlooking Lake Michigan and Silver Lake.
Things to Do in Pentwater, Michigan -- Nothing is quite like the quaint, artsy, harbortown village of Pentwater. Don't miss the popular Charles Mears State Park beach on Pentwater's Lake Michigan shoreline.
Lots of Activities in Scottville, Michigan -- Explore the Riverside Park along the National Scenic Pere Marquette River.
Canoeing or Fishing on the Pere Marquette River -- Many boat liveries offer canoe rentals.
Also, check out West Michigan Guides and our locally produced WestMichigan.MichBiz.com directory for our largest lists of Things to Do in West Michigan.