Fall into autumn with festivals, ghost walks, pumpkin patches and more

HUNTSVILLE — It is almost time to break out the cozy sweaters and get that first sip of pumpkin spice because fall is right around the corner.

As every fall lover knows, September means cooler weather, changing foliage and getting to take in all the autumnal festivities in the Huntsville area. There are endless activities for all ages — from families to couples and all the pumpkin-loving, spooky-seeking people in between.

Whether you want a haunted ghost tour or a picture-perfect pumpkin patch, Huntsville is ready to cozy up with a list of fall fun.

• Huntsville Ghost Walk
  This spooky stroll kicks off Saturday and takes place every Friday and Saturday through October, with additional options on Sundays in October. Choose from three walking tours through the Twickenham District, the Old Town District or the Downtown District. These hour-and-a-half-long tours guide you through the history of Huntsville with haunted accounts from personal experiences, extensive historical research, and even the help of a medium to learn about the history of the city and the people who call Huntsville home — even in death.
• Maple Hill Cemetery Stroll
  One of America’s largest living history strolls takes place every fall at Maple Hill Cemetery. On Oct. 15, from 1:30-4:30 p.m., guests can engage with more than 75 costumed characters who bring new life to Huntsville’s past in a family friendly way. This year will feature a dozen new characters, not all of whom are buried in the cemetery but who played an essential role in Huntsville’s history. In addition to the immersive characters, guests can expect traditional music, special exhibits, an expanded antique auto display, and student scavenger hunts to fully fall into the living history of Huntsville.
• Huntsville Botanical Garden
  The Huntsville Botanical Garden is the go-to spot for autumnal family fun with their season-long Festifall. This exhibit features a range of events from Boos and Beats — an adults-only Halloween party with a costume contest, silent disco and spooky sips — to Pooches and Pumpkins — a parade of costumed pups and their owners — to the Little Monster Mash — a day of fall festival fun for the whole family — and much more. The Festifall features a fun stroll through the Scarecrow Trail where guests can view the whimsical scarecrow creations scattered through the gardens, all of which follow this year’s theme of fairy tales. This not-so-spooky festival is sure to get every guest in the fall spirit as they enjoy the cooling weather and the beauty of the Huntsville Botanical Garden.
• Redstone Arsenal Oktoberfest
  The 27th annual Oktoberfest is Sept. 13-15 at the MWR Activity Field on Redstone Arsenal. The event, which is open to the public, features authentic German cuisine and beverages. Have fun tasting all the delicious festival treats, adventuring on the rambunctious rides, or mustering up the strength for the stein hoisting competition. The playlist of upbeat polka music from the live band and the curated DJ will inspire an authentic Oktoberfest mood that will have every guest ready to join in the dances. 
• U-Pick Pumpkin Patch
  An autumn season is not complete without a trip to the pumpkin patch North Alabama has several U-pick pumpkin patches to bring fall fun to guests of all ages. There is the local favorite Tate Farms in Meridianville, outfitted with a corn crib, hay ride, barnyard animals, photo ops, pumpkin picking and more. The fall season kicks off at Tate Farms on Sept. 25. Tickets are $20 per person for any guests ages 2 or older. Or try another local option at Hartselle’s Hidden Rivers Farm, which opens Sept. 20 for the fall season. Spend the day in the maze, making a scarecrow, playing in the corn pit, bouncing in the bumper balls and, of course, picking the perfect pumpkin. Tickets range from $7-$8 per person; the farm also offers a group pricing option of $5.50 per person for groups of more than 10 people.

There are still more festivals, markets, and celebrations taking place throughout the season that you do not want to miss.

So grab that cozy sweater and sip that spiced brew as you take time to peruse Huntsville’s list of festivities to fall into autumn with beautiful leaves, farm-fresh pumpkins, cozy apple cider and so much more.