Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash.com

Fall Events in West Michigan

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

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 in October. Visit OrchardMarket.us for more information.

The Jam Farm

The Jam Farm is located at 5075 W. Meisenheimer Rd., Ludington. (231) 845-9909. Pumpkin Patch. (NOTE: Pumpkins are only available every other year. The next pumpkin patch will be in 2023.)

Fun Fall Events That Are Typically Held

Mason County

Scare Crow Contest hosted by Circle Rocking “S” Children’s Farm – The event is free for special needs families, groups, and nursing homes. A $25 fee is requested from businesses or the general public. Participants may be from Mason, Manistee, or Lake Counties and addresses must be clearly marked on judging week. For entry forms, visit circlerockingsfarm.org.
Octoberfest Craft Beer & Music Festival in downtown Ludington
Harvest Weekends for campers at Kibby Creek Campground – 4900 W. Deren Rd. in Ludington. Visit kibbycreek.com to reserve your campsite.
Halloween Weekends 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.
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.
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 by September 30th by calling (231) 462-3732. For more information and printable RSVP, visit circlerockingsfarm.org.
Fall Festival at the Ludington State Park– 8800 M-116, Ludington. Event includes horse-drawn wagon rides by Meadow Breeze Farms, music by 80 Cows , beach bonfire, apples, donuts, and cider.
Chili Cook-Off at Ruby Creek Conservation & Recreation Club- 8152 E. Washington Rd., Branch. Enter a pot or sample and vote. Dessert will also be available. Suggested donation is $5 per person. For more info, call Janet at (231) 233-4637.
“A Scream in the Night” Halloween Drive-thru event to benefit Connexion Point Addiction Treatment & Recovery Program. $5 per person. Cartier Park- 1254 N. Lakeshore Dr., Ludington.
Camp Sauble Cages of Carnage Haunted Prison – 4058 E. Free Soil Rd. in Free Soil. $15/person entry fee benefits local fire departments. Handicapped accessible and with 2 trails to follow. Not recommended for small children.
Pumpkins for Change Pumpkin Decorating Contest at Betten Baker Ford- 3045 US 10, Ludington. Pumpkins will be available at Betten Baker Ford of Ludington for a $5 entry fee from October 19th-22nd and can be dropped back off when decorated (no later than October 25th at 6pm). The first place winner receives: 50% of the total entry fees collected (the other 50% will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation). The second place winner receives: gift card to a local business. Winners will be chosen and announced on October 26th to celebrate National Pumpkin Day. For more information, call(231) 845-5111.
Harvey’s Haunted Garage – 320 S. Madison Ave. in Custer. Haunted maze, family friendly, and free for all. Donations accepted.
Haunted Village Children are encouraged to wear costumes and trick or treat throughout the historic buildings in the village. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, $8 for kids age 3-13, and kids under 3 enter free. Historic White Pine Village- 1687 S. Lakeshore Dr. in Ludington.
Ice Skating Spooktacular at the West Shore Community Ice Arena- 3000 N. Stiles Rd., Scottville. Admission/skate rental is $10/person with proceeds to the West Shore Wolves Hockey League. Costumes encouraged!
Run for Your Lives 5k & Half Marathon in Downtown Ludington.
Pumpkin Painting at Sandcastles Children’s Museum- 125 E. Ludington Ave., Ludington. Regular admission rates apply.
Halloween Party Fundraiser for Mason County Eastern School’s Sports Division at Mel’s Long Lake Cabins- 7414 US-10, Branch. Admission is $5 per person and includes hot dogs, chips, cider, costume contest for both children and adults, door prizes, games, face painting, a raffle for cabin stays and pontoon rental, and more. For more information, visit facebook.com.
Ludrock’s Night of Fright at Ludington Area Center for the Arts- 107 S. Harrison St, Ludington.
Halloween Charity Event at Photography by Sue Brown- 1676 W. Hansen Road, Scottville. Free photo with donation to United Way of Mason County. Sign up by visiting signupgenius.com.

Oceana County

Sloan’s Halloween Display – 5789 N. US-31 in Free Soil. Come browse and take pics at this annual free display. Pumpkins for sale.
Sam Adams Steinfest at Golden Sands Golf & Bucket Bar- 2501 Wilson Rd. in Silver Lake. Keg Rolling/Throwing, Stein Hoisting, and more!
Haunted Acres – Cost is $25 for three attractions- The Devil’s Playground, Field of Screams, and Vertigo. There will also be food vendors on site and merchandise available for purchase. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Free Parking. Haunted Acres- 7970 Park Rd., New Era.
Oktoberfest in Downtown Pentwater. Bingo, Comedy Night, Kids Activities, Entertainment Tent, and more.
Spooktacular in downtown Pentwater – Event includes costume contest (12:15pm), scavenger hunt, and downtown trick-or-treating (12-2pm). Visit pentwater.org for more information.
Halloween Haunted Trail – Admission is $5 per person and refreshments will be served. Walkerville Cross Country Course- N. 180th Ave., Walkerville.
Free Homemade Donuts! Pentwater Fire Department– 486 E. Park St.
Haunted Library at the Pentwater Library- 402 E. Park St., Pentwater. Free and open to the public.

Manistee County

Onekama Fall Festival in Onekama Village Park – Craft and food vendors, inflatables, kids activities, fun run, pet parade, and more! Visit onekama.info for more information.
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. Located at 99 Arthur Street (US 31).
Kids Halloween Craft Night at Maple Grove Township Community Center- 9208 Kauko St, Kaleva. Kids ages 5-12 are welcome. Ages 5-7 will need to be accompanied by an adult. Limited to 15 kids, so reservations are encouraged.
Whovilles Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch at Calvin Lutz Farms- 8576 Chief Rd., Kaleva. Corn Maze, You Pick Pumpkins, Games, Cider, Donuts, Wagon Rides and more. Call (231) 889-5594 for more information.
Whovilles Night in the Corn Maze at Calvin Lutz Farms- 8576 Chief Rd., Kaleva. Come find your way through the corn maze in the dark. Bring your own flashlight. Call (231) 889-5594 for more information.
Children’s Costume Crawl & Downtown Ghost Hunt beginning at the Manistee County Library – 95 Maple St., Manistee.
Boos, Brews, & Brats – Manistee Elks Lodge- 432 River St.
Trick or Treat and Halloween Parade at the Filer Township Fire Department- 2706 Nelson St. in Manistee.

Stay tuned for a schedule of Fall Fun in West Michigan for 2023!

Current Events in West Michigan

Arts & Crafts Classes in Ludington

Ludington has many businesses to help you enjoy crafting and appreciate the finished product. Let them help you create your own masterpiece!

Performances in West Michigan

The communities along Lake Michigan are blessed with talented actors and musicians that entertain us throughout the year.

Family Friendly Events

Current family-friendly events in West Michigan, great, fun, things to do for kids of all ages! Fun for the whole family!

Easter Events in West Michigan

Communities in Mason, Oceana, and Manistee counties sponsor many Easter events and egg hunts for kids in the spring.

Advertisement – Please scroll below for more information.

West Michigan Activities & Attractions

The Vogue Theatre in Manistee

The historical Vogue Theatre in Manistee, renovated as a modern-day movie theater, shows current movies, classic films, and family movies.

M-22 Scenic Drive

Take one of the most scenic drives in the nation as you travel across M-22 in Manistee County. A long winding road of adventure awaits!

Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness in Ludington & Manistee

Along the Lake Michigan shoreline between Ludington and Manistee, you’ll find natural splendor- the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness area.

Manistee’s Lake Bluff Bird Sanctuary

The Michigan Audubon Society Lake Bluff Center overlooks Lake Michigan near Manistee and features wildlife and a bird sanctuary.

Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts in Manistee

The Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts is a cultural center in West Michigan and plays an integral part in Manistee’s history.

Manistee’s Riverwalk

The Manistee Riverwalk follows the Manistee River from Jones Street, under the US-31 bridge, behind downtown, and ends at First Street beach.

Fishing the Pere Marquette River

The spring/fall runs of steelhead and salmon, the resident brown trout and “brookies” make the PM River extremely popular for fishing.

Lake Michigan S.S. Badger Carferry

Hop aboard the Lake Michigan S.S. Badger Carferry! Take the famous cruise across Lake Michigan and experience the Badger and all it has to do!

Farmers Markets in the Traverse City Area

The Traverse City area has several arts and crafts fairs scheduled throughout the year, offering many unique handcrafted items.

Value of Sports Museum

Visit the new Value of Sports Museum located at Historic White Pine Village just a short drive from Ludington.