The leaves are slowly changing colors, the temperature is gradually cooling down, and the fall decorations are on full display—which means it’s time to play and do all the quintessential “fall” things! From picking out the perfect pumpkin at the patch and farm-fresh apples at the farm to enjoying fall festivals and farmers market finds, there’s plenty of family-friendly fun to be had this autumn.
PUMPKIN PATCHES, HAYRIDES, AND CORN MAZES
4D Family Farms
7066 County Rd. 703, Cullman, AL
(256) 708-5353
Enjoy a day packed with fall fun—take a hayride to the corn maze and pumpkin patch, meet farm animals, snack on fresh homemade apple donuts, and explore 40 acres of attractions from flower fields to pig races, zip lines, slides, and more! Don’t miss the Goblin Glow every Friday and Saturday night in October—a dazzling walking light show through the farm after dark. Friday nights end with fireworks, while Saturday nights bring GLOW NIGHTS in the maze (with free glowsticks for the first 100 kids!).
Bennet Farms
1073 County Rd. 13, Heflin, AL
(256) 302-1896
A 4th-generation farm offering a corn maze and pumpkin patch open only in October, with special market days in November.
Faye Whittemore Farms
1619 Forrester Rd., Jasper, AL
(205) 300-7141
Opening October 1, this family-friendly farm is open weekends (Saturdays 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sundays 1–5 p.m.) and features an interactive farm tour with a petting zoo, obstacle course, hay maze adventure, moonwalk and inflatable slide, fishing pond, face painting, playground fun, and a classic hayride to the pumpkin patch—plus tasty treats from the concession stand.
Great Pumpkin Patch, The
(205) 616-6431
288 Hwy. 45, Hayden, AL
From September 27–November 2, this family-owned farm offers wagon rides, a pumpkin patch, petting zoo, inflatables, a hay pyramid, bungee jump, arts & crafts, live entertainment, delicious food, a country store, and plenty of fun around the big red barn. (Monday–Thursday 8 a.m.–4 p.m., Friday and Saturday 8 a.m.–6 p.m., Sunday 1–6 p.m.)
Griffin Farms Pumpkin Patch
826 Griffin Rd., West Blocton, AL
(205) 535-0137
Griffin Farms is open to the public on weekends in October only—Saturdays 10 a.m.–6 p.m. and Sundays 12–6 p.m.—featuring pumpkins, batting cages, food and craft vendors, and fun extras like pony rides, a mechanical bull, and animal feeding.
Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum
1919 9th Street, Calera, AL
(205) 668-3435
Ride the train to Pumpkin Junction on weekends October 4–19 for pumpkins, outdoor family fun, food vendors, hayrides, and more—and don’t miss the Fall Foliage Special October 25 and November 1–2!
Helena Hollow
6027 Hwy. 17, Helena, AL
(205) 541-8150
Open October 3–31, 2025, this farm offers over 25 activities—including a 6-acre pumpkin patch, hay run, tire climb, corn barn, giant slides, duck creek races, jumbo corn hole, Animal Alley, and more—making it the perfect spot for fall family fun!
Holmestead U-Pick We-Pick Farm Country Store & Market
6582 Clay County Rd. 7, Talladega, AL
(256) 404-4316
Enjoy crisp fall days with apple picking straight from the orchard—or let the farm do the work and grab a bag of freshly picked apples at the market, along with homemade treats, seasonal produce, and country store favorites.
Howard Family Holiday Farm
3706 Moody Pkwy., Moody, AL
(205) 821-5212
This family-operated farm has a little bit of everything, from a produce and potted plant market to an ice cream parlor and pumpkin farm.
Tuscaloosa Barnyard
11453 Turner Bridge Rd. Tuscaloosa AL
(205) 454-8841
tuscaloosabarnyard.com
Tuscaloosa Barnyard offers a fun fall escape with pumpkins, a petting zoo, a campground, and plenty of family-friendly activities for all ages.
Old Baker Farm
184 Furrow Lane, Harpersville, AL
(205) 672-7209
oldbakerfarm.com
From September 28–October 31, enjoy weekday and weekend farm fun with pumpkins, activities, and special themed events: Cowboy Day (Oct. 11–12) brings Old West strolls, live shootouts, and bluegrass; American History Weekend (Oct. 18–19) features war reenactments, living history, and the Southeastern American Indian Camp; and the Festival Weekend (Oct. 25–26) offers vendors, live music, an 1800s-inspired carnival, concessions, and more for the whole family!
Penton Farms Pumpkin Patch
3595 County Rd. 59, Verbena, AL
(205) 351-1480
pentonfarms.com
Choose from over 50 pumpkin varieties at this family-friendly farm, featuring wagon rides, a corn pit, super slide, corn train, animal barn, tic-tac-toe, corn maze, duck races, hay mountain, human hamster wheel, combine slides, sunflower fields, basketball grain cart, and a full playground area for endless fall fun!
Sand Mountain Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch
8420 Cox Gap Rd., Boaz, AL
(256) 302-0900
facebook.com
Starting in September, this farm has been offering fall-filled family fun with a 14-acre corn maze, a full pumpkin patch, and activities for all ages—including Zombie Splatter every Saturday and Sunday in October, where you can ride the wagon through Zombieville and shoot zombies with paintballs! Open Wednesday–Thursday 4–9 p.m., Friday 4–10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–11 p.m., and Sunday 1–9 p.m.
Steele Orchard
1695 County Rd. 1141, Cullman, AL
(256) 734-5249
facebook.com
Steele Orchard is open Monday–Tuesday 9 a.m.–5 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m.–4 p.m., offering apple picking along with delicious treats like apple ice cream and fresh-baked muffins for a perfect fall outing.
FARMERS MARKETS
Alabama Farmers Market Fall Festival
344 Finley Ave. W., Birmingham, AL
Open every day from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. (depending on the season)
alabamafarmersmarket.org
Be sure to visit Saturday, October 11, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m., for a free family event featuring rides, a petting zoo, pumpkin patch, football watch party, food trucks, and local vendors!
2824 5th Ave. S., Birmingham, AL
Every Saturday, 7 a.m. to noon
facebook.com/birdsongfarmersmarket
Swing by the market to get your fresh produce—and maybe some flowers and a slice of bento cake or BreadCrumb’s bread.
8551 Helena Rd., Pelham, AL
Open daily
burnettefarmsmarket.com
Visit this fourth-generation family market to enjoy all kinds of fresh fruit and veggies from their farm. You definitely need to try the homemade ice cream that owner Mike Burnette makes himself—there are over 100 flavors!
2829 2nd Ave. S., Birmingham, AL
Every Saturday, 7 a.m. to noon
pepperplacemarket.com
Whether you’re looking to buy fresh peaches or veggies, a pastry, or just want to sample Ukrainian honey cake and salsa, Pepper Place is always the place to be on a Saturday morning!
Trussville Fresh Farmers Market
101 Beech St., Trussville (Trussville Entertainment District)
Every Saturday from 8 a.m. until noon, rain or shine (closes after Thanksgiving)
facebook.com
Snag some fresh blueberries, Sweet Daddy’s sweet potato pies, fresh-off-the-grill barbecue, eggs, and even locally made dressings and sauces. If you like your veggies colorful, you’ll be pleased to know they sell purple cauliflower and rainbow carrots.
FALL EVENTS & FESTIVALS
17th Annual Fall Fest:
1953 Municipal Way, Alabaster, AL (Amphitheater at City Hall)
cityofalabaster.com
Enjoy Alabaster’s fall festival on October 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with arts and crafts vendors, carnival rides, food vendors, hay rides, inflatables, live music, a trick-or-treat trail, and pumpkin painting for just $2 per pumpkin—fun for the whole family!
Bash on the Bluff
Parking at 2211 McGwier Dr. and 2325 Tyler Rd., Vestavia, AL
bashonthebluff.com
Join Bash on the Bluff on October 11 from 11 a.m.–5 p.m.! This free family event features face painting, live music, a pumpkin patch, hayrides, a golf simulator, petting zoo, inflatables, and more fun for all ages.
Fall-O-Ween
555 Ball Park Rd., Pelham, AL (Pelham City Park)
pelhamalabama.gov
Join Fall-O-Ween at Pelham City Park on Sunday, October 26, 2025, from 1:30–4:30 p.m. for a free family-friendly fall festival! Enjoy bungee jumps, bounce houses, trick-or-treating, a trackless train, games, crafts, face painting, balloon art, Knockerball, a costume parade, and the Children Entrepreneur Market featuring unique gifts made by local youth.
Hoots & Howls: Daytime Halloween Event
2630 Cahaba Rd., Birmingham, AL
(205) 879-0409
birminghamzoo.com
Get ready to play at Hoots & Howls, the daytime Halloween festival at the zoo, on the last three weekends in October from 10 a.m.–4 p.m.! Wear your costumes to trick-or-treat along the Candy Trail, dance at the Monster Mash with the DJ, ride the Red Diamond Express Train and Protective Life Carousel, meet amazing animals, and enjoy yard games on Henley Lawn.
Majestic Caverns
5181 DeSoto Caverns Pkwy., Childersburg, AL
(256) 378-7252
majesticcaverns.com
Explore America’s most historic caverns (formerly named DeSoto Caverns) this fall with a great family adventure! Open Monday 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Friday 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m.–5:30 p.m., featuring the Legends Laser Light Show through November 22 for a dazzling underground experience.
Mt. Laurel Fall Festival
Downtown Mt. Laurel, AL
mtlaurel.com
Don’t miss this free, family-friendly street fair on Saturday, October 25, 10 a.m.–3 p.m., featuring local restaurants and food trucks, a farmers market, craft fair, kids zone, and live music—all while strolling one of Birmingham’s most charming neighborhoods.
Vulcan Spooktacular
Vulcan Park & Museum
If you’re looking for a fun, unique way to spend your Halloween, head to the Vulcan in costume on October 31 from 5:30–8:30 p.m. for trick-or-treating throughout the museum, music, face painting, vendors (to shop and eat!), and more.
