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, games, wagon rides, apple cannons, and more. 11am-5pm Saturdays and Sundays beginning in September and going through the end of October. Visit OrchardMarket.us for more information.

Fun Fall Events Currently Scheduled in Mason County

Friday, September 27th-Saturday, September 28th

Octoberfest Craft Beer & Music Festival in Downtown Ludington. Pub Crawl, Chili Walk, and Festival Tent. For tickets, visit eventbrite.com. For more information, visit downtownludington.org.

Sunday, September 29th, 3-4pm - Mason County Mutts Halloween Spooktacular

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

Tuesday, October 1st, 3:30pm

Halloween Hayride, Costume Contest and Potluck Dinner at Circle Rocking "S" Children's Farm- 5487 Tuttle Rd. in Free Soil. Space is limited so RSVP's must be made by September 27th. Bring treats, a dish to pass, and your own beverages and table service.

Friday, October 11th, 8pm-12am

Creepshow Halloween Party at Johnny's Roadhouse- 2278 US 10 in Custer. $5 admission charge. Featuring live music by Pick Axe Preacher, Bog Wizard, and Minus. All ages welcome. Costume contest.

Saturday, October 12th, 4-6pm

Friends of the Ludington State Park Fall Celebration at the 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.

Saturday, October 12th-Sunday, October 13th

Fall Fest Weekend at Mason County Reformed Church- 45 S. Amber Rd. in Ludington. Admission is free and open to the public. Saturday from 6-8pm: free live music and chili cookoff. Sunday from 12-2pm- Pig Roast and family fun!

Saturday, October 19th, Beginning at Dark

Haunted Hayride to benefit Connexion Point, Inc. at Cartier Park- 1254 N. Lakeshore Dr. in Ludington. $5/person or $20/family.

October 25th, 26th, & 30th- 7-10pm; October 31st- 6-10pm;

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

Saturday, October 26th

9am-12pm - Run For Your Lives 5K/10K/Half in Downtown Ludington.

6pm-12am - Ludrock's Night of Fright at the Ludington Area Center for the Arts- 107 S. Harrison St, Ludington.

6:30pm - Spooky Slow Roll for teens and adults. 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.

Fun Fall Events Traditionally Held in Mason County

Chili & Suds Golf Tournament

at Lakeside Links Golf Course- 5369 W. Chauvez Rd. in Ludington. Benefits the Second Chance Humane Society. Chili is served on the course along with two kegs of beer. Top two-tier payback, a blind auction, and more.

Pet photos

at Tractor Supply Company- 4572 W. US 10 in Ludington hosted by Mason County Animal Advocates. Photographer will take photos of pets in or out of costume and there will be Halloween wreaths for sale and Halloween mugs with treats for visitors and their pets. Free-will donations are encouraged to help Mason County dogs and cats in need.

Halloween Hustle 1-Mile Race

beginning at the Cartier Park Gazebo- 1254 N. Lakeshore Dr. in Ludington. The race is open to students in grades K-6 (excluding current 6th graders on the cross country team). Awards will be given for the top 5 finishers in each grade level, boys and girls. Ribbons, juice and snacks will be given to all participants. Registration is $1/runner.

Pumpkin Palooza

at the Scottville branch of the Mason County District Library- 204 E. State St. Pumpkin-flavored everything, games, crafts, and all kinds of fun. Children under age 6 must be accompanied by an adult.

Halloween Glow Scary-oke Party & Costume Contest

at SandBar- 203 S. James St. in Ludington. Food available for purchase and shot specials available! 1st and 2nd place Costume Contest at 11pm.

Haunted House

presented by Boy Scout Troop 1190 at the Community Church- 109 N. Harrison St. in Ludington. Lights on, if requested. All donations go to funding activities for the troop.

West Shore Pride Halloween Party

at the Sherman Oaks Apartments Community Room- 700 Sherman Oaks Drive in Ludington. There will be a costume contest, food and hot cider, music, games and more. All ages are welcome.

Spooktacular Halloween Charity Event

at Photography by Sue Brown- 1676 W. Hansen Road, Scottville. Free photo with donation to United Way of Mason County.

Harvest Party

at Cornerstone Baptist Church- 121 Nelson Rd. in Ludington. Event includes face painting, inflatables, games, a photo booth, prizes and candy!

Karaoke Halloween Party

at The Hof Bar & Grille- 3220 E. Free Soil Rd. in Free Soil. Costume contest with multiple categories.

Fun Fall Events Currently Scheduled in Oceana County

Weekends in September-October

Special Event Weekends at Lewis Farm Market & Petting Zoo- 4180 W. M-20 in New Era.

Saturdays from October 5th-26th

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

Friday, October 11th-Saturday, October 12th

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

Friday, October 25th-Saturday, October 26th

Halloween at the Ranch at Double JJ Resort- 5900 Water Rd. in Rothbury. Tons of kids activities, Karaoke Saturday from 5-7pm, DJ Glow Party Saturday from 7-11pm, and more. Visit doublejj.com for more information.

Other Fun Fall Events Traditionally Held in Oceana County

Shadows in the Shedd

at 265 E. Tyler Rd. in Hart. Three attractions for $10: the Carnival Tunnel, The Maze of Dr Morell and The SHEDD.

Adult Halloween Costume Dance Party

at the Shelby Optimist Club- 788 Industrial Park Dr. in Shelby. A night of dancing, food, drinks, and fun!

Halloween Party

at Murphy's Tavern- 8848 80th Ave. in Pentwater. Featuring live music and costume contest with cash prize for best costume.

Fun Fall Events Currently Scheduled in Manistee County

Fridays and Saturdays through 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. For more information, visit Carferry.com or call (231) 723-3587. Located at 99 Arthur Street (US 31).

Saturday, October 12th, 10am-3pm

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

Other Fun Fall Events Traditionally Held in Manistee County

Boos, Brews & Brats

at the Manistee Elks Club- 432 River St.. Events all day for all ages.

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

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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.