Harvest Happenings 2025
Autumn is a wonderful time to celebrate the end of summer.
All around the North State this month, families can enjoy fall season events and family farms with apple picking, pumpkin harvests, the fun of hayrides and, depending on the farm, visit friendly farm animals. Here are our top picks for seasonal family fun this beautiful month of October.
Enjoy your time together,
-Pamela, North State Parent magazine publisher
Book Family Farm Pumpkin Patch
Oct. 1-31, Mon-Sat, 9am-6pm
153 Heavy Horse Ln, Durham
Free admission and parking.
This longtime family-owned pumpkin patch and farm beckons pumpkin enthusiasts to pick by size from hundreds of pumpkins. The many animals at this old-fashioned family farm hold a special charm for young children. Little ones will love the cows, pigs and dozens of goats and Henny Penny the chicken and her chicken friends! Lots of pumpkins and fall decorations for purchase. bookfamilyfarm.net.
Chico Marketplace Costume Contests & Family Fun
Oct. 25 12-2pm
Chico Marketplace, 1920 E. Market Street
Free admission.
Frankenstein & his Bride will be visiting! Doggie Costume Contest, with the Butte Humane Society helping to judge.Kid’s Costume Contests (Children 10 and under)
Pre-register at shopchicomarketplace.com/events/costume-contests-family-crafts
Country Pumpkins
Oct. 1-31 10am-6pm; Open daily (maze closes at 5pm)
7152 Highway 32, Orland. Look for signs between Road P and Stony Creek
Free admission and parking, free petting zoo and hay pyramid.
Family-owned and operated this country farm features acres of pumpkins and interesting gourds and a country store with a variety of jams, jellies, local honey, pumpkin butter and syrup and other farm products. Families can have bales of fun on the hay pyramid and hay slide. An observation beehive introduces children to the important role these insects play in agriculture. Eight-acre corn maze, $5 per person; proceeds of the maze benefit 4-H programs and other local nonprofit organizations. On select nights, the brave of heart (10 years and older) can visit the Haunted Maze 7-10pm. Bring flashlights and friends! $15 per person. CASH only. countrypumpkins.org.
Hawes Farms
Fridays 5pm – 10pm, Saturdays 10am – 11pm, Sundays – 10am – 5pm
6465 Deschutes Road, Anderson
Various admission prices depending on rides.
Offers families a wide range of modern fun, including bumper cars, go-karts, haunted attractions, a roller coaster, a mechanical bull, a pumpkin blaster and more! Those with a taste for more traditional harvest activities will love the Hawes Express train rides, the six-acre corn maze and the eight-acre pumpkin patch with more than 50 pumpkin and gourd varieties to choose from. Check the website for specialty events and admission fees. (530)365-2332.historichawesfarm.com
Hearthstone Annual Fall Festival
Oct, 23 5-7pm
2280 6th Street Oroville.
Free admission.
Many booths, music, crafts and games. Plant sale, cake walk and food.
(530)532-5848
Hillside Poms Fall Harvest (not finalized yet)
Sat, Sun, Tue, Thur 8am-5pm
Text (530)228-3050 to reserve your time.
1271 Capay Rd, Corning
Pomegranates sold by the pound.
Come pick your own chemical-free pomegranates to juice, jelly or eat fresh. This unique, seed-like fruit offers not only a refreshing, crisp flavor, but great health benefits, including high quantities of antioxidants and vitamin C. Bring your family and juicing buddies! A family-owned farm, Hillside Poms welcomes families with children of all ages. Make it a family tradition. Bring containers and gloves for picking. The press takes 2-3 adults to operate. Ask about owner Suzanne’s wonderful magic rub. (530)228-3050. Find them on Facebook.
Hoes Down Festival
Oct, 4 11am-11pm
16141 Road 43, Guinda
This event in beautiful Capay Valley is not exactly in our five-county region but is not to be missed if you enjoy the dusty fun of country life. Held on the 400-acre, certified organic Full Belly Farm, the festival features healthy food, Contra dancing, melon eating contest, farm tours, live music, flower farming, kids’ maker area, dried flower wreath barn, workshops on bug hunting and milking a cow and more. Learn about the importance of sustainable agriculture practices. Camping in the orchard with many other families is a highlight and available for one night only. For fees and live music schedule go to fullbellyfarm.com.
Johnny Appleseed Days
Oct. 4, 10am-5pm, Oct. 5 10am-4pm
Terry Ashe Park, 6626 Skyway, Paradise
Free admission.
Celebrate Paradise’s orchard heritage with apple pie and ice cream and fresh apples from Noble Orchards. Artisans from throughout the state and beyond will sell a variety of handicrafts. The children’s area, sponsored by Paradise Unified School District, features face painting, nostalgic games and Johnny Appleseed with fruit and stories. Continuous hometown entertainment graces the Gazebo Stage. A variety of delicious food will be available for purchase. paradisechamber.com/johnny-appleseed-days.
Manton Apple Festival
Oct 4, 9am-4pm
Manton Parks Community Center (formally Manton Elementary School grounds)
31345 Forward Rd. Manton
Free admission and free parking a short walk away.
One of Northern California’s premier craft and art events, featuring live music all-day. Apple-pie baking, pie eating contests and over 100 booths. Local apples, pies for sale; whole or by the slice. All proceeds from booth rentals and pie sales help support a variety of local Manton non-profit organizations and fund scholarships to support the educational goals of Manton area students. Come see the apple press make its magical offering—freshly pressed cider. Smoking, alcohol and pets are prohibited. (530)474-5541. mantonapple.com.
McCloud Apple Harvest Festival
Oct, 11 10am- 4pm
Historic Main Street, McCloud
Free admission.
Celebrate the best of the season with a full harvest of fun, food and fall festivities for all ages!
This 11th annual street fair event includes live music, a pumpkin patch, wagon rides, face painting, fresh pressed juice, lots of vendors, apple dessert contest and apple pies. Live music featuring Front Porch and Summer Schappell. Pre order your pies on the McCloud Chamber at mccloudchamber.com/2025events.
Notre Dame School Fall Festival
Oct, 18, 11-5pm
Notre Dame School, 435 Hazel Street, Chico
Free admission and free street parking.
Enjoy a day filled with family fun activities and delicious food. We’ll have carnival games, music, face painting, cake walks, bounce house, prizes and plenty of tasty food and drinks. Open to the public. All proceeds from the event will directly support the growth and education of Notre Dame students. ndschico.org.
Patrick Ranch Museum Autumn Fest & Pumpkin Patch
Saturdays and Sundays through October, 10am-4pm
10381 Midway, between Chico and Durham
Admission $8, $4 for children ages 6 and under.
Children’s crafts and activities, tram rides for the entire family, hay maze, farm fun and tours every 20 minutes of the historic Glenwood farmhouse. Acres of beautiful varieties of pumpkins, hundreds of gourds and fall decorations to choose from. The Farmhouse is beautifully decorated for fall and the gift shop is fully stocked with fall items created by local artists and craftspeople, as well as educational gifts and books for that little goblin in your family. Walk through the Butte County Master Gardener Demonstration Gardens for tips on drought tolerant plants for your home garden. Enjoy snacks or lunch at the Midway Cafe. (530)342-4359. patrickranchmuseum.org.
Sunflower Pumpkin Patch
Open Friday-Sundays 10am- 6pm
3075 Scarface Rd
Gazelle, CA
(530)598-7996
Three acres of pumpkin fun for little ones. Find them on Facebook!
Trinity Lutheran’s Fall Festival
Oct, 11, 4pm-7pm
2440 Hilltop Drive, Redding
Free admission.
Trinity Lutheran’s Fall Festival will transform the churchyard into a colorful, family-friendly festival. Everyone is invited to come dressed up in your favorite costume. We will have classroom trick or treat, games, a chili cook-off and a silent auction. All are welcome and invited to bring friends. (530)221-6686. reddingtlc.org.
Posted in: Featured, Holidays, Local Business
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