Autumn in Vermont is already magical with colorful foliate decorating the mountains. Add a mix of family fall events, and there is no reason not to visit! From family-friendly harvest festivals and bike park fun to circus acts and Halloween bashes, there is something to do every weekend in October as we anticipate the upcoming ski and snowboard season.
Autumn Strider Bike Race at Bolton Valley Resort
October 6, 9 – 10:30am
It’s the most adorable event of the season. No registration needed. This family fun event is a one-lap race around the progression park for for 3-6 year olds. Participants will receive a numbered race plate/bibs they can decorate and, wisely, a snack! The Richmond Mountain Trails Fall Closer will follow from 10am to 5pm for just $20 for RMT members.
Harvestfest Weekend at Stratton Mountain Resort
October 10-14
Stratton Mountain is celebrating fall with live music, craft beers, and oh so many samples of chili. A brewfest might seem an odd event to have on a family event list, but for kids 6-12 Stratton is opening the doors to adventure! While you sample the latest sour, your kids can hike, do arts and crafts, and play camp games at the Harvestfest Adventure Camp!
Harvest Faire at Killington Mountain Resort
October 12
Enjoy fall in the mountains with food, fun, and games for the whole family. Explore activities like pumpkin painting, horse-drawn hayrides, apple launching, and a bounce house. There’s events for the adults too, including the fan favorite stein hoisting competition. Best of all? It’s free!
Oktoberfest at Sugarbush
October 12-13, 12 – 5pm
Sugarbush is celebrating during the long weekend with a German celebration of beer, along with fun for the whole family. Enjoy German fare and beverages all weekend. Live music, steinhold competitions, keg tosses, axe throwing, beer tastings will appease the adults, while kids enjoy face painting, pumpkin carving, a rubber ducky drop, mini-golf, tie-dye and more.
Fall Into Winter at Okemo Mountain Resort
October 13, 12 – 5pm
Jackson Gore at Okemo is the place to be for all your Fall fun with hayrides, live music, apple cider bar, dunk tank, Okemo BBQ, pumpkin decorating and more! Admission to the event is free, but you can purchase Fall Activity tickets in advance online, or the day-of at the ticket windows.
Opal Raven Circus at Bromley Mountain Resort
October 13, 12 – 2pm
Celebrate the fiery colors of fall with Opal Raven’s one woman circus. Opal performs several fire and sword dancing acts at Bromley Mountain Resort. Rain date: October 14
Best Whip at Burke Mountain
October 13, 2pm
Whip it real good! Compete for mountain bike bragging rights by showing off your best whip on the Jester Bridge at Burke Mountain Bike Park. Participants will be judged on amplitude, execution, and style. Not ready for big air? Hike up and get inspired.
Halloween Boo Bash at Smugglers’ Notch Resort
October 26 , 3:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Head to Smugglers’ Notch Resort for the Halloween Boo Bash at FunZone 2.0! Entry is $10 per child and $5 per adult, including event access. Come in costume (or not) for a fun-filled evening. Kids enjoy pumpkin painting, candy bag decorating, face painting, and a family-friendly scavenger hunt. Ghostly Glow mini-golf is available all day, and Halloween movies playing on the big screen in the Ozone. Warm up by the bonfire with “Death by Hot Chocolate” and snack on popcorn with spooky toppings. Some thrilling extras are also available for an additional cost like Haunted Laser Tag and access the Go Zone.
Vermont ski areas are excited to host you this Fall! If you’re looking for more family-friendly events in the area while you visit, head to FindandGoSeek.net, Vermont’s family resource for fun, and check out more Family Fall Fun in Vermont.
Sarah Wojcik is the founder of All Mountains Mamas, starting it in 2012. Becoming a mother in 2017, she grasped the opportunity to share her passion of skiing and snowboarding with families across the U.S. and came on as a contributor and manager. Formerly the Director or Marketing and Communications for Ski Vermont, and currently the creative editor and digital partnership director at Ski Area Management magazine, she writes with great knowledge of the ski industry in Vermont and beyond, and from the point of view of a new mother working to get back out on the slopes with two kids in tow. She is also the proud owner of Vermont’s #1 family fun resource, FindandGoSeek.net.