Pumpkins displayed at a fall pumpkin patch

Celebrate Fall in the Seattle Area

Pumpkin patches, corn mazes, fall festivals and family-friendly ways to enjoy autumn around Seattle and Western Washington.

Fall pumpkin patch photo via Unsplash.

Fall is one of my favorite times of year in the Seattle area. The leaves start changing, the air gets a little cooler, and suddenly it feels like the perfect excuse to pull on a sweater, grab a warm drink and head out for a day of fall fun.

For many families, that means a trip to a pumpkin patch. Around Seattle and Western Washington, you can find everything from simple U-pick pumpkin fields to full-day fall destinations with corn mazes, hayrides, farm animals, apple cider, food stands and activities for kids.

And you don’t have to stay right in Seattle. Some of the best fall experiences are a short drive away in places like Snohomish, Woodinville, Issaquah, Carnation and other communities around Puget Sound.

Whether you’re looking for the perfect pumpkin, planning a family outing, or just want an excuse to enjoy a beautiful fall day outside, I’ve put together some of the best pumpkin patches, fall festivals and seasonal activities around the Seattle area.

When Is Pumpkin Patch Season Near Seattle?

Most Seattle-area pumpkin patches and fall farms open in September and run through Halloween. October weekends are usually the busiest, so it’s a good idea to check each farm’s current schedule, ticket requirements and weather policies before heading out.

Quick Answer: Where Are the Best Pumpkin Patches Near Seattle?

Seattle families have plenty of options within an easy drive. Some areas are known for large destination farms packed with activities, while others are perfect for a simpler afternoon of pumpkin picking, fall photos and seasonal treats.

🎃 Snohomish Pumpkin Patches Large farms, corn mazes and classic fall activities

🍂 Eastside Pumpkin Patches Fall outings near Issaquah, Redmond and the Eastside

🚜 Carnation & Snoqualmie Valley Farms, pumpkins and beautiful valley scenery

🌽 Corn Mazes Family-friendly mazes and bigger fall adventures

🍎 Fall Festivals Harvest celebrations, seasonal food and local events

🍁 More Fall Activities Scenic outings and family fun beyond the pumpkin patch

Explore Pumpkin Patches ↓

Pumpkin Patches + Fall Farm Fun

Best Pumpkin Patches Near Seattle

Pumpkin season around Seattle is about much more than choosing a pumpkin from a field. Some of the area’s best farms turn fall into a full-day outing with corn mazes, hayrides, farm animals, rides, seasonal food and plenty of places for family photos.

Kent

Pumpkin Patch + Corn Maze

Carpinito Brothers

🎃 U-Pick Pumpkins 🌽 Corn Mazes 📍 Kent, WA

Carpinito Brothers is a longtime South King County fall tradition and one of the easiest pumpkin-patch outings from Seattle. The Kent Valley farm fills with pumpkins each autumn, with fields where you can search for everything from classic carving pumpkins to smaller decorative varieties.

The corn mazes and Farm Fun Yard make this a good choice when you want more than a quick pumpkin stop. It is especially convenient for families coming from Seattle, Renton, Kent or other communities on the south end.

Large U-pick pumpkin fields
Seasonal corn mazes
Farm activities for kids and families
Convenient South King County location

Best for: Families looking for a classic pumpkin patch and corn maze without driving all the way to Snohomish.

Visit Carpinito Brothers →

Photo: Visit Kent

Family riding a pumpkin-themed attraction at Remlinger Farms during fall

Carnation

Fall Festival + Family Fun Park

Remlinger Farms

🎡 Rides + Attractions 🎃 Pumpkin U-Pick 📍 Carnation, WA

Remlinger Farms is one of the best choices near Seattle when the kids want a pumpkin patch but also want a full day of activities. The annual Fall Harvest experience combines pumpkin picking with rides, farm attractions, a corn maze, hayrides and seasonal treats.

This is less of a quick stop at a pumpkin field and more of a destination. Plan enough time to explore the farm, especially if your family wants to do the rides and attractions as well as choose pumpkins.

U-pick pumpkin fields
Family rides and farm attractions
Corn maze and hayrides
Seasonal food and fall atmosphere

Best for: Families with younger children who want the pumpkin patch combined with a full amusement-park-style day.

Explore Remlinger Farms →

Photo: ParentMap

Snohomish

Pumpkin Farm + Big Corn Maze

Bob’s Corn & Pumpkin Farm

🌽 Large Corn Maze 🚜 Hayrides 📍 Snohomish, WA

Bob’s Corn & Pumpkin Farm is one of the classic Snohomish fall destinations. You can head into the pumpkin fields to choose your own pumpkin, then turn the visit into a bigger adventure with the farm’s corn maze and family activities.

The farm has a particularly strong traditional harvest feel, with open fields, tractor-pulled hayrides and plenty of room to spend a crisp fall afternoon outside.

Multiple U-pick pumpkin fields
Large corn maze
Covered tractor-pulled hayrides
Farm activities, food and Country Store

Best for: Families who want a traditional farm experience and anyone who considers the corn maze just as important as the pumpkins.

Explore Bob’s Corn →

Snohomish

Harvest Festival + Washington Corn Maze

Swans Trail Farms

🎃 U-Pick Pumpkins 🗺️ Washington State Corn Maze 📍 Snohomish, WA

Swans Trail Farms combines one of the area’s most picturesque pumpkin-picking settings with a large Harvest Festival packed with fall activities. The farm’s expansive pumpkin fields make it easy to turn pumpkin hunting into part of a much bigger family outing.

One of the farm’s signature attractions is its Washington State Corn Maze, where the paths recreate the state’s roads, towns and landmarks. Add farm activities, wagon rides and seasonal food, and it is easy to spend most of the day here.

Expansive U-pick pumpkin patch
Washington State Corn Maze
Wagon rides and farm attractions
Classic Snohomish Valley scenery

Best for: Families who want a scenic pumpkin patch with lots of activities and one of the region’s most distinctive corn mazes.

Visit Swans Trail Farms →

Photo: Swans Trail Farms

Which Seattle-Area Pumpkin Patch Should You Choose?

🎃 Easiest South of Seattle

Try Carpinito Brothers for pumpkins, corn mazes and fall fun in the Kent Valley.

🎡 Best for Younger Kids

Try Remlinger Farms when rides and attractions are as important as pumpkin picking.

🌽 Best Classic Farm Day

Try Bob’s Corn for pumpkin fields, hayrides and a big traditional corn maze.

🗺️ Most Unique Maze

Try Swans Trail Farms for the Washington State Corn Maze and a full Harvest Festival.

Fall Fun for the Whole Family

Family-Friendly Fall Activities Near Seattle

Pumpkin patches aren’t the only way to celebrate fall around Seattle. From hands-on museum activities to farm animals, trick-or-treating at the zoo and even underwater pumpkin carving, these annual fall traditions give families a few different ways to enjoy the season.

Child enjoying an interactive exhibit at Seattle Children's Museum

Seattle Center

Indoor Fall Festival + Hands-On Play

Seattle Children’s Museum Fall Fest

🍂 Annual Fall Fest ☔ Indoor Activity 📍 Seattle Center

Seattle Children’s Museum celebrates the season with its annual Fall Fest, a special museum event designed around playful learning, creativity and family participation. Activities and themes can change from year to year, which gives families something a little different to discover each fall.

This is an especially useful option on one of those classic rainy Seattle days. Families can enjoy the seasonal programming while also exploring the museum’s regular hands-on exhibits and play spaces.

Hands-on seasonal activities
Special programming and community partners
Interactive exhibits for younger children
A good indoor option when the weather turns wet

Best for: Families with younger children and anyone looking for an indoor fall outing in the middle of Seattle.

Explore Fall Fest →

Photo: ParentMap

Bellevue

Farm Fair + Harvest Activities

Kelsey Creek Farm Fair

🚜 Annual Fall Fair 🐑 Farm Animals 📍 Bellevue, WA

Kelsey Creek Farm Fair is one of Bellevue’s longstanding autumn traditions and a nice alternative to the larger destination farms. The annual celebration brings families together for farm animals, wagon rides, harvest activities and a glimpse into the area’s agricultural history.

The setting is part of the appeal. Kelsey Creek feels surprisingly rural for a farm located in the middle of the Eastside, making it an easy fall outing without committing to a long drive into the countryside.

Farm animal interactions
Tractor-pulled wagon rides
Harvest crafts and children’s activities
Heritage and farm demonstrations

Best for: Eastside families who want an easy community-style fall festival with animals and traditional farm activities.

Explore Kelsey Creek Farm Fair →

Photo: Visit Bellevue

Red panda exploring a pumpkin during Woodland Park Zoo's Pumpkin Bash

Seattle

Animals + Halloween Fun

Woodland Park Zoo Pumpkin Bash

🎃 Annual Pumpkin Bash 👻 Costumes + Trick-or-Treating 📍 Seattle, WA

Pumpkin Bash adds a very Seattle twist to Halloween: the animals get in on the pumpkin fun too. Woodland Park Zoo’s seasonal celebration combines traditional family activities with special pumpkin-themed enrichment for animals throughout the zoo.

Kids can dress up, explore the zoo and take part in seasonal activities while watching animals investigate, play with and sometimes completely destroy their pumpkin treats.

Trick-or-treating around the zoo
Costumes and family activities
Pumpkin enrichment for zoo animals
A fun combination of Halloween and a regular zoo day

Best for: Animal-loving kids and families who want a Halloween activity that still feels like a full day out.

Explore Pumpkin Bash →

Photo: Woodland Park Zoo Pumpkin Bash

Diver carving a pumpkin underwater during Halloween at the Seattle Aquarium

Seattle Waterfront

Aquarium + Halloween

Halloween at the Seattle Aquarium

🐠 Family Halloween Event 🎃 Underwater Pumpkins 📍 Seattle Waterfront

The Seattle Aquarium turns Halloween into an underwater celebration with one of the more unusual fall activities in the city. Families can explore the aquarium while taking part in seasonal activities and discovering some of the stranger creatures living beneath the surface.

One of the highlights is underwater pumpkin carving, where divers create jack-o’-lanterns inside the aquarium. Add trick-or-treating, story time and other Halloween activities, and it makes a fun option when Seattle’s fall weather is better suited to being indoors.

Underwater pumpkin carving
Family trick-or-treating
Seasonal story time and activities
Full access to the aquarium during your visit

Best for: Families looking for a rainy-day fall activity or something a little different from another pumpkin patch.

Explore Halloween at the Aquarium →

Photo: ParentMap

Which Family Fall Activity Should You Choose?

☔ Best Rainy-Day Pick

Try Seattle Children’s Museum Fall Fest for hands-on indoor fun geared toward younger kids.

🚜 Best Eastside Pick

Try Kelsey Creek Farm Fair for animals, wagon rides and a traditional community harvest event.

🐻 Best for Animal Lovers

Try Woodland Park Zoo Pumpkin Bash for costumes, trick-or-treating and animals playing with pumpkins.

🤿 Most Unusual

Try Halloween at the Seattle Aquarium to see pumpkins being carved underwater.

Keep Exploring Seattle

Looking For More Fun Things To Do In Seattle?

Fall is one of my favorite seasons around Seattle, but there is something interesting happening around the Puget Sound almost every time of year. From festivals and community events to family outings, seasonal activities and local adventures, there is always something new to explore.

Visit my Fun Things To Do In Seattle guide for more ideas and inspiration for your next Seattle-area outing.

Explore Fun Things To Do In Seattle →

Leaves, Gardens + Autumn Walks

Best Places to See Fall Colors Around Seattle

You don’t have to leave the Seattle area to find beautiful fall color. Japanese maples, woodland gardens and tree-lined trails start turning shades of gold, orange and red throughout the season, making fall a great time to slow down and explore some of the area’s gardens and green spaces.

South Seattle

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Japanese Garden + Fall Foliage

Explore Kubota Garden

Kubota Garden is one of my favorite places to recommend when you want beautiful fall scenery without leaving Seattle. The historic Japanese-style garden mixes Japanese design with native Pacific Northwest plants, creating winding paths, ponds, bridges and layers of colorful trees.

Autumn is an especially good time to visit as the maples and other deciduous trees begin to change. The Kubota Garden Foundation also offers seasonal fall color tours, so check its event calendar if you would like a more guided experience.

Japanese maples and colorful mature trees
Ponds, bridges and winding garden paths
Free garden admission
Seasonal fall color tours may be available

Explore Kubota Garden →

Brilliant fall colors at the Seattle Japanese Garden

Madison Park

Photo: Seattle City Council / Wikimedia Commons

Maples + Japanese Garden

Seattle Japanese Garden

If colorful Japanese maples are what you picture when you think about fall, the Seattle Japanese Garden belongs near the top of your list. The garden’s paths wind around ponds, bridges, stone lanterns and carefully designed landscapes that change dramatically as autumn arrives.

The garden also celebrates Hatsumomiji, the Japanese tradition of appreciating the first turning of the autumn leaves. Seasonal maple viewing, garden activities and special programming make this one of the most fall-specific garden experiences in Seattle.

Beautiful Japanese maple displays
Ponds, bridges and traditional garden scenery
Seasonal Hatsumomiji celebration
A peaceful option for photography and a slower outing

Explore the Seattle Japanese Garden →

Seattle

Photo: Leslie Seaton / Wikimedia Commons

Arboretum + Autumn Walk

Walk Through Washington Park Arboretum

Washington Park Arboretum is one of Seattle’s best places for a long fall walk because there isn’t just one type of tree changing color. The collections include maples, oaks, witch hazel, sourwood and other deciduous trees that turn throughout the season.

Head toward the Woodland Garden for some of the most impressive autumn color. The Arboretum has one of North America’s largest public collections of Japanese maples, along with miles of paths that make it easy to turn leaf viewing into a longer afternoon outside.

Large collection of Japanese maples
Woodland Garden and Arboretum Loop Trail
Many different varieties of fall foliage
Free admission to the Arboretum grounds

Explore the Arboretum →

Bellevue

Photo: Joe Mabel / Wikimedia Commons

Garden + Eastside Fall Walk

Stroll Through Bellevue Botanical Garden

Bellevue Botanical Garden is a great Eastside option when you want an easy autumn walk without planning an entire day trip. The garden includes cultivated landscapes, woodland trails and natural areas spread across more than 50 acres.

Fall brings changing leaves throughout the garden, while the Japanese-inspired Yao Garden is an especially nice place to slow down and enjoy the season. Admission is free, so it also works well for a spontaneous afternoon when the weather cooperates.

More than 50 acres of gardens and woodlands
Japanese-inspired Yao Garden
Walking trails and seasonal foliage
Free admission

Visit Bellevue Botanical Garden →

Where Should You Go for Fall Colors?

🍁 Best Free Garden

Choose Kubota Garden for colorful Japanese-inspired scenery without an admission fee.

🍂 Best Maple Experience

Visit the Seattle Japanese Garden for dramatic maples and its seasonal Hatsumomiji tradition.

🥾 Best Longer Walk

Head to Washington Park Arboretum when you want trails and many different types of fall foliage.

🌿 Best Eastside Pick

Try Bellevue Botanical Garden for an easy, free autumn outing close to downtown Bellevue.

🍁

Fall Color Tip

Seattle’s fall color doesn’t peak everywhere at the same time. Japanese maples, native trees and other deciduous plants can change on different schedules, and weather can shift the timing from one fall to the next. If colorful leaves are the main reason for your visit, check the garden’s website or recent updates before heading out.

Local Events Worth Putting on Your Fall Calendar

Annual Fall Festivals & Traditions Around Seattle

Some Seattle-area fall traditions have been bringing people together for years. From celebrating the return of the salmon to neighborhood festivals, pumpkin beer and a Northwest take on Oktoberfest, these annual events each offer a different way to enjoy the season.

Crowds and a colorful salmon display at the Issaquah Salmon Days Festival

🐟 Classic Northwest Tradition

Photo: Seattle Magazine

Salmon + Arts + Community Festival

Issaquah Salmon Days

Salmon Days is one of the Seattle area’s most distinctive fall traditions. Each October, downtown Issaquah celebrates the return of salmon to Issaquah Creek with a huge community festival filled with food, artisans, entertainment and family activities.

Make time to walk over to the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery, where you may be able to see returning salmon making their way upstream. It is one of those events that feels unmistakably Pacific Northwest.

Great choice for: Families, visitors and anyone looking for a uniquely Northwest fall tradition.

Explore Salmon Days →

Children decorating pumpkins at the Fauntleroy Fall Festival in West Seattle

🎃 Best Neighborhood Festival

Photo: Westside Seattle

Free Community Fall Festival

Fauntleroy Fall Festival

The Fauntleroy Fall Festival is one of those neighborhood events that feels wonderfully local. The annual West Seattle celebration spreads through the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse and nearby community spaces with hands-on activities, entertainment and old-fashioned fall fun.

Long-running traditions include pumpkin painting, birdhouse building, salmon hats and a pie-eating contest. Admission is free, making this an especially easy fall outing for families.

Great choice for: Families who prefer a smaller, community-style fall celebration over a large regional festival.

Explore the Fauntleroy Fall Festival →

Crowds enjoying the Great Pumpkin Beer Festival in Seattle

🍺 Adults’ Fall Pick

Photo: The Brew Site

Pumpkin Beer + Music + 21+

Great Pumpkin Beer Festival

Not every fall activity needs to be designed for kids. Elysian Brewing’s annual Great Pumpkin Beer Festival is one of Seattle’s quirkiest autumn traditions, bringing together pumpkin and seasonal beers, music, food and plenty of pumpkin-themed fun.

The signature attraction is a giant pumpkin that is hollowed out, filled with pumpkin beer and tapped during the festival. Add costumes and seasonal competitions, and this is definitely not your average beer tasting.

Great choice for: Adults looking for a distinctly Seattle fall event. This festival is for guests age 21 and older.

Explore the Great Pumpkin Beer Festival →

Crowds celebrating Oktoberfest Northwest in Puyallup Washington

🥨 Biggest Oktoberfest

Photo: Oktoberfest Northwest

German Food + Music + Fall Celebration

Oktoberfest Northwest

Oktoberfest Northwest brings a large Munich-style fall celebration to the Washington State Fair Event Center in Puyallup. Expect German food, traditional music, dancing, steins and plenty of festival atmosphere.

There is more happening than beer drinking. The event also features traditions such as Wiener Dog Races, games and special family programming, making it possible to experience Oktoberfest in very different ways depending on when you visit.

Great choice for: Groups, couples and families who want a larger festival with food, music and traditional Oktoberfest activities.

Explore Oktoberfest Northwest →

Which Fall Festival Should You Pick?

🐟 Want a Northwest Tradition?

Head to Issaquah Salmon Days.

🎃 Want Something Local?

Try the Fauntleroy Fall Festival.

🍺 Adults’ Night Out?

Try the Great Pumpkin Beer Festival.

🥨 Want a Big Festival?

Head to Oktoberfest Northwest.

💡

Fall Festival Tip

Annual festivals tend to keep the same general place on the fall calendar, but exact dates, schedules, admission and activities can change from one season to the next. I recommend clicking through to the event’s official website before you head out, especially if there is one activity you really don’t want to miss.

Halloween activities and fall fun in the Seattle area

🎃 Seattle Halloween Guide

Ready for Something Spookier?

Looking for Halloween Activities in Seattle?

As fall gets closer to Halloween, the Seattle area takes things up a notch with costumes, trick-or-treat events, haunted attractions, pumpkin-filled celebrations and plenty of seasonal activities for both kids and adults.

I’ve put together a separate Seattle Halloween Guide with even more ideas for celebrating the spooky season around Seattle and the Puget Sound.

👻 Haunted Attractions 🍬 Trick-or-Treating 🎃 Pumpkin Fun 🕯️ Spooky Seattle

Explore the Seattle Halloween Guide →

Plan Your Fall Adventure

Tips for Enjoying Fall Activities Around Seattle

Fall outings around Seattle can range from a quick walk through a colorful garden to an entire day at a pumpkin farm. A little planning helps, especially once October weekends get busy and our Pacific Northwest weather becomes less predictable.

📱

Check Before You Go

Fall farms and annual festivals can change their hours, ticket policies, activities and schedules from one season to the next. Check the official website before leaving, especially if there is one attraction you really want to do.

🎟️

Reserve Popular Activities Early

Some pumpkin farms, corn mazes and seasonal events use timed tickets or reservations during their busiest periods. If you have your heart set on a particular fall outing, planning ahead can give you more choices.

🌧️

Have a Rainy-Day Backup

Seattle fall weather does not always cooperate. Keep an indoor option in mind, such as Seattle Children’s Museum or the Seattle Aquarium, so a rainy forecast does not have to cancel your fall plans completely.

🥾

Dress for Farms and Mud

Pumpkin fields and corn mazes are working farm environments, and wet weather can quickly turn paths muddy. Comfortable shoes or boots and clothing you do not mind getting a little dirty can make the day much easier.

🍁

Don’t Chase One Perfect Leaf Weekend

Fall color changes gradually and different trees turn at different times. Instead of waiting for one supposed peak weekend, enjoy the season as it changes and check recent garden or park updates if foliage is your main goal.

🚗

Group Activities by Area

Seattle-area fall attractions are spread from Kent and Bellevue to Carnation and Snohomish. Pick one general area for the day rather than spending your fall outing sitting in the car driving between opposite sides of Puget Sound.

💡

My Favorite Way to Plan a Fall Day

I would pick one main activity and build the day around it. If you’re going to a pumpkin farm in Snohomish, for example, enjoy the farm first and then stop for lunch or another nearby activity rather than trying to squeeze three major destinations into one day.

Fall is better when there is a little room in the schedule for cider, photos, an unexpected stop or simply enjoying the scenery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Fall Activities in Seattle: FAQs

Planning a fall outing around Seattle? Here are quick answers to some of the questions families and visitors often have about pumpkin patches, fall colors and seasonal events.

When is pumpkin patch season near Seattle?

Most Seattle-area pumpkin farms begin their fall season sometime in September and continue through Halloween. October is usually the heart of pumpkin-patch season. Opening days and operating schedules vary by farm, so check the farm’s official website before visiting.

What are some of the best pumpkin patches near Seattle?

Popular Seattle-area choices include Carpinito Brothers in Kent, Remlinger Farms in Carnation, Bob’s Corn & Pumpkin Farm in Snohomish and Swans Trail Farms in Snohomish. Each offers a slightly different mix of pumpkin picking, corn mazes, rides and farm activities.

Where can I see fall colors in Seattle?

Some of my favorite places include Kubota Garden, Seattle Japanese Garden, Washington Park Arboretum and Bellevue Botanical Garden. Japanese maples can be especially colorful, but timing varies depending on the weather and the type of tree.

Are there free fall activities around Seattle?

Yes. Walking through Kubota Garden, Washington Park Arboretum or Bellevue Botanical Garden can make an easy fall outing without an admission charge. Some community fall festivals are also free, although individual food, attractions or activities may cost extra.

What can families do in Seattle when it rains in the fall?

Keep an indoor backup plan. Seattle Children’s Museum is a good option for younger kids, while the Seattle Aquarium works for a wider range of ages. Seasonal events at these attractions can also add a little fall or Halloween fun without spending the day outside in the rain.

What are some annual fall festivals near Seattle?

Annual traditions include Issaquah Salmon Days, the Fauntleroy Fall Festival, Oktoberfest Northwest and the Great Pumpkin Beer Festival. The Great Pumpkin Beer Festival is an adults-only event, while several of the others offer family programming.

When is the best time to see fall foliage around Seattle?

There is not one exact peak date for the entire region. Different trees change color at different times, and weather can shift the timing from season to season. Rather than relying on one specific weekend, check recent updates from the garden or park you plan to visit.

Where can I find more Halloween activities in Seattle?

I have a separate Seattle Halloween Guide with more ideas for trick-or-treating, spooky attractions, pumpkin activities and seasonal Halloween fun around the Seattle area.

One Last Reminder

Annual events and seasonal attractions can change their schedules, admission policies and activities. Use this guide to find ideas, then check the official event or organization website before heading out.