Summary

  • Celebrate the beauty of autumn at the Bedford Fall Foliage Festival in historic downtown Bedford, Pennsylvania. Enjoy crafts, music, and camaraderie with over 400 local vendors offering handmade goods and seasonal delights.
  • The festival offers entertainment for all ages, including horseback riding, scarecrow making, and youth-focused crafts. It's a must-visit event to experience the spirit of fall and support local businesses in the community.
  • Make a day trip or stay for a weekend to fully enjoy all the festival has to offer. With over 400 artists and craftspeople, as well as various activities and exhibits, there is something for everyone. Explore the charming town of Bedford and its natural beauty during the fall season.

Embrace the beauty of autumn at the Bedford Fall Foliage Festival, a cherished tradition that draws people together to celebrate the season. Nestled within the historic downtown of Bedford, Pennsylvania, this event encapsulates the essence of fall with its array of crafts, art, music, and camaraderie. Over 400 vendors offer a diverse selection of handmade clothing, jewelry, furniture, home decor, and seasonal delights along the streets of Historic Downtown Bedford.

Live local entertainment keeps spirits high, with musicians belting out classics, modern hits, and original tunes. The festival caters to all ages, boasting an array of activities for children, including horseback riding, scarecrow crafting, and youth-focused crafts.

As people immerse themselves in the festivities, remember furry friends are best left at home. Bedford's Fall Foliage Festival is one of the best ways to see the area's fall leaves, so it's a must-see!

Related: 10 Best Hidden Gems In Pennsylvania You Should Visit

When Is The Bedford Fall Foliage Festival?

Claycomb Covered Bridge in Bedford County, Pennsylvania
Shutterstock
Claycomb Covered Bridge in Bedford County, Pennsylvania

The Bedford Fall Foliage Festival always occurs during the first two weekends in October. Visitors planning for a repeat visit can block off their calendars (and secure their accommodations) well in advance!

  • Address: Downtown Bedford, 124 South Juliana Street, Bedford, PA 15522
  • Dates: First two weekends (Saturday-Sunday) in October each year
  • 2023 Bedford Fall Foliage Festival Dates: October 7-8 and 14-15, 2023, daily, from 9 am to 5 pm.

As an annual event in town, the Fall Foliage Festival brings people from near and far to the community and vendors selling various crafts, snacks, and services. The Bedford Fall Foliage Festival is highly entertaining, with music, contests, exhibits, and local flare for days.

Often regarded as one of the best places to see fall foliage in the world, Bedford, Pennsylvania, has tree-lined streets, changing leaves nearly everywhere one looks, and a small-town charm that makes it a must-visit this autumn.

The festival is a great way to support local businesses, as it is put together within the community. Unlike a commercial event where big-name brands rule the roost, the Bedford Fall Foliage Festival is everything a small community embodies.

What Happens At The Bedford Fall Foliage Festival?

Wooden and brick buildings in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, USA
Shutterstock / StudioGShock
Wooden and brick buildings in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, USA
  • Over 400 local vendors set up shop and sell their goods.
  • There is horseback riding, scarecrow making, entertainment, and seminars.

Experiencing all that the Bedford Fall Foliage Festival has to offer might take an entire day (or two). With horseback riding, scarecrow making, children's entertainment, to Youth Crafters, this local event is a perfect day trip for tourists in the state.

In addition, the festival boasts over 400 artists and craftspeople lining the streets and the square in Bedford and Fort Bedford Park, all filled with autumn decorations and scenery.

It's the perfect thing to get anyone in the spooky season spirit and a family-friendly idea for those in town. After all, many activities here are things people would do separately to get into the fall spirit, so why not do them all under one roof?

The Bedford area is known to be incredibly gorgeous during the fall months, with nature galore. Tourists can experience nature and community at this festival for a few days in October. It's often described as a quintessential stop in Pennsylvania, so we'd recommend it to eager travelers needing a fall feeling.

There are roughly 70,000 people that attend the Bedford Fall Foliage Festival annually, so it can get busy during opening weekend. Therefore, figuring out the hotel and transportation to the event could be good, as parking can become an issue.

Related: 13 Things To Do In Scranton: Complete Guide From The City's Natural Wonders To Historic Landmarks

What Else Is There To Do In Bedford, Pennsylvania, In The Fall?

Bedford, Pennsylvania
Photo by Valeriia Kogan on Unsplash
Sunset over Bedford, Pennsylvania
  • Tourists can visit the Old Bedford Village, National Museum of the American Coverlet, Fort Bedford Museum, or even the Big Coffee Pot monument.

For people in Bedford for the Fall Foliage Festival and also wanting to check out other parts of town, there are many. First, touring the historic Old Bedford Village Museum is a nice way to spend the afternoon, followed by the National Museum of the American Coverlet or the Fort Bedford Museum.

Because it's fall, Bedford is perfect for outdoor activities like the Big Coffee Pot or a city park. Don't be afraid to roam the town's streets: but watch for black cats!

Hiking in Pennsylvania is known to be beautiful and serene for travelers, and fall is a great time to spot the ever-changing foliage.

Visiting these Amish towns in Pennsylvania is also nice around the holidays.

Again, this entire area is out of a movie from September to November, so seeing it is well worth the journey. There are also various hotels and even resorts in town, making this accessible to all types of vacationers.