Download the 12 church fall festival ideas to build your community
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As crisp air rolls in and leaves begin to change, there’s no better time for churches to engage their communities. There’s something about the cool weather and approaching holiday season that brings people together, making it the perfect opportunity for fellowship and outreach.
In this article, we’ll explore 12 fun, family-friendly fall festival ideas for church to help you plan a successful event. These ideas are simple enough for any church to implement, no matter how big or small. After reading this list, you’ll be ready to create a warm, welcoming experience that everyone will enjoy. Let’s get started!
Trunk-or-treat
Transform your church parking lot into a vibrant mini-neighborhood where decorated car trunks become candy stations. Imagine each trunk decked out in fun themes from silly to superhero. Kids will love collecting treats in a safe space with this fun twist on trick-or-treating, making it one of the more popular ideas for a fall festival at church
Chili cook-off competition
Every autumn since the 1950s, people put their best chili recipes to the test. Join the fun and spice things up this fall with a chili cook-off competition!
This is a great fall festival church activity that encourages community involvement and friendly competition. Set up tasting zones and cast your votes to crown your chili champion. Add excitement with a special award or prize for “Best Chili.”
Apple harvest party
Celebrate apple harvest with the most fun and tastiest fall festival ideas for church—activities and games like Apples Away or Elephant March, and don’t forget the delicious apple-themed treats!
Enjoy this harvest festival fruit with snack ideas like a build-your-own caramel apple bar with sliced apples and fun toppings. For a tasty drink, pick up a few crates of apples and a hand-crank cider press so attendees can make their own apple cider.
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Outdoor yard game night
As the season transitions from summer to fall, enjoy some mild weather before winter hits with an outdoor yard game night. Arrange game areas across your church lawn or parking lot to create a relaxed, fun atmosphere where friends and family can mingle, compete, and cheer each other on.
Here are some game ideas for a fall festival at church:
A snack booth with popcorn, small bites, lemonade, and water will keep everyone refreshed. Provide tables and seating for guests to enjoy their snacks, keep score, and relax between games.
Apple bobbing
Add a splash of fun to your fall festival with apple bobbing! This classic is one of the simplest fall festival game ideas for church.
To enjoy bobbing for apples with better hygiene in mind, you can give participants their own bowls of water and apples. The first person to remove an apple from the water can win a prize. Or, participants can earn prizes depending on the number of apples they remove from their bowl within a certain timeframe.
Cornhole tournament
To take your fall festival church yard games to the next level and encourage some friendly competition, organize a cornhole tournament. Line the church parking lot or lawn with cornhole boards, and assign teams in a bracket system. Determine what prizes you’ll offer for winners and runners-up with things like church swag, fall-themed goodies, custom trophies, and gift cards.
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Pumpkin decorating contest
Whether coloring or carving, your harvest festival attendees will have a blast decorating their very own pumpkins! Lay out long tables full of craft supplies like paint, markers, glitter, pipe cleaners, popsicle sticks, glue, and googly eyes. Encourage their creativity with prizes for things such as “Funniest,” “Cutest,” and “Most Creative” design.
If you plan to get messy and carve pumpkins, use newspapers to keep things clean. Provide spoons, pumpkin carving kits, and faith-based stencils for tracing designs.
Craft booths for kids
Looking for a way to keep kids engaged and entertained? Spark their imagination with some fun fall crafts. If you need booth ideas for a church fall festival, think: Finger-paint turkeys, paper plate pumpkins, and popsicle scarecrows!
Set up a booth stocked with craft supplies and encourage kids to create a unique fall-themed keepsake. Make it extra special and let them help make fall decorations for the church foyer! Man your booth with volunteers to guide children of all ages so everyone can join in the fun.
Photo booth with fall themes
People love capturing special moments—especially this time of year—with fall’s changing leaves and harvest bounty! Use that beautiful autumn backdrop for a fall-themed photo booth and this is sure to be one of your most popular church fall festival ideas.
Deck out your booth with hay bales, cornstalks, pumpkins, and autumn leaves (real or faux). Include props like flannel shirts, scarecrow hats, signs, and funny accessories. You can even repurpose cornhole boards to create fun photo stand-in scenes.
Pumpkin patch party
When October rolls around, it’s time to head to the pumpkin patch for a hayride and some pick-your-own-pumpkin fun. However, if you don’t have a pumpkin patch nearby, you can bring the farm charm to your own event.
Map out a small pumpkin patch and stock your makeshift field with a variety of pumpkins big and small. Classic fall-themed decorations, a cider and hot cocoa hut, donuts, music, and a bounce house will make it feel like you’re hosting a party on the farm.
“Fall on the farm” petting zoo
Nothing ups the excitement of a fall festival like a petting zoo! Kids get to meet and interact with friendly animals like goats, sheep, and rabbits under the supervision of experienced owners and volunteers.
This hands-on experience can be an engaging part of your fall activities for church. For extra fun, consider offering pony rides and feeding stations for an unforgettable experience to delight adults and kids alike.
Pioneer days
Do you have church members who are passionate about American history? A “Pioneer Days” booth could feature hands-on activities like butter churning, corn husk doll making, or sack races, allowing attendees to experience pioneer life. You could also set up a photo booth with old-fashioned clothing and props for fun family photos.
To create truly memorable fall activities for church, focus on what these events are all about: bringing people together. Here are a few tips to help make your fall festival one to remember:
Hosting a church fall festival is a wonderful way to bring your congregation and local community together! These events—whether extravagant or humble—will help you plan a memorable experience for kids and adults alike. From a chili cook-off to a pumpkin patch party, you can mix and match these creative activities to build your own unique event.
This list is a great place to start as you plan for the fall season. We hope you can use our harvest festival ideas for church to create a tradition that your church and community members look forward to every year!
