And nothing lifts spirits higher than a festival—especially when it’s held in a town small enough to be on a first-name basis with all its residents.
From jazz jamborees to harvest hootenannies, these gatherings are the perfect mix of pomp, circumstance, and pure fun.
Ready to discover where America really lets its hair down? Follow us to the 20 best small town festivals across the country.
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1. Maple Leaf Festival, Kansas
Every October, Baldwin City comes alive with the Maple Leaf Festival. This event has celebrated the changing autumn leaves since 1958. Thousands visit each year to witness the grand parade and vibrant fall colors.
Artisans from all over the region showcase their crafts and artworks. The streets are lined with booths selling handmade goods and seasonal treats. Local musicians and bands provide entertainment throughout the weekend.
The festival also features classic car shows and quilt displays, making it a hit with those who appreciate nostalgic Americana.
Why it’s a must-visit: This festival’s long-standing tradition and community spirit make it a highlight in the Midwest.
2. National Apple Harvest Festival, Pennsylvania
Located near Gettysburg, the National Apple Harvest Festival is held during the first two weekends of October. This festival has delighted apple lovers since 1965. It’s perfect for those who enjoy the crisp autumn air and fresh orchard fruits.
The festival features apple everything: pies, cider, butter, and even apple sausages. Visitors can also enjoy craft demonstrations, live music, and antique car displays.
Family-friendly activities like hay rides and petting zoos make this festival ideal for grandchildren and grandparents alike.
Why it’s a must-visit: The focus on apples and its deep-rooted history in a historic area add a unique charm that’s hard to find elsewhere.
3. Aiken’s Makin’, South Carolina
Aiken’s Makin’ is a two-day arts and crafts event that takes over downtown Aiken every September. Launched over 40 years ago, this festival attracts artisans from across the Southeast.
Handcrafted items, from pottery to jewelry, are on display. The festival prides itself on high-quality crafts and friendly Southern hospitality.
Food vendors offer everything from traditional Southern eats to international cuisine, ensuring there’s something tasty for every palate.
Why it’s a must-visit: It celebrates the craftsmanship and culture of the South, attracting a large crowd who appreciates artisanal work.
4. UFO Festival, New Mexico
Roswell’s UFO Festival takes place every July, drawing visitors from all over the globe. The festival celebrates the infamous 1947 UFO sighting with a mix of fun and curiosity.
Activities include costume contests, expert talks on extraterrestrial life, and themed parades. The event is both educational and entertaining, with a light-hearted approach to the unexplained.
Local businesses thrive during the festival, offering alien-themed goods and memorabilia that are unique to this event.
Why it’s a must-visit: It offers a unique blend of history, mystery, and community fun that’s unlike any other festival.
5. Shrimp Festival, Alabama
The annual Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores is a four-day event every October that celebrates seafood, especially shrimp. The festival has been a staple since the early 1970s.
Visitors can sample shrimp dishes cooked in every style imaginable. Local and national musicians provide live entertainment across multiple stages.
There are also fine art and craft vendors, offering a variety of items from paintings to handmade jewelry.
Why it’s a must-visit: Its spectacular beach setting and delicious seafood offerings draw tens of thousands of visitors each year.
6. Garlic Festival, California
Gilroy, known as the ‘Garlic Capital of the World’, hosts the Garlic Festival every July. This event celebrates all things garlic, from gourmet dishes to quirky contests.
Attendees enjoy garlic-infused foods like garlic ice cream and garlic fries. Chefs from around the country participate in cooking competitions and demonstrations.
The festival also features live music, arts and crafts, and a children’s area, making it a family-friendly event.
Why it’s a must-visit: It offers an unforgettable culinary adventure centered around garlic, an ingredient beloved by many.
7. Tulip Time Festival, Michigan
Holland, Michigan, transforms every spring with its Tulip Time Festival. Millions of tulips create a vibrant display of colors across the city.
The festival features traditional Dutch dances, parades, and theatrical performances. It honors the city’s rich Dutch heritage.
Artisans sell Dutch crafts and foods, providing a taste of the Netherlands in the heart of Michigan.
Why it’s a must-visit: The stunning tulip displays and cultural events offer a visually spectacular and culturally enriching experience.
8. Sandcastle Days, Texas
South Padre Island’s Sandcastle Days is a magical event that showcases incredible sand sculpting talent each October. Started in the late 1980s, this festival brings together master sand sculptors from around the world.
The competition is fierce as artists create elaborate designs that must be seen to be believed. Spectators can watch the sculptors at work or try their hand at sandcastle building in amateur contests.
The festival includes live music, food stands, and vendors, adding to the fun atmosphere on the beautiful beach setting.
Why it’s a must-visit: It offers a unique beach experience combined with artistic expression that captivates all ages.
9. Oyster Festival, Maryland
The Oyster Festival in St. Michaels takes place every October, celebrating the region’s famous oysters. This festival draws seafood lovers eager to taste fresh oysters from the Chesapeake Bay.
The event includes oyster shucking competitions and cooking demonstrations. There’s also a marketplace featuring local artisans.
Proceeds from the festival support local marine and environmental causes, adding a charitable aspect to the festivities.
Why it’s a must-visit: It’s a key event for oyster aficionados and supports important local environmental efforts.
10. Pumpkin Festival, New Hampshire
Laconia celebrates the Pumpkin Festival every October, boasting one of the largest displays of lit jack-o’-lanterns. The festival began in 1991 and has grown significantly over the years.
Visitors can enjoy pumpkin carving contests, pumpkin-themed foods, and craft fairs. The festival culminates in a spectacular evening of thousands of glowing pumpkins lined up throughout the city.
It’s a family-friendly event with live music and fireworks, creating a memorable autumn celebration.
Why it’s a must-visit: The breathtaking sight of thousands of lit pumpkins provides a magical experience for all attendees.
11. Cheese Days, Wisconsin
Monroe, Wisconsin, celebrates its dairy heritage with Cheese Days, held every other year in September. This festival has been a local favorite since 1914, showcasing the state’s rich cheese-making tradition.
Visitors can sample a wide variety of cheeses, watch cheese-making demonstrations, and enjoy a parade featuring traditional Swiss music and cowbells. The event also includes a classic car show and a cheese curd eating contest.
Local breweries and wineries offer tastings, adding to the festive atmosphere of this cheese lover’s paradise.
Why it’s a must-visit: It’s a true celebration of Wisconsin’s world-renowned dairy industry and offers a taste of local culture and history.
12. Firefly Festival, Tennessee
Every June, the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee light up with the annual Firefly Festival. For two weeks, the synchronous fireflies perform their mesmerizing light show, attracting nature enthusiasts from around the nation.
This natural phenomenon allows visitors to see thousands of fireflies blinking in harmony, creating a stunning visual spectacle in the national park.
The festival includes guided walks and educational talks by park rangers, enhancing the experience with insights into the firefly lifecycle and behavior.
Why it’s a must-visit: This festival offers a rare glimpse into one of nature’s most enchanting displays, making it a magical experience.
13. Ice Wine Festival, Ohio
Ashtabula County, Ohio, hosts the Ice Wine Festival every March, celebrating the region’s unique ice wine production. This sweet dessert wine is made from grapes frozen on the vine.
Visitors can tour local wineries, taste ice wines, and enjoy pairings with gourmet cheeses and chocolates. Each winery offers special events including ice wine-making demonstrations and live music.
The scenic winter vineyard backdrop makes for a perfect weekend getaway for wine lovers.
Why it’s a must-visit: The festival not only showcases a rare type of wine but also offers a cozy, picturesque setting to enjoy winter in Ohio.
14. Hummingbird Festival, Georgia
Hogansville, Georgia, celebrates the annual Hummingbird Festival every October. This event draws bird watchers and nature lovers to the small town for a weekend dedicated to the tiny, vibrant birds.
The festival features guided bird watching tours, photography workshops, and lectures on hummingbird conservation. Artisans also display bird-related crafts and artworks.
Children’s activities and live music make this a fun event for the whole family.
Why it’s a must-visit: It’s a delightful opportunity for nature enthusiasts to learn about and observe hummingbirds in a community-focused setting.
15. Lobster Festival, Maine
The Maine Lobster Festival in Rockland, held every August, is a seafood celebration that has been attracting foodies since 1947. This festival honors Maine’s lobster industry, which is vital to the local economy.
Attendees enjoy fresh lobster dinners, cooking contests, and seafood demonstrations. The event also includes a parade, local crafts, and live music performances.
The festival’s highlight is the crowning of the Maine Sea Goddess, which adds a unique cultural touch to the festivities.
Why it’s a must-visit: This festival offers a deep dive into Maine’s maritime heritage and provides the freshest lobster you can find.
16. Dogwood Festival, Virginia
Charlottesville’s Dogwood Festival, celebrated every April since the 1950s, marks the beginning of spring with vibrant displays of blooming dogwoods. This festival includes a carnival, a parade, and a beauty pageant.
The festival has various events spread throughout the month, including concerts, a fireworks show, and a family fun fair. It’s a time for the community to come together and celebrate the season.
Local artists and food vendors take part in the festivities, offering a taste of Virginia’s culture and cuisine.
Why it’s a must-visit: It’s a longstanding tradition that brings together natural beauty with fun and community spirit.
17. Kite Festival, Texas
The Zilker Kite Festival in Austin, Texas, takes place every March, kicking off the spring season. It is one of the oldest kite festivals in the United States, started in 1929.
Participants from all ages come together to fly their kites at the Zilker Metropolitan Park. The festival includes kite flying competitions, kite making workshops, and food vendors.
The vibrant display of kites against the Austin skyline provides a picturesque setting for a family outing.
Why it’s a must-visit: It offers a fun and whimsical experience that connects all generations through the joy of kite flying.
18. Blueberry Festival, Indiana
The Blueberry Festival in Plymouth, Indiana, takes place every Labor Day weekend. It celebrates the local blueberry crop with a four-day event packed with activities.
Visitors can enjoy blueberry-themed foods, pie-eating contests, and a blueberry cooking competition. The festival also features carnival rides, craft booths, and live music stages.
The event culminates with a spectacular fireworks display, making it a festive weekend for families and friends.
Why it’s a must-visit: It’s a fun and flavorful festival that highlights the importance of local agriculture and community involvement.
19. Harvest Moon Festival, Minnesota
Ely, Minnesota, celebrates the Harvest Moon Festival every September. This event marks the start of fall and showcases local artists and craftsmen.
The festival includes a juried art show, live folk music, and traditional food vendors offering seasonal fare. Children’s activities and storytelling sessions add to the family-friendly atmosphere.
Canoe rides and nature walks through the surrounding woodland make it a great event for outdoor enthusiasts.
Why it’s a must-visit: It offers a blend of art, music, and outdoor activities that celebrate the natural beauty of Minnesota in autumn.
20. Lilac Festival, New York
Every May, the Lilac Festival in Rochester, New York, welcomes spring with over 500 varieties of lilacs in Highland Park, a park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted.
This ten-day festival attracts garden enthusiasts and families with its beautiful floral displays, garden tours, and free concerts. The park’s historical significance adds to the charm of the event.
Art and craft vendors, a parade, and a lilac run 5k race are also part of the festival, making it a comprehensive celebration of spring.
Why it’s a must-visit: The stunning floral displays and variety of activities make it a perfect destination for those who appreciate the beauty of spring.