10 Must-Do Fall Activities & Events to Experience in Lackawanna County this Season

When the air turns crisp and the leaves burst into color, there’s no better place to celebrate fall than in Lackawanna County. From pumpkin patches and apple orchards to scenic train rides, haunted attractions, and festive fall events, the season comes alive with things to see and do for every age and interest. Whether you’re sipping cider, wandering through a corn maze, or getting your spook on, these 10 local traditions capture the very best of fall in Lackawanna.

1. Pumpkin Picking and Corn Mazes

Fall just isn’t complete without a day at the farm, and Lackawanna County has some of the best spots for pumpkin picking and maze-wandering. At Roba Family Farms, you’ll find a sprawling on-the-vine pumpkin patch and a five-acre corn maze, plus wagon rides, pig races, and more that make it fun for all ages. And don’t miss their annual Pumpkin Harvest Festival, running from October through early November, which includes the Glowing Pumpkin Trail, a magical after-dark walk through illuminated pumpkin scenes.

Its sister farm, Lakeland Orchard & Cidery, offers a festive fall atmosphere with pre-picked pumpkins available for purchase, apple orchard strolls, and a stop at the Cider Bar. Hop aboard the Lakeland Express for a mile-long ride through the Halloween Light Show. With 15 different attractions, you’re sure to find fun for the whole family. 

At Ritter’s Cider Mill, you can enjoy fresh-pressed apple cider and cozy autumn treats, making it the perfect reward after a day of playing with farm animals, exploring the hay barn, and finding your way through this year’s kid-friendly corn maze—all without an admission fee. You can also choose your perfect pumpkin from their wide selection of pre-picked pumpkins, ideal for carving or decorating.

Over at Miller’s Orchards Farm Market, you’ll find a traditional harvest feel with pre-picked pumpkins, gourds, corn, and fresh produce, along with homemade pies, cider donuts, and other fall favorites.

2. Apple Picking

When crisp air starts to hint at autumn, there’s nothing quite like strolling through Lakeland Orchard & Cidery’s sprawling apple fields. With over 20,000 apple trees and dozens of varieties to choose from, you’ll have your pick of reds, golds, and sweet-crisps all across the orchard. 

During their Apple Harvest Festival (running late August through early November), general admission includes a pick-your-own card so you can fill a ¼-peck bag with fresh apples right from the trees — something apple lovers always look forward to. After the tree picking, relax at the Cider Garden, enjoy live music, or try one of their apple-themed treats like apple dumplings or cider doughnuts.

3. Apple Cider, Hard Cider & Doughnuts

Speaking of doughnuts…when your little ones tug you toward something sweet, Roba Family Farms delivers that fall magic. Their Old Barn Café & Bakery is famous for apple cider doughnuts (grab them by the dozen!), cider slushies, funnel cakes, and seasonal treats that pair perfectly with a hayride or pig race. Over at Ritter's Cider Mill, fall means fresh-pressed apple cider, warm cider doughnuts, and a bakery full of pies and goodies. They press their own cider during the season, so you get that full, just-picked flavor.

If you’re craving something a bit more grown-up on crisp autumn evenings, Lakeland Orchard & Cidery is a great pick. Their Cider Bar offers an ice-cold pour of hard cider in flavors that reflect the orchard’s bounty. Order a flight to try them all, plus enjoy live music every weekend, axe-throwing, and tasty bites as well.

Meanwhile, at Maiolatesi Wine Cellars, you can grab a hard cider in the Beer Garden and pair it with small plates, brick-oven pizzas, and spectacular views. For a special treat, don’t miss Montage Mountain’s Fall Wine Festival. Enjoy hard ciders as well as wine samplings from Pennsylvania wineries, live music, food trucks, and vendors, all under a canopy of changing leaves and festive fall energy.

4. Fall Foliage & Scenic Views

There’s nothing quite like watching the trees change color while making your way through the scenic countryside on the Lackawanna County Fall Foliage Trail. Want to make your leaf-peeping adventure even more exciting? Take in the views of amber, gold, and crimson on a fall foliage train excursion through the Lackawanna Valley and into the Poconos. Or hop aboard a vintage trolley ride for a beautiful way to pair nature’s spectacle with a bit of nostalgia.

5. Haunted Attractions & Halloween Events

When the sun goes down, the ghouls come out to play during Lackawanna County’s spookiest season. Experience a haunted house like never before at Reaper’s Revenge. Here, the bravest travelers are taken through an immersive horror scream park featuring five chilling attractions, including a hayride through blood-thirsty forests and reality-bending circus tents. Or make a pulse-pounding stop at America’s only haunted drive-in theater, the Circle of Screams. From the chills of classic horror movies to the immersive haunted houses of Delfino Manor and Twisted Acres Woods, you will be left screaming for more.

This year, Reaper’s Revenge and Circle of Screams have teamed up to offer the Haunted NEPA Pass—a $79 combo ticket that includes admission to both attractions and bonus movie perks at the Circle Drive-In, available on select dates in September and October.

For a more lighthearted haunt, stop by The Halloween House of Peckville, a beloved local display featuring elaborate decorations, animatronics, and spooky scenes—all with free admission, making it a perfect stop for families and casual thrill-seekers.

For those looking to show off their spooky style, put together your ultimate costume and head to the Reaper’s Revenge $5,000 Costume Contest & Halloween Party at Montage Mountain Resorts, where adults can compete for cash prizes and celebrate in eerie, high-energy fashion. And for even more frightful fun, Lackawanna County offers a full lineup of Halloween events for all ages.

6. Kid-Friendly Halloween Events

Lackawanna County is known more for its treats than its tricks, and it offers a variety of Halloween fun for the entire family! 

Sit back and let the Halloween spirit wash over you on a festive Electric City Trolley Halloween Ride & Celebration, where you can enjoy a spooky-themed excursion featuring costumes, characters, and balloon art. Or take part in a whimsical, non-scary Lil Grim’s Hayride at Reaper’s Revenge as a tractor-pulled wagon takes you through a whimsical display.

Events like Roba’s Halloween on the Farm and Lakeland Orchard’s Halloween Light Show feature festivities like carnival rides, costume contests, trick-or-treating, light displays, and parades to keep everyone in the Halloween spirit all day long.

7. Historic & Seasonal Tours

Step back through time this fall with Lackawanna County’s rich and storied past on full display. The Dunmore Cemetery Tour invites you on a free, family-friendly walking tour. Costumed interpreters bring to life the tales of prominent locals and forgotten residents beneath autumn’s colorful canopy, weaving together heritage and theater in the scenic historic cemetery. 

For those drawn to ghost stories and eerie corners of history, head out on the Lackawanna County Haunted Trail. Follow the map through dozens of haunted sites, historic homes, and legends that linger in the shadows.

Rail-fans and history lovers will want to ride the rails at Steamtown National Historic Site, where vintage locomotive excursions carry you along heritage routes, letting you imagine the heyday of rail transportation. And the Electric City Trolley Station & Museum offers a fascinating glimpse into public transit’s past, rounding out a nostalgic experience that also includes some scenic foliage along the way.

8. Farmers Markets & U-Picks

One of the tastiest ways to soak in fall in Lackawanna County is by hitting up the farmers markets and u-pick farms, where the bounty of the season is right at your fingertips. Whether you're harvesting crisp apples at Lakeland Orchard & Cidery, or choosing local honey at The Shoppes at Ritter’s Farm, there’s something fresh for everyone. 

Produce markets throughout the county — like the Co-Op Farmers Market in Scranton — offer fresh vegetables, herbs, flowers, homemade jams, and more from local growers. A trip to one of these spots isn’t just about stocking up your kitchen; it’s about connecting with the land, the people who grow it, and the rhythms of the season.

9. Themed Dining & Drinks

Start your evening at Noir Dark Spirits, tucked inside the historic Ritz Theater — an 18+ moody downtown Scranton restaurant where candlelight, velvet shadows, and gothic elegance set the tone for craft cocktails like the Dark Old Fashioned and unique menu items like the Cursed Cauldron.

Then, satisfy your sweet tooth at Black Cow Cookies & Cream, also inside The Ritz, where indulgent sundaes, ice cream, and desserts come with a playful, gothic twist. 

While you're there, enter the magical world of Goblin Alchemy’s Dungeon, where every sip of their handcrafted mead takes you on an adventure filled with fantasy and wonder.

For a downtown Scranton dining experience with a dash of the supernatural, enjoy dinner at AV Restaurant & Lounge, where delicious Italian cuisine is served inside what’s said to be the most haunted restaurant in the Commonwealth.

10. Fall Festivals

Autumn comes alive with festivals that highlight everything from local flavors to spooky fun. The Fall Wine Festival at Montage Mountain Resorts is a seasonal staple, offering wine tastings, food vendors, and live music against a scenic backdrop. At Rhythm & Brews Fest, craft beers, ciders, and lively performances create a laid-back, music-filled atmosphere. 

For something more whimsical, the Carbondale UFO Festival in Carbondale blends community spirit with UFO lore, complete with food, vendors, and playful nods to the extraterrestrial. And if you’re looking for chills, the NEPA Horror Fest celebrates all things creepy with horror films and appearances from genre favorites — the perfect way to embrace fall’s darker side.

Plan Your Fall Fun

Whether it’s the stunning fall foliage, fall festivals, autumn fun at our farms and orchards, or a chilling night of fright to make the most of your autumn in Lackawanna County, use the info and links on this page to plan an unforgettable season filled with irresistible delights (and frights) for the entire family  — and don’t forget to extend the adventure with an overnight stay at one of our welcoming area hotels.