Family-Friendly Fall Events in Cleveland Area 2024

Ohio weather can be beautiful in September and October, and the Cleveland area celebrates with numerous fall festivals and other events.

Northeast Ohio Family Fun shares more than 50 of them, including Bug Day at the Penitentiary Glen Reservation in Kirkland on Sunday, September 8. At this free event, your budding entomophile (bug lover!) can see live bugs and participate in bug-related games, activities, and crafts. Weather permitting, from 1 to 3 p.m., children who can sit in their own designated seat can enjoy a miniature steam train ride!

In Strongsville, at A Day at the Chalet, families can enjoy a day featuring arts and crafts, music, and other entertainment. Held from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, September 15 at the Cleveland Metroparks Chalet on Valley Parkway, admission is free and food is available for purchase. Free parking and shuttle service is available on Pearl Road at the RTA Park-n-Ride.

Cleveland Traveler recommends strolls in the park where you can marvel at the amazing fall colors. Suggested places include:

Rocky River Reservation with the Berea Falls Scenic Overlook
Bedford Reservation features intriguing landscapes including the Tinker’s Creek Gorge Scenic Overlook and the area around the Great Falls of Tinker Creek
North Chagrin Reservation with great hiking trails and the Squire’s Castle; this castle is actually a gorgeous 1890s gatehouse with architectural features from both the Germanic and English traditions
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the only national park in Ohio with the Everett Road Covered Bridge and much more

In general, leaves begin to change colors in Ohio as early as September although gorgeous peak hues usually don’t blaze until the middle of October.

Your family can enjoy the Lake Metroparks Farmpark, a working farm in Kirkland. From September 3 through October 6, explore a corn maze and, on October 11, 18, and 25, have fun on a hayride. The corn maze is part of the regular Farmpark admission. Watch online for ticket sales for the hayride!

Ohio.org makes plenty more recommendations for fall activities, including a dinner out at The Haunted House Restaurant in Cleveland Heights. Dishes are inspired by horror movies with ones like the Poultrygeist, a chicken breast fried in pancake batter before being topped with powdered sugar, a side of syrup, and an assorted fruit garnish. Or, maybe you’d prefer the Scream Burger: a homemade sausage breakfast burger on a toasted brioche bun with candied bacon, over-medium egg, and a honey butter drizzle. Looking for something simpler? The Haunted Waffle comes in red, green, black, and regular colors.

Finally, on a rainy day (or just because it sounds amazing!), stop by the Cleveland Museum of Art for their “Nature Supernatural” exhibition. You’ll see artwork of trees and plants said to be imbued with supernatural qualities in historic India.