Fall in love with Shores & Islands Ohio all over again in the autumn, when the summer vacation crowd goes home but the attractions and events keep going. Milder weather allows visitors to continue to enjoy the outdoors, witness fall bird migration, and enjoy the beauty of changing colors. Visit an orchard to pick a peck of apples or sample other fresh-from-the-farm produce at a farmer’s market. Take a tour of a local winery at the peak of harvest season and taste craft beverages at a brewery or distillery with the Shores & Islands Cheers Trail. Play at a number of beautiful and challenging golf courses or take a spin through a local park with an e-bike from Sandusky Pedego. When the weather gets cooler, enjoy scenic drives and take in sites such as lighthouses, coastal cliffs, wooded boardwalks, public art pieces, and more. Now is the time to take in a museum such as the Liberty Aviation Museum, Merry-Go-Round Museum, or Maritime Museum of Sandusky. Fall brings the season of ghosts and goblins as well. If you’re a fan of frights, you won’t want to miss Cedar Point’s HalloWeekends or the Witches Walk, among other terrifically terrifying attractions and events.
Here are some event highlights for September and October, 2022:
Cruisin’ by the Bay, Sandusky
September 9-10, 2022
The 30th Annual Cruisin’ by the Bay Charity Cruise-in and Car Show is hosted by the Remember Crusin’ Car Club of Northern Ohio with over 500 classics and hot rods expected. Cruisin’ by the Bay proceeds help support the North Coast Cancer Patient Services Fund.
Pioneer Days at Historic Lyme Village, Bellevue
September 10-11, 2022
Join Lyme Village for a glimpse into the lives of the 1800's! There will be reenactors of pioneer life, tour of the John Wright mansion, and entertainment by the Moorhens and the Christian Cloggers.
Grub ‘n Suds, Elmore
September 10, 2022
The annual Grub 'N Suds Motorcycle Rally features live bands, new bike models and brands, vendors, great food, and ice-cold beer!
Cedar Point’s HalloWeekends, Sandusky
September 15-October 30, 2022
The spooky sights and blood-curdling delights of fall are back with the 25th HalloWeekends! The outdoor fall event is home to daytime fun, Halloween activities and shows for the family. And as darkness falls, fright zones, haunted houses and scary scenes all come alive for all who dare to brave the fog-covered paths and terrifying trails.
Feathers & Foliage, Kelleys Island
September 17, 2022
Enjoy fall’s splendor with bird-banding and guided bird walks at the Jones Preserve on Long Point, Kelleys Island State Park, and North Pond Preserve. View a variety of migrating birds!
Wine & Art Faire, Kelleys Island
September 17, 2022
All island wineries participate in this event which has activities across the island. All three locations will feature artists, live music, and great food!
Put-in-Bay Music Festival, Put-in-Bay
September 17, 2022
Featuring American Blues Music, celebrate peace through music, great food, fun, and games at this family-friendly festival taking place at the Boathouse Bar & Grill.
Put-in-Bay Vintage Road Races, Put-in-Bay
September 20-23, 2022
Vintage MGs, Porches, Triumphs, and other rare sports cars return to Put-in-Bay. The event welcomes owners/drivers of vintage sports cars to come and participate in events and activities. Race viewing is FREE!
Osborn Fall Fest, Huron
September 24, 2022
Erie MetroParks is proud to announce the first annual Osborn Fall Fest. DJ from Rock & Roll Express, nature education with live animals from Back to the Wild, tractor display by Firelands Pioneer Power Association, pumpkin painting with friends of Erie MetroParks, kid’s games, petting zoo, hayrides, caricatures face painting, food trucks, vendors, and more.
Third Annual Harvest Festival at The Orchard Farm Stand, Catawba
September 30-October 2, 2022
A celebration of our harvest all weekend long! Includes farm-to-table dinner with guest chef, outdoor cooking classes, shopping, and more.
Oastoberfest at Twin Oast Brewery, Catawba
September 30-October 1, 2022
Loaded with authentic German scenes and sounds, Oastoberfest in 2022 will feature traditional folk dances and contests for the crowd! To end the night, we have local treasure -- The Chardon Polka Band! We will have authentic Bavarian food trucks & tents and plenty of BIER from breweries all throughout Ohio.
Island Wine Festival, Put-in-Bay
October 1, 2022
Join the party at the Put-in-Bay Winery at the Doller Estate. Admission includes a souvenir wine glass. Winery tours will be available and a silent auction will be held to benefit the Lake Erie Islands Historical Society.
Shake, Rattle, & Stroll, Vermilion
October 1-31, 2022
In October, Vermilion shops, restaurants and stores create a whole month of “skelefun" and you’re invited! Local businesses adopt silly skeletons that you’ll find in windows, stores or storefronts, all dressed up, ready to surprise and make you laugh.
The 50th Annual Woollybear Festival, Vermilion
October 2, 2022
The Vermilion Fox 8 Woollybear Festival is the largest one-day festival in the state of Ohio. Be a part of the fun as the annual Woollybear Parade & Festival takes over Vermilion, Ohio. Festivities begin in the morning with races and costume contests. At 1:30 pm the spectacular parade features marching bands, animals, marchers and many area personalities. Live entertainment takes place on stage following the parade. The banded woolly bear overwinters in its caterpillar form. Forklore states that the severity of a winter can be predicted by the width of the black band on the caterpillar.
Huron Pumpkin Fest, Huron
October 8, 2022
A FUN, FAMILY, FALL FESTIVAL! Join Huron and take in the sights, the sounds and the smells of the season!
Oktoberfest, Put-in-Bay
October 8-9, 2022
The annual festival with German food, hot spiced wine, and cold beer. Live polka and German style music will entertain both days. Souvenir apparel and beer glasses will be made available for sale. Purchase a two-day pass for a discount!
Oak Harbor Apple Festival, Oak Harbor
October 8-9, 2022
Come see the crowning of the Royalty Court at opening ceremonies Saturday at 9:30 am, followed by the baby contest, the Grand Parade at 2 pm, Cornhole tournament, talent show and “The Junk” in the beer tent to round out the day’s entertainment. Sunday is chuck full of fun as well, with the Classic Car Show, 5K Run, Kids 1 Mile Fun Run, and local performers to make for a day of pure enjoyment! There is also a Beer Garden, mechanical rides and over 130 vendors.
Lakeside and Marblehead Lighthouse Festival, Lakeside Chautauqua and Marblehead
October 8, 2022
This free event includes fun for the whole family, with live entertainment, children's games, a pumpkin-decorating contest, arts & crafts vendors, farmers' market, hayrides and much more in Lakeside and Marblehead.
Apple Peak Harvest Celebration, Berlin Heights
October 15, 2022
Don't miss the Apple Peak celebration at Quarry Hill Orchards! Apple picking, farmers market, live music, food trucks, hayrides, wine tasting, crafts, local shops, and so much more.
Sandusky Witches Walk, Sandusky
October 22, 2022
This Years' Main Event That's right, Witches! It's a Saturday! Who will have the magical skill to turn their ticket into a $2,500 prize? Purchase your ticket at one of our participating locations. Follow the instructions on your ticket and cast it into one of the cauldrons! While the potion brews... Spend the rest of the evening frolicking through the various hot spots of entertainment and specials happening in the participating downtown businesses. In addition, enjoy outdoor music and lights around the fountain brought to you by Rock & Roll Express! Be awed by the talent of The Amazing Giants, and reach more places with hop on/hop off shuttle services making multiple stops. Costume contest, 21 and older please.
Count Krumnow’s Tombstone Derby, Elmore
October 29, 2022
Elmore, Ohio has always had a rich tradition in celebrating Halloween and Count Krumnow's Tombstone Derby is one of the best celebrations of the holiday. Everyone is invited to join the “Halloween Parade of Fools” that goes through town featuring the “Motorized Halloween Racers”, kids and adults in Halloween outfits, kid’s racers, pets and tractors. At 5 pm excitement revs up during the annual motorized casket drag races followed by the Tombstone Derby which features an actual course race with the motorized caskets and other Halloween themed racers. Great food will be served all day, along with games and other themed entertainment.
Check out our events calendar for details on these events and more! You can search the calendar by date, location, or type of event. Add some fun events to your summer getaway!