Fall is a fabulous time around Dane County, with pleasant weather, gorgeous foliage, fun family-friendly activities, and plenty of great events to help you enjoy it all. Whether you're searching for a fall harvest festival or the chance to visit a local orchard for a day of outdoor activities with the whole family, Dane County has you covered. Here's more on what you can look forward to this fall around Dane County.

• Harvest Folk Festival – 620 Babcock Dr., Madison, WI 53706
  The Harvest Folk Festival is an annual event held at the beautiful Allen Centennial Garden on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. This event celebrates the harvest by highlighting fall traditions from around the world, including musical performances, dance performances, dance lessons, and harvest stories from a wide variety of cultures. There will be delicious food from the Electric Eats food truck, featuring fresh vegetables grown in the gardens on campus. This event is free and open to the public, with this year's Harvest Folk Festival taking place on October 4, 2025, from noon to 6:00 PM.
  
  
• Wisconsin Art of Cheese Festival – 2 E. Main St., Madison, WI 53702
  Just in time for the start of fall, the Wisconsin Art of Cheese Festival returns on September 25, 2025. Prepare for four days filled with food, fun, and a diverse variety of events. Sample the best cheeses from across Wisconsin, learn to make your own cheese, take classes on cooking with cheese, and celebrate all things cheese. There's a cheese-themed golf tournament to kick off the event and even a Cheese Yoga session to help wind it down. You'll find dozens of different activities during this four-day event, whether you're in the mood to expand your culinary expertise or simply enjoy some cheesy fun with the family.
  
  
• Eugsters Farm Market – 3865 WI-138, Stoughton, WI 53589
  Looking for that classic fall family farm experience? Eugsters Farm Market is more than just a place to pick up fresh, local produce. They also offer apple picking, a pumpkin patch, a petting farm, and the Milk House Bakery serving up fall favorites. September is Orchard Days, with apple picking, an 8-acre corn maze, and more. October is Fall Festival month and features the Spooky Silo and 3D Haunted House. Tickets for Saturdays and Sundays must be purchased in advance online.
  
  
• Havens Petting Farm – 2894 Erbe Rd., Blue Mounds, WI 53517
  Havens Petting Farm is another excellent choice for a family day outdoors during the fall, especially if you and your kids love animals. They offer guided tours, tractor rides and more in a beautiful, peaceful country setting. You can interact with a variety of animals including a zebra, cows, goats, emus, alpacas, llamas, pigs, ducks, cats and more. Visit the Farm & Artisan Market on September 14, 2025, featuring local vendors and family-friendly activities. You can also bring farm fun right to you with their Mobile Petting Farm, which is great for birthday parties and other special events. 
  
  
• Bark & Wine: Tailgate – 5132 Voges Rd., Madison, WI 53718
  Last year, Team Cat won the Bark & Wine: Tailgate. Will Team Dog take home the trophy this year? Either way, you'll have a paws-itively purr-fect evening at this annual fundraiser for the Dane County Humane Society, happening this year on Saturday, September 27, 2025 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Enjoy tasty beverages, tailgating snacks, a silent auction, games and more. You'll also get to mingle with adoptable puppies and kittens! Can't make it in-person? You can still support the fundraiser by casting your vote for Team Cat or Team Dog online or shopping the online auction.

Searching for your next Dane County home this fall? Our local team is here to help with all of your real estate needs. Contact us to buy and sell homes throughout the Dane County, WI area.