Festivals, events to once again spur busy fall travel season in "Ohio's Largest Playground"

MASON, Ohio, Aug. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Ohio Sauerkraut Festival, Ohio Renaissance Festival, Kings Island's Halloween Haunt and more popular autumn attractions will be back in action this fall and are expected to once again drive considerable crowds to Southwest Ohio, according to the Warren County Convention & Visitors Bureau (WCCVB).

"The busy summer travel season may be winding down here in Southwest Ohio, but there's still so much for our visitors and locals alike to look forward to in the cooler months ahead," said Scott Hutchinson, Director of Marketing & Communications for the WCCVB. "We're about to kick off an equally awesome, fun-filled autumn here in Warren County and we couldn't be more excited."

Among the county's most popular autumn events will once again be the Ohio Renaissance Festival, which runs weekends and Labor Day from August 30 through and October 26. The festival will celebrate its 36th year this fall with a loaded lineup of attractions, shows and vendors. Billed as a "non-stop, day-long adventure," the festival routinely ranks among the nation's top Renaissance themed gatherings.

Just a short drive from the Renaissance Festival grounds, Waynesville's iconic Ohio Sauerkraut Festival (Oct. 11-12) will turn 55 this year and once again feature tons of sauerkraut creations, live entertainment and hundreds of unique craft vendors from all across the nation.

Nearby, Waynesville Fall Fest will run Saturdays and Sundays from September 13 through November 2 and offer mini golf, mazes, a petting farm, human foosball, a not-so-spooky walking trail and more festive fun.

Lebanon's Country AppleFest (Sept. 27-28) and Lebanon Oktoberfest (Oct. 10-11) will also rank among the region's most popular food and craft gatherings this autumn, as will Springboro's fun-filled Oktoberfest (September 5-6).

Halloween-themed attractions ranging from family-friendly to highly intense will also reopen their doors in the coming weeks. Kings Island's Halloween Haunt (named among the nation's best theme park Halloween events by USA Today) will welcome guests select nights September 19 through November 1, while Tricks & Treats – the park's family-focused fall celebration – will run select dates September 21 through November 2.

Hosted on the grounds of the Ohio Renaissance Festival, Brimstone Haunt will return to action this fall, offering numerous haunted experiences Fridays and Saturdays in October. Regarded as one of the nation's most-haunted villages, Downtown Waynesville will host guided walking ghost tours select evenings throughout the fall.

Warren County's numerous farms and orchards including Hidden Valley Orchards and Blooms & Berries will treat guests to fall-themed fun including pumpkin patches, hayrides and fruit picking throughout the season.

The LM&M Railroad's Pumpkin Express is also returning this year, offering guests nostalgic train rides and fall-themed fun select dates in October.

Finally, Kings Island's WinterFest will welcome back guests to enjoy ice skating, light shows, holiday shopping, festive food and more select dates beginning in late November, while Yuletide Village – a unique, old-timey winter celebration – will kick off at Waynesville's Renaissance Park in late November as well.

Tourism is the leading industry in Warren County, as more than 14 million yearly visitors drive an economic impact of $1.7 billion and help support more than 13,000 tourism-related jobs each year.

About the Warren County Convention & Visitors Bureau:
Warren County is Ohio's Largest Playground®! With easy access from Interstates 71 and 75, visitors to Warren County can enjoy more activities within a 30-mile radius than anywhere else in Ohio. The Warren County Convention & Visitors Bureau is a professional destination marketing and management organization whose mission is to strengthen the community by advancing economic growth and vitality through tourism, overnight stays, and encouraging significant participation by visitors in the local tourism economy. Tourism is the leading industry in Warren County. More than 13 million visitors drive an economic impact of $1.7 billion and 13,000+ tourism-related jobs annually. For additional information, visit OhiosLargestPlayground.com, call 513-204-1900 or visit the WCCVB on social media.

Warren County is Ohio's Largest Playground®

SOURCE Warren County Convention & Visitors Bureau