Summer has officially ended, and it’s time for everything we love about autumn to take its place! Read on for our preview of the fall festivals, fandom events, concerts, and attractions coming your way in October.
Northeast
Sleepy Hollow Cemetery Tours Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Sleepy Hollow, NY – Now through November, 2017
Celebrate the spookiest of seasons by exploring the grounds of this beautiful 168-year old cemetery on a variety of available tours. Journey to Washington Irving’s final resting place as you follow in the footsteps of his most famous character, Ichabod Crane from “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” on the Original Knickerbocker tour. Explore the historic cemetery by the light of kerosene lanterns on the Classic Evening Lantern Tour. Experience some more macabre tales on the Murder and Mayhem tour. With so many cemetery tours to pick from, why delay? Reserve your tickets while you can!
New York Comic Con Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York, NY – October 5-8, 2017
New York Comic Con returns to the Javits Center this October with another stunning lineup of celebrity guests, panels, exhibitors, and so much more! With a celebrity guest list including Mark Hamill, Peter Capaldi, John Krasinski, William Shatner, and John Leguizamo, it’s not hard to see why NYCC is one of the world’s most highly anticipated fandom events. And don’t forget the incredible exhibitor exclusives, unmissable panels, exclusive screenings, and just about anything else your geeky heart may desire! Suit up in your best cosplay and we’ll see you at NYCC!
Big Apple Circus Lincoln Center, New York, NY – October 27, 2017 – January 7, 2018
For its 40th anniversary, Big Apple Circus returns in a major way this October! Bringing excitement and thrills for all ages to NYC’s Lincoln Center, Big Apple Circus presents ten-time world record holder, Nik Wallenda, to dazzle the crowd with his highwire feats. Along with fan favorites like Grandma The Clown, trapeze artists, stunt performers, and much more, Big Apple Circus is the place to be throughout the entire holiday season!
South
Chesapeake Virginia Wine Festival Chesapeake City Park, Chesapeake, VA – October 14, 2017
Cheers! The 8th Annual Chesapeake Virginia Wine Festival is sure to brighten up your October. Featuring unlimited tastings from 23 premier Virginia Winery locations, and an extensive selection at its International Wine Village, this is one wine festival that will not leave you thirsty! Add to that a Craft Beer Garden, live entertainment, and plenty of amazing vendors, and there’s no reason to miss this great fall wine festival. Not to mention, proceeds from the festival will benefit the Chesapeake Regional Mammogram 3D mobile van, Boys & Girls Clubs, and the community charities of the Rotary Club of Chesapeake. Be sure to reserve your tickets soon!
Walker Stalker Con Atlanta Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA – October 27-29, 2017
Walker Stalker Con hits Atlanta, the backdrop for The Walking Dead, with its celebration of all things undead just in time for Halloween! Atlanta’s Walker Stalker guest lineup is filled with TWD stars including Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Melissa McBride, Danai Gurira, Jon Bernthal, and many more. Walker Stalker Con will also be hosting a safe Trick or Treat experience on Sunday, October 29 right inside the convention! Vendors will be handing out candy to children in costume, and after all, what better place is there to celebrate Halloween than at Walker Stalker Con? Get your tickets now!
Tiny House & Simple Living Jamboree Arlington Convention Center, Arlington, TX – October 27-29, 2017
Join in the world’s largest celebration of simplicity at the Tiny House & Simple Living Jamboree! Tiny house culture continues to grow in popularity as the benefits of living a simple and modest lifestyle become more and more appealing. Explore both an indoor and outdoor exhibit space and a DIY village, and partake in numerous panels, workshops, and featured seminars detailing the ins and outs of the tiny house lifestyle. Be sure to reserve your tickets now for this fun and informational jamboree!
Midwest
The Oak Ridge Boys Shawnee Bluff Vineyard, Eldon, MO – October 13, 2017
The Oak Ridge Boys return to Shawnee Bluff Vineyard this October for what’s sure to be another unforgettable performance! This legendary band brings four decades of charted singles and 50 years of tradition to a stage show widely acknowledged as among the most exciting anywhere! As if so many years of talent and success weren’t amazing enough, each band member remains as enthusiastic about the process as they ever have been! What better way to spend a Friday night than listening to melodic country classics while surrounded by the beauty of Shawnee Bluff Vineyard? Get your tickets today!
Global Wars 2017: Chicago The Odeum Expo Center, Villa Park, IL – October 15, 2017
Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro Wrestling are teaming up once again to bring the best wrestlers from around the world to compete in Chicago! Based on past performances, you can bet that these will be some of the greatest bouts in wrestling history, featuring wrestlers like Kenny Omega, The Young Bucks, KUSHIDA, Hiromu Takahashi, and many more. This is one live wrestling event you will not want to miss!
Pumpkin Nights Twin Cities Minnesota State Fairgrounds, Falcon Heights, MN – October 13-29, 2017
Pumpkin Nights is an outdoor festival that promises to immerse you in a half-mile walking path of over 3,000 hand-carved pumpkins, larger-than-life displays, and incredible multi-sensory experiences. Along with Salt Lake City, UT and Auburn, CA, Pumpkin Nights has expanded to three cities for the first time this year. With food and fun for the entire family, be sure to reserve your tickets early for this awesome Halloween event!
West
WhiskyFest San Francisco Marriott Marquis, San Francisco, CA – October 6, 2017
Join beginners and connoisseurs alike at this year’s WhiskyFest San Francisco! Sample from a selection of over 400 whiskies from across the globe, as well as brandy, rum, cognac, and other fine spirits. Learn from the whisky experts themselves at a dozen varied seminars, and be sure to check out one of multiple screenings of the acclaimed documentary, “I, Whiskey: The Human Spirit.” Are you ready for a day of whisky bliss? Be sure to reserve your ticket today!
Mac & Cheese Fest AZ Scottsdale Waterfront, Scottsdale, AZ – October 7, 2017
Mac and cheese lovers rejoice! The inaugural Mac & Cheese Fest AZ brings you a comfort-food-filled day with some of the area’s top chefs competing for the “Golden Noodle” trophy. With over thirty macaroni and cheese options to sample, along with craft beers and other perfectly paired libations, it’s a safe bet that you won’t be leaving this festival with an empty stomach. Get your tickets today and get ready for a truly delicious day!
Portland Retro Gaming Expo Oregon Convention Center, Portland, OR – October 20-22, 2017
The 11th Annual Portland Retro Gaming Expo brings the love and appreciation of classic video and arcade games to the Oregon Convention Center for another weekend of gaming fun! The Retro Gaming Expo aims to educate, preserve, and inspire, promoting classic videogaming culture in every aspect possible. With a full schedule of speakers, tournaments, and plenty of live exhibitors, why wait? Get your tickets today!
Stan Lee’s Los Angeles Comic Con Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, CA – October 27-29, 2017
Make your way to the Los Angeles Convention Center this October for another weekend celebration of comic, television, and movie fandom! Stan Lee’s LA Comic Con features a full lineup of guests including Rob Liefeld, Billy Bob Thornton, and the legend himself, Stan Lee. A wide variety of vendors provide a chance to discover exclusive, rare, and limited editions of comics, collectibles, and art. At LA’s only large-scale, multi-media pop-culture convention, don’t be surprised if all your geeky fantasies come true!