If There’s One Fall Festival You Attend in South Dakota, Make It the Newton Hills Fall Festival

It's the BEST time of the year for festivals, as the trees are changing colors, temperatures are cooling off, and the aroma of apple and pumpkin spice is EVERYWHERE! If you, too, love celebrating this wonderful season, we invite you to attend this one fall festival that may be the best fall event in South Dakota.

Welcome to the festive Fall Festival & Craft Fair! On Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Newton Hills State Park, the Fall Festival is an afternoon and evening event that promises something fun for the entire family. This year marks its 25th anniversary.

The Fall Festival kicks off at noon with festivities beginning with numerous activities and demonstrations. Activities in past years have included candle making, pumpkin decorating, leaf printing, tin punching, and other fun make-and-take crafts, with all the supplies provided. In addition to the many hands-on activities, the Fall Festival also boasts live music, hayrides, magic shows, storytime, and food vendors.

Pumpkin catapulting is another fun festivity you can't miss during the day. Watch as park staff and volunteers launch pumpkins into the air and see where they land — it's so much fun!

If you'd like to try your hand at carving or decorating a pumpkin, you can bring one with you to be judged in the Pumpkin Judging. Otherwise, you can view the pumpkins people brought and see the creativity of fellow festival attendees. If you're camping here at Newton Hills State Park, you can join the festivities by entering the campsite decorating contest.

During the daytime festivities and craft show from noon until 5 p.m., take some time to check out the rest of Newton Hills, as the 1,063-acre state park is home to ample trails, watersports, wildlife, camping, and more.

Also part of the Fall Festival is the annual Candlelight Walk, which will start at 7:15 p.m. and end at 9:30 p.m. As the name suggests, the Candlelight Walk is a nighttime stroll involving flickering candles inside creatively carved pumpkins. Spanning 2.2 miles, it is guaranteed to put you and yours into the Halloween (and general fall) spirit.

Be sure to like Newton Hills State Park on Facebook to learn more about the Fall Festival & Craft Fair or to discover even more to see and do around Newton Hills. You can also visit the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks website for more on Newton Hills State Park, including fees and maps.

Do you have a favorite attraction, event, or restaurant that you would like to see featured here on Only in South Dakota? Tell us about it on our nomination page! To learn even more about Newton Hills State Park and other South Dakota state parks, be sure to check out the 10 Under-Appreciated State Parks in South Dakota You're Sure to Love.

Plan your own trip to South Dakota's state parks this fall with Only In Your State’s AI-powered itinerary planner.