This Small-Town Fall Festival Belongs on Your Wisconsin Bucket List

There are a lot of reasons to visit Green Lake, Wisconsin. There’s great shopping, dining, and the state’s deepest inland lake. But each fall, there’s one more beautiful reason to visit this little town The annual Golden Days Harvest Festival in downtown Green Lake is one of the state’s best fall events. Here’s what you need to know about this wonderful Wisconsin fall festival.

Green Lake is a small city located in Green Lake County, not far from the charming communities of Berlin and Ripon, Wisconsin, in the central part of the state. The town is known for its picturesque natural surroundings and the beautiful Green Lake itself, which is the deepest natural inland lake in the Badger State. The city is named, of course, after Green Lake, which covers approximately 7,346 acres and reaches a maximum depth of around 237 feet. It is a popular destination for boating, fishing, swimming, and other fun water-related activities. But you can find even more fun on land—especially in autumn.

Green Lake is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors throughout the year. In the summer, people come for water sports and outdoor recreation, while the fall foliage and outdoor events draw those seeking beautiful autumn colors and fun.

The Golden Days Harvest Festival kicks the season off with a weekend of fall fun, typically over the last full weekend in September, in the heart of downtown Green Lake. This year, the even will take place on Saturday, September 27, and Sunday, September 28. The event includes all the Wisconsin festival staples, including a craft show, a farmers market, a car show, food trucks, and live music.

You can really get involved in this event, and it's fun for all ages—you can build a scarecrow, ride in a wooden boat, enter a cornhole tournament, or belly up to a pancake breakfast. There are also plenty of contests, races, and other activities throughout the weekend. You won’t want to miss this event!

I attended another Green Lake event last year, and it was awesome. This one promises to be a lot of fun as well. You can learn more about Golden Days Harvest Festival and see this year's schedule of events on the Green Lake Area Chamber of Commerce website.

If you want to make a weekend out of your trip to Green Lake, you’ll find several charming vacation rentals in the area, like this quaint guest house Airbnb. It's located right in town, so you'll be close to all the action during the Golden Days Harvest Festival. And if you're searching for more fun things to do in the Badger State this fall, here’s where to find the best events near you in Wisconsin.

Feeling inspired? Try planning your own fall festival adventure in the Badger State using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner. Be sure to tell us about your favorites.