Fall is a time when people slow down, enjoy the changing colors, and get together for all the different events that take place in October. Now that the fall season is here, it is a good idea to look at what churches are doing for fun and how you can get involve.
What are Fall Festivals?
Fall festivals are a great way to get your church involved in the fall season. From pumpkin picking to hayrides, there are plenty of fun activities to keep everyone busy. Here are some ideas for fall festivals that your church can embrace:
- A Harvest Festival – celebration of the bounty God has given us and a time to fellowship together. Activities could include a hayride, corn maze, harvest games, and a pumpkin buffet.
- A Fall Craft Fair – offer visitors the chance to buy crafts made by church members or local vendors. There could be a variety of items on sale, from jewelry to baked goods.
- A Fall Festival of Trees – decorate a tree in your church’s courtyard or parking lot and have fun activities scheduled for during the festival period (like cookie decorating, apple carving, and more).
If you have any other ideas for fall festivals that your church can participate in, feel free to share in the comments section below!
Types of Fall Festivals
Churches can have a fall festival that is both fun and educational. Festivals can be tailored to the interests of the congregation, and they can be held at any time of year. Here are some ideas for fall festivals:
- Chicken Chili Cook-off: This is a fun event for families to come together and cook chili. The best part is that everyone can vote on their favorite chili recipe.
- Pumpkin Painting Contest: This is a great way to get kids involve in church life. They can help decorate the church hall or sanctuary with pumpkins before the service starts.
- Fall Craft Fair: This is a great option for churches with a larger membership base. They can open up their doors to local artists and sell their crafts.
- Haunted House: Churches always have plenty of space, so it’s perfect for an elaborate haunted house. Churches can team up with local schools to put on this event, and kids will love scared out of their wits.
Tips for Creating a Suitable Fall Festival
Some great ideas for churches to get their congregation involved in the fall festival season include hosting a pumpkin painting contest, a hayride, a corn maze, and a harvest festival. Other possibilities include an autumn decorating contest, an apple pie baking contest, and a donations drive to benefit local charities. Whatever churchwide event gets everyone excited can be a great way to celebrate the change of seasons and connect with one another.
Sample Church Fall Festival Ideas
When it comes to church fall festivals, there are so many creative ideas to choose from! Here are a few sample ideas that churches can use to get everyone involved.
- Have a harvest festival themed around the biblical story of Joseph and his seven brothers. This festival could include games, crafts, and delicious food.
- Celebrate fall with a pumpkin patch festival! This event could include hayrides, horse-drawn wagon rides, pumpkin picking, and more.
- Host a corn maze party! This is a popular event that can be enjoyed by all ages. Participants can challenge each other to navigate the maze or they can just have fun trying out different routes.
- Have an autumn craft fair where participants can find everything from apple cider doughnuts to pumpkin pies to wreath making supplies.
- Have an old-fashioned hayride party! This is a great option for churches with large yards or acreage. Riders can enjoy a festive ride while enjoying the sights and sounds of fall foliage behind them.
Conclusion
Fall is a time of change, and for many churches this means getting everyone involved in the worship experience. Whether you’re looking to have fall festivals or just want to get people more engaged with their church community, here are some fabulous ideas that will have them coming back for more! From hayrides to pumpkin painting, there’s something for everyone on this list. Let us know which one(s) you choose to go ahead and put into action!
