Your Guide to Fall Fairs, Festivals, and Events Around Klamath County

August 18, 2023 Adrenaline Rush, Adventure, Arts and Culture, Biking, Crater Lake, Crater Lake National Park, Cycling, Events, Family Friendly, Film, Film Festival, Food, Kid Friendly, Klamath Falls, Lifestyle, Museums, National Parks, Retirement, Uncategorized

Around Klamath County, fall is a season of change. It’s when farmers pull the season’s last crops from the ground, vibrant foliage displays line the Highway 140 corridor west of Klamath Falls, and Crater Lake National Park sees its first snowfall in months.

But fall is also a season of celebration ‘round these parts. As the weather cools, festivals and events throughout the Klamath Basin include a thigh-burning bike ride at Crater Lake, a popular film festival, a Bavarian-inspired Oktoberfest, and a weekend-long celebration of the humble potato—one of the region’s signature crops.

So as you make plans to visit Klamath County this fall, here’s a breakdown of the community festivals, cherished traditions, and invigorating events happening in September, October, and early November.

September Events in Klamath County

Tulelake Butte Valley Fair: A community institution for more than 70 years, the Tulelake-Butte Valley Fair takes place Sept. 7-10, 2023, at the southern edge of the Klamath Basin. As summer turns to fall, the fair comes alive with four days of fun events—including a livestock exhibition, carnival rides, down-home food from local vendors, a celebration of the area’s earliest European-American settlers, lively parades, vendor booths, and more. 

Ride the Rim: Every September, a 23.5-mile stretch of the winding Rim Drive at Crater Lake National Park is closed to vehicles for 10 hours—and becomes the sole domain of intrepid cyclists. Ride the Rim, as the event is known, takes place Sept. 9 and Sept. 16, 2023; on those days, cyclists can enjoy the entirety of East Rim Drive (between North Junction and the intersection near the Steel Visitor Center) while admiring epic views and vistas along the way. As you make plans to visit, check out our in-depth guide to Crater Lake National Park. 

Klamath Independent Film Festival: Lights, camera, action! Every fall, the Klamath Independent Film Festival takes over downtown Klamath Falls with several days of Oregon-centric film screenings across a variety of genres. This year, the festival will take place Sept. 22-24, 2023, at the historic Ross Ragland Theater—and will include an opening gala, a full day of feature-film screenings, short-film exhibitions, question-and-answer sessions with filmmakers, and more. Virtual events will be offered, as well. For more on local arts, check out our piece about theaters and performing arts in Klamath County. 

Klamath Basin Oktoberfest: Raise a glass to Klamath Basin Oktoberfest, happening on Sept. 23, 2023, at the Bill Collier Ice Arena in Klamath Falls. The German-inspired festival celebrates the fall harvest with beers from Oregon-based breweries, children’s activities, live performances from local bands, a variety of food offerings, and more. If you’re curious to continue your craft beer exploration after the festival, check out our list of the top breweries to try in Klamath Falls.

Favell Museum Art Show and Sale: For decades, the Favell Museum has earned acclaim for showcasing work by artists who honor the American West through a variety of art pieces—including paintings, mixed media, sculptures, and more. The museum continues that tradition each fall with the Favell Museum Art Show and Sale, which displays contemporary works by roughly 30 artists from throughout the West—including historical-inspired pieces, plein-air paintings, wood carvings, and more. The show runs September 16.

October Events in Klamath County 

EclipseFest23: This fall, a solar eclipse will cross much of southern Oregon—and Klamath County sits in the path of totality, boasting more than four minutes of visibility. And when it happens, there may be no finer place to take it all in than EclipseFest23. The six-day festival centers around an eclipse watch party on Oct. 14, but other fun activities include camping, stargazing, a dance party, karaoke, and a concert from rock band Smash Mouth.

Klamath Basin Potato Festival: Yes, you read that right: The Klamath Basin Potato Festival pays tribute to one of the region’s most famous crops with two days of spuds-inspired activities. The festival, happening Oct. 20-21, 2023, celebrates the lifeblood of Merrill with a kick-off dinner, vendor exhibits, live music from local performers, a beer garden, and the always popular Potato Festival Parade (starring marching bands, classic cars, equestrian entrants, floats, and more).

Scarecrow Row: Trick or treat: Scarecrow Row is returning to downtown Klamath Falls on Oct. 28, 2023. The family-friendly tradition gets into the spirit of the season with a children’s parade (where costumes are encouraged), trick-or-treating at downtown businesses, pumpkin decorating, face painting, and other fun events for the whole family.

Klamath Falls Farmers Market: The bustling Klamath Falls Farmers Market runs on Saturdays between June and October along Ninth Street in downtown Klamath Falls—and the end of the growing season makes a perfect time to visit. Enjoy fresh, seasonal produce alongside meats and eggs from local ranchers, honey, handmade goods from local artisans, and more. If you’re getting hungry, learn more about where to enjoy farm-to-table fare around Klamath County.