23 Fall Activities in Elk Grove for Families (2026 Guide)

Fall is my favorite time of year, and I make it a point to do as many seasonal things as possible as soon as fall arrives in Sacramento. While there are so many wonderful fall activities to do in Sacramento with kids, this list includes a selection of autumn activities just in Elk Grove. This list won’t be massive, but Elk Grove has some of the best fall foliage I’ve seen in the area, and there are some must-do fall events and pumpkin patches.

Keep reading for the best fall activities in Elk Grove, and trust me, you’ll discover some hidden gems that will turn into yearly fall traditions.

Family-Friendly Fall Activities in Elk Grove

1. Keema’s Pumpkin Farm

With all the many pumpkin patches in Sacramento to choose from, one of those pumpkin patches is in Elk Grove. Keema’s Pumpkin Farm is a straightforward pumpkin patch with the fall essentials of unlimited hayrides, a hay pyramid with a slide, a corn maze, and pumpkin picking. The farm is especially suited for younger kids who will appreciate feeding farm animals, the mini corn maze, and the trike track.

2. Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival

The Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival is an annual fall festival held on the first weekend of October each year. It’s a favorite family event that has everything from carnival rides for kids, inflatables, and many other interactive activities. A highlight is the pumpkin regatta, where farmers who grew giant pumpkins race them in by paddling in the water in their pumpkins-turned-water vessels. It’s pretty entertaining as many of the pumpkins don’t make it through the race. After the pumpkin regatta, you can then see those giant pumpkins dropped from a crane into the water.

The Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival is easily one of the best fall festivals in the Sacramento area. Aside from $20 parking per car, the festival is free to attend. Note that many of the rides and activities for kids are pay-as-you-go.

3. Fall Foliage in Camden Park

If you’re looking for fall foliage in Elk Grove, you don’t have to travel far. Camden Park has some of the best fall foliage in the Sacramento area. The tree leaves turn vibrant red and orange colors, and the leaves blanket the park. The best time to visit for peak fall foliage is usually in mid-November. You’ll see lots of families taking fall photos in leave piles. Another great thing about Camden Park is that there are two playgrounds for kids.

Here’s a tip for visiting Camden Park in the fall with kids: buy and bring an adjustable rake (like this one on Amazon) to the park so you can rake up big piles of leaves for kids to jump into for an afternoon of ultimate fall fun. Another tip is to park near the Wendy’s on Bond Road or in the In-Shape parking lot when visiting Camden Park.

4. Kiwanis Club of Laguna-Elk Grove Halloween Home Tour

Each year, the Kiwanis Club of Laguna-Elk Grove does a Halloween Home Tour fundraiser. Local Elk Grove homes that go all out with Halloween decorations and participate in the contest. For a small fee, you pay to receive a map of where all the Halloween homes are around Elk Grove. Then, you vote for your favorite Halloween-decorated home. They do this for the holidays as well; however, that one is free.

5. Free Halloween Train Ride

One of the homes you’ll encounter on the Halloween Home Tour has a FREE Halloween train ride at a family’s house. You’ll find the famous Elk Grove Halloween train at 8765 Los Encantos Circle. In 2026, it will begin running on Saturday, October 17, 2026. The family goes all out with tons of Halloween decor and a sit-on train that circles the perimeter of their home. This is one of the best fall train rides in the Sacramento area.

The train doesn’t run in bad weather conditions. Check out The Flying Black Cat Railroad Facebook page for train updates. Warning: Some decor may scare little kids. If the Halloween train is too much, they also run a free holiday lights train. Check out a preview of their holiday lights train in my Instagram Reel.

6. Pumpkin Fest at Big Oak Nursery

While the Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival is the main fall festival in Elk Grove, Pumpkin Fest at Elk Grove’s Big Oak Nursery is one of many Sacramento-area fall festivals to put on your radar. Expect festive fall crafts for kids, vendors, and of course, plenty of pumpkins.

7. Sun Strawberry Pumpkin Patch

As the name might imply, Sun Strawberry is typically known for being one of the best spots for strawberry picking near Sacramento. However, in the fall, they flip from strawberries to pumpkins.

This strawberry field-turned-pumpkin patch is right near George Park. George Park is known as “the dinosaur park” in Elk Grove. Kids love it for its dinosaur-themed play equipment, sandbox, and zip line. It’s also a park that has one of the 12 splash pads in Elk Grove.

8. Elk Grove Floating Pumpkin Patch

Sometimes, the weather doesn’t make it feel like fall in the Sacramento area. Temperatures can still be in the 80s in October (and often are). Warm weather in October means Elk Grove gets the unique fall activity of a floating pumpkin patch. Kids can splash into a literal Pool of Pumpkins at this annual Elk Grove event.

9. Seasonal Coffee Beverages

This activity is more for the (tired) parents than the kids. I love seasonal coffee beverages, and there are fantastic local coffee shops that have seasonal lattes. I recommend checking out Carpenter Coffee, Rescate Coffee, and Tule Coffeehouse. You won’t go wrong with any of these local coffee shops in Elk Grove.

10. Día de los Miles

For another way to celebrate Día de los Muertos in Elk Grove, you can participate in the annual Día de los Miles run. The 5k race takes place throughout District 56. There are also fun runs for kids.

11. Del Meyer Park

Del Meyer Park is a fantastic family-friendly nature trail in the heart of Elk Grove. While it’s lovely to do all year long, it’s especially nice in the fall, specifically since there is little to no shade coverage on the trail. The nature trail leads to Jack E. Hill Park, which has a solid playground. When the crisp fall weather arrives, this is a great outdoor activity that kids of all ages will enjoy.

Carpenter Coffee is also across the street. Grab your seasonal latte to go and take it with you to enjoy on the Del Meyer Park trail.

➡️ Discover why Del Meyer Park in Elk Grove is one of the best family-friendly trails in the Sacramento area.

12. Get Cozy in A Seat at the Table Books

There’s something about cozy fall weather and books that go together. For new fall reads (whether the books are for yourself and your kids), shop local at A Seat at the Table Books. This beloved indie bookstore has a new and used book section, including children’s books. They have a play area with a camper for young kids in the bookstore, making it one of the indoor play areas for kids in Sacramento.

Plus, there’s a cafe where you can find seasonal coffee beverages and a kids’ menu. The bookstore is extremely kid-friendly and frequently has storytimes and other programs for kids in the Elk Grove community.

13. Leatherby’s Seasonal Ice Cream Flavors

Leatherby’s Family Creamery is one of the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sacramento. They have a laid-back diner atmosphere and a menu full of classic fare. Food and vibes aside, they scoop up seasonal homemade ice cream, and the flavors during October around Halloween are usually the next level of all treats, no tricks.

14. Elk Grove Gobble Wobble Fun Run

As a healthy way to start Thanksgiving, many cities have turkey trots. Elk Grove is no different and has the annual Elk Grove Gobble Wobble on Thanksgiving morning. The 5k run/walk supports the nonprofit Chicks in Crisis. There is also a non-timed 1/4-mile kids’ fun run.

15. Dickens Street Faire

Another annual fall event in Elk Grove is the Dickens Street Faire. It takes place on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving and is one of the best things to do during Thanksgiving Break with kids. The Dickens Street Faire kicks off the holiday season in Elk Grove, even though it still takes place in autumn.

2026 Halloween Events in Elk Grove for Kids

16. Hallo-Palooza & Trunk-or-Treat — Friday, October 30, 2026

One of the best Halloween events for kids in the Sacramento area is the Elk Grove Hallo-Palooza & Trunk-or-Treat. This free Halloween event takes place on the last Friday evening in October. Kids get to trick-or-treat from Elk Grove Police service vehicles in the parking lot of District 56. There are also kids’ carnival games and a bubble dance party. This event gets busy, so I recommend parking and arriving 10 minutes before the event begins to avoid long trunk-or-treat lines.

17. Spooktacular Fall Fest — Saturday, October 10, 2026

Moms of Elk Grove will be hosting a free Spooktacular Fall Fest for kids on Saturday, October 10, 2026. The event will feature a trunk-or-treat and plenty of fall fun, including pumpkin painting, face painting, a giant bubble show, balloon twisting, princess encounters, and family photos.

18. An Enchanted Halloween — Friday, October 23, 2026

Enchanted Elk Grove is one of the top indoor play spaces in the Sacramento area for kids. They frequently host character visits and will have An Enchanted Halloween, an event that combines Halloween and princess characters. Kids can trick-or-treat with princesses, walk in a costume parade, do a Halloween craft, and more.

19. Trick-or-Treat with Space To Play & The Camp — Saturday, October 17, 2026

Space To Play, another one of the best indoor play spaces for kids in the Sacramento area, teams up with The Camp for a free morning of Halloween fun. A trunk-or-treat will take place, as well as a costume parade and art and sensory activities.

20. Way of the Warrior Trunk-or-Treat — Saturday, October 24, 2026

Way of the Warrior Martial Arts has a popular trunk-or-treat in Elk Grove each year. This event is open to the community and has quickly become a staple Halloween event in Elk Grove for kids.

Fall Activities Near Elk Grove

These fall activities aren’t directly in Elk Grove, but they’re close! Each of these activities is about a 25-minute drive from Elk Grove.

21. Fog Willow Farms — Wilton

The Fog Willow Farms pumpkin patch is one of the best pumpkin patches in Sacramento for kids. I think this is an underrated farm, and one of the nicest farms I’ve been to. If your kids love farm animals, then it’s reason enough to go here for pumpkin season. From a tortoise to alpacas, there are tons of animals to see. Bring quarters so you can feed the animals from the feed machines around the farm. Kids will love the many play structures.

Want a preview of what to expect? Check out my Instagram Reel from when I went to the Fog Willow Farms Spring Chicken Festival.

22. Cosumnes River Preserve — Galt

When the fall foliage arrives in November, the Cosumnes River Preserve is another place near Elk Grove to check out fall colors. It’s an easy and flat, family-friendly trail. The fall foliage won’t be as vibrant as, say, Camden Park, but there will be fall colors around the preserve.

23. Mike’s Pumpkin Patch — Galt

You may not have heard of this pumpkin patch, but another one of the best pumpkin patches in Sacramento is Mike’s in Galt. The farm has a giant pillow bouncer, apple cannons, petting zoo, six-acre corn maze, and more.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a pumpkin patch in Elk Grove?

Yes! Keema’s Pumpkin Farm is the only pumpkin patch in Elk Grove with hayrides, hay pyramid slide, and a corn maze. Fog Willow Farms is technically not in Elk Grove, but it’s very close.

When is the Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival?

The Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival takes place for two days during the first weekend in October each year. Admission is free, but parking is $20 per vehicle.

What’s the best Halloween event in Elk Grove for kids?

A variety of Halloween events take place in Elk Grove for kids, including many free ones. One of the best and most popular is the Hallo-Palooza & Trunk-or-Treat at District 56. The annual event has trunk-or-treating from Elk Grove service vehicles, bubbles, and carnival games.

Where can you see fall foliage in Elk Grove?

The best spot for fall foliage in Elk Grove (and the whole Sacramento area) is Camden Park.

Where is the best place to see Halloween decorations in Elk Grove?

The list varies each year based on which homes sign up for the Kiwanis Club of Laguna-Elk Grove. However, the home at 8765 Los Encantos Circle runs a free Halloween train ride each year, making it one of the best spots to see Halloween decorations in the Sacramento area.