Wander through the streets of southern Idaho with over 1,500 sheep. Watch people race across an Oregon lake in giant hollowed-out pumpkins. Soar over New Mexico in a hot-air balloon. While viewing fall foliage may be a more traditional marker of seasonal transition, there are plenty of memorable moments to be had across the United States.

Whatever it is you’re into, there’s a celebration for you somewhere. Ahead, we gathered nine of the most interesting fall festivals you can participate in.

Wisconsin State Cow Chip Throw and Festival

September in Prairie du Sac, WI

This event is technically held in the summertime, but it’s close enough to fall and unusual enough we just couldn’t skip it. The centerpiece of this event is the cow chip throwing contest. Each contestant gets two pieces of dried cow dung and the chip—or chunk of chip that makes it the furthest—wins. Chuckers must use official chips… and may lick their fingers to improve their grip. If you’re not throwing, you might find your hands full anyway with pork chops on sticks, caramel apples, funnel cakes, cheese curds, and more.

Bourbon & Beyond

September in Louisville, KY

There’s no better place in the world to celebrate bourbon than Kentucky, a state that’s been distilling the liquor since the late 1700s. And there may be no better way to enjoy bourbon than with great music and food at the world’s biggest bourbon and music festival. Each September, Louisville celebrates Bourbon & Beyond with the world’s best bourbon brands and some of the biggest names in music. Pearl Jam and Alanis Morissette were among the headliners of the 2022 event.

The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze

September through November in Hudson, NY

Just a few hours north of New York City, you’ll find a spooky fantasy land that’s best described as Christmas for anyone who loves Halloween. Each fall, the historic Van Cortlandt Manor in New York’s Hudson River Valley becomes home to more than 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins. Synchronized lighting and an eerie soundtrack complete the experience. Don’t miss the light show at the manor house, and look closely to catch a glimpse of the Headless Horseman.

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta

October in Albuquerque, NM

This gathering started with 13 hot-air balloons in 1972 and has since grown into an internationally recognized celebration of flight. Nowadays, hundreds of hot-air balloons fill the skies over Albuquerque over nine unforgettable days for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. It’s the world’s largest and best-known hot-air ballooning event, and the synchronized liftoffs have made it one of the most photographed events in the world. On the ground, visitors can mingle with pilots and get a close-up look at balloons as they’re being inflated. Several local companies offer hot-air balloon rides, but you’ll want to book ahead. This festival draws hundreds of thousands of spectators each year.

Trailing of the Sheep festival

October in Sun Valley, ID

Before Sun Valley became a hotspot for skiers and business moguls, it was a hub for sheep traders. The Trailing of the Sheep Festival celebrates southwest Idaho’s sheep herding history with sheepdog trials, cooking classes, and a collection of epic farm-to-table dinners. The festival’s marquee event is the Trailing of the Sheep parade during which more than 1,500 sheep make their way down Main Street in Ketchum, a town of around 3,500 about 150 miles east of Boise. This is one of those events you have to experience to believe.

West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta

October in Tualatin, OR

If you’re into giant gourds and friendly competition, the West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta hosted by the Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers is for you. Watch 15 costumed competitors hit the lake in giant, hollowed-out pumpkins with nothing but a kayak paddle to lead them to victory. In addition to the pumpkin regatta races, this event includes pumpkin bowling and pumpkin golf, giving you plenty of opportunities to flex your pumpkin muscles.

Emma Crawford Coffin Races and Festival

October in Manitou Springs, CO

This Colorado town’s love of Halloween is hard to beat, and nothing shows off its Halloween spirit better than the annual coffin races. Costumed teams of five coffins race through town competing for prizes while commemorating the life and legend of Emma Crawford, who moved to Colorado in search of a cure for her tuberculosis. She died never having found that cure, but years after her death, her coffin went floating through town during a flood and inspired the creation of this festival.

Sonoma County Harvest Fair

October in Santa Rosa, CA

If you’ve ever wanted to make your own wine, this is the event for you. Here in the heart of California wine country, you can visit wineries, learn about winemaking, and even try out your grape-stomping skills. The highlight of the Sonoma County Harvest Fair is its World Championship Grape Stomp, where groups compete for a cash prize. The final round requires competitors to stomp 60 pounds of grapes for five minutes. The group that creates the most juice during the stomp wins.

Dia de los Muertos

October in San Antonio

Some things are bigger in Texas, and San Antonio’s Dia de los Muertos celebration is one of them. Each fall, the Alamo City is home to what may be the largest Dia de los Muertos celebration in the United States. The city’s marquee event happens after dark when lit barges make their way down the iconic River Walk in a parade you’ll never forget. There’s also face painting, concerts, and artisan markets as well as tequila tastings and margarita trucks.

You might like:

Where to see fall foliage across the US

13 reasons why New Orleans shines in October

The best places in the US to visit in November

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Meena Thiruvengadam is a writer who covers topics including travel, culture, and personal finance. She has visited 50 countries on six continents and 47 U.S. states. Follow her on Twitter @meena_thiru,on Instagram @meenathiru, or read her work at meenamedia.com.