It’s fall festival season — Where and when to celebrate in Johnson County

Though it might still be a little warm out, fall has officially arrived in Johnson County, and some communities are marking the season with festivals and other celebrations.

From Oktober Fests to chili cookoffs, there’s a wide range of events planned around Johnson County in the next few weeks.

Below, take a look at where you can celebrate the autumnal season locally. Events are listed in chronological order.

Overland Park Fall Festival — Sept. 26-27

• Catch acts from local performers, shop the artisan fair, enjoy a plethora of food options or pick out fresh produce from the farmers’ market at Overland Park’s annual Fall Festival.
• The event goes from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 26, and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27, in downtown Overland Park.
• Find out more here.

Spring Hill Fall Festival — Sept. 27-28

• Enjoy concerts, parades, carnival booths, a wide selection of food, fishing derbies and more at the Spring Hill Fall Festival.
• The event is this Saturday and Sunday in City Park (at the corner of Hale and Washington streets).
• Find out more here.

Meat Inferno — Oct. 3 in Edgerton

• Dubbed “Edgerton’s favorite fall event,” Meat Inferno promises a lot of barbecue, live music, s’mores and other free fun for the family.
• The event starts at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, and runs through the weekend in downtown Edgerton.
• Find out more here.

Fall Festival — Oct. 4 in Mission Hills (first ever!)

• The city will hold its first Fall Festival, which it hopes to make an annual event, featuring live music, beer, a petting zoo, games and more.
• The event goes from 4:30 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4, at the 59th Street Circle between Oakwood and Overhill roads.
• Find out more here.

Oktoberfest — Oct. 4 in Westwood

• Celebrate the start of the fall season at Westwood’s Oktober Fest with inflatables, pumpkin decorating, food and drink and live music.
• The event is from 4 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4, in Joe D. Dennis Park (50th Street and Rainbow Boulevard).
• Find out more here.

Into the Night: Fall Festival — Oct. 10 in Leawood

• Leawood’s Into the Night: Fall Festival boasts a pumpkin patch, pumpkin carving and other crafts, a petting zoo, rock climbing and face painting.
• The event goes from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 10 in Ironwoods Park (14701 Mission Road).
• Find out more here. (Pre-registration is required by Sept. 29)

Lenexa Chili Challenge — Oct. 10-11

• Find chili, wings and salsa sampling alongside other family fun like balloon art and face painting at the free 38th annual Lenexa Chili Challenge.
• The Old Town (around 9301 Pflumm Road) event goes from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 10, and from 9 a.m. to around 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11.
• Find out more here.

De Soto Fine Arts and Crafts — Oct. 10-12

• Enjoy live music, food and shop local vendors at De Soto’s Fine Arts and Crafts show.
• The event at the De Soto Gymnasium and Senior Center (32905 W. 84th St.) goes from 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
• Find out more here.

Olathe Arts Festival & Fall Fest — Oct. 10-11

• Shop local vendors, listen to live entertainment and snack on a wide range of fare at the fall-themed Olathe Arts Festival in downtown Olathe.
• The event goes from 3 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 10, and from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Johnson County Square (at the corner of Santa Fe Street and Kansas Avenue).
• Find out more here.

Shawnee Indian Mission Fall Festival — Oct. 11 in Fairway

• The Shawnee Indian Mission (3403 W. 53rd St.) will have hayrides, food trucks, live music and more as part of its annual fall festival event in Fairway.
• The event is on Saturday, Oct. 11, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Find out more here.

Cars in the Park — Oct. 18 in Shawnee Mission Park

• The 15th annual Cars in the Park show, a Special Olympics fundraiser for JCPRD’s Stormin’ Rangers team, will feature food trucks, raffle prizes, cars from the past and a DJ.
• The event is on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Theatre in the Park (7710 Renner Road). There’s a suggested donation of $10 per family.
• Find out more here.

Mildale Farm Fall Festival — Oct. 25 in Edgerton

• • • JCPRD is hosting the Mildale Farm Fall Festival with a pumpkin patch, live music, hayrides, a craft station, warm cider and a petting zoo.
    • The event goes from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25, at Mildale Farm (35250 W 199th St.).
    • Find out more here.

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