Lake Geneva Oktoberfest, Pumpkin Fest and Halloween Week, October 5-11, 2026
The short version
The week of Oct 5 to 11, 2026 stacks 3 fall traditions around Lake Geneva. Lake Geneva Oktoberfest fills Flat Iron Park Saturday, Oct 10 (11 a.m. to 8 p.m.) and Sunday, Oct 11 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.), free. Pearce’s Farm Stand in Walworth holds its Pumpkin Fest Weekend the same 2 days.
For Halloween, the Dan Patch Stables Haunted Hayride at Grand Geneva runs Friday, Saturday and a bonus Sunday, Oct 9 to 11, from 6 to 11 p.m. Friday night adds a ghost-story evening at Black Point Estate and a trick-or-treat train in East Troy.
Bring cash Friday through Sunday night. The haunted hayride is cash only, with no reservations. The Friday Oktoberfest beer crawl and the Black Point spiritualism night both need advance tickets.
Hey Lake Lovers,
This is the week fall stops easing in. Downtown gets its biggest festival of the season, the farm stands hit peak pumpkin, and the haunted hayride runs 3 nights in a row for the only time all October.
Here’s what’s on, what it costs, which events work with young kids, and how to fit 2 or 3 of them into one weekend without spending it in traffic on Highway 50.
Lake Geneva events this week at a glance
| Pearce’s Farm Stand | Open daily 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Pumpkin Fest Weekend Sat, Oct 10 and Sun, Oct 11. W5740 N. Walworth Rd., Walworth. Free entry. |
|---|---|
| Oktoberfest Beer Crawl | Fri, Oct 9, 5 to 8 p.m. Downtown Lake Geneva. $35, 21+, tickets required. |
| Lake Geneva Oktoberfest | Sat, Oct 10, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sun, Oct 11, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Flat Iron Park, 201 Wrigley Dr. Free. |
| Haunted Hayride | Fri, Oct 9, Sat, Oct 10 and Sun, Oct 11, 6 to 11 p.m. Dan Patch Stables, 2567 Highway 120. $25 ages 11+, $10 ages 4 to 10, cash only. |
| Spiritualism in the Victorian Era | Fri, Oct 9, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Black Point Estate. $75, 13+, advance registration. |
| Trick or Treat Train | Fri, Oct 9. East Troy Depot, 2002 Church St., East Troy. Tickets through the railroad. |
Pick your plan
Pumpkins and the corn maze at Pearce’s Saturday morning, the Oktoberfest kids area and dachshund races at 1 p.m., then a kid-friendly hayride between 6 and 6:45 p.m.
The regular haunted hayrides start around 7 p.m., once it’s dark. Sunday, Oct 11 is a bonus night, the only Sunday the hayride runs this season.
The beer crawl (21+) runs 5 to 8 p.m. downtown. The spiritualism night at Black Point (13+) runs 7 to 8:30 p.m. Both need tickets in advance.
Saturday: Pearce’s at 9 a.m., Oktoberfest by noon on the free shuttle, dinner downtown, haunted hayride at 7.
Lake Geneva Oktoberfest 2026
Downtown Lake Geneva’s Oktoberfest
The Lake Geneva Business Improvement District runs it and puts attendance at more than 20,000. Expect a lakefront beer garden, a craft and vendor fair until 6 p.m. Saturday, German dance demonstrations, polka and brass bands, and The Biermen closing Saturday from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
The crowd favorite is the Little Leg Races: dachshunds at 1 p.m. and corgis at 3 p.m., both days. Stein hoisting is at 4 p.m. both days. On Saturday the kids area runs 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with bounce houses, face painting and a free pumpkin while they last.
Parking: skip downtown and ride the free city shuttle from the Park-n-Ride at Sheridan Springs Road and Edwards Boulevard or the Home Depot at 550 N. Edwards Blvd. It runs about every 20 minutes, Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Downtown meters are $4 an hour.
Friday Oktoberfest Beer Crawl (new for 2026)
Beer samples at nearly 20 downtown businesses, a goody bag and live music, then an afterparty at Geneva Tap House until 11 p.m. The organizer says it sells out every year, so check tickets before you plan around it.
The hour-by-hour schedule, every parking option and 5 other Oktoberfests nearby are in our complete Lake Geneva Oktoberfest guide.
Pumpkin Fest Weekend at Pearce’s Farm Stand
Pearce’s Farm Stand
Pearce’s is about 15 minutes west of downtown Lake Geneva, and 4 generations of the Pearce family work the farm. For Pumpkin Fest Weekend the stand brings out pumpkin items it sells only on those 2 days, on top of the usual pumpkins, gourds, corn maze and hayrides.
The bakery makes fresh donuts and kettle corn on weekends, and the concession stand is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Tip: Farm lots fill by late morning on Columbus Day weekend. Go at 9 a.m. when the stand opens, or come on a weekday this week; Pearce’s is open every day.
Want apples too? Our apple orchards and pumpkin patches guide ranks 7 orchards and 4 patches within about 35 minutes.
Halloween events around Lake Geneva this week
Dan Patch Stables Haunted Hayride at Grand Geneva
The hayride moved this year. Pull into the Emagine movie theater and follow the driveway around back; signs point the way. Tickets go on sale at the door at 5:45 p.m., first come, first served, and there are no reservations.
Rides from about 6 to 6:45 p.m. are the kid-friendly ones. The monsters stay in the woods instead of jumping on the wagons, and the loud noises are cut, though the costumes and masks are still on. Get there by 6 p.m. to be sure of a spot. Regular rides start around 7 p.m., once it’s dark, and last 15 to 20 minutes. Food trucks and a bonfire are on site.
Why this weekend: the hayride runs Friday and Saturday nights through Oct 31, and Sunday, Oct 11 is the only Sunday on the 2026 schedule. Grand Geneva’s hayride page has the details.
Spiritualism in the Victorian Era at Black Point Estate
A cordial in the dining room of the 1888 Seipp mansion and the story of the Fox sisters, who started the spiritualist movement in America. You’ll also hear about Wisconsin’s own connection: the Morris Pratt Institute in Whitewater, the country’s first spiritualist school.
Getting there: park at Reek School, W4094 South Lake Shore Drive, where staff check you in and drive you to the estate. There’s no cruise with this one. Register with the Wisconsin Historical Society.
Trick or Treat Train in East Troy
Kids ride a historic electric train from the depot to Byrnes Park to trick-or-treat, play games and use the playground. Back at the depot, each child picks out a pumpkin to take home. Check times and tickets on the East Troy Railroad Museum site.
Your week, day by day
Tuesday, Oct 6 to Thursday, Oct 8
The quiet part of the week
- 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Pearce’s Farm Stand is open daily. A weekday visit gets you the pumpkin field without the weekend lines.
Friday, Oct 9
Pick 1 evening plan
- 3 to 5 p.m.
Beer crawl check-in, Geneva Tap House
- 5 to 8 p.m.
Oktoberfest Beer Crawl downtown
- 5:45 p.m.
Haunted hayride ticket window opens
- 6 to 6:45 p.m.
Kid-friendly hayrides
- 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Spiritualism in the Victorian Era, Black Point Estate
- About 7 p.m.
Regular haunted hayrides begin
Saturday, Oct 10
The big day
- 9 a.m.
Pearce’s opens for Pumpkin Fest Weekend
- 11 a.m.
Oktoberfest keg tapping, Flat Iron Park; shuttle starts
- 1 p.m.
Dachshund races
- 3 p.m.
Corgi races
- 4 p.m.
Brat toss and stein hoisting
- 5:30 to 8 p.m.
The Biermen
- 6 to 11 p.m.
Haunted hayride
Sunday, Oct 11
Shorter festival day, bonus hayride night
- 9 a.m.
Pearce’s Pumpkin Fest Weekend, day 2
- 11 a.m.
Oktoberfest opens; pie eating contest at noon
- 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Dachshund and corgi races
- 5 p.m.
Oktoberfest last call
- 6 to 11 p.m.
Haunted hayride, the only Sunday of the season
Mistakes to avoid
- Showing up to the hayride with a card. It’s cash only, and tickets are sold at the door.
- Driving to the old hayride spot. For 2026 the entrance is behind the Emagine theater at 2567 Highway 120.
- Arriving at 6:30 with little kids. The gentle rides end around 6:45 p.m. Be in line by 6.
- Planning to shuttle to the hayride. The Oktoberfest shuttle only runs between the Edwards Boulevard lots and downtown, and it stops at 9 p.m. Saturday and 6 p.m. Sunday.
- Waiting on Friday tickets. The beer crawl and the Black Point evening both need advance registration.
Coming up next week
Poe at the Point, Oct 15 to 17. Edgar Allan Poe readings by candlelight in the Black Point parlor, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., with a cruise there and back. Book through the Lake Geneva Cruise Line. Ages 13 and up.
Elkhorn Oktoberfest, Saturday, Oct 17. A car show, a 5K and craft vendors on the square, about 20 minutes north. See the Elkhorn community guide.
The haunted hayride keeps running Friday and Saturday nights through Oct 31. For the rest of the calendar, check What’s Happening at The Lake every Wednesday and our Lake Geneva fall activities guide.
Want weekends like this a few minutes from home?
Kim and Joel Reyenga with eXp Realty cover downtown Lake Geneva and the towns around Geneva Lake, including in-town homes, lakefront property and country lots out toward Walworth.
Search homes at YourWiscoHome.comCall (262) 325-9867
Equal Housing Opportunity. Reyenga Team, eXp Realty.
Frequently asked questions
What’s happening in Lake Geneva Oct 9 to 11, 2026?
Lake Geneva Oktoberfest runs Oct 10 and 11 at Flat Iron Park, with a ticketed beer crawl Friday, Oct 9. Pearce’s Farm Stand in Walworth holds Pumpkin Fest Weekend Oct 10 and 11, and the Dan Patch Stables Haunted Hayride at Grand Geneva runs Oct 9, 10 and 11 from 6 to 11 p.m.
When is Lake Geneva Oktoberfest 2026?
Saturday, Oct 10, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, Oct 11, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Flat Iron Park, 201 Wrigley Dr. Admission is free. The beer crawl is Friday, Oct 9, from 5 to 8 p.m.
When is Pumpkin Fest at Pearce’s Farm Stand?
Pumpkin Fest Weekend at Pearce’s Farm Stand is Saturday, Oct 10 and Sunday, Oct 11, 2026. The farm stand at W5740 N. Walworth Rd. in Walworth is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. through Oct 31, and entry is free.
How much is the Grand Geneva haunted hayride?
The Dan Patch Stables Haunted Hayride costs $25 for ages 11 and up and $10 for ages 4 to 10. Ages 3 and under ride free. It’s cash only, tickets are sold at the door starting at 5:45 p.m., and there are no reservations.
Is the Lake Geneva haunted hayride OK for young kids?
The rides from about 6 to 6:45 p.m. are kid-friendly. Monsters stay in the woods and loud noises are removed, though costumes and masks are still on. Arrive by 6 p.m. to be guaranteed a spot. Regular rides start around 7 p.m.
Where is the haunted hayride in 2026?
The hayride moved for 2026 to 2567 Highway 120 in Lake Geneva. Pull into the Emagine movie theater and follow the driveway to the back, where signs guide you in.
What Halloween events are in Lake Geneva in October 2026?
The Dan Patch Stables Haunted Hayride runs Friday and Saturday nights through Oct 31, plus Sunday, Oct 11. Black Point Estate hosts Spiritualism in the Victorian Era on Oct 9 and 23 and Poe at the Point on Oct 15, 16 and 17. The East Troy Railroad runs Trick or Treat Trains on Oct 9, 16, 23 and 30.
Carve something good this week.
See you at the lake.
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