Washington State Autumn Leaf Festival

View on map

Carnival & ParadeLeavenworth

DatesDates TBA · Usually SeptemberCheck locally before booking

DurationAutumnEstimate from available data

Crowd-Public scale varies

Best forMasks, paradesThe Autumn Leaf Festival predates most of

LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD

CategoryCarnival & ParadeFestival type

The story

Washington State Autumn Leaf Festival in Leavenworth

The Washington State Autumn Leaf Festival is one of Leavenworth's oldest annual events, first held in 1966 as the town's newly rebuilt Bavarian-themed storefronts were being prepared for their debut. Held over two weekends in late September and early October, the festival features a grand parade, an arts and crafts fair, and a children's area set against the mountain town's fall foliage.

The Washington State Autumn Leaf Festival holds a distinctive place in Leavenworth's history: it was one of the very first major festivals developed as the town prepared to unveil its new Bavarian-style architecture, with business loans secured and buildings renovated specifically in 1965 to ready the town center for the festival's 1966 debut.

Your trip starts here

What is special

The part that makes it specific.

The place changes

The Autumn Leaf Festival predates most of Leavenworth's other themed festivals: buildings were specifically renovated and business loans secured in 1965 to prepare the town for its debut the following year, meaning the festival effectively launched alongside the town's broader Bavarian rebranding rather than being added on afterward

The mystery stays covered

Because it lands during the peak of the Cascade Mountains' fall color season, the festival pairs the town's built alpine theme with genuine seasonal mountain scenery, an alignment that has made it a long-running draw distinct from the town's more explicitly German-themed events like Oktoberfest and Maifest

The city starts moving

Running across two full weekends rather than a single day gives visitors an unusually extended window to experience both the parade and the arts fair components

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The grand parade through downtown Leavenworth has remained the festival's central event since its founding

Water and renewal

Living ritual

a tradition that predates most of the town's other now-famous themed festivals

The sacred route

Living ritual

Running the celebration across two separate weekends rather than a single day has been a consistent structural choice

The local code

Living ritual

giving the festival unusual scheduling flexibility compared to most single-day civic festivals

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually September

Getting around

For Washington State Autumn Leaf Festival, plan transport around the exact Leavenworth venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Casual fall clothing with layers, since late September and early October mountain weather in Leavenworth can shift quickly between sun and cold.

Safety

Keep valuables light, set a meeting point, and give processions room to move.

Where to stay

For Washington State Autumn Leaf Festival, stay near the part of Leavenworth you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Many carnival moments are public, but confirm paid areas or stands before travel.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map39.31 N, 94.92 W Open in Google Maps

Leavenworth, WA

Nearest airportMCI — Kansas City

TransportFor Washington State Autumn Leaf Festival, plan transport around the exact Leavenworth venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

Stay areaFor Washington State Autumn Leaf Festival, stay near the part of Leavenworth you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Leavenworth via local transport.Search routes Find a place to stayStays near Leavenworth, close enough for the event-day route.Browse stays Find flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for September.Compare fares Festival gearCasual fall clothing with layers, since late September and early October mountain weather in Leavenworth can shift quickly between sun and cold.Shop the kit Check visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rules Travel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

We may earn a small commission from trusted travel partners at no extra cost to you.

FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Washington State Autumn Leaf Festival?

Washington State Autumn Leaf Festival is listed for September · Autumn. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Washington State Autumn Leaf Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Leavenworth, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Autumn is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Leavenworth, WA

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLleavenworthautumnleaf.org

Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →

SourceSource link available

Listed datesDates TBA · Usually September

Source statusOfficial source linked

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →

Washington State Autumn Leaf Festival

Washington State Autumn Leaf Festival in Leavenworth

The part that makes it specific.

The place changes

The mystery stays covered

The city starts moving

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Water and renewal

The sacred route

The local code

Essential information

When to go

Getting around

What to wear

Safety

Where to stay

Tickets/cost

Language/currency

Family friendly

Leavenworth, WA

Your Trip Starts Here

Quick answers.

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

Continue the route.

Fiesta San Antonio

Ojude Oba Festival

Panama Carnival

Sao Paulo Pride Parade