Harvest Happenings: A Traverse City Local Guide for Fall Fun and Festivities

Good morning, this is your Traverse City Local Frequency for Saturday, October 25, 2025. It’s shaping up to be a picture-perfect fall Saturday here in Traverse City, and the energy downtown is unmistakable. We’ll start your morning at the Sara Hardy Downtown Farmers Market, open until noon at Parking Lot B on Cass Street and Grandview Parkway. Whether you’re after local apples, fresh cider, or pastries still warm from the oven, this is a great stop to kick off your day and soak up those beautiful October colors. With Michigan’s harvest in full force, the vendors will have cool-weather produce and artisan fare to share. Art lovers have plenty to explore. At the Cornwell Gallery at the Crooked Tree Arts Center, William Lindemann’s Dream & Memory exhibit opens at 11. If you love art that dances between dream and reality, it’s worth checking out. For another creative stop, visit the Glen Arbor Arts Center lobby to see Carol Spaulding’s Something to Smile About mixed media paintings. Both shows offer a glimpse into Traverse City’s vibrant arts scene. For those lacing up running shoes, don’t miss the 17th Annual Zombie 5K Run beginning at Right Brain Brewery. It’s a race where the costumes are as exciting as the competition, and the proceeds support TART Trails, so you’re running for a good cause. Now, if your goal is Halloween fun, Traverse City is pulling out all the stops. This year’s Haunts & Harvest Halloween Walk features over 30 downtown businesses with themed window displays—costumes are encouraged, and you can vote for your favorite display for the People’s Choice Award through Halloween. Starting at 10, families can join the Downtown TC Halloween Walk, trick-or-treat at local shops, and watch the kids revel in spooky festivities. At 2 o’clock, the Witch Paddle returns for its second year on the Boardman River. Paddlers decked out in their witchiest hats take to the water; all ages and paddling vessels are welcome. The spectacle draws onlookers hoping to catch a photo of witches gliding down to the bay, so grab your camera or even your own vessel if you want to join in. Looking for an active adventure? The North Country Trail Hike 100 Challenge kicks off at 10, starting at Pickerel Lake State Forest Campground. It’s a perfect day to soak in crisp air and fiery fall foliage. Families will also find plenty to do, from Spooky Saturday STEAM activities for kids to pumpkin carving and craft days around town. Book lovers should stop by the Friends of TADL Fall Book Sale for affordable reads, and the “Halloween For All” event at the Dennos Museum invites young families to a morning filled with fun. When evening rolls in, teens can enjoy a Spooky Virtual Reality Night at Cognition in Beulah. If you’re in the mood for a haunting performance, Kirkbride Hall at The Village hosts a Candlelight Concert featuring Coldplay and Imagine Dragons covers, while the “Screams in the Dark” haunted attraction in Kalkaska keeps the thrill seekers busy into the This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.