Oxtober Harvest Festival

Celebrate fall where nature is the main attraction with timeless autumn activities, nature workshops, and down-to-earth fun for all ages.
About this Event

Nestled among Oxbow’s organic farm fields and forest trails, Oxtober is a place where the beauty of the changing season truly shines.

Slow down and savor the season, or follow your curiosity wherever it leads.

Gather pumpkins and admire late-season native blooms, create nature crafts, romp through House ’O Hay, launch apples at Sling King, or hop aboard a tractor to explore the farm and see conservation in action.

With room to wander, wonder, laugh, learn, and play, you can make the day as peaceful or playful as you please.

DROP-IN ACTIVITIES

• Pumpkin Shopping* – Find that perfect organic and naturally grown jack-o'-lantern candidate.
• Sling King – Test your aim with our fan-favorite apple slingshot.
• Hayrides – Relax, soak in the scenery, and learn about conservation-centered agriculture.
• Nature Crafts – Carve shapes into spuds to make colorful potato prints, then let your creativity shine with mini wooden pumpkin decorations.
• House O' Hay & Corn Crib – Climb, crawl, and play in our cozy straw-filled spaces made for kid-sized adventures.
• Worm Lab – Take a close look at worms under a microscope and learn why they’re some of the farm’s hardest workers.
• Lawn Games – Enjoy laid-back fun with friends and family through cornhole, giant Jenga, and more.
• Food & Beverages* – Grab a bite from local favorites Filter and Shot Coffee, The Cheese Pit, Bumbu Truck, and Spice Waala.
• Live Music – Settle into your fall day with a live soundtrack from local artists.
• Plant Stand Shopping & Dry Bulb Sale* – Stock up on native trees, shrubs, and flowers, plus planting tips and resources.
• Special Oxtober Clue Hunt – Challenge your detective skills and explore the farm in a seasonal scavenger quest.
• & More – Explore Oxbow's Living Playground and discover special hands-on learning activities throughout the day.

SCHEDULED WORKSHOPS & TOURS

• Native Plant Nursery Tour – Go behind the scenes to discover how our nursery grows 160 native plant species through seed saving, propagation, and biodiversity-focused care.
• Kids’ Farm Tour – Journey through our one-acre Kids Farm to harvest and taste fresh fall vegetables while discovering botany basics and where food comes from.
• Apple Cider Press – Crank the press and learn how apples become cider in this hands-on demo.
• Fermentation Workshop* – Preserve vegetables and create probiotic foods through fermentation while learning safe techniques and making your own sample.
• Gardening with Native Bulbs Workshop* – Dig into native bulb varieties and discover tips for planting this fall for beautiful spring blooms.
• Bundle Dyeing Workshop* – Create one-of-a-kind botanical prints by bundling flowers into colorful compositions for steam dyeing.
• Native Teas Workshop* – Connect with the land by learning how to thoughtfully harvest and prepare native plants for flavorful tea blends.

*Your ticket includes parking, activities, and tours. Pumpkins, food and drinks, Plant Stand goods, and Workshops are available for an additional cost.

PLAN YOUR DAY

TICKETS

Advanced Tickets: $6 (fees included)*

At the Door: $7 (fees included)

Kids 3 and under: FREE

Workshop Add-ons: $5

Please register in advance to help us ensure enough food and event materials for guests while also minimizing waste.

*If the ticket price is a barrier for you or your family, please email us at [email protected].

Oxtober is supported, in part, by . We’re deeply grateful for this support, which allows us to offer accessible ticket pricing that connects more people with outdoor learning experiences.

WEATHER CLOSURES

Oxbow is open rain or shine, except in cases of extreme weather (lightning, high winds, wildfire smoke, or flooding conditions that make it unsafe for visitors).

All weather closures will be posted on our website, social media, and registrants will be notified via email.

ABOUT OXBOW FARM & CONSERVATION CENTER

From forest and farmland in the Snoqualmie Valley, Oxbow cultivates conservation and food security to support and sustain a healthy Cascadia region.

How we turn our mission into impact:

• Steward The Land: From the banks of the river to the crest of the hills, we use conservation practices to support healthy habitats for wildlife and pollinators.
• Grow Native Plants: Our Native Plant Nursery grows Washington native plant species and cultivates conservation by connecting people to native plants and encouraging their widespread use in local landscapes.
• Grow Food: We donate the fruit and vegetables we grow to those in need through our food security partners.
• Provide Immersive Experiences: Our programs connect people of all ages to the natural world and engage them in the dynamic relationship between conservation, native plants, and the food we eat.