A Guide to Autumn in Grand Forks

As summer gives way to crisp mornings and colorful landscapes, Grand Forks comes alive with some of its most anticipated events of the year. From pumpkin patches to homecoming celebrations, there’s no shortage of ways to embrace the season. Whether you’re looking for a weekend outing, a chance to support local businesses and artisans, or simply an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of fall, this guide highlights the events that make fall a special time throughout Grand Forks.

Let’s Go Hawks! Green and white pride will be on full display as the University of North Dakota celebrates Homecoming Week, one of the campus’s longest-standing traditions. This year’s UND Homecoming Week is scheduled for September 28th – October 3rd, 2026. Bringing together students, alumni, faculty and the Greater Grand Forks community, the week features a variety of events, including alumni gatherings, a UND Homecoming pep rally in Town Square on October 1st. Saturday, October 3rd is when the Hawks’ spirit truly comes alive, with the Homecoming Parade, tailgating festivities and the Fighting Hawks football game. Whether you’re reconnecting with classmates, cheering on UND athletics or simply taking part in the festivities, Homecoming Week offers plenty of opportunities to celebrate more than a century of UND tradition and community spirit. Make sure to go to the alumni website Go to undalumni.org for more information on alumni banquets, registering for a float in the parade and a full schedule of events.

Saturdays in the fall in Grand Forks mean one thing for many Grand Forksiansers: Fighting Hawks football at the Alerus Center. The 2026 home schedule features six games, beginning with the season opener against LIU on Aug. 27th, followed by the annual Potato Bowl matchup against St. Thomas on Sept. 5th. Conference play brings exciting matchups against Murray State, South Dakota State, Illinois State and Southern Illinois, giving fans plenty of opportunities to cheer on UND throughout the season. The electric atmosphere inside the Alerus Center is unforgettable, making a Fighting Hawks home game one of the region’s fall traditions for alumni, students and football fans, and even non-football fans who want to have a good time.

No fall season is complete without a visit to one of the area’s pumpkin patches, where families can enjoy everything from hayrides and corn mazes, to petting zoos and pick-your-own pumpkins. Just west of Grand Forks, Nelson’s Pumpkin Patch in Emerado has become a longtime fall tradition, offering attractions for all ages. For Fall 2026, the pumpkin patch is open between Saturday, September 5th and Sunday, October 25th. Nelson’s Pumpkin Patch also has two special weekends of Sunflower Shin-Digs between September 5th and September 13th, during which patch-goers can admire the beautiful fall blooms of sunflowers.

Another great pumpkin patch in the region is Patch on the Point. Located three3 miles outside of East Grand Forks, Patch on the Point at Paradise Point Stables combines a scenic pumpkin patch with wagon rides, pony rides and family-friendly activities. Patch on the Point is open September 19th to October 25th, 2026. For those looking to add even more adventure to their day, nearby Valley Corn Maize features the world’s largest corn maze along with games and seasonal attractions, making it easy to spend an entire afternoon celebrating the best of fall. Check out their special “America 250” corn maze design starting September 12th. Valley Corn Maize is located 5 ½ miles east of East Grand Forks, just off the Highway 2 curve. Be sure to check the respective websites and Facebook pages for updates on weather, special event weekends and offerings.

Fall is also the perfect time to slow down and enjoy the natural beauty surrounding Grand Forks. Cooler temperatures and changing leaves create the perfect setting for a scenic stroll. The Greater Grand Forks Greenway offers more than 20 miles of scenic walking and biking trails where visitors can take in colorful foliage along the Red River. Just a short drive west of the city, Turtle River State Park provides wooded hiking trails, picnic areas and peaceful overlooks that showcase some of the region’s best fall colors. As the leaves turn shades of gold, orange and red, the park’s wooded trails provide a peaceful setting to enjoy crisp autumn air, the sounds of the rushing Turtle River and the beauty of North Dakota’s landscape.

Do I smell PSL in the air? Fall flavors are making their way onto menus throughout the Greater Grand Forks area as local restaurants and coffee shops celebrate the season with cozy specialty offerings. You can find specialty beverages, such as pumpkin spiced lattes, apple cider and maple flavored coffees and baked goods at one of the many local coffee shops in Grand Forks and East Grand Forks, such as Urban Stampede, The Ember Coffeehouse and The Board Room in Grand Forks, and Bully Brew Coffee and Bernie’s in East Grand Forks. Happy Camper Coffee will also be moving into their first physical location this fall in downtown Grand Forks too! Local restaurants, such as the Blue Moose, Ely’s Ivy, Helix and Skies’ 322, also offer special seasonal food menus. If you have a sweet tooth, be sure to check out Widman’s Chocolates and Candies. The already-yummy chocolate scent in Widman’s store becomes even more scrumptious with homemade caramels and caramel apples that are only offered in the fall. And while you enjoy all the festivities around town, don’t forget to stop by the Town Square Farmer’s Market for the last markets of the season, with freshly harvested fall produce and freshly baked fall treats from the market’s multiple vendors.