Break out your favorite sweater, get a pumpkin spice latte, and head to ShelbyKY (Shelbyville, Simpsonville and Shelby County, Kentucky) for a fall to remember. While there’s never a bad time to be here, there’s something special about this time of year. With idyllic temperatures and incredible colors in the backdrop of the rolling hills that make this area famous, you’ll never want to spend this time of year anywhere else.
With stunning beauty abound, there are plenty of places to venture across the county to bask in the autumnal bliss. As you make your weekend plans for now through November, here are the things that you need to carve out time to see.
Sunflower & Corn Festival at Gallrein Farms 🌻
Gallrein Farms is kicking off the first two weekends of September with the opportunity to make sweet memories with your family. An activity bracelet allows visitors to explore all the fun Gallrein has to offer, including the farm train, slides, pedal carts, a rope course, the corn pit, and jump pillows. Kids aged 3 and under get one of these for free! Additionally, select a vase and walk amongst the sunflowers where you can pick your favorites to take home for your own decorations. On both Saturdays (September 5 and 12) plus Labor Day, the hours will be 10AM-6PM. On each Sunday (September 6 and 13), the facility will be open from noon until 5PM.
The fun continues each weekend after that at Gallrein, too. From September 19 through Halloween weekend, guests can hop on a hay ride to pick pumpkins, wander through a corn maze, and say hello to a bunch of animals at their petting zoo. The greenhouse and market will be open to shop from as well, giving you the chance to bring fresh apple cider and homemade donuts back with you among many other items. Once you enjoy a fall weekend at Gallrein, you’ll see why they just got recognized as the best agritourism attraction in Kentucky according to Kentucky Living.
Mulberry Orchard 🍎
Famous for their apples this time of year, Mulberry Orchard attracts visitors from hundreds of miles away just to make their own apple bushels. Stock up on those for however you plan on using them at home, then explore the rest of the awesome amenities available.
You can keep the fall theme going with pumpkin picking, multiple mazes made out of corn and soybeans, plus wagon rides. Beyond those, you can always have fun with the infamous tire mountain, ziplines, a trike track, and a huge playground among other things. Admission into everything listed above is only $10 per person, and it’s free for kids aged 2 and under. Make sure to shop the market too for the very best in farm-fresh products! Saturday hours are 9AM-6PM while Sunday hours are 1-5PM. You can also come by from 9AM-5PM Tuesday through Friday.
Black Orchard Haunted House 💀
In 2025, Scurry Face ranked this as the #2 haunted experience in all of the United States. Located in Shelbyville’s Red Orchard Park, Black Orchard has developed a nationwide following thanks to outstanding casting, amazing special effects, and ultimately terrifying scares… all while met with great customer service, of course. It’s not for the faint of heart, so if you want a glimpse of what to expect, check out this YouTube video from The Scare Factor. If you’re brave enough, the experience kicks off on Friday, September 18. The action will take place every ensuing Friday and Saturday night through Halloween.
Bourbon, Blues & Boots — The Midsouthern Hoedown 🎶
This is an all-day event taking place at the Shelby County Fairgrounds on September 19. It’s a family affair while the sun is out, with a great KidZone set up from 10AM-7PM. Youngsters and their families can take part in games, contests, inflatables and more including kids showing off their skills by DJ’ing and selling products they’ve made themselves. To make this as bustling a scene as possible, admission is free for kids aged 5 and under.
When the sun sets, the Fairgrounds will be transformed into a true southern party for adults aged 21 and older. There will be bull riding, good music, and naturally, outstanding beverages to keep the fun going all night long.
Fall Truck & Tractor Pull 🚜
One week later, the Shelby County Fairgrounds will come alive again. This will be a two-day event with action on both September 26 and 27. Feel the roar of engines and the thrill of competition as the state’s best truck and tractor pullers battle it out for championship titles! There will be high-octane action, great food, and family-friendly fun under the lights.
Autumn Craft & Vendor Market at The Outlet Shoppes of the Bluegrass 🛍
On September 26-27, the focus is on a bunch of talented artisans from 10AM-4PM each day. From handmade goods to sweet treats and plenty more, you can stock up on everything you need this fall – and that’s before you even wander into the stores in the Outlet Shoppes! Bring your family by for this fun, unique shopping experience and support the talented vendors located nearby.
Jammin’ at Jeptha Creed — The 10th Anniversary Show 🎸
Country music artist Rodney Atkins will be performing from 5-10PM on Saturday, October 4 to commemorate a decade of good pours and good times that have been held at Jeptha Creed. Bring your whole family and get ready to dance during what should be a beautiful evening of music in the bluegrass. Tickets are $50 and it’s free for children aged 3 or younger!
The Scarecrow at Shelby County Community Theatre 🎭
Celebrate Halloween with a terrific performance of The Scarecrow during one of seven showings. The first will be on Friday, October 23 with a 7:30PM start time while the finale will be on Sunday, November 1 at 2:30PM. Step into a world of magic, mystery, and unexpected romance during this enchanting tale which follows a humble scarecrow who is brought to life by a witch, before being transformed into a gentleman to carry out a daring deception.
For more fall fun, be sure to check out our event calendar to see what else is happening across the community.
Whatever you plan on doing this fall, ShelbyKY has something for everyone. Start planning your trip today with our visitor guide. It's free and contains wonderful information about the many things to do in ShelbyKY. Click here to request a visitor guide or download a digital copy.
