Fall Arts Festival & Parade

As the leaves in the White Mountains turn gold and crimson, the town of Pinetop-Lakeside comes alive with one of Arizona’s most beloved seasonal traditions. The Fall Festival & Parade—known by locals as the Fall Festival Weekend—returns September 27–28, 2025, bringing with it two days of music, food, crafts, and mountain-town magic.

It’s more than just a parade. It’s a community-wide celebration of harvest, heritage, and high-elevation hospitality.

Who It’s For
The festival draws a crowd as varied as the landscape itself. Families come for the carnival-like atmosphere—think kids’ rodeo games, face painting, and hay rides—while music lovers catch sets from local bands playing classic rock, bluegrass, and country under the fall sky. Art collectors and craft fair explorers find plenty to admire at the arts and crafts show, where regional makers display hand-thrown pottery, woven textiles, jewelry, and more.

Food lovers are never far from the scent of roasted corn, cinnamon churros, and locally smoked brisket served up by vendors from around Navajo County, including popular regional favorites like The House Restaurant in Show Low and Charlie Clark’s Steakhouse, a Pinetop institution.

When & Where
The festival takes place Saturday, September 27 and Sunday, September 28, 2025, with activities spread throughout downtown Pinetop-Lakeside. The main event—the Fall Festival Parade—kicks off Saturday at 10:00 AM, starting at E. Malapai Drive, rolling down Highway 260, and ending at Blue Ridge High School. Parade-goers should plan for road closures along this stretch from 9:45 AM to noon and arrive early to stake out a good viewing spot.

Festivities continue throughout the weekend with food trucks, artisan booths, live music, a cornhole tournament, and a family fun run. While the Mountain Meadow Recreation Complex is not the central venue, several community activities extend into its nearby green spaces.

How to Get There
Pinetop-Lakeside is nestled in Arizona’s White Mountains, roughly three hours from the Phoenix metro area via Highway 260. The closest commercial airport is Show Low Regional Airport (SOW), just 20 minutes away, offering connecting flights from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). For travelers coming from northern Arizona, Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) provides a scenic two-hour route south.

Once in town, parking is available near Town Hall, Blue Ridge High School, and local businesses along the parade route. Ride shares and local shuttles may be available, but walking is the best way to experience the heart of the weekend.

Why You Should Go
Because few places capture the essence of autumn like Pinetop-Lakeside. Towering pines, cool mountain air, and the sounds of a small-town parade give this festival its soul. The Fall Festival Weekend brings together everything that defines the region—family tradition, outdoor beauty, local craftsmanship, and community pride.

Signature experiences include:

The Fall Festival Parade, a beloved local tradition with marching bands, horses, vintage cars, and community floats.

A hayride loop through town with cider stops and photo ops.

The Harvest Market, where vendors offer seasonal produce, handmade goods, and early holiday gifts.

Music from local acts and school groups on community stages near Pinetop Brewing Company and White Mountain Nature Center.

Whether you’re lining the streets with a thermos of coffee or browsing the craft booths with an apple cider in hand, the Fall Festival & Parade is a true mountain-town tradition—and a perfect way to welcome the season.