Wo-Zha-Wa Fall Festival

Wo-Zha-Wa Fall Festival transforms downtown Wisconsin Dells into a three-day celebration of autumn with arts and crafts vendors, carnival rides, a classic car show, and a Saturday parade that draws thousands along the Wisconsin River. The festival runs from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon, typically in late September, when fall colors begin to appear along the riverbanks and temperatures settle into the comfortable 60s and 70s. You’ll find over 400 vendor booths selling everything from handmade quilts to kettle corn, plus live music stages, a beer garden, and kid-friendly activities like face painting and pony rides.

What to Expect

Admission to the festival is free, though carnival rides require separate tickets. The parade steps off Saturday morning at 10 a.m. from downtown and follows Broadway to Superior Street, with marching bands, antique tractors, and local business floats. Parking downtown fills early on Saturday, so use the free shuttle from overflow lots near Wisconsin Dells Parkway or walk from your Lake Delton rental if you’re staying waterfront. Bring cash for vendors (many don’t accept cards), comfortable walking shoes, and layers, as mornings can be cool and afternoons warm up quickly.

Where to Stay and Eat

Book a lakefront rental on Lake.com so you can balance festival crowds with quiet morning kayak sessions or sunset pontoon rides on Lake Delton. For meals, try High Rock Cafe (est. 2002) for breakfast before the parade or grab pizza at Moosejaw between vendor browsing sessions. If crowds get overwhelming on Saturday afternoon, retreat to Mirror Lake State Park for a hike among fall colors or head back to your rental’s deck with apple cider and a view of the water.