Fall is a special season filled with opportunities for churches to connect, build relationships, and share the love of Christ with their community. With cooler temps (or in some parts, less hot), changing leaves, and the spirit of thankfulness in the air, it’s the perfect time to get your congregation together and reach out to those around you. From fun-filled festivals to meaningful moments of service, here are ten fall events that can bring people together, create lasting memories, and inspire faith!
1. Harvest Festival
A harvest festival is a classic fall event that appeals to all ages. Set up games, food stalls, hayrides, pumpkin decorating, and live music to create a celebratory atmosphere. This family-friendly event is perfect for inviting the local community to enjoy the season while learning about your church. You may have the musicians you need right there in your church!
2. Chili-Cookoff
If a harvest festival sounds like too much, keep it simple and focus on food. A chili-cookoff is one that requires crock pots, tables and in many cases, a strong digestive track! Each ministry can cook a special recipe and then have congregants and guests judge the outcomes. Or you can have Sunday school classes or small groups be the contestants. And if you mix in college football, you’ll not only encourage friendly competition but also fun at your church.
3. Trunk-or-Treat
Trunk-or-Treat offers a safe, family-friendly alternative to traditional trick-or-treating. Church members decorate the trunks of their cars in festive or even biblical themes and hand out candy to kids. It’s an excellent outreach opportunity and a fun way to create a sense of community. If weather permits, you can have it in your parking lot or on the front lawn allowing all to see the event and want to bring their kids over. Or you can partner with other churches and use a ball field.
4. Craft Fair
A fall craft fair is a great way to showcase local artists and artisans while raising funds for church projects or missions. Members and local crafters can sell handmade goods like candles, knitted items, paintings, and holiday decorations. Even better, stands can be setup allowing visitors to build their own crafts. The closer this fair is to Christmas, the more you can encourage Christmas themed arts and crafts.
Craft fairs can also include a bake sale where congregants create goods and your church can raise money through the sale of those creations.
5. Movie Night Under the Stars
Host a movie night on the grounds of your church with a big screen and seasonal films such as “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” or wholesome and fun ones like “Homeward Bound”. Provide popcorn, blankets, and a cozy atmosphere for families to enjoy. Consider showing a mix of family-friendly movies and faith-based films.
6. Pumpkin Party
Gather families for a fun evening of pumpkin buying and carving, complete with templates, tools, and refreshments. Pumpkins, whether carved or not, can be taken home for home or house decoration.
Sell pumpkins to raise funds for church programs or a specific charitable cause. You can add photo booths and carving stations. If it’s cold outside, include warm refreshments. Depending on where you live, you can partner with a local farm to source the pumpkins giving your event a “hometown” feel. You could even consider adding a small petting zoo.
7. Thanksgiving Meal
While most of us head home to be with our families, there are many that don’t have family nearby or have fallen on hard times. Host a Thanksgiving meal to bring people together in gratitude and fellowship. While it’s hard to coordinate your own family get together with one at the church, it is an effort of joy when you know you’re spreading both love and a delicious meal with those that may not have either. This event can serve as a powerful reminder of God’s provision and love.
You can host that meal on the Wednesday before the traditional Thanksgiving meal allowing you to spend time at the church and at home during this most American of holidays.
8. Fall Photo Day
Set up a fall backdrop and offer free or low-cost family photos to your congregants and to your guests. It’s a great way to serve your community and help families create lasting memories. You can also add a station for headshots for those looking to enhance their online profiles.
9. Cornhole Tournament
Organize a cornhole tournament complete with music and snacks. It’s a relaxed and fun way to bring people together, and you can offer prizes for the winning team. And just like the chili-cookoff, your tournament would go well with college football. Fortunately, televisions today are relatively inexpensive, have WIFI connectivity and are easy to setup and move around. All you’ll need beyond that is a streaming television subscription to use on the TVs (YouTube TV or Hulu).
10. Fall Fun Run/5K
Organize a 5K run or walk to raise money for a mission or charity. The weather in the fall is a great time for a race. The closer your run is to Thanksgiving, you can call the fun run a “turkey trot”. You can charge a nominal entry fee with the funds going to a key charity in your area. The software to host this type of event is readily available including well known Eventbrite. There are also event groups like Race Roster who can help you pull together your event, get merchandise for racers and then manage the race for the purpose of fund raising (and community awareness.)
Fall is a great time to gather your church family and reach out to your larger community. Fun festivals, meaningful service projects, and cozy nights outside watching a movie offer opportunities to connect, grow, and celebrate God’s goodness. These also help lead your flock towards Advent, the start of the Christian calendar.
