Why Fall Festivals Are Perfect Fundraisers
- Seasonal energy: People love cozy, themed events.
- Community connection: Students, parents, and teachers all participate.
- Flexible fundraising: Raffles, tickets, sponsorships, and auctions work seamlessly.
- Family-friendly fun: Appeals to all ages, making it ideal for PTO and PTA events.
According to National PTA, themed school events like fall festivals can increase parent engagement and volunteer participation by up to 65%.
Bring Your Fall Festival to Life (Without the Stress)
Use these creative ideas and let us handle the auction side — so you can focus on fun and fundraising.
Start Your Auction for FreePumpkin Patch Fundraiser
Why it works: Pumpkins are the ultimate fall symbol. Families love taking them home for decorating, baking, or carving. Schools can source pumpkins in bulk from local farms and resell them at a markup.
How to make it work:
- Partner with a local farm for wholesale pricing.
- Sell pumpkins in various sizes for different price points.
- Offer pumpkin-painting stations or carving contests.
- Bundle with cider, donuts, or fall photo booths for extra revenue.
Bonus tip: Add a “Pumpkin Sponsor Wall” — families can sponsor pumpkins to help fund classroom projects.
Fall Carnival Games
Why it works: Simple carnival games are cheap to set up and high-engagement for kids. They’re also easy to pair with prize donations from local businesses.
Popular fall-themed games:
- Ring Toss on Pumpkins — festive twist on a classic
- Apple Bobbing (or safer alternative: fishing poles)
- Hay Bale Bowling
- Candy Corn Guessing Jar
Charge per game or offer unlimited play wristbands to boost participation.
Pro tip: Offer small prizes like candy, pencils, or themed trinkets—low cost, high joy.
Harvest Raffle or Silent Auction
Why it works: Adding a raffle or auction increases your fundraising ceiling without a ton of extra work. Families are already on site—make it easy for them to participate.
Ideas for raffle prizes:
- Fall gift baskets (candles, mugs, local goods)
- School spirit wear
- Local restaurant gift cards
- Experience prizes (movie nights, sports tickets)
Use digital ticketing via CharityAuctionsToday or paper tickets at check-in.
Pro tip: Bundle raffle + entry tickets to increase average transaction size.
Fall Food Fair
Why it works: Nothing brings people together like food. Featuring seasonal favorites creates a warm, cozy vibe—and drives donations.
Food ideas:
- Apple cider, donuts, and caramel apples
- Chili cook-off or pie bake-off
- Food truck partnerships
- Bake sale with homemade treats
Pro tip: Offer tasting wristbands for a fixed price or run food stations with tickets.
Hayrides, Trunk-or-Treat, & Family Activities
Why it works: Interactive activities keep families on campus longer, which means more opportunities to give.
Examples:
- Tractor hayrides around the school
- Trunk-or-Treat lineups in the parking lot
- Costume contests with small prizes
- Storytime tents or cozy reading corners
Safety tip: Plan clearly marked traffic routes and have volunteers supervise.
Fall Photo Booth & Memories Wall
Why it works: Photo stations create shareable moments, which promote your event organically on social media.
Ideas:
- Hay bale or barn backdrop with pumpkins and fall décor
- “Thankful Wall” where families can write notes of gratitude
- Instant photo prints or digital downloads with suggested donations
Encourage families to tag the school’s social accounts to boost visibility and future turnout.
Fundraising Layers That Multiply Revenue
Layer multiple fundraising elements together:
- Entry tickets + wristbands
- Raffle or silent auction
- Sponsorships from local businesses
- Food sales and pumpkin patch
- Mobile ticketing to reduce lines
Schools that combine 3+ fundraising methods typically double their event revenue compared to single-stream efforts.
Pro Tips for Planning a Fall Festival
- Start planning 8–12 weeks in advance.
- Build a volunteer committee early.
- Partner with local businesses for donations and sponsorships.
- Keep pricing simple (e.g., $5 entry + $20 unlimited wristband).
- Always have a rain plan—fall weather is unpredictable.
👉 See PTO Today for planning templates and volunteer checklists.
Glossary of Key Fall Festival Fundraising Terms
- Raffle: A game of chance where participants buy tickets to win prizes.
- Wristband: A flat-fee access option for games and activities.
- Silent Auction: Bidding on items without an auctioneer, often mobile or paper-based.
- Trunk-or-Treat: Halloween-style car decoration and candy event.
- Pumpkin Patch Fundraiser: Selling pumpkins as a seasonal revenue stream.
Related Guides
- 9 Raffle Games to Help You Raise More Money
- Silent Auction Donation Request Sources
- Businesses That Help Fundraise
- Online Bidding Experience
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the must-have stations for a school fall festival?
Pumpkin decorating, carnival games, cake walk, photo booth, food trucks or chili cook-off, and a raffle or mini-auction create steady traffic and revenue across age groups.
How do we price tickets or wristbands to maximize turnout and revenue?
Simplify with bundles (e.g., $10 wristband for unlimited games; $1–$2 tickets for premium stations). Offer family packs and early-bird discounts online to boost pre-sales.
Which fall-themed games are easy to run with volunteers and kids of all ages?
Pumpkin bowling, ring toss, bean bag toss, hay bale obstacle, sack races, and guess-the-candy-jar are quick to set up, low-cost, and simple to reset between players.
How can we add fundraising elements without slowing the fun down?
Add a basket raffle table, 50/50 raffle, sponsor passports (stamp all booths to enter), and a mini silent auction of class-made projects or local experiences with QR codes to bid.
What food and beverage options work best for outdoor school events in fall weather?
Hot cocoa, cider, chili or soup cups, grilled items, and baked goods are seasonal favorites. Invite local food trucks and negotiate a give-back percentage for the PTO.
How should we recruit and schedule volunteers for smooth coverage of stations?
Create 60–90 minute shifts, assign two adults per game, and use grade-level signups to spread the load. Provide quick scripts, reset instructions, and a roaming “floater” per zone.
What’s the best way to handle payments—cash, tickets, or digital options?
Sell tickets and wristbands at a central booth (cash + card). Use QR codes for online purchases and limit cash handling at individual stations to speed lines and simplify reconciliation.
How do we promote the festival to families and the community quickly and effectively?
Send a save-the-date 4–6 weeks out, post weekly social teasers, share classroom flyers, and ask local sponsors to co-post. Use a short, trackable link and a simple landing page for details.
What safety and accessibility steps should we plan for family-friendly fun outdoors?
Mark entrances/exits, add first-aid and handwashing stations, use non-slip mats, keep wide aisles for strollers and wheelchairs, and label allergens at food booths and cake walks.
How do we measure success and thank sponsors after the festival ends?
Tally attendance, net revenue, and top-performing stations within 72 hours. Share a photo recap, thank sponsors publicly, and send a short survey to improve next year’s event.
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