The 77th Salem Art Fair and Festival runs Sept. 11-13 at Bush's Pasture Park. It's the Salem Art Association's biggest fundraiser of the year, and it's probably the last great outdoor weekend before the rain shows up.

What's there: artists across 17 mediums, a main stage all three days, Kids' Court and a children's parade, and Eric Tautkus painting an 8-by-12-foot floral mural live over the weekend. There's a sensory support booth, too, for anyone who needs to step out of the noise.

Hours: Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., with entertainment until 9. Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Cost: $10 adults, $8 seniors 55 and up and veterans, $5 teens 13-17, free for kids 12 and under. Three-day passes run $20, $15 and $10. Salem Art Association members get in free, and so do Oregon Health Plan and SNAP cardholders.

All of this comes from the fair's website, so check salemartfair.org for updates before you head out.

Summer may be winding down, but Salem is heading into one of the best times of the year. The Mid-Willamette Valley does fall right, with apple picking, pumpkin patches, harvest festivals, Oktoberfest, art, cider donuts, corn mazes, and plenty of excuses to throw on a sweater and get outside.

Here are some of the fall traditions and big events to start looking forward to.

Fall means apple season in the Willamette Valley! True North Orchards in northeast Salem offers U-pick fruit into the fall, while Perryhill Farm near Dallas typically offers U-pick apples from mid-August through September. Availability changes throughout the season, so check with farms before heading out.

Make a day of it. Pick enough apples for a pie, grab some cider, and enjoy one of the perks of living in the middle of Oregon farm country.

One of Salem's biggest cultural traditions returns to Bush's Pasture Park for its 77th year. More than 200 juried artists from around the country will be joined by three days of live music, artist demonstrations, food carts, regional beer, wine and spirits, and activities for all ages.

Break out the lederhosen! One of the biggest fall celebrations in the region transforms nearby Mt. Angel into a four-day celebration of German culture with traditional food, beer, music, dancing, vendors, and family activities. If you've never made the short trip north for Oktoberfest, make this the year.

Pumpkin season is coming! Bauman's annual Harvest Festival returns with more than 30 activities, including mazes, farm animals, rides, obstacle courses, pumpkins, fresh apple cider, and those beloved apple cider donuts.

There are also several special weekends to watch for, including the Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off & Giant Pumpkin Drop on Oct. 3 and Bauman's Cider Festival Oct. 24–25.

You don't even have to leave Salem for the classic pumpkin-patch experience. E.Z. Orchards' annual HarvestFest brings the season to life with its pumpkin patch, Oregon-themed corn maze, hayrides, farm animals, and activities for kiddos.

And really, is it fall in Salem until you've made a trip to E.Z. Orchards?

Another Salem fall favorite, Fordyce Farm combines a pumpkin patch with a corn maze, farm store, bakery, and seasonal farm fun. If you're looking for something a little spookier as Halloween approaches, the farm also traditionally offers a haunted corn maze.

October brings an entirely new wave of things to do. Expect costume parties, trick-or-treating, haunted attractions, Día de los Muertos celebrations, spooky markets, family activities, and plenty more Halloween fun throughout Salem.

We'll have much more on those events as October gets closer.

Pick some apples. Get lost in a corn maze. Eat a cider donut. Find the weirdest pumpkin in the patch. Dance at Oktoberfest. Wander through an art fair. Take the family somewhere new.

Rain or shine, there is plenty of fall fun ahead in Salem and the Mid-Willamette Valley.

Four days, four big shows to close out the Oregon State Fair! A limited number of concert seats are FREE with paid Fair admission on a first-come, first-served basis, or you can purchase reserved seating to guarantee your spot.

🤠 Fri, Sept. 4 | Jo Dee Messina
'90s and 2000s country powerhouse behind “Heads Carolina, Tails California” and “Bye Bye.”

🍹 Sat, Sept. 5 | Uncle Kracker
Kick back with the country, pop, and rock favorite behind “Follow Me” and “Drift Away.”

🤘 Sun, Sept. 6 | Twisted Sister ft. Sebastian Bach
Get ready to rock with Twisted Sister celebrating 50 years, with Sebastian Bach on lead vocals.

🪗 Mon, Sept. 7 | 4PM | “Weird Al” Yankovic
Finish the Fair with comedy legend “Weird Al” and his Bigger & Weirder 2026 Tour, featuring special guest Puddles Pity Party.

Build confidence while learning practical safety, awareness, and self-defense skills at these free, beginner-friendly community classes. Kids ages 7–14 and women ages 14+ have separate sessions, with no experience or uniform required.

Punk with a purpose! This free festival combines live punk music with more than 50 community resource booths, youth speakers, merch, giveaways, creative activities, and more.

Youth ages 11–18 can also score a free meal and shop a free clothing closet.

Need a new hobby? Get those feet moving with an afternoon of salsa and bachata hosted by Salem Rueda De Casino (SRC Salsa). No pre-registration required!

Yes, there will be a "Drank in My Cup." Kirko Bangz comes to Salem for one last summer dance party, with DJ Blaze and DJ Sushi keeping the music going throughout the night.

Take a break from real life and come play! This weekly drop-in class uses improv games to build creativity, communication, and quick thinking.

All experience levels are welcome, and your first class is free.

Send off another summer of Music at the Mill with Phoenix! The final concert of the season features live music in the historic mill yard, with food and drinks available from Lively at the Mill.

Even better, online tickets are just $5 for the summer finale.

Grab your smartest friends and put that useless knowledge to work. Xicha's monthly trivia night returns with another evening of friendly competition, tacos, and brews.

Stretch out under the evening sky with a 60-minute, all-levels yoga class led by Yoga + Beer founder Mikki Trowbridge. Enjoy some movement and community in the heart of downtown Salem.

Young professionals 40 and under can connect over lunch and hear from Krystan Resch of Summit Wealth Management, who will share lessons from her career in telecom, software, and the start-up world.

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Thanks for keeping up with Salem this week!

Spotted something interesting in town? Drop us a note at [email protected] We love hearing from you.

See you next Thursday,

Ernie