Fall has officially arrived in the high desert, and the Antelope Valley calendar is filling up fast.

From the last weekend of the fair to pumpkin patches and a free festival at the Palmdale Amphitheater, here's what's worth putting on the family calendar this October.

Dates can shift, so always confirm with the organizer before you head out.

AV Fair: final weekend, through Oct. 4

The 2026 Antelope Valley Fair is running over two fall weekends this year at the AV Fair & Event Center, 2551 W. Avenue H in Lancaster.

The final stretch runs Thursday, Oct. 1, through Sunday, Oct. 4, with rides, food, live entertainment and motorsports.

Presale tickets are $11 for adults and $7 for kids 6 to 11 and seniors 65 and up; children 5 and under get in free with a paid adult, and active military get in free with ID, according to the fair's official site.

Pumpkin patch at Barber Family Farm, Lancaster

Barber Family Farm at 354 E. Avenue G-6 in Lancaster has become a local fall tradition, with past seasons featuring a pumpkin patch, petting zoo, pony rides, a hay maze and games for about $5 a person.

It's an easy, low-key outing for little ones, and the hay maze and petting zoo are usually the big hits with younger kids.

Check the farm's Facebook page for this year's days, hours and prices before you go.

Kaleidoscope Fall Frenzy, Palmdale: Oct. 16 and 17

Palmdale's free Kaleidoscope Fall Frenzy returns to the Palmdale Amphitheater, 2723 Rancho Vista Blvd., on Friday, Oct. 16, and Saturday, Oct. 17.

The city-run festival features a boutique pumpkin patch, a roller rink, an art district, kids' attractions, local dance groups, food vendors and live shows, with the city's first projection-mapping concert this year.

Parking is free along Rancho Vista Boulevard.

The venue is cashless, so bring a card, and find the schedule at kaleidoscopefallfestival.com.

Día de los Muertos, Lancaster: Oct. 24

The Center for Spiritual Living Antelope Valley, 1030 W. Avenue L-8 in Lancaster, hosts a free Day of the Dead festival on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Expect altars, music, food and local vendors in a family-friendly celebration honoring loved ones.

Organizers invite visitors to build personal altars, so families can take part rather than just watch.

Lancaster's Halloween Haunt

The City of Lancaster's annual Halloween Haunt is on the calendar again, but the city hasn't posted 2026 details yet.

Keep an eye on the city's event page for the date, and we'll share it here once it's announced.

Worth the drive: Tehachapi Apple Festival, Oct. 10

If you're up for a short road trip, Tehachapi's Apple Festival fills South Green Street from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10, with a pie-eating contest, apple bobbing and kids' games, about an hour from Palmdale.

Fall tips for AV families

Desert days can still be warm, but evenings cool off quickly in October, so pack a jacket for night events.

Bring water, sunscreen and a little cash for vendors, except at cashless venues like the Amphitheater.

Know of a fall event in Quartz Hill, Acton, Lake Los Angeles or another corner of the valley that we missed?

Tell us in the comments, and we'll add it to our next roundup.