Happy Valley's fall calendar is set, and this year's lineup runs from a September drive-in movie to December's tree lighting. The dates below come straight from the City of Happy Valley, and the full, always-current list lives on the team's Community Calendar.
Drive-in movie: Saturday, September 26 at 6 p.m.
The city opens fall with a drive-in movie on Saturday, September 26 at 6 p.m. Bring blankets, tune the radio, and treat the parking lot like a front-row seat. It is one of those warm, low-key evenings that remind you why the valley's event calendar punches above its weight.
Oktoberfest at Happy Valley Park: Saturday, October 3
The centerpiece is Oktoberfest on Saturday, October 3, from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Happy Valley Park. The city's annual tradition brings live Bavarian music, food and drinks, stein-hoisting and eating contests, wiener dog races, a petting zoo, wagon rides, and pumpkin painting, plus artisan vendors. It is the kind of full-day festival that families plan their October weekends around.
Trunk or treat at Valley Public House: October 29
Local venues join in too. Valley Public House hosts a trunk or treat on Thursday, October 29 at 4:30 p.m., a car-to-car costume crawl that is a favorite with the younger set. Dates at private venues can shift, so a quick check of the organizer's page before you go is always wise.
Tree lighting at City Hall: Sunday, December 6
The holiday season officially begins with the Tree Lighting Ceremony on Sunday, December 6, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Happy Valley City Hall. It is free, with live entertainment and seasonal treats, and it is the crowd favorite for closing out the year.
Build a weekend around it
The best part of these events is the commute: most are within ten minutes of nearly every Happy Valley home. Pair Oktoberfest with the Happy Valley Station food cart pod or a taproom night at Stickmen Brewing or Valley Public House, and you have a full day without leaving the neighborhood. For the year-round rhythm of the valley, our guide to recurring events covers the farmers market, the summer concert series, and the holiday traditions that show up every year.
Plan your fall in the valley
Bookmark the Community Calendar: it is updated as new dates land, and it is the one list that is always current. And if you are thinking about making the valley home, the calendar is a great preview of what your weekends look like here. We would love to show you around.