Just 30 minutes north of Seattle, this 5-acre fall harvest festival opens September 12 with a brand-new nighttime trail featuring 5,000 glowing pumpkins

Fall is officially back on the calendar for Seattle-area families. Swan Trail Farms opens its gates for the fall season on September 12, kicking off their annual harvest festival with apple picking, pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and a brand-new evening event that transforms the farm after dark. Located just 30 minutes north of Seattle in the Snohomish Valley, the farm has long been a go-to fall destination. This year, thanks to a new nighttime attraction, there’s more reason than ever to make the trip.

The annual Harvest Festival runs from September 12 through October 31, open daily from 10 AM to 6 PM. Expect the full lineup of classic fall activities: the Washington State Corn Maze, wagon rides, farm animals, live shows, and jumping pillows. The massive pumpkin garden remains a crowd favorite for fall photos, and fresh apple cider donuts are, naturally, non-negotiable. Admission wristbands cover all the main attractions, making it easy to fill an entire day without running out of things to do.

After the sun goes down, Swan Trail Farms becomes something else entirely. The Great Harvest Glow is a brand-new nighttime experience debuting this September — and it’s genuinely unlike anything the farm has put together before. It starts with a wagon ride out to the trail, then guests walk a nearly half-mile path lined with more than 5,000 hand-carved glowing pumpkins, colorful illuminated displays, and immersive scenes designed for all ages. The experience is family-friendly and decidedly non-scary, so younger kids are very much welcome. Guests can arrive as early as 5:00 PM to enjoy the Barnyard attractions, Country Store, Cidery, and food vendors before their wagon departure. The Donut Barn, Pumpkin Patch, and Country Store stay open late on Glow nights, with the final wagon departing at 8:30 PM. The Glow runs Friday through Sunday from September 12 through October 31, with Thursday nights added throughout October.

September is peak apple season at Swan Trail Farms, and the five-acre U-Pick orchard — home to more than 4,000 trees — opens alongside the rest of the farm on September 12. No admission is required to pick apples or visit the U-Pick Pumpkin Patch; you simply pay for what you take home. The Country Store and Farm Food stands also operate without an attractions wristband, so a casual visit to stock up on fresh produce and a bite is always an option, no planning required.