12 Festive Fall Event Ideas for Your Church

Looking for the perfect fall event for your church & ministry? You’ve come to the right place! Whether you are looking to plan an outreach event, a fundraiser, or a fun fall event for your Kids Ministry families, you are sure to get some great ideas here!

1. Trunk or Treat – This is a great outreach event for your community around Halloween! Individuals/groups from your church decorate their cars (trunks) and hand out candy to children as they trick or treat from car to car safely in your church parking lot! For tons of tips & tricks for planning Trunk or Treat, click here.
   
   
2. Outdoor Movie Night – This is such a fun & simple event for your whole church family! Serve popcorn, pick a family friendly movie, and show it on the side of your church building (or rent a blow up screen)! Camp chairs & blankets are welcome!
   
   
3. Bonfire Night – The cooler weather & earlier nightfall make for the perfect time for a bonfire night! Your church can provide the bonfire, s’mores, campfire sticks, and hot cocoa/hot cider. Families can bring along their camp chairs and anything else they’d like to roast!
   
   
4. Fall Festival – Plan a big outdoor fall festival at your church! You can have carnival games, fun activities, food stalls/trucks, and even live music! This fall event is a great way for people to invite their friends & family to church, and for your church to connect with the community!
   
   
5. Pancakes & Pajamas – Host this fall event on a Saturday morning for families in your kids ministry! Families can stop by and have breakfast together, and kids can stay in their pj’s! Have volunteers or staff make pancakes to order, and have a little fall craft/activity for each family to do together after their meal. Don’t forget the butter, syrup, sprinkles, and whipped cream!
   
   
6. Pumpkin Paint Party – This could be an all church event, an outreach event, or an event just for kids! Have someone lead the group in 1 paint pattern, or let everyone paint what they’d like. Provide the paint, brushes, and pumpkins, or let individuals bring the pumpkins they want to paint! Add some snacks, hot cocoa or hot cider, and you’ve got a paint party!
   
   
7. Fall Family Meet Up – Have families in your church meet up somewhere for some fall fun – this could be apple picking, a corn maze, a pumpkin patch, a local fall festival, or even a hike! Pick the time & place, and invite your families to join!
   
   
8. Friendsgiving – Host a Friendsgiving at your church for your entire congregation or specific groups (small groups, volunteers, kids ministry families, Sunday school classes, etc). Your church can provide the staples, and individuals can bring sides & desserts! Everyone will love gathering together to share food & what they are thankful for.
   
   
9. Chili Cook Off – This is a fun (and delicious) way to come together this fall! A Chili Cook Off is the perfect fall event to host as a fundraiser for a particular ministry or mission. Individuals compete in a chili making competition, attendees buy tickets to be able to taste & vote, and awards are given out in the end to the winner(s)!
   
   
10. Fall Family Fun Night – Host a night of fall fun & games designed specifically for your kids ministry families! Create a theme, have snacks, and play some lighthearted (slightly competitive) ‘Minute to Win It’ type games together! Families who want to participate in the games can put their names in a hat that will be drawn from throughout the event. Check out Pinterest for some awesome fall/Halloween themed family activities!
    
    
11. Pumpkin Patch Fundraiser – Purchase pumpkins in bulk & sell them at your church to raise money for a specific ministry or mission. You could add this to a Fall Festival or Trunk or Treat, or have this as a separate event. Decorate the area with fall/Halloween themed decor, and sell those pumpkins!
    
    
12. Reverse Trick or Treating – We’ve all heard of trick or treating… but have you heard of reverse trick or treating?! Well, it’s just that! Instead of children getting candy from others, they give something to others. Families can get together at the church to fill goody bags, and then take them to a local nursing home where children distribute them to the residents. Costumes are encouraged!