Fall arrives a little differently in the Nevada desert. The temperatures cool down, the mountains frame the valley in golden light, and Pahrump comes alive with one of its biggest celebrations of the year – the Annual Fall Festival which takes place from September 24-27. Add in carnival rides, rodeo action, local food, community traditions and plenty of unexpected places to explore, and you have the makings of a fall getaway worth taking.
Here’s what three days in Pahrump could look like during the Fall Festival.
Day 1: Let the Festival Begin
Arrive in Pahrump, get settled and make your way to the Tourism Info Center to pick up a local map so that you can make your plans – and don’t forget about the local art and music scene while you’re here. Then, you can begin to make your plans for the Fall Festival, as tickets are available in person. Throughout the weekend, you can enjoy unlimited carnival rides with a wristband for $35, and tickets for the rodeos are $15 for Friday night and $20 for Saturday night.
Thursday evening is all about opening night as the midway lights up from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. as the festival officially kicks off. Take a spin on the carnival rides, test your luck at classic games and dig into all the fair favorites that make Fall Festival feel like fall — funnel cakes, corn dogs and plenty of other festival treats.
Take your time exploring the grounds, soaking up the small-town energy and enjoying the opening-night atmosphere before heading back into town.
End the evening with a walk beneath Pahrump’s wide-open skies or find a quiet spot to take in the stars. It’s a simple way to wind down after a night of carnival lights and excitement.
Day 2: Rodeos, Rides and Festival Favorites
Friday is when the Fall Festival really gets going. With the festival running from noon until midnight, there’s plenty of time to make a full day of it.
Explore the festival exhibits and see what local residents have created, from arts and crafts and photography to horticulture, baking and preserves. Spend some time wandering the grounds, catching live entertainment and sampling your way through the festival food. Save room for all your carnival favorites — there’s no better excuse to indulge when you’re at the fair.
As evening approaches, get ready for rodeo action. The rodeo gates open at 6:00 p.m. and the competition begins at 7:00 p.m., bringing Western tradition and excitement to the heart of Pahrump.
After the rodeo and a full day at the festival, slow things down with a drink or late-night bite around town. Or if you’re not ready to call it a night, keep the fun going with live music and events at The Wine Down or head to the Pahrump Nugget for more entertainment.
Day 3: Discover More of Pahrump
There’s still plenty to see before you head home, as Saturday morning begins with the annual parade at 9 a.m. Afterwards, you can grab a late breakfast and coffee to fuel the rest of your day at O Happy Bread, Our Place or Black Cow Coffee before choosing your next adventure.
You can head back to the Fall Festival for more fun, or if you’re looking to indulge in all that Pahrump offers, you have plenty of options to choose from. Golfers can enjoy a round at Lake View Golf Course or you can enjoy riding the trails on horseback at the Sundance Ranch of Nevada. For something a little more unexpected, explore the Pahrump Portal to Death Valley. Browse unusual finds and local goods at Death Valley Marketplace, discover the wonderfully spooky Coffinwood or step into the Old West at Weathers Gulch Ghost Town.
When it’s time to refuel, explore more of Pahrump’s local food and beverage scene. Enjoy wood-fired pizza at Farinata, locally brewed beer and hearty food at Steelbound Brewery, authentic Thai flavors at ChatThai Bistro or a glass of wine at Charleston Peak. You can also slow down at The Wine Down for wine, small bites, live music and good company.
Before you leave, browse local shops for something to remember the trip by, then take one last scenic drive through the valley. It’s an easy ending to a weekend filled with carnival lights, Western tradition, local flavor and the kind of small-town fall atmosphere that makes you want to come back next year.
Plan your Fall Festival getaway at VisitPahrump.com.