Bend Fall Festival Returns Downtown October 2 to 4 With a New Harvest Bake-Off, Fleetwood Mask Tribute Set, and Free Admission for Central Oregon Crowds
BEND, OR — One of Central Oregon’s best-known autumn traditions is coming back to downtown Bend from Oct. 2 to 4. The 2026 Ember Sauna Bend Fall Festival will again fill the city center with art, music, food, drinks and family activities.
This year’s edition also adds a new Harvest Bake-Off, giving home bakers and chili makers a chance to compete for ribbons, prizes and a Best in Show title.
Harvest Bake-Off brings pies, breads and chili into the spotlight
The inaugural competition is designed around fall favorites, with entry categories for pies, breads and chili. Organizers say each division has limited space, and they expect spots to go quickly.
Participants can also compete for a Best Display Award by presenting their entries in especially festive style. Registration is open online, and the entry fee is $5 per submission.
Those limits are tight: 20 pie entries, 20 bread entries and 15 chili entries will be accepted. Advance registration is required for anyone hoping to take part.
Music, makers and family activities will anchor the weekend
Festivalgoers will once again be able to browse hundreds of artisan booths and shop from regional makers offering handcrafted goods. The event will also feature local food vendors, craft beverages and community organizations.
The 2026 music lineup is led by Fleetwood Mask, a Fleetwood Mac tribute band, and LowDown Brass Band, the Chicago-based group known for mixing brass, funk, hip-hop, soul and jazz. Regional and local performers will round out the schedule across the weekend.
Beyond the stage, the festival is set to include interactive activities for all ages, along with demonstrations and other family-friendly experiences that highlight the season.
Free admission keeps the festival open to the whole community
Lay It Out Events, which is presenting the festival, says the event is meant to showcase the creativity and traditions tied to autumn in Central Oregon. Organizers are framing the bake-off and live entertainment as new ways to deepen the community feel.
Admission to Bend Fall Festival is free, making it one of the region’s most accessible seasonal events. More information, including entertainment schedules, vendor details and registration, is available at bendfallfestival.com.
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