Fort Mill's fall lineup starts late September and runs through the end of October, with five free festivals and a lantern-lit walking tour anchoring the schedule.

Fort Mill Now compiled a York County fall events guide, and most of the action lands within a short drive of Fort Mill and Tega Cay. Both Lanterns & Legends tours and Windy Hill apple picking sell out, so booking early is worth the effort.

Catawba Fest, Sept. 26

Tega Cay opens the season with Catawba Fest at Catawba Park. The free event, organized by the City of Tega Cay, features local artisans, food trucks, a free kids' zone and a kids market.

Smokin' Ed's Eating Competitions include pumpkin pie and donut contests for adults and children, plus a Carolina Reaper Donuts of Doom challenge for ages 21 and up. A headlining musical act starts at 4:45 p.m.

Anne Springs Close Greenway, October events

The Greenway's Fresh Air Hour on Oct. 1 offers free admission to explore the 2,100-acre property from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Lake Haigler entrance, 2573 Lake Haigler Dr. The Greenway Canteen hosts live music Friday and Saturday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. through early November. A Fall Artisan Market is set for Oct. 3 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Lanterns & Legends, Thursdays through Saturdays in October

The Fort Mill History Museum presents its 10th annual Lanterns & Legends walking tour, a lantern-guided stroll through Fort Mill's historic streets featuring local legends and stories from the town's past. Tours depart at 6:45 and 7:45 p.m. from the museum at 107 Clebourne St.

Tickets are $17 per person. The tour is recommended for ages 12 and up. Space is limited.

The museum also offers a Lanterns & Legends Bar Crawl on Oct. 1 and Oct. 8 from 6 to 8:15 p.m. The 21-and-older event visits three downtown venues, includes a drink at each stop and costs $25.

Fort Mill History Museum extras

A free New Unity Cemetery Scavenger Hunt runs all of October. Pick up a sheet at the museum, find clues at the cemetery and return it by 4 p.m. Oct. 31 for a chance to win a prize.

Halloween Trivia Night is Oct. 13 from 7 to 9 p.m. at 204 Main St., Suite 101. A portion of sales supports the museum.

The museum brings Pioneer Crafts to the Fort Mill Farmers & Artisans Market on Oct. 10 from 9 a.m. to noon, where Joe and Flora Doraski lead free kids' crafts in costume.

12th annual Scarecrow Crawl, all of October

The Town of Fort Mill's Scarecrow Crawl returns for its 12th year, lining downtown streets with themed scarecrows. The free, self-guided route covers Tom Hall Street, Main Street, Clebourne Street, North and South White streets, Millstone Park and Walter Elisha Park.

Judging categories include Most Creative, Most Fort Mill Spirit, Best School and Most Complex. The public picks a People's Choice winner by liking photos on the Town of Fort Mill's Facebook page.

Fort Mill Fall Festival, Oct. 17

The town's annual fall festival takes over the Fort Mill Amphitheater and Walter Y. Elisha Park, 345 N. White St., from 2 to 6 p.m. Admission is free. The Town of Fort Mill said on X the festival will feature food and drink vendors, arts and crafts booths, live music, costume contests for all ages, roving entertainment and a Touch-A-Truck display with town vehicles.

The Scarecrow Crawl route runs through the same area, so visitors can walk the scarecrows before or after the festival.

Baxter Village Fall Festival, Oct. 24

The Baxter Village Fall Festival and Market Days fills Market Street at the Market Street Town Center in Baxter Village from noon to 6 p.m. The free event features more than 125 vendors, live entertainment, games, prizes and fall activities, according to Fort Mill Now.

What's ahead

The Clover Highland Games arrive Nov. 14 with bagpipe bands, Celtic music and border collie demonstrations. The Catawba Indian Nation's Yap Ye Iswa festival follows Nov. 21 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Catawba Reservation in Rock Hill, featuring traditional pottery, art, food and dances. Both are free.