FALL FUN AT CROSSLAKE DAYS SEPTEMBER 24-26, 2026
There’s something about fall Up North that makes you want to slow down and enjoy it. Crisp mornings, changing leaves, small-town streets filled with people, and a full day ahead with nowhere else you need to be.
That’s Crosslake Days.
September 24-26, 2026, Crosslake comes alive for a classic up north fall festival, Crosslake Days. Spend the weekend for this longtime tradition filled with food, handcrafted goods, family activities, live music and plenty of reasons to explore town.
Whether Crosslake Days has been on your family calendar for years or this will be your first time, here are a few things you won’t want to miss.
Taste Your Way Through the Crosslake Chili Cook-Off
Come hungry on Saturday.
Beginning at noon, 31 businesses throughout Crosslake will serve up their best chili recipes during the Crosslake Days Chili Cook-Off. Instead of gathering in one location, the fun takes you all around town.
Grab your family or a group of friends and make your way from business to business, sampling chili and comparing favorites along the way. Try a few or make it your mission to taste as many as possible.
Then comes the important part: choosing your favorite. Cast your vote for the People’s Choice winner by 3 PM and see who takes home one of the coveted Golden Ladles and a year of bragging rights.
There’s nothing quite like seeing the whole town get involved, and it’s one Crosslake Days tradition you have to experience for yourself.
Shop Handmade at the Handcrafted Arts & Crafts Fair
Start your Saturday with a stroll through one of the biggest attractions of Crosslake Days.
From 9 AM-4 PM, the grounds of The Log Church will be filled with more than 65 artisans for the Handcrafted Arts & Crafts Fair.
Take your time browsing handmade goods and one-of-a-kind finds while enjoying coffee and espresso drinks, food vendors, live music and the fall atmosphere. There’s even a playground for the kids.
It’s the kind of shopping experience that feels right at home Up North. Meet the makers, discover something unexpected and take home a little piece of your Crosslake Days weekend.
Search for the Lost Chili Pepper: A CITY-WIDE TREASURE HUNT
Keep your eyes open while you’re exploring Crosslake. Somewhere within the city limits, the Lost Chili Pepper is waiting to be found.
The hunt begins Thursday, September 24, with one clue released each morning at 9 AM on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Follow the clues, put your detective skills to work and see if you can find it before anyone else does. This year’s lucky finder will take home a prize package valued at more than $4,600, filled with gift cards, experiences, merchandise and other prizes donated by Crosslake businesses.
Bringing younger explorers? Kids ages 12 and under can join the Junior Search for the Lost Chili Pepper at 9:30 AM Saturday at The Yellow House.
Bring the Kids
Crosslake Days makes it easy to turn Saturday into a full family day.
After the Junior Lost Chili Pepper Search, stop by Whistling Wolf Mini Golf for the Exotic Petting Zoo from 10:30 AM-12:30 PM. Kids can decorate totes at Moonlite Bay, create wooden coasters and magnets at Squirrelly Mama Boutique, browse the Scholastic Book Fair at Crosslake Community School or gather around the bonfire for s’mores at the Crosslake Dam Recreation Area.
At 3 PM, head to the National Loon Center Nest and see who can deliver the best “ooo-OOO-ooo” during the 7th Annual Loon Calling Contest.
And if your family likes things a little spooky, Whistling Werewolf Haunted Mini Golf runs from 5-9 PM Friday and Saturday.
Stay for Saturday Night
Don’t head home when the Chili Cook-Off ends. Crosslake Days keeps going well into Saturday evening.
From 5-9 PM, Pioneer Drive comes alive for the 7th Annual Crosslake Street Dance. The T.C. Jammers will provide the live music, with food and beverages available from the Knights of Columbus and Maucieri’s.
Or trade the street dance for a quieter fall evening at the Crosslake Historic Log Village. From 7-9 PM, the Cider & Candlelight Tour features wagon rides, live music by Bruce Archer, apple cider and treats in the Livery, and root beer served in the Saloon.
There’s something pretty special about ending a busy fall day with cider, candlelight and a little Crosslake history.
Make a Weekend of It
And those are only a few of the events happening during Crosslake Days.
Friday night brings Kids & Family Night, a fall paint-along, live music throughout town and haunted mini golf. Saturday adds the Cornhole Tournament, Dry Dock Boat & Auto Show, live music, Bingo, mechanical bull riding, Jul Fest Craft & Bake Sale, Shoreline Cleanup and plenty more.
Come for your favorite tradition or experience Crosslake Days for the first time. Bring the kids, meet up with friends, eat plenty of chili and give yourself a full day to explore.
Because some of the best fall memories are the simple ones: being together, trying something new and spending a beautiful day Up North.
