Living in Morgantown, you might think of it as a quiet college town most of the time. But when fall arrives, the atmosphere completely changes.

The WVU football season kicks off, and as festivals begin to pop up, people flood in every weekend.

The most notable event is definitely the WVU Homecoming. In 2025, it was held from October 24 to 26, and on Friday evening, the Homecoming Parade took place on High Street. It's not just a party for students; alumni return, and local residents come out, making it a celebration for nearly the entire town of Morgantown.

During this time, the WVU Gold and Blue colors are everywhere. On weekends with football games, even the traffic is different from usual.

If family or friends are coming from out of town, you need to book a hotel in advance.

Thinking, "It's Morgantown, surely there won't be no rooms available?" can lead to disappointment. It's best to prepare for Homecoming weekend a month or two in advance.

One event I want to see in the fall is Balloons Over Morgantown. About ten hot air balloons rise into the sky, and when combined with the West Virginia fall foliage, the scenery is truly spectacular. Especially if you go early in the morning when the balloons take off, you can see fog hanging over the mountains with the balloons rising above it.

However, those who tend to sleep in should be prepared. If you plan to wake up early and end up opening your eyes at 9 AM, you'll have missed it. It's a great event for families with kids and for those who love photography. Just keep in mind that hot air balloons are heavily dependent on the weather, so be sure to check the schedule for the day.

If you're thinking of venturing a bit further, there's also the Mountain State Forest Festival held in Elkins. It's about an hour and a half drive from Morgantown, and in 2026, it is scheduled for September 26 to October 4. This is a classic fall festival in West Virginia with a history of over 80 years.

The festival features a variety of programs, from running events to Highland dancing, woodworking, quilt and art exhibitions, and parades.

You can truly experience the atmosphere of a typical American local festival. It offers a different kind of fun compared to flashy big city events.

Nearby, the Monongalia County Fair is also worth checking out.

It's a typical family event centered around agriculture and local culture, making it a nice outing with kids.

There are also events in spring and winter. If you enjoy traditional music, there are events like the Gardner Winter Music Festival, and there are also events that combine local wine and music.

If you expand your search to nearby areas, you can find festivals with a strong West Virginia flavor, like the Preston County Buckwheat Festival.

What I feel living in Morgantown is that this town is really quiet if you just stay put. If you're at home, you might wonder, "Is there anything to do here?"

But if you look up event schedules and plan for football this week, hot air balloons next week, and then a trip to Elkins to see the fall colors, the fall months will fly by.

In a small town, it's often not that there's nothing to do, but rather that you have to seek it out.

Are guests coming in the fall? Don't just take them to eat and then to Coopers Rock.

Check the event dates first. If you time it right, you might find yourself saying, "Was Morgantown really this fun?"