Shepherd of the Hills Fall 2026: PumpkinFest, Halloween, Shows & More

Save 15% at Shepherd of the Hills
Discount Code: SLBHILS
Website: https://theshepherdofthehills.com/

Use code  SLBHILLS  when you book through the Shepherd of the Hills website to save 15% on eligible activities and shows.

Fall is probably my favorite time to visit Shepherd of the Hills in Branson, Missouri. PumpkinFest gives families a ton to do during the day, and this year they’ve added even more once the sun goes down.

You could easily spend an afternoon and evening here. But you definitely don’t need to do everything, so I’m going to tell you what’s included, what costs extra and what I would actually spend my time on.

Shepherd of the Hills Fall 2026 at a Glance

📍 Location: Shepherd of the Hills in Branson, Missouri

🎃 PumpkinFest: September 12 through October 31, 2026, on select days

🎟️ Discount: Save 15% with code: SLBHILLS

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best For: Families looking for a place where the kids can actually run around and play

🍂 What’s Included: More than 30 PumpkinFest activities, including the hayride, barnyard animals, mini golf, slides, play areas, Inspiration Tower and more

🎢 Worth the Add-On: If you want to add an adventure attraction, my pick is the Copperhead Mountain Coaster

🌙 After Dark: Pumpkins Aglow, Spooky Hayrides and the new Sleepy Hollow show are part of the fall nighttime lineup on select dates

⏰ Time Needed: I’d give it an afternoon and evening

👢 What Kids Should Wear: Play clothes and comfortable shoes. Trust me.

⭐ My Take: Come while it’s still daylight and let the kids enjoy PumpkinFest. Add the mountain coaster if you want a little more adventure, grab something to eat and then stay for whatever nighttime experience or show you’ve chosen.

If you’re still deciding what else you want to do while you’re here, I have a full guide to [fall activities in Branson, Missouri] with more fall festivals, Halloween events, scenic spots and things happening around town.

What Is Actually Included With PumpkinFest?

This is important because there’s more included with PumpkinFest than you might realize.

General PumpkinFest admission includes more than 30 activities. There are barnyard animals, a hayride, the Double Barrel Tube Slide, jump pad, bounce house, corn pit, mini golf, Treetop Sky Trail Bridges, treehouses, play areas, an obstacle course, barn maze, arcade, photo ops, Old Matt’s Cabin, the Story Barn and Inspiration Tower, among other things.

So no, you don’t have to start buying a bunch of extra rides just to keep your kids entertained.

And one thing I want to clear up because the name can be a little confusing:

PumpkinFest is not a pumpkin patch.

They aren’t growing fields of pumpkins that you walk through and pick one off the vine. There are opportunities to pick out and paint a pumpkin, but that’s different from going to an actual pumpkin patch.

Think of PumpkinFest as a big fall festival with a bunch of activities spread throughout Shepherd’s Adventure Park.

I’ve been coming for the last several years, and this is one of those places where I would give the kids some room and just let them be kids for a while.

Which brings me to possibly my most practical tip in this entire blog.

Put your kids in play clothes.

They’re going to run around. They’re going to climb on things. They’re basically running through a farmyard.

This is not the day for an outfit you’re terrified they’re going to get dirty.

When I Would Go to PumpkinFest

I would come in the afternoon.

I wouldn’t wait until dark to show up if the daytime activities are important to you. Once the nighttime activities get going, you don’t want to realize you missed half the things your kids wanted to do.

Coming earlier also gives you time to actually enjoy the property instead of rushing.

Let the kids play. Do the hayride. Go up Inspiration Tower. Get your fall pictures while there’s still some daylight.

Then eat and transition into whatever you’re doing that evening.

That makes much more sense to me than trying to cram everything into the last couple hours of the night.

If You Want to Add One Adventure, I’d Pick the Mountain Coaster

The Copperhead Mountain Coaster is not included as one of the regular PumpkinFest activities. It’s a separate Adventure Park attraction, so think of this as an optional add-on to your day rather than part of PumpkinFest itself.

And you definitely don’t need to add it. There’s already plenty included with PumpkinFest, especially if you have younger kids.

But if you want to spend a little more and add one adventure, this is where I’d put my money.

Branson is known for its mountain coasters, and I think this one has some of the best scenery.

My natural instinct on a mountain coaster is GO FASTER.

But here’s my tip: slow down a little.

I know. It goes against everything in me too.

You control your own speed, and there are spots where the views are incredible, especially when the Ozarks start changing colors.

If seeing the leaves is a big part of your trip, check out my  Branson fall color guide too. I keep it updated with when I expect the colors to change and some of my favorite places to see them.

I’ve also done the ropes course, Inspiration Tower and the Vigilante Extreme ZipRider from the top of the tower.

But if you’re already paying for PumpkinFest and only want to add one more adventure, I’d spend my money on the coaster.

Shepherd of the Hills Is Adding More Halloween for 2026

This is the part I’m interested to see this year.

Shepherd of the Hills is adding Sleepy Hollow: The Headless Horseman Rides Again, a new live outdoor production for 2026.

It’s based on The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and will be performed outside with period costumes, horses and, of course, the Headless Horseman.

They’re also adding a Spooky Hayride on select evenings.

Both of these are new for 2026, so I haven’t experienced them yet.

I’ll never tell you something is fantastic when I haven’t actually seen it.

But I like that they’re adding something different to the fall lineup, and I’m definitely curious to see what they do with both of these.

What About Pumpkins Aglow?

This one I have done.

Pumpkins Aglow is Shepherd of the Hills’ nighttime walking trail filled with thousands of illuminated pumpkins and Halloween scenes.

And it’s family-friendly Halloween.

There aren’t jump scares or people hiding around corners waiting to terrify your children.

So if you want Halloween without somebody chasing your kid around with a chainsaw, this is much more your speed.

I like pairing this with the daytime activities because it makes the property feel completely different once it gets dark.

Just pay attention to the ticket option you’re buying and the schedule for your date. There are different fall experiences happening throughout the season, and not everything runs every night.

The Two Shepherd of the Hills Shows I’d Choose

There are several shows at Shepherd of the Hills.

I’m not going to give you a giant list and pretend I don’t have favorites.

I do.

If I were choosing two, these would be them.

The Original Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Drama

I absolutely love this show.

The Original Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Drama has been part of Branson for generations, and there’s just something different about watching it outside under the stars.

You’re sitting in an outdoor amphitheater with horses and other animals running around in front of you. There are fist fights, dances and plenty happening throughout the show.

Then during intermission, you can actually go down onto the set and join in the barn dance.

But what I probably love most is the wholesome message behind it.

Branson has changed tremendously over the years, but this show still feels connected to the history and stories of the Ozarks.

And if the weather is beautiful?

Fall is probably my favorite time to see it.

The Great American Chuckwagon Dinner Show

My other pick is the Great American Chuckwagon Dinner Show.

I grew up with my papa singing me the old country and cowboy songs of yesteryear, so this one feels nostalgic to me.

It’s dinner and music you can tap your toes to, and the whole thing just fits Shepherd of the Hills.

If old cowboy songs aren’t your thing, I’d probably choose the Outdoor Drama.

But if they bring back memories for you the way they do for me, you may love this one.

And if you’re still figuring out where you’re sleeping after all of this, take a look at my [where to stay in Branson] guide. Those are the places I recommend when people ask me where they should stay.

Yes, I Would Eat at Molly’s Mill

If you’re spending an afternoon and evening at Shepherd of the Hills, you don’t necessarily need to leave the property to find something to eat.

Molly’s Mill has a new pitmaster, and I’ve noticed a difference in the food.

And I have one very specific Satirah tip for you.

If they have a soup special that day, get the soup.

Actually, you might want to grab an extra bowl to take home.

It can be that good.

Eat, let everybody regroup for a little bit and then head into whatever you have planned for the evening.

But if you do want to eat somewhere else before or after your visit, I have a full list of my [favorite places to eat in Branson] so you don’t have to take your chances on whatever happens to be closest.

Save 15% at Shepherd of the Hills

If you’re planning to do any of this, don’t pay full price.

Use code SLBHILLS when you book through https://theshepherdofthehills.com/ to save 15% on eligible Shepherd of the Hills activities and shows.

Discount Code: SLBHILLS

Book Here: https://theshepherdofthehills.com/

And Shepherd of the Hills isn’t the only place where you can save. Before you book the rest of your trip, check my [Branson discounts] for deals on shows, attractions, lodging and more.

And no, none of them require sitting through a timeshare presentation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shepherd of the Hills in Fall

Is Shepherd of the Hills PumpkinFest a pumpkin patch?

No. Shepherd’s PumpkinFest is a fall festival rather than a traditional pumpkin patch where you walk through a field and pick a pumpkin off the vine.

There are more than 30 activities included with PumpkinFest admission, plus additional fall activities available on the property.

If your main goal is taking your kids into a field to pick a pumpkin, this isn’t that.

Is the Copperhead Mountain Coaster included with PumpkinFest?

No. The Copperhead Mountain Coaster is a separate Adventure Park attraction and is not included as one of the regular PumpkinFest activities.

You also don’t need to add it to have plenty to do.

But if you want to add one adventure to your PumpkinFest day, the coaster is my pick.

Is PumpkinFest worth it if we don’t buy the extra rides?

Especially with younger kids, I think so.

PumpkinFest admission already includes more than 30 activities. If your kids are happy playing, climbing, seeing the animals, doing mini golf and riding the hayride, don’t feel like you have to start adding everything else.

Is Pumpkins Aglow scary for young kids?

It’s intended to be family-friendly.

You’re walking through illuminated pumpkins and Halloween scenes rather than a traditional haunted attraction filled with jump scares.

Obviously, you know your kid better than I do, but this isn’t designed to scare the daylights out of them.

Is Shepherd of the Hills good for adults without kids?

Yes, although I would plan your day differently.

PumpkinFest itself is very family-focused, but the Copperhead Mountain Coaster, Inspiration Tower, ZipRider, Outdoor Drama, dinner shows and nighttime fall experiences give adults plenty of reasons to visit too.

If I were going without kids, I’d probably spend less time on PumpkinFest activities and build my visit around the coaster, food and an evening show.

Should we visit PumpkinFest during the day or at night?

I’d come in the afternoon and stay into the evening if your schedule allows.

That gives the kids time for the regular PumpkinFest activities while it’s still light, and then you can eat and move into whatever nighttime experience you’ve chosen.

I wouldn’t wait until the end of the night and expect to squeeze everything in.

Does Shepherd of the Hills PumpkinFest happen every day?

No. PumpkinFest and the different fall and Halloween experiences happen on select dates.

Check the current calendar for the exact day you’re visiting before you build your Branson itinerary around it.

Can I get a discount for Shepherd of the Hills?

Yes.

Use code SLBHILLS when booking eligible Shepherd of the Hills activities and shows through https://theshepherdofthehills.com/ to save 15%.

Discount Code: SLBHILLS
Website: https://theshepherdofthehills.com/

Dates, schedules and available activities can change, especially with outdoor fall events, so I always recommend checking the current schedule for your specific date before you go.