Something New Every Time You Visit Tanners Orchard
There’s a reason so many families make more than one trip to Tanners Orchard each season. It’s not just because the apples ripen, the pumpkins roll in, or the weather starts to cool off. It’s because there’s always something new happening out on the farm.
Some visits are all about getting outside with the kids and taking in the season. Others are built around a special breakfast, a sunflower event, or a holiday tradition families come back for every single year. That’s what makes this part of Tanners so special. The season keeps moving, and so do we.
From August through November, Tanners Orchard hosts a variety of annual events that give families, couples, and longtime visitors new reasons to return to the farm. Some are centered around food. Some are built around flowers, fall fun, or holiday traditions. And all of them add something memorable to the season.
What Makes Events at Tanners Orchard
Worth the Trip
Tanners Orchard events give people more than just a reason to show up on a certain date. They give families something to look forward to all season long.
- A Full Season of Events – From the first August breakfast to the last holiday event in November, there’s always something happening that feels tied to the time of year.
- Different Ways to Enjoy the Farm – Some events are food-centered, some are built for families, some are quieter and more scenic, and some bring in a bigger crowd and more energy.
- Events Built Around the Farm – These aren’t random activities dropped onto the calendar. They connect naturally with what’s happening at Tanners Orchard during that time of year.
- Annual Favorites People Plan Around – Many of these events return every year, making them part of family traditions for those who come back season after season.
- More Reasons to Visit More Than Once – One trip might be for the sunflower field, another for Festival Days, and another for Santa Breakfast. No two visits have to feel the same.
Seasonal Events at Tanners Orchard
From late summer through the holiday season, Tanners Orchard hosts a variety of yearly events that bring something extra to the farm.
Blueberry Pancakes & Peaches Breakfast
Who doesn’t love a classic blueberry pancake? This all-you-can-eat breakfast is one of the first big events of the season and a fun way to kick things off in August. Guests can enjoy stacks of blueberry pancakes covered in sweet Tanners’ peaches, making it a perfect mix of sweet, seasonal flavors.
It’s the kind of morning where families sit down together, enjoy a good meal, and then ease into the rest of their day on the farm—whether that means browsing the Farm Market or heading out to enjoy the attractions.
Tanners Orchard hosts the Blueberry Pancakes & Peaches Breakfast on the first two Saturdays in August each year, making it a tradition many families plan around.
Sunflower Field
When the sunflower field blooms, it brings a completely different feel to the farm. Guests can walk through the flowers, snap photos, and take in one of the most visually striking parts of the season.
Admission to the sunflower field is $5, with the option to pick flowers for an additional fee. Tickets can be purchased at the U-Pick building, making it easy to add this experience into your visit.
It’s peaceful, bright, and full of photo opportunities, which is exactly why so many people make time for it before the busy fall season gets rolling. Tanners Orchard hosts the Sunflower Field experience during the last two weeks of August each year.
Sunflowers S’mores & More
Sunflowers S’mores & More gives guests a completely different way to experience the farm by bringing them out in the evening. The event begins with check-in at 5:00 PM, followed by appetizers served in the sunflower field, and then dinner at 6:00 PM featuring a pulled pork or brisket nacho bar in the Back 40 Fun Acres.
From there, the night settles in. Guests can gather around public fire pits or reserve a private one to enjoy with family and friends, while building their own s’mores with a variety of fun toppings. A cash bar is also available during the evening.
One of the most unique parts of this event is the chance to explore the Back 40 Fun Acres without the usual crowds. Since this is a kid-free event, it gives guests the opportunity to experience the space in a completely different way. The Farm Market also stays open later, making it easy to wrap up the night with some relaxed, after-hours shopping.
Jeep Show
Jeep days are the best days—and at Tanners Orchard, they turn into something even better with our annual Jeep Show. Jeep owners and enthusiasts are invited to bring their vehicles out to the farm, show them off, and spend the day surrounded by others who share the same interest.
The event kicks off in the morning, with judging happening just for fun later in the day. Awards are given for categories like Biggest Shoes, Best Topless, Best Spare Tire Cover, and Best of Show, which adds a lighthearted, competitive element to the experience.
It’s a fun change of pace from the typical farm activities and brings a different kind of energy to the orchard for the day.
Santa Breakfast
If you’re looking for a fun Christmas activity for the kids, Tanners Orchard’s Santa Breakfast is one families tend to plan for early—and for good reason. This popular event brings together a hearty breakfast, a hot chocolate bar, and plenty of festive touches that make the morning feel special.
Kids can decorate ornaments, spend time enjoying their meal, and take pictures with Santa, turning the event into more than just breakfast. It’s a relaxed, family-focused experience that feels like the start of a holiday tradition.
Because tickets are limited and the event fills up quickly, it’s a good idea to reserve your spot ahead of time.
Christmas Open House
’Tis the season for finding incredible holiday gifts for your loved ones, and Tanners Orchard’s Christmas Open House is the perfect place to get a head start. This fan-favorite event brings together shopping, food, and a festive atmosphere that makes it feel like more than just a trip to the market.
Guests can browse for unique gifts, enjoy samples of Tanners’ gourmet products, and take part in raffle drawings throughout the day. It’s a relaxed, welcoming event where you can take your time, explore what’s new for the season, and stock up on favorites for the months ahead.
It’s also a great opportunity to participate in Cans for Care and enjoy a day that blends holiday shopping with the same down-on-the-farm feel Tanners is known for.
Butterfly & Ladybug Release Breakfast
Kick off sunflower season with one of the most memorable events Tanners hosts all year. Guests get the chance to release butterflies and native ladybugs near the sunflower field—right from their hands—before the rest of the crowd arrives, creating a quieter, early-morning experience that feels both peaceful and special.
Your ticket also includes a full breakfast featuring chocolate chip pancakes topped with apple pie filling and homemade caramel, sausage, and a beverage. It’s an easy way to turn a beautiful moment into a full morning on the farm, with time to explore the sunflower field and take photos while everything is in full bloom.
This is a ticketed event with limited availability, so planning ahead is recommended.
What Are Festival Days at Tanners Orchard?
Festival Days are when Tanners Orchard adds even more to an already full day on the farm.
On Saturdays and Sundays during the fall season—as well as Labor Day and Columbus Day weekend—you’ll find all of the usual attractions, plus a handful of additional activities and experiences that are only available on these busier days.
Extra Activities Around the Farm
A number of the added attractions take place in the Back 40 Fun Acres, where kids can enjoy:
- Jumping Jack Pad
- Grain Train rides
- Pony rides (80 lb. weight limit)
- Barrel Train rides (100 lb. weight limit)
- Face painting (ages 3 and older)
Festival Days are also when covered wagons run out to the U-Pick area, giving guests an easy and fun way to head out into the orchard. All wagon rides are straw-free, so guests with allergies can still enjoy the experience.
Food & Drinks During Festival Days
Festival Days also bring more food and drink options across the farm:
- Old Market Eatery – Located across from the Farm Market and open from 11 AM to 5 PM, serving specialty nachos made with Tanners’ gourmet ingredients.
- Snack Shack – Open from 10 AM to 5 PM behind the Farm Market, offering classic concession-style favorites like popcorn, kettle corn, jumbo pretzels, nachos and cheese, along with Tanners-specific items like turkey legs and a spicy black bean burger.
- Crazy Goat Cafe – Open Thursday through Sunday in September and October (10 AM to 5 PM), featuring espresso drinks, lattes, frappes, smoothies, and single donuts.
- Rosie’s Rolling Sweet Stop – A go-to for refreshing treats like apple cider slushies, snow cones, fresh squeezed lemonade, and apple dazzle.
All together, these additions make Festival Days feel fuller, busier, and more energetic. If you’re looking to experience as much of Tanners Orchard as possible in a single visit, this is usually the best time to come.
Planning Your Visit Around Events
Because these events happen at specific times throughout the season, it helps to plan ahead.
All of the events listed here are ticketed events, and while they return every year, the exact dates, event details, and what’s included can vary a little from season to season. That’s why it’s always a good idea to check current event information before heading out.
Some events are better for families with young kids. Others are more food-focused, more scenic, or geared toward a certain kind of experience. Looking over the event details before you go can help you pick the right one for the kind of visit you want to have.
More Farm Fun to Explore at Tanners Orchard
Seasonal events are just one part of what makes a trip to Tanners Orchard worth planning. There’s plenty more to explore during your visit.
You can also explore all available activities on our main Farm Attractions & Activities page, check out our Farm Market & Bakery for fresh treats, or start planning your visit with details on hours, directions, and pricing and options for groups & parties.
Fall Festival & Events FAQs
At Tanners Orchard, the fall season includes a mix of Festival Days, special events, food experiences, and family activities that happen throughout the season. It’s not one single event on one single day—it’s a collection of experiences that give families different reasons to come back out to the farm.
Most seasonal events begin in August and continue through November. Late summer brings sunflower events and seasonal breakfasts, fall is packed with Festival Days and farm activities, and November shifts into holiday events like the Christmas Open House and Santa Breakfast.
Yes. The special events on this page are ticketed events, and some of them have limited capacity, so it’s a good idea to plan ahead. Tickets can be purchased on the farm, by calling, or through events posted on Tanners Orchard’s Facebook page. Checking event details ahead of time is the best way to make sure you don’t miss out.
Festival Days are special fall weekends and holiday dates when Tanners offers additional attractions, wagon rides, food options, and more activity across the farm. They’re some of the most popular times to visit because there’s so much going on.
The events themselves return year after year, but dates, details, and what’s included can shift a little. That’s part of what keeps the season fresh while still giving families traditions they can count on.
Plan Your Visit Around Our Seasonal Events
Ready to plan your next trip around one of Tanners Orchard’s seasonal favorites? Whether you’re coming for a breakfast event, a sunflower experience, Festival Days, or a holiday tradition, there’s always something worth putting on the calendar.
Call 309-493-5442 to learn more or view hours, directions, and pricing. Or plan your visit to 740 IL-40, Speer, IL 61479 and enjoy the season out on the farm.