Fall in Waconia brings apple weekends at Deardorff Orchards, the Scarecrow Tour in October, the fall walleye bite and changing color around the lake. Nickle Dickle Day opens the season in mid-September, and the Chamber's D.E.A.R. Day shopping event closes it in early November.
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Fall Walleye
As water cools, walleye feed more actively and often move toward deeper structure. Breaklines and points are good places to start; use the DNR depth map for Lake Waconia to find them. See our fishing guide for more.
Apples at Deardorff Orchards
Deardorff Orchards (8282 Parley Lake Rd) is a 120-acre farm with more than 3,000 apple trees, including SweeTango, Zestar! and Honeycrisp, and an 1888 barn. For the 2026 season it is open Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 6pm, with live music and food, and a complimentary tractor-pulled wagon ride with a purchase of apples or wine. Parley Lake Winery's tasting room is in the same barn. See our apple orchard guide for details.
Scarecrow Tour
The Chamber's Scarecrow Tour runs October 8 to 18, 2026, with scarecrows placed at businesses and landmarks around Waconia. Walk or drive the route and vote for your favorite.
Fall Colors
Color around Lake Waconia usually peaks in October, with timing that varies by year. The wooded island in the lake and the shoreline make a good drive or boat outing in the afternoon light.
Wineries in Fall
Schram Vineyards is open year-round with live music nearly every weekend, and its Vine to Wine tour runs through October. Sovereign Estate Wine's lakefront patio is open through the fall season, and Parley Lake Winery is busiest during apple season.
Fall Color
Look across Lake Waconia toward the island in the late afternoon for the best light.
Free Family Outing
The Scarecrow Tour is a self-guided walk or drive. Grab a coffee downtown, walk the route and vote for your favorite.
Event Details →Plan a Fall Weekend
A morning on the water, the Scarecrow Tour in the afternoon, and a winery in the evening.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the Waconia Scarecrow Tour?
- October 8–18, 2026. Scarecrows are placed at businesses and landmarks around Waconia; walk or drive the route and vote for your favorite.
- Is there an apple orchard in Waconia?
- Yes. Deardorff Orchards (8282 Parley Lake Rd) is open Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 6pm for the 2026 season, and Parley Lake Winery's tasting room is in the same 1888 barn.
- Is fall a good time to fish Lake Waconia?
- Yes. Walleye feed actively as the water cools. Start on breaklines and points found on the DNR depth map.
- What is the weather like in Waconia in October?
- October averages a high around 55°F with cool nights. Bring layers, since days can swing widely between morning and afternoon.