Free and Cheap Things to Do in Shreveport This Fall

After a summer that felt like living inside a hair dryer from June straight through August, that first cool morning in late September hits different. The windows go up, the kids want to be outside again, and suddenly every weekend fills up with festivals. The catch? Autumn outings can get pricey fast. So we rounded up the best cheap and no-cost ways to spend the coming weeks around Shreveport-Bossier, with dates and prices we checked for September through November 2026, so you can plan without blowing the budget.

Everything below was confirmed as of late September 2026. Event organizers do change things, though, so it’s always smart to check the official page before you load up the car.

Why Fall Is the Best Season to Get Out in Shreveport-Bossier

Ask any local and they’ll tell you: autumn is when Shreveport really comes alive. The heat breaks, the humidity backs off, and the calendar fills with outdoor events, live music, fairs, and food festivals. Crisp weather makes outdoor activities fun again instead of a sweaty chore. It’s also when a lot of the region’s biggest festivals and community events happen, and several of them have ways to get in for little or nothing if you time it right.

Better yet, many of the best spots in town don’t charge admission any time of year. Parks, galleries, trails, and museums that felt too hot to enjoy in June are suddenly perfect for a Saturday morning. Here are the festivals and events we think are worth your time in Shreveport this year, plus a few quieter picks. Let’s dig in.

Fall Festivals Worth Marking on Your Calendar

Red River Revel’s 50th Anniversary (October 8–11 and October 15–18)

The Red River Revel is turning 50 this year, and it’s one of the best-value festivals in the state for families. Few local events can match it for price or variety. It runs two long weekends, October 8–11 and October 15–18, at Festival Plaza downtown. According to the official Revel site, children 12 and under get in at no charge at all times. Adults pay $10 on Saturdays and Sundays, and on Thursdays and Fridays admission is waived for adults from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. before switching to $10 from 5 p.m. to close. Active military, police, fire, and EMS, plus Barksdale Air Force Base ID holders, also get in without paying.

So here’s the money-saving move: go on a Thursday or Friday afternoon. The kids’ activity area opens at 4 p.m. on those days, which gives you an hour of zero-cost festival time before the adult charge kicks in. On weekends the children’s area opens at 11 a.m.

Expect art from dozens of artists, live music on multiple stages, and plenty of festival food. The Revel is offering a lineup of national, regional, and local acts with ties to Shreveport, so the music alone is worth the trip. To mark the anniversary, the Revel is kicking off on October 8 with a fireworks and drone show honoring both the festival’s 50th year and the Independence Bowl’s 50th, as reported by Three18 Insider. That opening-night show is the kind of family memories moment you’ll talk about for years.

The State Fair of Louisiana (October 29–November 15)

The State Fair of Louisiana returns to the fairgrounds on Hudson Avenue from October 29 through November 15, 2026. The fair is closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Here’s the part budget-minded families will love: the fair’s ticket page says gate admission is waived until 3 p.m. every Wednesday through Friday.

After 3 p.m. and on weekends, 2026 gate prices are $10 for adults (13+) and $5 for kids ages 3 to 12 on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and $17 for adults and $10 for kids on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Presale tickets are $11.50 for adults and $9.25 for kids through October 28. If your crew wants to ride everything, the unlimited ride wristband is $38 at the carnival kiosk (a few attractions need extra credits). Want to keep it cheap? Walk the livestock barns and the midway, grab one treat to share, and skip the midway attractions. The kids still get the full fair experience. Of all the big fall festivals in Shreveport-Bossier, the fair is the one most likely to tempt you into overspending, so set a budget before you go.

Pumpkins, Corn Mazes and Fall Photos

Pumpkins at Sheriff’s Safety Town (Opens October 9)

The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office is hosting its pumpkin patch at Sheriff’s Safety Town, 8910 Jewella Ave., opening Friday, October 9, 2026, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. It costs nothing, it’s open to every family, and there’s no registration required, according to KTAL. Bring your camera. Toddlers in a sea of orange pumpkins make for pretty great pictures.

The Corn Maze on Highway 71 (Opened September 26)

Longtime locals will remember DixieMaze Farms, which shut down after 2025. This year a new attraction, simply called The Corn Maze, opened September 26, 2026, at 8540 Highway 71 under new owners. Tickets are $20.50 for anyone age 3 and up, kids 2 and under get in at no cost, and a season pass is $40, per KTAL’s report. That’s not our cheapest pick, but with more than two dozen attractions and a pumpkin area, it’s an easy half-day outing. If you plan to go twice, the season pass pays for itself.

No-Cost Museums and Galleries

R.W. Norton Art Gallery

This is one of the best deals in town, and a lot of people don’t realize it. The R.W. Norton Art Gallery says there’s no admission charge to view the grounds, the museum’s art collection, or special exhibitions. Its botanical gardens are open Wednesday through Sunday from sunrise to sunset. Cooler weather makes it a lovely time to stroll the garden paths with the kids, then head inside to view the galleries. It’s a calm, easy way to spend a morning and a very different experience from the busy festivals, and you’ll leave having spent exactly zero dollars.

Louisiana State Exhibit Museum

Got a day off school coming up? The Louisiana State Exhibit Museum on Greenwood Road offers free admission and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed state holidays). Its famous dioramas are a hit with elementary-age kids, and older kids love the history exhibits. It’s a great pick for a school-break weekday.

Wander the East Bank District

Just across the river in Bossier City, the East Bank District is a fun place to explore on foot. Stroll past the murals, peek into local galleries and shops, and let the kids burn off some energy. You don’t have to spend a thing to enjoy the art on the walls outside, and it pairs well with a cheap lunch nearby. On festival weekends, it’s a nice quiet escape from the crowds downtown in Shreveport.

Outdoor Fun: Parks, Gardens and Trails

Fall is an excellent time to explore local parks and gardens in Shreveport and Bossier City. Mornings are cooler, the mosquitoes ease up, and a picnic lunch costs a lot less than a day at a paid attraction.

Red River National Wildlife Refuge

When the weather turns crisp, head to the Red River National Wildlife Refuge at 150 Eagle Bend Point in south Bossier City. There’s no admission, and the visitor center area has about 5 miles of walking trails. Autumn is a good time for birdwatching, and the visitor center exhibits help kids learn what they’re looking at. Pack a picnic and make an afternoon of it. It’s one of the quietest spots in Shreveport-Bossier, and a nice break between busy weekends of festivals and events.

Gardens of the American Rose Center

Known as America’s Rose Garden, the American Rose Center on Jefferson Paige Road charges $5 per person, according to the Bossier Press-Tribune’s 2026 season preview. Peak bloom is in spring, but autumn still brings roses and quiet, shaded walking paths. For five bucks a head, it’s a sweet little outing, especially for grandparents who love a good garden.

What About Halloween and Haunted Houses?

October wouldn’t be October without a little spooky fun. Haunted houses are a big draw for teens, but let’s be honest, most aren’t cheap and many are too intense for younger kids. If you’re shopping for a haunted attraction, search current listings and check the age guidance before you buy tickets, since some local haunts have closed or changed hours in recent years.

For little ones, church and neighborhood trunk-or-treats are usually the better (and cheaper) bet. Plenty of local churches in Shreveport end up offering trunk-or-treat events with games and candy. Many are announced just a week or two ahead, so keep an eye on local community pages as Halloween gets close.

Too Rainy or Chilly? Bounce Indoors

Louisiana weather can flip from sunny to stormy in an afternoon. When outdoor plans fall through, The Bounce House Shreveport is a cheap indoor backup. Open Bounce is $10 for one hour or $15 for two hours for all ages, grip socks included, and an all-day pass is $30. Open Bounce runs Friday 4 to 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Parents, you’re welcome to jump in too. For more rainy day ideas, check out our list of what to do with kids when it’s raining.

Looking Ahead to November

Once the State Fair wraps up on November 15, the holidays aren’t far behind. The Bossier Press-Tribune reported that Christmas in Roseland at the American Rose Center is scheduled to start the weekend of November 27–29, though 2026 ticket prices hadn’t been posted when we checked. Keep an eye on the official site if lights are your family’s thing.

Tips for Saving Money on Autumn Outings

A few simple habits stretch the budget a long way. Go early on weekdays when the fair and the Revel waive or reduce admission. Pack snacks and water bottles so you’re not buying $6 lemonades all afternoon. Buy presale tickets when organizers are offering a real discount, like the State Fair’s presale. And mix big events with no-cost days at the refuge, the Norton, or a local park, so the kids get variety without the price tag.

Last summer we shared free and cheap summer ideas for June and July, and the same rule applies now: the best things to do with kids are often the simplest. A walk, a picnic, and a pumpkin can make a great day.

Frequently Asked Questions

When Is the Red River Revel in 2026?

The 50th Red River Revel runs October 8–11 and October 15–18, 2026, at Festival Plaza. Kids 12 and under get in at no charge, and adults get in without paying on Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

How Much Is the State Fair of Louisiana in 2026?

Admission is waived until 3 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Otherwise it’s $10 adults and $5 kids (3 to 12) on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and $17 adults and $10 kids Friday through Sunday. The fair runs October 29 through November 15.

What Are the Best No-Cost Things to Do in Shreveport in the Fall?

The R.W. Norton Art Gallery, the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum, the Red River National Wildlife Refuge, and Safety Town’s pumpkins on October 9 are all no-cost. Weekday afternoons at the Revel and the State Fair can be, too.

Is There a Cheap Indoor Option for Rainy Days?

Yes. Open Bounce at The Bounce House Shreveport starts at $10 for an hour, socks included, for any age.

What’s on your family’s autumn bucket list this year? We’d love to hear which events you’re most excited about.

Make This Fall One to Remember

Between the Revel’s big 50th, the State Fair, pumpkin patches, and all the galleries and trails that cost nothing, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the cooler months without spending much. And when the weather doesn’t cooperate, we’re ready for you. The Bounce House Shreveport is Louisiana’s largest indoor inflatable park, with a toddler area, obstacle courses, slides, and room for the whole family. Planning a fall birthday? Our private party rooms make it easy. Stop by for open bounce or book your party today.