Sweet Valley Ranch Unveils All-New 'Harvest Fest' Fall Experience for 2026.
Sweet Valley Ranch is expanding its seasonal lineup this autumn with the debut of Harvest Fest 2026, an all-new daytime family experience blending farm life, prehistoric adventures, and interactive storytelling.
The fall event will run every Saturday throughout October from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Owned and operated by Fred and Anita Surgeon, the ranch located at 2990 Sunnyside School Road is set to combine its agriculture and animal roots with exciting seasonal entertainment for visitors of all ages.
At the center of the festival is a brand-new production titled Shivers and the Legend of the Harvest Crow. Guests who purchase the upgraded show experience enter the newly created Whispering Hollow Cave, an atmospheric walk-through filled with cave scenery, oversized insects, special lighting and custom photo opportunities. The 15-minute performance features animatronic characters, including Shivers the Yeti, Professor Hoots the owl, Ruckus the macaw and Old Timber the talking tree, alongside a live performer portraying the Harvest Crow.
Beyond the signature show, families can explore several themed walk-through areas across the property. The ranch's wooded dinosaur trail undergoes a fall transformation, with the life-sized prehistoric creatures becoming the Spooky Dinosaur Trail. Young visitors can also participate in Shivers Harvest Hunt, an interactive scavenger hunt which provides children with a passport to track down clues, follow footprints around the ranch and earn official "Harvest Hero" status.
Animal lovers will find plenty to explore, as general admission covers access to more than 350 farm and exotic animals. Guests can interact with and feed select animals across the property, visit the playground and inflatable area, or check out the Reptile House, which features its own Halloween-themed decorations for the season.
For visitors seeking additional activities, Sweet Valley Ranch offers an array of optional rides and carnival-style entertainment accessible through individual activity tickets ($1 each, with bundle options available). Guests can ride Tiny’s Off-Road Derby, Blackbeard’s Revenge, the Barnyard Express Roller Coaster, or Sky Fighter, as well as play carnival games to win tokens redeemable for prizes at the Gift Shop.
Those looking to explore the grounds can board a 30-minute narrated wagon tour offered every Saturday at 1:30 p.m., catch the farm shuttle, or rent 4-, 6-, or 8-passenger golf carts directly on site. Dining options include standard favorites, such as hamburgers, hot dogs and nachos, alongside Shivers Sweet Shack, which serves specialty fall desserts and seasonal beverages.
When the sun sets, the farm transitions from daytime family fun to nighttime scares with the return of Backwoods Terror Ranch. Operating select weekend nights in October, the haunted attraction introduces a new DEAD WEST theme alongside The Slaughterhouse and its new Scarevator feature. Visitors looking for a full-weekend experience can book a stay at the property’s Farmhouse Retreats, which include complimentary VIP Day & Night passes.
Tickets for Harvest Fest 2026 can be purchased online in advance or at the gate on event days, subject to availability. Buying online does come at a discounted price. General admission online is $15 for adults and $10 for children ages 3 to 12. For guests wishing to include access to Whispering Hollow Cave and the Shivers and the Legend of the Harvest Crow production, full-experience admission is $20 for adults and $15 for children online. Children ages 2 and under enter the festival free of charge.
Tickets can be purchased at www.sweetvalleyranchnc.com/