Crisp air, colorful leaves and pumpkin spice — it’s fall, y’all!

Pull out your favorite cardigan (any Swifties out there?) and pair of boots. Break out your crockpot and start whipping up your favorite chili.

I love every season, but this time of year makes me giddy knowing that I can enjoy anything and everything pumpkin. 

I just PCSed with my family to Germany and have been lucky to find pumpkin patches and festivals that serve Kürbissuppe (pumpkin soup) and Kürbis gewürz kuchen (pumpkin spiked cake) and we even visited a small apple orchard to keep our annual tradition of apple picking alive! 

If you just PCSed to a new location and want to get your fall festivities on this time of year, don’t worry, you can! 

This is why I’m so grateful for the USO. It’s why we do what we do.

We have you and your families in mind with everything we do. USO Centers across the country and around the world are stepping up so you can still have tons of fall fun.

Wherever you are, gather your ghouls and guys and head to your local USO Center! There’s plenty of events this fall.

Or if you just moved and don’t know anyone yet, now’s your chance to meet some new people.

From a Fall Fest Cupcake bakeoff in Fort Belvoir, Virginia, to the USO team celebrating Oktoberfest at Hanscom Air Force Base in Boston, Massachusetts, to a Kids Connect Halloween party in Yokosuka, Japan, to a Pumpkin Felting class in Stuttgart, Germany, there is something for everyone around the world! 

Check out some of these additional Fall events that may be happening in your military community:

Trunk-or-Treat

Calling all trunk decorators and Halloween enthusiasts! This is your chance to create a spooktacular experience by transforming your vehicle’s trunk into a festive Halloween scene. 

Not familiar with Trunk-or-Treating?

Instead of going door to door, Trunk-or-Treaters gather in parking lots and hand out candy and treats.

It’s an alternative to traditional trick-or-treating, making it an excellent option for military communities where families may live in varied housing situations.

Not only will you be part of an exciting Halloween event, but you’ll also help bring smiles to the faces of other military kids. 

Reverse Trick-or-Treating

In some cases, the USO brings Halloween magic directly to you. Reverse Trick-or-Treating is a creative spin where volunteers dress up and deliver candy to homes of service members on duty who may not be able to participate in regular Halloween festivities.

The USO goes on a candy-filled adventure, delivering sugary surprises and spreading Halloween cheer across the base. 

We want to make sure that everyone gets to enjoy the spirit of Halloween!

This event is all about bringing some joy to your base and reminding everyone that the USO is here to brighten your days, even on the spookiest of holidays. 

Halloween Family Parties

Many USO Centers host family-friendly Halloween parties, from pumpkin carving to haunted house decorating.

For all the bakers out there, we have also spotted some pumpkin pie baking competitions and chili cookoffs.

There’s games and activities for all age groups, along with exciting family competitions where each family can work together for a chance to win prizes.

Don’t miss out. Come dressed in your favorite costumes and get ready for a hauntingly good time!

Thanksgiving Meals

As the season transitions from Halloween to Thanksgiving, the USO also wants to make sure that military families like yours can celebrate with a Thanksgiving meal.

Some USO Centers host dinners, offering the tastes and comforts of home. You can be together with other military families to share a meal of gratitude and connection.

We hope you will be able to feel how grateful the American public and the USO are for you. 

Get Involved, Make Memories

With more than 250 centers stateside and worldwide, chances are there’s a USO event happening near you this fall. To find your local USO center and learn more, visit the USO location finder.

Bringing your family to these events isn’t just about fun; it’s about creating lasting memories and strengthening the bonds within your military community.

As a military spouse, these gatherings offer a way to support one another and celebrate fall, no matter where you are stationed.

So jump in—join in on the festivities at your local USO Center and make this season one to remember!

Written by Nicole Vogel

Nicole Vogel is a proud Air Force spouse, mom of two, and Senior Manager of Military Spouse and Family Programs at the USO. 

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