Tomatoes, Weirdos, Moose Festival, Mad Hatter Tea, Field to Fork Dinner, Mini Makers, Food Trucks, and more: New England Fall Events Top Picks for August 24th-30th, 2016

Hello New Englanders!

September is knocking on our door and as autumn-lovers, we say, yes please! It's hard not to wake up feeling refreshed after a good night of sleeping with the windows open--don't you agree?

Blueberries, Raspberries, Tomatoes, and (Early) Apples

If you are a fruit-lover, you'll be happy to read that many places are currently offering PYO raspberries but only a handful still are picking PYO blueberries. We can't get enough and love to freeze bagfuls to tie us over through the New England winter when we just crave a taste of late-summer.

Though many folks are gobbling up the tomato harvest while we are in the peak of it, we admit we're also thrilled to see more New England apple orchards opening up for PYO apple picking with each and every day--hooray!

It's just the beginning of apple season so the early varieties you'll find right now include Ginger Golds, Paula Reds, Jersey Macs, Pristines, and  Zestar. Northern New England farms like Maine's McDougal Orchards are already picking apples while others such as Vermont's Shelburne Orchards start PYO this weekend. 

It's always good practice to check with the farm the day-of to see if they are picking--especially since some orchards will begin selling pre-picked before pick-your-own fully ripens. 

New England Fall Events' Guide to local PYO Apple Orchards makes it easy to find contact info, maps, directions, and farm features for planning a memorable and visit. Here are links to our state apple picking guides: Connecticut, Maine,Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island.

And while we're at it, here are your shortcuts to find interactive farm location maps for Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

The Fall Event Season is Only Just Getting Started!

We can't resist pointing out that the delicious and delightful Red Fire Farm Tomato Festival in Granby, MA is coming up this Saturday too! New England Fall Events stopped by for a visit last year and what a feast for the eyes and taste buds. Read about our visit: "Red Fire Farm Delivers a Colorful and Tasty Festival for All"

As August wraps up, check out several local Balloon Festivals vying for your attention this month. This week it's the Crown of Maine Balloon Fest--a multi-day affair--and the Hot-Air Balloon Festival and Crafts Show in Plainville, CT.

Great news! We recently updated our ever popular Guide to Dog-Friendly Events in New England to reflect 2016 events this fall. If you have a beloved pooch or two that you would love to share the season with, please check out dozens of wonderful, worthwhile dog-friendly events.

Check out our Fall Guide to Moonlight and Sunset Events happening across New England this season.

New England Fall Events' Top Recommendations for August 24th-August 30th, 2016

With the long weekend still a week away, you’ll be happy to know that there still are plenty of fabulous outdoor activities to help you ease out of summer and into our beloved autumn.

From Field to Fork - A Late-Summer Crop Dinner at Verrill Farm
Concord, MA    Click for details.
Wednesday, August 24th, 2016

Sunset River Kayak
Harwich, MA   Click for details
Wednesday, August 24th, 2016
Click for more Moonlight and Sunset Fall Events

Night Hike at Wells Reserve
Wells ME    Click for details

Wednesday, August 24th, 2016
Click for more Moonlight and Sunset Fall Events

Crown of Maine Balloon Fest
Presque Isle, ME    Click for details
Thursday August 25th - Sunday, August 28th, 2016

North Country Moose Festival
Colebrook, NH and Canaan, VT   Click for details
Friday and Saturday, August 26th & 27th, 2016

Hot Air Balloon Festival and Crafts Show
Plainville, CT      Details

Friday through Sunday, August 26th-28th, 2016

Tomato Festival at Red Fire Farm
Granby, MA  Click for details
Saturday, August 27th, 2016
Read about our visit: "Red Fire Farm Delivers a Colorful and Tasty Festival for All"

WeirdoFest
Plainfield, VT    Click for details
Saturday, August 27th, 2016

Mad Hatter's Tea Party
Stockbridge, MA   Click for details
Saturday, August 27th, 2016

Taking the Mystery Out of Mushrooming
Exeter, RI   Click for details
Saturday, August 27th, 2016

Dover Mini Maker Faire
Dover, NH    Click for details
Saturday, August 27th, 2016

Paws for a Cause - FREE
Freeport, ME    Click for details
Saturday, August 27th, 2016
Click for more dog-friendly fall events.

Cape Cod Food Truck Festival
East Falmouth, MA    Click for details
Saturday, August 27th, 2016

Brew at the Zoo
Providence, RI   Click for details.
Saturday, August 27th, 2016

Wells Maine Annual Chili-Fest
Wells, ME   Click for details.
Saturday, August 27th 2016

Starry Night: Planets, Stars and More with Arunah Hill
Windsor, MA     Click for details
Saturday, August 27th, 2016
Click for more Moonlight and Sunset Fall Events

Plymouth Waterfront Festival - FREE
Plymouth, MA   Click for details.
Saturday, August 27th, 2016

Dog Days at the Maple Street Pool
Essex Junction, VT    Click for details
Sunday, August 28th, 2016
Click for more dog-friendly fall events.

Let Freedom Ring Tour at Canterbury Shaker Village
Canterbury NH      Click for details
Sunday, August 28th, 2016

Annual Mozart Festival
Woodstock, VT       Click for details
Sunday, August 28th, 2016

BBQ Pulled Pork Competition at Alyson's Orchard
Walpole, NH    Click for details
Sunday, August 28th, 2016

Remember, always double check with fall event hosts before heading out in case the events are adjusted for weather.

Cider Pressing, Topsfield Fair, Pumpkin Palooza, Princess Contest, Faeries, and Apple Festivals Galore- New England Fall Events Top Picks for Sept 30-Oct 6, 2015

The grand staircase mural at the
Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford, CT

The weekend weather couldn't have been dreamed up any better than we've had in recent weeks! Honestly, Mother Nature has been very very good to us lately and we hope that she will continue to bestow this crisp, cool, sunny weather as long as possible!

New England Fall Events has loved taking advantage of every moment of it with the many outdoor festivals and events that dot our calendar day in and day out. Our favorite season looks and feels the part and it reminds us yet again how lucky we are to enjoy celebrate this time of year and how much is right at our fingertips.

More PYO Apples varieties! Annnnnd (drum roll...) Honey Crisps are HERE!

Apple Picking at George Hill Orchards

It continues to be a pleasure that every day brings news of more apple varieties ready for pick-your-own harvesting. We know you will all be thrilled to know that many New England farms are ready to roll with their honey crisps--everyone's favorite!

Look for McIntosh, Cortland, Northern Spy, Golden Delicious, Gala, Fuji, Macoun, Blue Pearmain, Empire, Jonamacs, Prima, Liberty varieties just to name a few. Some orchards such as Kimball Fruit Farm have plentiful PYO varieties and they are already harvesting several of their heirloom varieties too.

As always, New England Fall Events has your complete guides, features, maps, and contact details for your local or destination-area New England PYO apple orchards. Here are your quick links to our apple picking guides: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. 

Where have New England Fall Events Been Lately?

Lady on parade at the Revels' RiverSing

What a September it has been for us! We are still talking about our day at EnvisionFest Hartford where we were so impressed by the variety of arts-focused activities that dotted downtown Hartford and where we were able to see the newly (and stunningly) renovated Wadsworth Atheneum. 

The activities and games were plentiful and created with care. There was so much to enjoy in one day that we felt we barely scratched the surface of all the fun to be had. We also learned about next month's Night Fall event at this festival and you better believe we have it circled on our calendar! It was an impressive day all around--well done, Hartford!

For days after the delightful Revels River Sing parade and sing-a-long in Harvard Square, we'd catch ourselves humming "Somo el Barco, Somo el Mar..." and reminiscing about watching the sun set over the Charles River while the community sang together.

Getting primped for showing at The Big E

We've trekked through Vermont for the annual Pumpkin Chuckin' event and we'll have photos and a wrap up for you soon!

We spent all day Friday at The Big E and were amazed at the scale of this New England "States" Fair. There is still one weekend left to catch the festivities there and despite the draw of the food and ride, we implore you not to overlook the wonderfully educational agriculture exhibits and showings as well as the crafts at Storrowton Village. 

The paper marbling demo was fascinating and the agricultural exhibits were thoughtfully done. We'll be writing a monumental wrap-up of this monumental fall event but hoo-boy is there a lot to cover (and a million photos to sift through).

Where is New England Fall Events Headed this Weekend?
You can catch us at the day-long Day of the Dead Scavenger Hunt in Taunton, MA on Sunday and we are hoping to make it to Topsfield Fair on Friday if the stars align just right!

New England Foliage Report from our favorite foliage tracker Jeff-Foliage:

This week Jeff Foliage says "The cool September nights' are having a big impact on the fall foliage colors throughout northern New England and the colors are moving south. The best places seen early this week are......"  Click here to read Jeff's full report.

New England Fall Events' Top Recommendations for this Weekend's Fall Fun

With the number of fun and charming events and festivals going every weekend it keeps getting harder to whittle down our Top Picks to just a handful. Thankfully, these are just a few of the many terrific events listed on every New England state’s Fall & Activities guide and Food & Harvest Festival Guide. 

Here are our recommended activities for Sept 30-Oct 6:

Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular at Roger William Zoo
Providence, RI     Click for details
Thursday, October 1st- November 1st, 2015

Peacham Fall Foliage Festival
Peacham VT     Click for details
Thursday, October 1st 2015

Wee Faerie Village presents Whimsical Kingdoms
Old Lyme, CT     Click for details
Thursday, October 1st-November 1st 2015

Topsfield Fair
Topsfield, MA     Click for details
Friday, October 2nd- 12th, 2015

Fall Wine Tour with Vermont Farm Tours
Burlington, VT     Click for details
Friday, October 2nd, 2015

Southington Apple Harvest Festival
Southington, CT     Click for details
Friday through Sunday, October 2nd-4th, 9th-11th, 2015

Apple Day Celebration at Gilsland Farm

Falmouth, ME     Click for details
Saturday, October 3rd, 2015

Woodstock Foliage Walk - FREE
Woodstock, VT     Click for details
Saturday, October 3rd, 2015

Harvest Fair at the Norman Bird Sanctuary
Middletown, RI     Click for details
Saturday and Sunday, October 3rd & 4th, 2015

Pumpkin Palooza
Salem, MA     Click for details
Saturday, October 3, 2015

Pet Weekend at CT Renaissance Faire
North Haven, CT     Click for details
Saturday and Sunday, October 3rd & 4th, 2015

Exeter Powder Keg Beer & Chili Festival
Exeter, NH     Click for details
Saturday, October 3, 2015

Prince & Princess Costume Contest at King Richard's Faire
Carver, MA     Click for details
Saturday October 3rd, 2015 (rain date: Sun. Oct 4th)
Read about New England Fall Events visit to KRF and learn insider tips for your visit!

Ringo Matsuri (Apple Festival) at Shelburne Vineyards
Shelburne, VT      Click for details
Saturday, October 3rd, 2015

NH Lakes Region Barrel Tasting Weekend
Meredith, NH       Click for details
Saturday and Sunday October 3rd and 4th, 2015

Harvest Party and Cider Pressing at Red Fire Farm
Granby, MA     Click for details
Saturday, October 3rd, 2015

Freeport Fall Festival
Freeport, ME     Click for details
Saturday & Sunday, October 3rd & 4th, 2015

Day of the Dead Scavenger Hunt and Party in the Pines
Taunton, MA     Click for details
Sunday, October 4th, 2015





Heading out for some fall fun this weekend? 

Need help mapping out where to go? New England Fall Events’ state page maps are handy for scrolling and spotting farms near home or near your road-trip destination.

Orchard and fall attraction maps for Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Remember, always call ahead before heading out to PYO as some farms will adjust their hours for weather or they close to allow more time for fruit to ripen.

Fantasy Faire, Game Festival, ChiliFest, Pirate Fun, DinoFest and Contests: New England Fall Events for Sept 9-15, 2015

We had a memorable time last weekend
at King Richard's Faire in Carver, MA!

With a busy weekend coming up--so many events!

Last weekend was a memorable one as New England Fall Events had fun time at the Vermont Garlic and Herb Festival and the opening weekend at King Richard's Faire. Stay tuned for our wrap ups of our adventures coming soon!

New England Fall Events delivers the most trusted fall event coverage in area--here's why:
We know that it's never enough to just tell you what's going on in the area every weekend --though that's pretty important too. We visit events first-hand to answer all the questions you may have--What's the parking situation? Should you plan for an hour or a whole day? Are there food options for kids with allergies? Is it stroller-friendly? Is it crowded or have elbow room? What about bathrooms and where to grab a bite?
We take the worry and stress out of trying something new. We help you made an informed decision about what kinds of events fit your style and interests.

Fairy fun all across New England!

In case you missed it...Fairy Houses are kinda popular
Judging from everyone's enthusiasm from our recent article about the upcoming Portsmouth NH Fairy House Tour, we can see how much our readers love events like these!  With an event as special as this tour, you'll learn all the reasons why it's a worthwhile road trip and how much time to spend (hint--a full day).
Click to read: Portsmouth NH Fairy House Tour is a Magical and Imaginative Weekend

If you are looking for more events like these then you'll want to bookmark the following:

Fall Guide to Fun Fairy and Princess Events in New England

Contests for Kids Museums and the Portsmouth  Fairy House Tour

We have TWO contests running right now so act fast to enter to win a pair of tickets to the Discovery Museums of Acton, MA and enter to win a family pass to the Portsmouth Fairy House Festival.

Lots of dog-friendly events going on
this weekend across New England.

Fall Fun for You and your Pooch!

One of our most shared guides of the season so far has been our pet-friendly event guide so if it slipped past your radar, here's a quick link: Pet-Friendly Fall Events for You and Your Pooch.

There are FOUR wonderful dog-friendly events this weekend:
Pet Rock Festival in Sturbridge MA
The Walk for Greyhounds and Chili Cookoff in Walpole, NH
Doggy Daze Corn Maze at Marini Farm in Ipswich, MA
and the Somerville Dog Festival in Somerville, MA!

Looking to go apple-picking this fall with your pup? We have a Guide to Pet-Friendly Apple Orchards and Corn Mazes across New England! Remember to share with your fellow pet lovers!

The Vermont Mac and Cheese
Challenge is great gourmet fun!

It's a Food Lovers Weekend in New England!

If you love gourmet mac and cheese then you may want to buy tickets today for the Vermont Farmstead Cheese Mac and Cheese Challenge! We had a gut-bustingly delicious time there last fall and we know you'll love it too! We have insider tips on attending this festival (with kids or without) so do yourself a favor and read "Our Tasty Carb-venture at the VT Mac and Cheese Challenge".

We can't recommend enough you check out the family-friendly Salem Spice Festival this Saturday and Sunday. The focus is on sweet and savory spices and their uses and history--and the setting couldn't be lovelier!
Seeking more heat-spice? Visit ChiliFest at Mike's Maze!

Where is New England Fall Events Headed this Weekend?

The debut weekend of "Alice
in Sunderland" at Mike's Maze

We'll be super busy on Saturday visiting ChiliFest at Mike's Maze in Sunderland, MA to celebrate their corn maze opening weekend, the Festival of Indie Games in Cambridge, MA, and the Pour the Core Hard Cider Fest in Boston. Sunday we hope to swing through the Schul-Verein Oktoberfest in Walpole, MA for some traditional German fun.  

New England Fall Events' Top Recommendations for this Weekend's Fall Fun

This weekend is abundant with fall fun options--there are many worthwhile events vying for your attention. Our weekly Top Picks are below but remember to visit your state’s Fall and Activities guide or Food and Harvest Festival Guide for many more fall events and food festivals.

Here are our recommended fall events and activities for September 9th-15th:

Acadia Night Sky Festival

King Richard's Faire singers

Bar Harbor, ME     Click for details
Thursday through Monday, September 10-14, 2015

Cocktail Walk Winooski VT with Vermont Farm Tours
Winooski, VT     Click for details
Thursday, September 10th, 2015

Twilight Hike at Sholan Farms - FREE
Leominster, MA      Click for details
Friday, September 11th, 2015

Norwalk Oyster Festival 
East Norwalk, CT     Click for details
Friday through Sunday, September 11th-13th, 2015

Pirates abound at Eastport Pirate Fest

Eastport Pirate Festival - FREE
Eastport, ME     Click for details
Friday through Sunday, September 11-13th, 2015

Fall Newport Secret Garden Tour
Newport, RI     Click for details
Friday through Sunday, September 11th - 13th, 2015

Fantasy Faire at Frerichs Farm - FREE
Warren, RI     Click for details
Saturday and Sunday, September 12th & 13th, 2015

ChiliFest at Mike's Maze
Sunderland, MA     Click for details
Saturday and Sunday, September 12th & 13th, 2015

Dinosaur Fun at Granby's DinoFest

Granby DinoFest
Grandby, MA     Click for details
Saturday, September 12, 2015

French Heritage Festival and Soiree
Woonsocket RI     Click for details
Saturday, September 12, 2015

Boylston Schul-Verein OktoberFest
Walpole, MA     Click for details
Saturday and Sunday, September 12th & 13th, 2015

Boston Festival of Indie Games
Cambridge, MA     Click for details

Sample gourmet mac and cheese to
your heart's content in Windsor, VT

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Mystery Scavenger Hunt at Cedar Hill Cemetery
Hartford, CT     Click for details
Saturday, September 12th, 2015

Pour the Core Hard Cider Festival
Boston, MA     Click for details
Saturday, September 12, 2015

Salem Spice Festival – FREE

Salem, MA   Click for details.
Saturday and Sunday, September 12^th & 13^th, 2015
Read about our visit and why it's a great family-friendly event.

DeMeritt Hill Farm Family Weekend – FREE

Salem Spice Festival offers  a peek into
the seaport's trade history with family fun

Lee, NH   Click for details.
Saturday and Sunday, September 12^th & 13^th, 2015
Read why we can’t get enough of this postcard pretty farm.

RI Audubon Raptor Weekend

Bristol, RI     Click for details
Saturday and Sunday, September 12 & 13th, 2015

Vermont Farmstead's Mac and Cheese Challenge at Harpoon Brewery
Windsor, VT    Click for details
Sunday, September 13th, 2015

All you need to know about our visit to this
gourmet tasting event!

“Bee Here Now” at Shelburne Orchards
Shelburne VT    Click for details
Sunday, September 13th, 2015

Pet Rock Festival 
Sturbridge, MA      Click for details
Sunday, September 13th, 2015 (rain date Sept 20th)

Ready for apple picking this weekend?  As always, New England Fall Events has you covered with our Activity Guides complete with farm features, maps, and contact info for your local or vacation-area New England apple orchard. Here are your quick links to the Apple Picking Guides:

Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Rhode Island.

It's easy to use our attraction maps to see what farms and attractions are near you! Visit our Orchard and Fall Attraction state maps for Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Remember, always call ahead before heading out to PYO as some farms will adjust their hours for weather or they close to allow more time for fruit to ripen.