Pirates in CT, Cranberry Day, Pet Weekend, Sunset Kayaking, Pumpkins Aglow, Scavenger Hunts and More: New England Fall Events Top Picks for Sept 28-Oct 4

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 been taking full advantage of every moment of the season with the many outdoor festivals and events that we've circled on our calendar. We reminded 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! And (some) Honey Crisps

Apple Picking at George Hill Orchards

Every day brings updates of more apple varieties ready for pick-your-own harvesting. There are a number of farms that have opted out of PYO this year and even a few farms that didn't have any luck with their apple crop. It may take a little extra digging to find exactly which varieties are picking at a given orchard but we have links to contact info for every PYO orchard in New England so don't be afraid to get in touch with them.

Although some New Englanders have been picking the ever popular Honey Crisps this past week, they are nearing the end of that variety soon. The good news is there are PLENTY of other varieties to look for at this time of year!

Look for McIntosh, Cortland, Golden Delicious, Gala, Fuji, Jonagolds to top the list at most places. Some orchards such as Easy Pickins in CT have Macoun, Macs, Cortland and even still have PYO raspberries and (limited) fall blueberries! Kimball Fruit Farm in Pepperell, MA has you covered with apples, mums, pumpkins, donuts and everything else you think of when it turns to fall. 

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. As picking conditions and crop availability is fluid, always check with the farm before heading out.

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 September 28-October 4, 2016

The Big E
West Springfield, MA     Click for details
Wednesday through Tuesday, September 28th-October 2nd, 2016
Plan ahead with New England Fall Events' essential "Complete Guide to The Big E"

Sunset Kayak at Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary
Edgartown, MA        Click for details
Wednesday, September 28th, 2016
Click for more Moonlight and Sunset Fall Events.

Art In the Orchard at Park Hill Orchard
Easthampton, MA        Click for details
Wednesday through Sunday, September 28 - October 23, 2016

Linden Place Museum Scavenger Hunt
Bristol, RI        Click for details
Wednesday through Saturday, September 28 - October 1st

Peacham VT Fall Foliage Festival 
Peacham, VT        Click for details
Thursday, September 29th, 2016

Stargazing Night  at Frosty Drew Observatory
Charlestown, RI        Click for details
Friday, September 30th, 2016
Click for more Moonlight and Sunset Fall Events.

Topsfield Fair
Topsfield, MA        Click for details
Friday through Tuesday September 30th - October 4th, 2016

Moonlight Tours of the Mansion at the Gore Place
Waltham, MA        Click for details
Friday, September 30th, 2016
Click for more Moonlight and Sunset Fall Events.

RocktoberFest Vermont
Morrisville, VT        Click for details
Saturday, October 1st, 2016

Nature's Open House - Fairy House Tour

Farmington, CT        Click for details
Saturday and Sunday, October 1st & 2nd, 2016

Maine Fall Foliage Kayak Tour
Freeport, ME        Click for details
Saturday, October 2nd, 2016
Click for more Moonlight and Sunset Fall Events.

King Richard's Renaissance Faire
Carver, MA        Click for details
Saturday and Sunday, October 1st & 2nd, 2016
Read about our visit to KRF and find faire-going tips in
"King Richard's Renaissance Faire Offers Costumed Charm and Good Cheer"

Cape Cod Cranberry Day
East Sandwich, MA        Click for details
Saturday, October 1st, 2016

Exeter Powder Keg Beer & Chili Festival 
Exeter, NH        Click for details
Saturday, October 1st, 2016

Taking the Mystery Out of Mushrooming
Smithfield, RI        Click for details
Saturday, October 1st, 2016

Pet Weekend at the CT Renaissance Faire
North Haven, CT         Click for details
Saturday and Sunday, October 1st & 2nd, 2016
Click for more Dog-friendly Fall Events.
Click for Dog-friendly Apple Orchards.

Pumpkins Aglow at Edaville USA
Carver, MA         Click for details
Saturday and Sunday, October 1st & 2nd, 2016

Mystic CT Pirate Invasion
Mystic, CT         Click for details
Saturday and Sunday, October 1st & 2nd, 2016

Day of the Dead Scavenger Hunt and Party in the Pines
Taunton, MA         Click for details
Sunday, October 2nd, 2016

Halloween Party for Individuals with Autism and their Families
Warren, RI         Click for details
Sunday, October 2nd, 2016

Vermont Sheep & Wool Festival
Tunbridge, VT          Click for details
Saturday and Sunday, October 1st & 2nd, 2016

Trot for Special Tots 5K Race & 1-mile Fun Run/Walk
Andover, MA          Click for details
Sunday, October 2nd, 2016

NH Food Truck Festival
Portsmouth, NH          Click for details
Sunday, October 2nd, 2016

East Hill Farm's Oktoberfest Dinner with Oompah Music
Troy, NH         Click for details
Sunday, October 2, 2016
Click for more Moonlight and Sunset Fall Events

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.

Garlic Fest, Jousting, Salmon Festival, BBQ and Brew Fest, Dragon Boats, Contests and more: New England Fall Events Top Picks for Aug 31st-Sept 6

The moment you've been waiting for: Fall has arrived in New England!

Okay, okay, we know that September 23rd is the "official" first day but New Englanders can all agree Labor Day is when we turn the corner on summer and embrace our favorite season--fall!  

NEW CONTESTS: Win Tickets to the Portsmouth Fairy House Tour and Boston Indie Game Festival
In case you missed it, we've posted TWO new contests for this week!
The Boston Festival of Indie Games on Sept 10th is a day-long indoor event showcasing local tabletop and digital game designers from the New England area. Test out prototypes, offer your feedback about gameplay, get a sneak peak on soon-to-be-released games, meet game designers, graphic artists, and learn about the thriving local game industry! New England Fall Events visited this event last year (avid tabletop game players ourselves) and came away inspired by the inventiveness and creativity our fellow New Englanders are contributing to the game world. It's a family-friendly event but we think it's suitable for teens and older. Enter to WIN to tickets to the event in Cambridge, MA. (Contest ends 9/6).

Who doesn't love the magic of fairy houses? We've learned through the years that our New England Fall Events fans are as into these miniature, nature-inspired, fantastic little homes as much as we are!

The Portsmouth NH Fairy House Tour (Sept 24th & 25th) sets the bar very high with their 200+ fairy houses on display on the picture-perfect Starwberry Banke woods and gardens--and it's all right in our backyard! We're giving away a FAMILY Pass (4 people) to the this year's Fairy House Tour and we'll pick two winners! No limit entry! Click here to enter.


It's Garlic Weekend in Southern Vermont!

If you are a garlic-lover and an adventurous eater, the Southern Vermont Garlic and Herb Festival is a super place to visit this Saturday and Sunday! This family-friendly annual festival is packed with interesting garlic treats - garlic ice cream and garlic margaritas!--and also plenty of non-garlic food, bouncy houses, local foods, entertainment, pizza, jams, pepper jellies, hot sauces, maple syrup, jugglers, and more.
New England Fall Events' Deb Wojcicki ventured to this delicious event last year and shared her experience with us all at "Celebrating the 'Stinky Rose' at Vermont's Garlic and Herb Festival."

Pawtucket Dragon Boat Race and Taiwan Day Festival coming up this Saturday, Sept. 3rd
One of our favorite fall events in New England is coming up this Saturday--The RI Dragon Boat Race and Taiwan Day Festival. It's a free festival full of family-friendly activities and performances. 

The Boston Chinese Folk Art Workshop showcases traditional dances, demonstrations, and other folks arts (video left) which are a feast for the eyes and ears. Anyone can sign up to participate in the hilarious dumpling eating contest (our video here) 

If you'd like to see even more wonderful performance clips from the festival, visit the New England Fall Events You Tube Channel. We have videos of the Dragon Boat Race, the Joyful Celebrations Dance, the Peacock Dance, Spears and Sleeves, and The Beating of the Drums. 

The dragon boat races take place at scheduled intervals during the morning and afternoon alongside other festivities taking place on the stage under the tent. If you're headed out to this joyful event, read about our visit to this memorable festival complete with insider tips for you to help you get the most from the experience.
"Pawtucket Comes Alive with Dragon Boats and Chinese Folk Art at Rhode Island's Taiwan Day Festival."

King Richards' Faire Opening Weekend! New England Fall Events has you covered

If you've never been to King Richard's Faire in Carver, MA then you're missing out on a a rite of passage for this annual New England fall festivals. Even if you're not exactly sure what you are getting into, we insist give it a try at least once and we're certain you'll have a great time. This festival is large (80 acres) in scale yet manages to maintain it's charm through the heartfelt community of performers and longtime Faire devotees that bring so much energy, enthusiasm, and joy to the day.

With plenty of shade beneath the tall pines, a variety of food options (beyond the requisite turkey leg), dozens of theatrical performances and jousting displays all day long, it's a relaxing way to spend a fall day. Wherever we went we heard music, singing, dancing, and laughter - what could be better than that? It's a big event and we recommend a little planning ahead to know what kind of a day to plan for. Check out our article "King Richard's Renaissance Faire Offers Costumed Charm and Good Cheer" for festival tips, planning for a family-friendly outing, and more.

What has New England Fall Events been up to lately?

Last week New England Fall Events headed out to lovely Verrill Farm in Concord, MA to feast our eyes and bellies at their late-summer Field to Fork Harvest Dinner - oh what a treat it was!
Here are just some of the highlights: Lobster and Corn Cakes with Remoulade Sauce, Grilled Flank Steak with Thai Vegetable Slaw, Corn and Tomato Risotto, Gazpacho, Corn Spoonbread, and Grilled Rosemary Pound Cake with Stone Fruite Compote--and yes, there was even more than was listed here if you can imagine!
If you missed out on this sold-out event this time around, you can still buy tickets for their October 21st "Field to Fork: Candlelight Harvest Dinner". Reservations are an absolute must!

Where is New England Fall Events headed this weekend?
Circled on our calendar for this weekend is Monday's 31st Annual Bread and Roses Festival in Lowell, MA and we might be able to swing through to enjoy Powisset Farm's Pig Roast as well!

New England Fall Events' Top Recommendations for this Weekend's Fall Fun
We’ll always list our Top Picks for the weekend but you find even MORE listed under your state’s Fall and Activities Guide or Food and Harvest Festival Guides on our website.

Here are our recommended activities for August 31 - September 6, 2016

Sunset Kayak at Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary
Edgartown, MA     Click for details
Wednesday, August 31st, 2016
Click for more Moonlight and Sunset Fall Events

Explore the Night Sky
Martha's Vineyard, MA    Click for details
Thursday, September 1st, 2016
Click for more Moonlight and Stargazing Fall Events

Rhythm & Roots Festival
Charlestown, RI      Click for details
Friday through Sunday, September 2nd-4th, 2016

Stargazing Night At Frosty Drew Observatory
Charlestown, RI       Click for details
Friday, September 2nd 2016
Click for more Moonlight, Stargazing, and Sunset Fall Events

King Richard's Renaissance Faire
Carver, MA    Click for details

Saturdays and Sundays, September 3rd-October 23rd, 2016
Find everything you want to know about the KRF experience in our  article "King Richard's Renaissance Faire Offers Costumed Charm and Good Cheer"

RI Chinese Dragon Boat Races & Taiwan Day Festival
Pawtucket, RI       Click for details
Saturday, September 3rd, 2016
Read about New England Fall Events' memorable visit to the Dragon Boat Festival

Bow Wow Bark in the Park
Bristol, CT     Click for details

Saturday, September 3rd, 2016
Click for more dog-friendly Fall Events.

Apple Days at the Onion River Campground
Plainfield, VT     Click for details
Saturday, September 3rd, 2016

Eastport Salmon and Seafood Festival
Eastport, ME     Click for details
Saturday and Sunday, September 3rd & 4th, 2016

Blues, Views, and BBQ Festival
Westport, CT      Click for details
Saturday and Sunday, September 3rd & 4th, 2016

Mount Snow Brewers Festival
Dover, VT     Click for details
Saturday and Sunday, September 3rd & 4th, 2016

Vermont Garlic and Herb Festival
Bennington, VT    Click for details
Saturday and Sunday, September 3rd & 4th, 2016

Powisset Pig Roast
Dover, MA   Click for details
Monday, September 5th, 2016

Annual Bread and Roses Heritage Festival 
Lawrence, MA     Click for details
Monday, September 5th, 2016

Heading out apple picking this weekend? New England Fall Events has researched and confirmed features, maps, and contact info for your local or vacation-area New England PYO apple orchards. Here are your quick links to the apple picking guides:

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

Looking for PYO farms in your neck of the woods? New England Fall Events' state maps allow you to scroll to find farm locations on the interactive maps-so easy! Find orchard, farm and 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.

Moonlight and Sunset Fall Events Across New England

As warm summer nights turn over to to the first crisp, cool evenings, Mother Nature signals the welcome arrival of fall.

New England Fall Events has made is easy for nature lovers to enjoy the best time of year with plenty of ideas for how to extend your daytime outdoor adventures into the evening hours.

We've compiled a list of under-the-moonlight late-summer and fall events that will help you simply to slow down to and celebrate nature's abundance with some moonlight kayaks, stargazing, and full moon hikes.

A quick note: if the weather is in question, it's always smart to check directly with the event host just in case there is a rainy change of plan!

August 2016

Friday, August 12th
Twilight Hike at Sholan Farms (MA)    all ages    Details
Star Party at the Northern Skies Observatory (VT)   Details
Perseid Meteor Shower Night (VT)     Details
Perseid Meteor Shower Discussion and Star Party (ME)    Details
Summer Night Hike at Scarborough Marsh (ME)    Details

Tuesday, August 16th
Wellfleet Twilight Kayaking  (MA)  Details
 Full Moon Canoe Tour at Scarborough Marsh (ME)  Details

Wednesday August 17th
Full Moon Canoe Tour at Scarborough Marsh (ME)     Details
Beaver and "Sturgeon Moon" Canoe (MA)    Details
Moonrise Kayak at Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary (MA)     Details
Full Moon Paddle at Hundred Acre Cove (RI)    age 16y +     Details

Thursday, August 18th
Moonlight Hike at Wellfleet Wildlife Sanctuary (MA)  Details
Moonrise Kayak at Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary (MA)  Details
Full Moon Hike: Barn Island (CT)  Details
Full Moon Canoe Tour at Scarborough Marsh (ME)  Details

Friday, August 19th
Campfire and Tales with Amoo (NH)  Details
"Sturgeon Moon" Full Moon Dinner at Sunday River (ME)  all ages   Details

Saturday, August 20th
Full Moon Hike at Hilltop Orchards (MA)  age 21+    Details

Wednesday, August 24th
Sunset River Kayak along the Herring River (MA)  Details
Sunset Kayak at Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary (MA)  Details
Night Hike at Wells Reserve (ME)  Details

Thursday, August 25th
Evening Walk at the Quabbin Reservoir (MA)    Details
Sunset Canoe Tour at Scarborough Marsh (ME)     Details

Saturday, August 27th
Twilight Canoe Trip at Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary  (MA)   Details

Wednesday, August 31st
Sunset Kayak at Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary (MA)    Details

September 2016

Friday, September 3rd
Deep Sky Discovery Night (VT)    Details

Wednesday, September 7th
Sunset Kayak at Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary (MA)    Details

Friday, September 9th
Star Party at the Northern Skies Observatory (VT)    Details
Twilight Hike at Sholan Farms (MA)      all ages    Details
Night Hike at Fields Pond (ME)    Details

Wednesday, September 14th
Sunset Kayak at Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary (MA)    Details

Thursday, September 15th
Sunset Kayak at Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary (MA)    Details
Full Moon Hike: Avondale Preserve (CT)    Details
Full Moon Canoe Tour at Scarborough Marsh (ME)    Details

Friday, September 16th
Sunset Kayak at Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary (MA)    Details
Full Moon Canoe Tour at Scarborough Marsh (ME)    Details
"Harvest Moon" Full Moon Dinner at Sunday River (ME) - all ages    Details

Saturday, September 17th
Evening Canoe for Adults at Wachusett Meadow (MA)    Details

Wednesday, September 21st
Sunset Kayak at Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary (MA)    Details

Thursday-Sunday, September 22nd-25th
Acadia Night Sky Festival (ME)    Details

Saturday, September 17th
Moon Over Drumlin - Farm to Table Gala (MA)   age 21+    Details

Wednesday, September 28th
Sunset Kayak at Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary (MA)    Details

October 2016

Friday, October 7th
Star Party at the Northern Skies Observatory (VT)    Details

Friday, October 14th
Twilight Hike at Sholan Farms (MA)       all ages    Details
Halloween Hike at Boo Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary (MA)    Details

Saturday, October 15th
Halloween Hike at Boo Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary (MA)    Details

Sunday, October 16th
Full Moon Hike: Thomas Miner Preserve (CT)    Details

November 2016

Monday, November 14th
Full Moon Hike: Napatree Point (RI)    Details

Stargazing, Quince Festival, Dog Days, Chocolate Tastings, Gingerbread House Competition, and More: New England Fall Events Top Picks for Nov 4-10, 2015

Once Halloween comes and goes we can't help but feel a little wistful as the fall event schedule begins to narrow and most events move indoors. We're never happy to bid farewell to our beloved harvest events and outdoor festivals!

We've pulled together a list of some worthy events for this coming weekend and we hope you will take advantage of the variety of activities while we have them.

At this point in the fall season, we here at New England Fall Events will turn our attention towards event wrap ups from our many events we attended. We'll keep publishing over the next few months and we'll remind you of these special festivals again as we get closer to their return next year.

Thank you all for your support of New England Fall Events all season long! We were proud to double our fall event listing this year to include over 1200 individual New England events on our schedule.

Our local farms, museums, theatres, community centers, seasonal businesses, and local attractions keep raising the bar each season and we continue to be impressed by the range of fantastic activities and festivals for celebrating our favorite time of year.

New England Fall Events also is very fortunate to have two more contributing bloggers this year who made it possible for us to cover more of New England and even greater variety of events this season--thank you to Shel Tscherne and Deb Wojicki for their time, energy, and shared enthusiasm for our region, our local traditions, and for bringing the best of the season to our wonderful fans.

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

As the fall event season draws to a close, we still have a solid selection of activities for this coming weekend. You'll find more events on our website and a smattering of events in the coming weeks (but not nearly as many as we approach Thanksgiving).
Here are our Weekend's Top Picks (as always, you'll find even more online). 

Here are our recommended activities for November 3rd-10th, 2015:

Holidaze: The Real Story of Halloween, Thanksgiving & Christmas Exhibit
Guilford, CT       Click for details
Wednesday through Sunday,
November 4th - December 13th, 2015

Lakes Region Uncorked
Meredith, NH       Click for details
Thursday, November 5th, 2015

Stargazing Night At Frosty Drew Observatory
Charlestown, RI       Click for details
Friday, November 6th, 2015

RI Comic Con 2015
Providence, RI       Click for details
Friday through Sunday, November 6-8th, 2015

CraftWestport 
Westport, CT       Click for details
Saturday and Sunday, November 7th & 8th, 2015

Quince Festival at White Silo Winery
Sherman, CT       Click for details
Saturday, November 7th, 2015

Christmas Festival and Gingerbread House Competition
Boston, MA       Click for details
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, November 6-8th, 2015

Free Friday at the The Discovery Museums
Acton, MA       Click for details
Friday, November 6th, 2015

Family Autism Event at Children's Museum in Easton
North Easton, MA       Click for details
Friday, November 6th, 2015

Three Centuries of Thanksgiving Tour at Strawbery Banke
Portsmouth, NH       Click for details

Saturdays and Sundays, November 7th & 8th, 2015

Bounty: Thanksgiving at Old Sturbridge Village
Sturbridge, MA       Click for details
Saturday and Sunday, November 7th & 8th, 2015

Cordials and Chocolates Class at Canterbury Shaker Village
Canterbury, NH       Click for details
Saturday, November 7th, 2015

Spirits in the House 1960s Retro Party
West Hartford, CT       Click for details
Saturday, November 7th, 2015

Dog Days at Old Sturbridge Village

Sturbridge, MA       Click for details
Saturday and Sunday, November 7 & 8th, 2015

Victorian Tea at the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion
Norwalk, CT       Click for details
Sunday, November 8th, 2015

Wagon Ride Weekends at Billings Farm & Museum
Woodstock, VT       Click for details
Saturday and Sunday, November 7th & 8th, 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.

Find Orchard and fall attraction maps for
Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine,

Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Remember, always call ahead before heading out to PYO as some farms will adjust their hours for weather or they'll begin to close for the season.