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.

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.