Things to do
From pumpkins and apples to beer and wine, every group of fall foods is represented at festivals across New England.
Foods such as pumpkins, apples and oysters are among the foods that will be celebrated at several food festivals across New England in the fall of 2024. Erin Clark/Globe Staff Writer
In a region where residents actually experience all four seasons, fall is undoubtedly New England’s favorite season.
It’s the time of year when trees turn towns across the region red, orange and yellow, drawing tourists from near and far on a pilgrimage to see the fall foliage. But it’s also the time when our fall harvests are at their best and most bountiful, giving us something else to celebrate: food and drink.
Fall is the season of pumpkins, apples, cranberries and oysters, and New England has a festival dedicated to these and many other foods.
Boston.com has compiled a list of festivals and events every New England foodie should have on hand this season—we’ll be updating the list throughout the fall—to celebrate the farmers, chefs and brewers who make the region a food and drink paradise.
Of course, it’s more than just a food festival, but you could spend an entire day at the Big E, hopping from one vendor to the next. All of the State Fair food groups are represented: Fried (Oreos, corn dogs, cheese curds), Baked (mac and cheese, pizza, cream puffs), Gratinated (nachos, ice cream cone bowls, burgers). Visit the State Houses and sample regional specialties like the rich, baked Maine potatoes and crisp apples from Massachusetts farms. (Friday, September 13 to Sunday, September 29; West Springfield)
Fall food and wine? Yes, please. Mount Snow Resort in West Dover is hosting this festival weekend’s highlight event, a massive wine tasting featuring more than 70 vendors, including more than a dozen New England wineries and distilleries, as well as small specialty producers, chefs, cheesemakers and farmers. Visitors can also enjoy a wine tasting and soup stroll in downtown Wilmington. Take a tasting break and ride the Bluebird Lift to see Vermont’s spectacular fall foliage from the summit. (Friday, September 20 to Saturday, September 21; West Dover and Wilmington, Vermont)
Archibald Query invented fluff in 1917 in Somerville’s Union Square. Celebrate this sugary white stuff at the What the Fluff? Festival, which is, of course, taking place in Union Square. Festivalgoers can play fluff games like marshmallow tossing and fluff musical chairs, listen to live music and, most importantly, eat lots of fluff. The rescheduled date is September 22. (Saturday, September 21; Somerville)
Prefer your festival on wheels? More than 50 food trucks will park in downtown Salem at the annual Salem Food Truck Festival. Stop by Cheese Louise, Binge BBQ, The Lobster Roller, The Cookie Monstah and other trucks for a weekend of tasty treats. (Saturday, September 21 and Sunday, September 22; Salem)
This meat-free event is also free, and while you won’t be devouring huge plates of food, you’ll have access to plenty of small samples from vegan and vegetarian food vendors. Learn about new products on the vegetarian market, chat with speakers and chefs, and purchase items at discounted prices. (Saturday, September 28 and Sunday, September 29; Boston)
How many pumpkins can fit in a festival? Find out in Damariscotta, Maine. This pumpkin festival draws up to 15,000 visitors with its pumpkin parade, giant pumpkin weigh-in, pumpkin soapbox race, pumpkin hunt, pumpkin pie eating contest, pumpkin dessert contest and pumpkin boat building. At the Pumpkin Boat Regatta, held at noon on Monday, competitors race down the Damariscotta River in 400- to 700-pound hollowed-out pumpkins that have been converted into boats. (Friday, October 11 through Monday, October 14; Damariscotta, Maine)
The Boston Public Market is hosting its annual Harvest Party, a celebration of fall. This year’s theme is to transform the downtown market into a carnival. With an admission ticket, guests receive appetizers from the food vendors, a drink menu for craft beer and cocktails from the Pine Bar, and a silent auction. A bar is also available for additional beverages. (Thursday, October 17; Boston)
Oyster fans should come to Wellfleet this fall to attend the annual Oyster Festival, a two-day celebration of the shellfish and its history in this city. Raw bars from Chopper’s Choice Oyster Bar, Holbrook Oyster and Pirate Shellfish feature the slippery bivalves, while other vendors round out the food offerings with dishes like stuffed clams, lobster rolls, cod tacos and scallop stuffies. Attend the oyster shucking competition and witness a herculean display of oyster shucking. (Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20; Wellfleet)
A crisp fall afternoon by the water while enjoying New England seafood—it’s just another day in seafood paradise at the Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival. As you wander among the stalls selling fish tacos, calamari, shrimp and stuffed quahogs, be sure to enjoy the sounds of the festival, including bands playing folk, surf rock, Caribbean music and blues. (Saturday, October 19 and Sunday, October 20; Newport, Rhode Island)
Walk among glowing jack-o-lanterns at this festival in Laconia, New Hampshire. Experience cuteness at a parade of pet costumes, shop and eat at food and craft booths, and quench your thirst in a beer garden. Events are spread out over a week, so check the festival website for exact event dates. (Tuesday, October 22 through Thursday, October 31; Laconia, New Hampshire)
Two words: cider. At this three-day festival in Franklin County, you can take an orchard tour, enjoy cider and cheese, and more. (Friday, November 1 to Sunday, November 3; Franklin County)
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