View more New Hampshire Festivals, Fairs and Parades.
When the leaves start to change and there’s a chill in the air, New Hampshirites know it’s time to welcome fall festival season. And New England takes its fall festivals seriously. Whether it’s a county fair or an agricultural event, New Hampshire’s fall festivals are all about bringing the community together to celebrate the season. Here are our 7 favorites!
Visit Laconia in October for the New Hampshire Pumpkin Festival. Nothing says fall quite like pumpkins, right? You’ll get to see a 34-foot high wall of Jack-O-Lanterns. Add yours to the wall by turning it in at the Carving Station. You may carve one at the station instead if you prefer. Activities include a pumpkin pancake breakfast, amusements, a pumpkin beer garden, races, games and more. You’ll find fun for the whole family at this festival.
The Warner Fall Foliage Festival celebrates the season in early October. The whole community comes out to enjoy the brilliant fall colors, eat barbecue chicken, enjoy the farmer’s market and more. There is a full lineup of live music, oxen and woodsmen’s contests, street performers and a wide range of vendors and amusements for the kids.
The Milford Pumpkin Festival is scheduled early October. Held in the downtown area, visitors will enjoy a Haunted Walk, loads and loads of pumpkins, a talent show, food vendors, a craft fair and more. There will also be fireworks to wrap up the celebration.
The Somersworth Pumpkin Festival is a fun family event, generally taking place on the second Saturday in October. Admission is charged for children (or adults!) who wish to take part in the many activities, which include Pumpkin Carving, Pumpkin Painting, Pumpkin Bowling, a Pumpkin Catapult, hayrides and more. There will be food vendors and live entertainment on two stages. Kids get a dollar off the admission price if they come in fall/Halloween costumes.
Dover’s Apple Harvest Day is generally scheduled on one of October’s first few weekends. About 400 vendors including those proffering food, crafts, artwork and more will be on hand for the celebration. There will be live entertainment at various spots throughout the day. Traffic in Dover is diverted, as the festival takes place in the downtown center.
This year’s Monadnock Pumpkin Festival will be held in late October at the Cheshire Fairgrounds in Swanzey. Huge lit pumpkin displays will be there for everyone’s viewing, so be sure to carve one at home and bring it, along with a candle, to add. There will also be an abundance of food for sale, craft vendors, face painting, amusement rides, pony rides, Fright Fest (admission is included with festival admission), and a baking contest. There will also be an entire tent dedicated to activities for small children. Fireworks will mark the festival’s grand finale.
From early September to late October, Applecrest Farm hosts a series of exciting events each weekend to welcome the fall season! The series of festivals include a Harvest Kick-Off, Indian Summer Festival, Autumn Equinox, Fall Foliage Spectacular, Columbus Day Weekend Festival, Oktoberfest, and Storybook Hayrides. Enjoy live music, storytelling, and plenty of entertainment for the whole family!