Celebrate the first weekend of fall with these fairs and festivals

Note: Some events may be curtailed, postponed or canceled depending on changing COVID-19 protocols. Please check the event’s website for updates.

Weekend of Sept. 25-26

KING RICHARD’S FAIRE: Weekends from Sept. 4 through Oct. 24 (open Columbus Day), 235 Main St., Carver. 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. each day. Step back in time and enjoy medieval games, food, spectacles and more. Information: https://kingrichardsfaire.net/

BIG E: Sept. 17-Oct. 3, 1305 Memorial Ave., Springfield. The Eastern States Exposition offers live entertainment, midway, food courts, exhibits and much more. Information: https://www.thebige.com/

PUMPKIN FESTIVAL: Krochmal Farms, 31 Jennies Way, Tewksbury. Weekends from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., including Columbus Day. Horse-drawn hay rides, pony rides, corn maze, petting area, and animal exhibits. There’s also a food shack where we serve cheeseburgers, hot dogs, sausages, fried dough and much more. The annual pumpkin festival runs from the middle of September to the last weekend of October. We have a pumpkin patch where you can enjoy the experience of picking your own pumpkins. Information: https://www.krochmalfarms.com/pumpkin-festival/ 

WHAT THE FLUFF? FESTIVAL: Sept. 22-26, Union Square, Somerville. This festival celebrates Somerville's proud tradition of innovation with live music, fluffalicious feasts, games, zany happenings, and much more. Information: https://www.flufffestival.com/

WESTWOOD DAY: Sept. 25, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Includes a 5K run, a vendor village, food court, music and more. Information: https://www.townhall.westwood.ma.us/departments/recreation/westwood-day

DISCOVER MEDFIELD DAY: Sept. 25, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., off North and Friary streets. Rain or shine. Music, food and a chance to visit more than 150 booths highlighting the town’s school, civic and nonprofit groups. Information: https://medfieldmemo.org/medfield-day/

COLONIAL FAIRE AND MUSTER: Sept. 25, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Wayside Inn, 72 Wayside Inn Road, Sudbury. Pay a visit to the 18th century with a day of military drills, contra dances, fife and drum performances and more. Information: https://www.sudburyminutemen.org/faire.htm

UPTON HERITAGE DAY: Sept. 25, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Upton Common. Sponsored by the Upton Historical Society. Events include a Vendor Fair on the Common, the United Parish Townwide Yard sale, the Upton Library’s Book Sale, VFW Flea Market, Fire Station Open House and Upton Grange Agricultural Fair. Food will be available at various locations, along with music and a story hour for children. For more details visit https://www.facebook.com/UptonHistoricalSociety.

KIDS FEST: Sept. 25 and 26, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Wachusett Mountain, 499 Mountain Road, Princeton. Live entertainment, including AxeWomen and Bungee Extreme, food trucks, craft vendors and more. Information: https://www.wachusett.com/Events-Racing/On-Mountain-Events/KidsFest.aspx

CAPE COD DOXIE DAY: Sept. 25, noon-3 p.m., Barnstable County Courthouse, 3195 Main St., Barnstable. Celebrate everything dachshund with not-to-be-missed dachshund races, and everyone is invited to join the parade. Dogs will want to sit and stay at the pop-up dachshund café. Enter to win prizes and bragging rights for longest dachshund, teeniest weenie and more. Play a round of dachshund trivia, and sing along to the Dachs Song. Browse goods from unique vendors, learn more about local non-profit groups, and take a chance to win raffle prizes. Information: https://www.ccdoxieday.com/

NOTCH OKTOBERFEST: Sept. 25, noon-7 p.m., Stevens-Coolidge House and Gardens, 153 Chickering Road, North Andover. Classic German fare, desserts, and cold session beer for sale will greet you at this Oktoberfest, along with the musical talents of an authentic German band in the beautiful gardens. Festive attire encouraged. Rain or shine. Information: https://thetrustees.org/event/65152/

WAMPANOAG CULTURAL CELEBRATION DAY: Sept. 25, noon-5 p.m., Highfield Hall and Gardens, 56 Highfield Drive, Falmouth. This family friendly day will include hands-on activities such as corn husk dolls, clay beads, and quahog shell rattles; traditional games, dance, storytelling, and tastes of Native American food. There will also be vendors from the Wampanoag Trading Post as well as other crafts/vendors from the tribe. This event will take place on the lawn and tent; tickets are $10 per adult, children are free, registration is required. Information: https://www.capecodchamber.org/event/wampanoag-cultural-celebration-day/43908/

ENDLESS SUMMER WATERFRONT FESTIVAL: Sept. 25, noon-5 p.m., Nantasket Beach, Hull. Food, live music, roaming railroad and more. Presented by Save the Harbor/Save the Bay. Information: https://www.facebook.com/Endless-Summer-Waterfront-Festival-105332487575/

CAPE COD BREW FEST: Sept. 25, 2-5:30 p.m., Barnstable County Fairgrounds, Route 151, Mashpee. Join us for this celebration of American craft brewers and sample from 50+ breweries and over 200 styles of beer. All beverage samples are included in your ticket, access to food vendors and much more. Every attendee will receive a custom glass as they exit the festival. This event is for 21 years and older. Information: capecodbrewfest.com.

OKTOBERFEST: Sept. 25, 4-8 p.m., Historic Winslow House, 634 Careswell St., Marshfield. Oktoberfest is organized by the Duxbury Lions Club and is part of the Duxbury Food & Wine Festival, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Attendees can expect a German meal, contests for authentic German costumes and stein-holding, German wines and local brewery partners serving up their brews. This is event is for people age 21 and older. Tastings and appetizers will be offered from 4-6 p.m., and dinner will be offered from 6-7 p.m. This event will be outdoors; however, there will also be indoor seating, if desired. To purchase tickets, visit https://duxburyfoodandwinefestival.com/oktoberfest. 

HARVEST FAIR, APPLE PIE SOCIAL: The 42nd annual Harvest Fair and Apple Pie Social, hosted by the Congregational Church of Grafton, will be held on Sept. 26 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on the church grounds at 30 Grafton Common. Admission is free to this family-friendly event, and it is rain or shine. This year, the fair will offer its famous homemade apple pies and crisps (fresh and frozen), a huge yard sale, lots of amazing raffle baskets, hot dogs, chili and corn chowder, plus live musical performances. For more information, visit www.uccgrafton.org, email graftonuccnews@gmail.com, or call 508-839-4513.

KIDS MUSIC FEST: Sept. 26, noon-4 p.m., NARA Park Amphitheater, 25 Ledge Rock Way, Acton. Featuring Ben Rudnick and Friends, and Karen K. and the Jitterbugs. There will also be activities, including arts and crafts. Food will be available for purchase. Information: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kids-musicfest-2021-tickets-119138355027

DEDHAM DAY: Sept. 26, noon-5 p.m., Barnes Memorial Park. Sponsored by the Friends of Dedham Recreation. Family games and activities, including rides, music and the annual cow plop (deeds available for $10 each). Information: https://www.facebook.com/DedhamParksandRecreation/

Weekend of Oct. 2-3

SALEM HAUNTED HAPPENINGS: Oct. 1-31. A wide variety of programs and events, including psychic readings, costume balls, haunted harbor cruises, ghost tours and more. Information: https://www.hauntedhappenings.org/

TOPSFIELD FAIR: Oct. 1-11, 207 Boston St., Topsfield. Featuring the giant pumpkin contest, as well as rides, exhibits and fun for all ages. Information: https://www.topsfieldfair.org/

OKTOBERFEST: Oct. 2 and 3, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Wachusett Mountain, 499 Mountain Road, Princeton. Raise your steins and toss the empty kegs as you eat, drink and celebrate with live German music, contests, shows, craft and farmers' market vendors, and activities for the whole family. Information: https://www.wachusett.com/Events-Racing/On-Mountain-Events/OktoberFest.aspx

NEW BEDFORD OKTOBERFEST: Oct. 2 and 3, 3 p.m.-midnight both days, Pier 3, MacArthur Drive, New Bedford. Craft beers, food trucks and much more. Information: https://destinationnewbedford.org/event/new-bedford-oktoberfest/?instance_id=3365

SANDWICHFEST: Oct. 2, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Water Street, Sandwich. A showcase of local food vendors and restaurants, more than 80 juried artisans, retailers, and miscellaneous vendors. There will also be a beer and wine garden, children's activities and a pet parade. Information: https://www.sandwichchamber.com/

FALL FAIR: Oct. 2, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Plymouth Church, 87 Edgell Road, Framingham. White Elephant sale, costumes for children and adults, homemade crafts, Christmas shop and much more. Information: http://www.plymouthchurchframingham.org/news-center

FOOD TRUCK AND MUSIC FESTIVAL: Oct. 2, noon-6 p.m., Coddington Street, Quincy. Featuring more than 25 food trucks, five bands, five children’s entertainers and more. Information: https://discoverquincy.com/events/quincys-annual-food-truck-music-festival/

GLYNNT MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL: Oct. 2, 2 p.m. Cordage Park, Plymouth. Featuring four main stage bands, food trucks, a beer and wine garden, and an artisan tent. Tickets are available at https://glynnt.com. Corporate sponsorship opportunities for the festival and the foundation remain and can be found at https://joshuaglynnfoundation.org. 

FOOD TRUCK AND CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL: Oct. 2, 5-9 p.m., Polar Park, Worcester. Featuring 25 food trucks, and 30 breweries. Food and drink enthusiasts can book their tickets on polarpark.com, by phone at 508-500-8888 or at the Polar Park ticket office on 100 Madison St. Tickets cost $35 and get the buyer access to the event, a $10 food truck voucher and 10 drink tickets. Safe celebrators can purchase a “designated driver ticket,” costing $25, which buys event access and a $10 food truck voucher. The event will also feature live music by The Nightly’s, a musical group led by Boston-based musician Munk Duane. The rain date is Oct. 3 from 4-8 p.m.

SHARON DAY: Oct. 3, noon-5 p.m., Veterans Memorial Park Beach. A celebration of local businesses, schools, nonprofits and more. Information: https://www.townofsharon.net/home/news/sharon-day-2021-sunday-october-3