Autumn brings so many terrific seasonal delights — apple picking, cider doughnuts, all the pumpkin things. The cooler weather also means fall fairs are in full steam. Our family really enjoys hitting a fair or two throughout the season. My husband gets his funnel cake fix, and the kids love seeing the animal booths and choosing a few rides to enjoy. I like hitting the fair circuit for the people watching and for catching local musical talent.

Here is a round up of a few of our favorite fairs and festivals in and around Boston. Please share your favorites in the comments below!

King Richard’s Faire (Carver)

September 2–October 22

Immerse yourself in medieval merrymaking! Look forward to performers, the royal zoo, and games and rides. 

Saugus Founder’s Day (Saugus)

September 9

A fun area for the children includes games and prizes, sand art, inflatables, face painting, craft areas, photo booth, and superhero pictures. 

Natick Days (Natick)

September 9

Past Natick Days have featured mini golf, a moonwalk, bungee challenge, pony rides, big trucks from the DPW, and an obstacle course.

Festival at the Farm (Canton)

September 16–17

This music festival has live shows on two stages. There are games, kid-specific music/shows, exotic animal demonstrations, pop-up book store, and family friendly yoga. There are hand-picked local food vendors, culinary demos, and a farmers’ market. Kids 5 and under are free!  

Annual Corn Festival (Norwell)

September 16

Celebrate the natural and cultural heritage of New England with hay rides, pony rides, hand drumming demo, arts and crafts, 4-H animals, and live music.

3rd Annual 4-H Fall Festival (Marshfield)

September 23

This festival features 4-H demonstrations, a touch-a-truck, pony rides, artisan crafts, plus arts and crafts for kids.

Topsfield Fair (Topsfield)

September 29–October 9

America’s oldest agricultural fair boasts events such as pig races, dock dogs, and motorcycle stuntmen. There is live music, a family 5K, animals, monster trucks, and animal exhibits.  

Cambridge 5K Oktoberfest (Cambridge)

October 1

Get a sitter for this one. The registration price includes a race shirt plus food and beer from Jacob Wirth, Cambridge Brewing Co, Notch, Slumbrew, and Bantam Cider. Run a 5K and then drink beer. Makes sense to me!

Salem Haunted Happenings (Salem)

October 1–31

Events include a grand parade, the Haunted Biz Baz Street Fair, family film nights on Salem Common, costume balls, ghost tours, haunted houses, live music, and chilling theatrical presentations

Cranberry Harvest Celebration (Wareham)

October 7

Visitors to the Harvest Celebration, which is co-sponsored by the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers and Ocean Spray, are treated to demonstrations of the wet cranberry harvest, plus cooking demonstrations, paddleboat rides on scenic Tihonet Pond, food vendors, music, bog tours, wagon rides, pony rides, helicopter rides, and other children’s activities.

Emily Fahle
After an illustrious career in politics (including stints on Capitol Hill and on a presidential campaign) and then reinsurance (yeah, that was a career change), Emily decided to once again make a bold move and stay at home after her first daughter was born. Daughter number two came shortly thereafter, and when daughter number three made her debut it became an official girl tribe! The Fahle girls keep super busy and active exploring their beloved town of Scituate and all that Boston and the South Shore have to offer! Emily is currently experiencing getting along with an infant who believes mom is a Holstein, a preschooler who is smarter than her, and a 2-year-old who has drama in her veins. Emily never knew coffee and wine would be such an essential part of her day.

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