With the leaves changing colors and the temperature falling, there’s something magical to me about autumn in Massachusetts. What I love best of all, however, is the delicious food and the festivities the fall season brings. There’s just something about the variety of squashes, apples, pears, and cranberries that makes me practically giddy with excitement. Pair the weather and fall harvest with other festival events, and you’ve got the best weekend plans of the year. I’ve hand selected some of the Massachusetts fall food events that I’m looking forward to this season. Whether you’re trying to make plans for a date night or looking for a fall activity for the whole family, there’s plenty to eat, drink, and do in Massachusetts over the next few weeks!
Fall food and festivities for the whole family to enjoy:
Great New England BBQFest at Wachusett
Wachusett Mountain Ski Area
Princeton, MA
Saturday and Sunday, October 3 and 4, 2015
10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Wachusett Mountain is hosting its 6th Annual Great New England BBQFest featuring local BBQ vendors who will offer plenty of tasty choices for the whole family. This year the festival will feature the brand new Oysterfest, which will include oysters on the half shell, clam chowder, and shrimp, along with a daily oyster shucking competition. A pig roast will take place on both days. Featuring music all weekend long, the BBQFest also has a farmers market and craft fair throughout the weekend, a Beer Tent for the over 21 crowd, and lots of entertainment for the whole family, including side shows, music and kids activities!
Tickets start at $9 in advance, $12 at the door. Reduced admission for kids under 12.
Harvest Festival
Verrill Farm
Concord, MA
Saturday, October 3
11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
The 9th Annual Harvest Festival is a benefit for Emerson Hospital Pediatric Care. While food is available a la carte, the fields surrounding the farm stand are transformed into a memorable fair ground for your little ones. Activities range from corn husking and face painting to a petting zoo, cookie decorating, pony rides, treasure hunts, cow milking, and more. With live music by Boston Road Bluegrass, a raffle, and a silent auction, there’s something for every family member to enjoy!
Activity, game, and raffle tickets are $10 for 5 tickets or $20 for 12.
Cranberry Harvest Celebration
A.D. Makepeace Company Headquarters at Tihonet Village
Wareham, MA
Saturday and Sunday, October 10 and 11, 2015
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Is there a better way to say “Massachusetts” than cranberries? The Cranberry Harvest Celebration is a great way to bring the whole family together while participating in a New England tradition.
The weekend includes historical and educational events, live cooking demonstrations by some of the area’s finest chefs and culinary professionals, shopping at the marketplace with over 40 exhibitors from around the region, and music from local musicians. There will also be a farmers market and food concession areas. Children’s activities include pony, wagon, paddle boat, and train rides, plus live entertainment and much more.
Admission is $10, but $5 for seniors and military — children under 7 are free. Parking and shuttle transportation are free.
Hannaford Supermarket New England Food Festival
Plymouth Rock
Plymouth, MA
Saturday, November 21, 2015
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Excited to sample and judge the best restaurants in Southeastern Massachusetts and the surrounding areas? The New England Food Festival features the best soups, chowders, desserts, party foods, and entrees in the area.
Admission for adults is $12; children under 12 are $7; children under 5 are free.
The perfect farm food date night for grown ups:
Annual Harvest Dinner & Auction
Natick Community Organic Farm
Natick, MA
Friday, September 25, 2015
5-9 p.m.
Offering a unique farm-to-table experience, the Harvest Dinner & Auction features a tasting of sustainable wines and local beers, oysters, hors d’oeuvres, homemade cheese, meats and produce from the Natick Community Organic Farm, as well as offerings from dozens of other Massachusetts farms, dairies, and fishermen. The event includes live music and silent and live auctions.
Admission is $100 for Natick Community Farm Members and $120 for nonmembers before September 21; admission is $120/$140 at the door.
Heritage of Sherborn
Sherborn, MA
Tuesday, September 29, and Tuesday, October 15, 2015
6:30 p.m.
Want to enjoy a four-course meal with food from local farms that’s paired with the perfect wines? Look no further than the newly opened Heritage of Sherborn! Featuring local produce and meat from Dowse Farm, Hopestill Farm, Silverwood Farm, Allandale Farm, and Ward’s Berry Farm, as well as in-house smoked bacon courtesy of Chef Josh at the Heritage of Sherborn, these wine dinners will feature world class and sustainable wines from Argyle Winery (September 29) and Ponzi Vineyards (October 13).
Price is $75 per person (excluding tax and gratuity).
