NH fall festivals for your October calendar

Cavan Images / Brent Doscher

By Katy Savage

September 20, 2024

New Hampshire is known for its vibrant fall festivals, offering everything from craft beer and chili cook-offs to pumpkin displays and literary gatherings. Whether you’re a beer enthusiast, a book lover, or simply looking to enjoy the foliage, New Hampshire’s fall festivals have something for everyone.

11th Annual Exeter Powder Keg Beer & Chili Festival
Exeter, Saturday, Oct. 5
This festival features chili cook-offs, beer tastings, and live entertainment. Local breweries will showcase a range of beers, and chili lovers can sample different chili recipes, with the opportunity to vote for their favorites.There will be a food trucks, and a vibrant atmosphere.

Dover’s Annual Apple Harvest Day
Dover, Saturday, Oct. 5
Each year, over 60,000 locals and visitors flock to downtown Dover, where more than 300 vendors line the streets, selling homemade items like jewelry, soaps, wooden bowls, and more. Live entertainment will keep the atmosphere lively. The festival showcases apple-themed products, food, and crafts at its core.

New Hampshire Book Festival
Concord, Oct. 4-5
This event gathers authors, poets, and literary enthusiasts for a day of readings, book signings, and engaging discussions. Keynote speakers include Kate DiCamillo, author of “Because of Winn-Dixie,” “The Tiger Rising,” and “The Tale of Despereaux;” and Jean Hanff Korelitz, author of “The Sequel.”

Warner Fall Foliage Festival
Warner, Oct. 11-13
This beloved event features a wide array of local food vendors, artisans, amusement rides, and live music. A standout attraction is the annual ox pull, where oxen tackle an obstacle course loaded with heavy weights. The celebration concludes with a festive parade that honors the season and the community.

Fall Foliage Festival
Waterville Valley, Oct. 11
This festival includes a running race, craft fair, live entertainment, food including chicken, lobster, waffles, and apple cider donuts; and scenic chairlift rides to view the foliage.

Milford Pumpkin Festival
Milford, Oct. 11-13
This event features a giant pumpkin weigh-off, craft fair, live music, a pumpkin lighting ceremony, and a haunted trail.

White Mountain Oktoberfest
Lincoln, Oct. 12-14
This Bavarian-style festival offers traditional German food, music, and beer.

NH PoutineFest
Merrimack, Oct. 12
This celebration of the Canadian dish poutine features local restaurants competing for the title of “Best Poutine.” Attendees can sample various takes on the classic dish of fries, cheese curds, and gravy while enjoying live music and entertainment.

NH Brewfest
Portsmouth, Oct. 12
This festival celebrates craft beer with breweries from across New England showcasing their best sips. Held at the Redhook Brewery in Portsmouth, it includes tastings, live music, and food vendors, making it a great event for beer enthusiasts.

Keene Pumpkin Festival
Keene, Oct. 12
This festival is famous for its massive pumpkin displays and has set world records for the most lit jack-o’-lanterns in one place. The event includes craft vendors sellings things like homemade candles, and live entertainment.

Attitash Mountain Resort Annual Oktoberfest
Bartlett, Oct. 12
This traditional German celebration features beer, brats, and bands. This event celebrates the spirit of the Bavarian Oktoberfest with live music, food, and a wide selection of local and regional beers.

Somersworth Pumpkin Festival
Somersworth, Oct. 12
This festival celebrates all things fall with a focus on pumpkins! There will be a pumpkin carving contest, hayrides, a pumpkin catapult, and activities for kids.

NH Film Festival
Portsmouth, Oct. 17-20
This film festival showcases independent films from around the world. It includes screenings, panels, and networking events for filmmakers and enthusiasts.

RiverFire Festival
Berlin, Oct. 19
Every fall, the city of Berlin lights up with its annual Riverfire Festival that happens one night in October. The festival is wildly popular, with a full day of family-friendly activities for all to enjoy. From a Zombie ATV Poker Run where OHRV riders will don zombie costumes and decorate their rides on a tour of the town, to craft beer tents, local food vendors, children’s activities, and a Halloween Costume Parade—there’s something for everyone. The event includes a pumpkin parade, hayrides, and other fall-themed activities.

NH Pumpkin Festival
Laconia, Oct. 22-31
Thousands of carved orange gourds will decorate downtown Laconia. In addition to lots of pumpkins, there will be family friendly activities, local artisans, craft beer, food vendors, and live entertainment.

Author

Katy Savage

Katy Savage is an award-winning reporter with more than 10 years of experience working in daily, weekly and digital news organizations as both an editor and reporter. Katy is a New England native and has a passion for telling stories about where she grew up.

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