The holidays can be quite a magical time of year around the Bay State. Between the epic Christmas light displays, festive small towns, and Christmas-themed stores, there's plenty of holiday cheer to be had this season. And if you're looking for some fun, there's a wonderful holiday festival in Massachusetts you must add to your list: the annual Nantucket Holiday Stroll!
The quaint island of Nantucket is quite a festive place to be during the holiday season. And this year marks the island's 48th Annual Christmas Stroll.
This year's Nantucket Christmas Stroll will be held from December 2 through December 4, 2022. The island will be a festive winter wonderland for all to enjoy. It will even feature a 20-foot Christmas tree all decked out for the holidays!
During the festival, visitors should first stop by the Chamber of Commerce on Main Street or at the table in Santa's Village to pick up a Christmas Stroll program guide.
Among the attractions at the Christmas Stroll is shopping at Santa's Village. Peruse the vendor booths and pick out some early presents. From handmade items and a variety of unique gifts, you're sure to find something for a loved one.
But at the center of it all is a 20-foot Christmas tree, all decorated in the most festive way! The tree-lighting is scheduled ahead of the Christmas Stroll on the evening of November 25, 2022.
Have you been to this holiday festival in Massachusetts in the past? If so, what was the experience like? Tell us in the comments. To learn more about Nantucket's annual Christmas Stroll, visit the Nantucket Chamber of Commerce website and follow its Facebook page for updates.
Fall is finally here and I couldn't be more excited! There is so much to do during the beautiful season of fall in Massachusetts. My calendar is already filling up with plans to explore fun corn mazes, colorful fall foliage, and amazing autumn hikes. But the fall fair season is what I am most looking forward to! Each weekend (and many weekdays) you can find fantastic fall festivals near Boston and beyond. Every event offers something a little different, but equally as fun and entertaining. So grab your pumpkin spice latte and join me in exploring the best fall festivals in Massachusetts.
The fall fair season kicks off with the magical King Richard’s Faire which begins on August 31 and runs weekends and holidays through through October 20, 2024. I can tell you from experience that this unique festival, which takes place in Carver, near the city of Plymouth, is so much fun! Enjoy rides, food, and entertainment as you are transported back to medieval times. Each weekend of the fair has a special theme. Don’t be afraid to come dressed in your favorite Renaissance costume. Bring your finest medieval garb or buy some at the festival.
The Big E in Springfield is one of the biggest and most popular agricultural fall fairs in Massachusetts. This year’s fair starts on Sept. 13 and runs through Oct. 29, 2024. Fairgoers can enjoy a circus, rides, a farmer’s market, a parade, yummy food, and agricultural exhibits and competitions. There will also be several musical performances taking place throughout the span of the festival. Highlights include performances by Ludacris, America, and Public Enemy. It's going to be a truly fun event for all!
This one-of-a-kind fall festival is by far the stickiest of all of the autumn fairs. If you are a lover of melted marshmallows, this fair is a must-see! 2024 marks the 19th anniversary of Somerville’s annual What the Fluff Festival. There will be games, music, and more Marshmallow Fluff than you could ever imagine. The fun takes place on Sept. 23 in the city of Somerville, right outside Boston, where fluff was invented in 1917. Don't forget to eat a fluffernutter sandwich while you're here!
What better way to celebrate the fall season than with a cold beer or two? This year, you can enjoy a pint and have some fun at the 2024 Harpoon Octoberfest which takes place on October 4-5 in Boston. The festival is packed with activities such as a pretzel-eating contest, Oompa music, and a group chicken dance. Bratwurst, beer, and Bavarian pretzels await you.
If you are looking for a quintessential New England Fair, the Topsfield Fair is a top choice! This historic agricultural fair dates back to 1818. Enjoy parades, performances, fair food, live music, animal shows, exhibits, rides, and games. The highlight of the fair is the annual pumpkin weigh-in, where farmers compete to see who has grown the biggest pumpkin. The fair takes place in Topsfield from October 4-14, 2024. This event is so charming and fun for the whole family.
If you enjoy oysters, this is the autumn fair for you! The 2024 Wellfleet Oysterfest is one of the biggest fall events on the Cape. This year’s festivities will feature live music, a shucking contest, and lots of fresh seafood. This delicious event takes place in Wellfleet on October 19 - 20, 2024.
You can celebrate Applefest at Wachusett Mountain during the weekends of October 19-20 and 26-27, 2024. The festival will feature live music, food trucks, and craft vendors. There will also be many family-friendly activities such as stilt walkers, inflatable slides, and pie-eating contests. End your day by taking a Skyride trip up the mountain to view the beautiful autumn foliage. It's one of the more silly and whimsical festivals and it's so fun.
Fall is such a fantastically fun season here in Massachusetts. Which events are you most excited to check out? Tell us in the comments which events you think are the best fall festivals in Massachusetts. Get up close to all the lovely fall colors by taking a hike at any of these beautiful destinations in Massachusetts:
Remember that feeling you got as a kid when you released a balloon and watched it float off into the sky? This epic event in Massachusetts is that feel multiplied by a million. The Green River Festival is a fantastic combination of incredible live music and enchanting hot air balloons. It's one of those summer festivals in Massachusetts that you won't want to end!
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The Green River Festival is one of the best summer events in New England.
During the day, you can take tethered balloon rides above the festival. This means that the balloon is secured to the ground the whole time, so you don't have to worry about floating away.
They blaze to life in a rainbow of colors and perform a synchronized light show. It’s pretty breathtaking.
Next up: the awesome music. Rolling Stone named it one of the must-see music festivals in the country, and The New York Times calls it one of the fifty essential summer festivals.
If you've been looking for live music in Massachusetts, look no further! You've found a fantastic place to enjoy some great performances.
Families will also appreciate children’s music performers, the art activity tent, circus acts, the Mardi Gras parade, and plenty of lush grass to play on.
Grownups and kids alike should come thirsty and hungry, as everything from burgers to vegetarian delights will be on offer from restaurant stands and food trucks.
Have you had the pleasure of attending the Green River Festival, one of the most colorful summer festivals in Massachusetts? What are you most excited to experience this year? Please let us know in the comments section! If you'd like to get tickets, head to the festival website. Check out all of the best small-town festivals in Massachusetts you can squeeze into the season. If you're planning to drive from town to town this summer, then take a look at The Ultimate Road Trip Packing List by OnlyInYourState so you will have everything you need!
