If There’s One Fall Festival You Attend in Rhode Island, Make It the Norman Bird Sanctuary Harvest Fair

With its crisp air and colorful foliage, autumn is so beloved that many of us count down the days to its start, from when it ends the year prior. Summer is always busy, but just when you think you have a break, our fall calendars start to fill with fun activities and events that are fitting for the season (not to mention the fall foliage, of course!). In fact, our schedule is just as jam-packed with cherished traditions, such as pumpkin picking, apple picking, and all sorts of family-friendly fun, like the annual Harvest Fair at Norman Bird Sanctuary, a beloved fall festival in Rhode Island.

For more than five decades, Rhode Islanders have celebrated the beauty of autumn at Norman Bird Sanctuary’s Harvest Fair, an epic two-day event set for Oct. 4-5, 2025. This year marks the 51st anniversary of the Middletown sanctuary's fall festival, featuring a jam-packed menu of family-friendly fun.

Bring your sense of adventure and join in on a rousing rendition of tug of war, participate in a sack race, or try your hand at one of the fair games. You might just snag a fun prize. After getting your face painted, climb aboard a hay ride for a scenic journey. The Harvest Fair will also feature a selection of food trucks and other food vendors. Grab a bite to eat and drink, then listen to the live music from local bands as you dig in.

Have a green thumb? Show off your skills by signing up for the Home & Garden Competition. Contestants can enter one of four divisions: Junior (ages 14 and under), Enthusiast (ages 15 and older), Professional, or Team.

Tickets for the annual Harvest Fair are already on sale, so get yours soon! While you can purchase tickets at the door, festival organizers encourage online purchasing. General admission costs $14, while kiddos between three and 18 are $3. Little ones under three enjoy free admission. Ample parking, to which volunteers will direct you, will be available during the fair, which runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days.

Tickets for crafts, games, and activities will be available at ticket booths throughout the fairgrounds. All ticket proceeds will support the 300-acre Norman Bird Sanctuary.

Visit the Norman Bird Sanctuary website for all the latest details, including event tickets and information on the organization. You can also visit the sanctuary's Facebook page for event updates. This is one Rhode Island fall festival you won't want to miss!

Have you attended this annual fall festival in Rhode Island, which is fun for the whole family and supports the Norman Bird Sanctuary? What did you think? Will you go again this year? Fall also provides an idyllic backdrop for hiking, especially for foliage views in Rhode Island—here are the best fall hikes in Rhode Island.

Plan your own trip to Middletown, Rhode Island, with Only In Your State’s AI-powered itinerary planner.