Want to enjoy the fall day in New Hampshire? The state is a popular tourist destination throughout the year. Still, fall is the best time to visit NH because it offers different activities and fiesta without any shortage of fun.
In the following content, get complete details about the best celebrations, from harvest to pumpkin. You should check out one of the many Granite State Fall Festivals to make your trip memorable.
Let’s start;
The distinct, vibrant colors pop up in fall foliage, and everyone feels good due to the clean and crisp air. If you want to learn about different world cultures, Granite State Fiesta is for you because each carnival has a charm.
Celebrations bring all visitors and community members together to commemorate and have fun. During the fall season, to make your weekend memorable, there are many activities for everyone, whether you come with your family or friends. You should bring cash while traveling because only some sellers accept credit cards.
New Hampshire Fall Foliage Festivals 2024
Here are some of the most favorite carnivals of fall foliage in NH.
Apple Harvest Day:
| Location | Dover, NH |
| Date | October 1, 2024 |
| Website | appleharvestday.com |
Each year, the Visitor Center and Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce host Apple Harvest Day on the first weekend of October. Approximately 60,000 visitors from other parts of the region attend this fair.
Tasty food, live entertainment, and shopping from over 300 local merchants. Along with the kids’ zone, a train ride, wildlife encounters, inflatables, and electronic archery are all-day events.
In the center of Dover, there is a 5k road race. Walk on the road along with dogs and kids. The fiesta occurs in the city’s center, so the main traffic is distracted. The runners will get a free Apple cider. The apple pie baking contest is a great spot for your family.
New Hampshire Highland Games and Festival:
| Location | Lincoln, NH |
| Date | September 16-18, 2024 |
| Website | nhscot.org |
To experience Scottish culture and history, you should join NHSCOT’s annual celebration at the Granite State Highland Games and Festival. Visitors can learn much about Scottish Heritage, traditional Scottish food, and music.
It is an excellent source of fun for all groups of ages, whether you have Scottish heritage or not. Along with Scottish and Gaelic mainstage music, the NH Highland Games and Festival feature pop-up performances from pipe bands around the ground.
You can learn about your family’s background at the Clan Village and watch historical re-enactors. If you want to experience Scottish traditions, check out the sheep-dog trails or take a class.
Warner Fall Foliage Festival:
| Location | Warner, NH |
| Date | October 8-9, 2024 |
| Website | wfff.org |
Warner Fall Foliage Festival has been held for the last 73 years. Attend a gala to experience local brand live performances, rides, delicious food, and other exciting activities. Some booths showcase local architects’ crafts.
Both the children’s and Grand Parades are included. Since 2019, it is the first time when Warner’s town has hosted the fall festivities in person. If you have an athlete member in your family, register them to participate in the Warner Foliage Commemoration 5k or Children’s Fun Run.
The pre-registered members will get a free race shirt. They proceed to assist all the Warner member programs. There is a special prize for first-place athletes in both men’s and women’s groups, and the top 3 runners-up will get a special certificate.
White Mountain Oktoberfest:
| Location | Lincoln, NH |
| Date | October 8-9, 2024 |
| Website | loonmtn.com/events/oktoberfest |
In Lincoln, NH, White Mountain Oktoberfest is the biggest event for German culture and food lovers. You will experience a Bavaria in your backyard at the Loon Mountain Resort. It is held in the first phase of October.
Relish your brews and brats with the side views of the NH White Mountains. You can also experience the popular Oompah band. Stein hoisting and keg tossing are the best activities to make fun of.
There are many more delightful things for kids, such as potato sack races, pumpkin rolling, root beer keg tosses, etc. Before the start of the event, many new activities are introduced for youngsters and adults.
New Hampshire Brewfest:
| Location | Portsmouth, NH |
| Date | October 8, 2024 |
| Website | nhbrewfest.com |
Beer-addicted people love to partake in this annual fiesta. The people who love the brew will take the most famous England Craft breweries and food trucks on the grounds in Portsmouth. It will help the fundraiser of the Master Brewers Association of Americas.
Individuals above the age of 21 are eligible to join the event. After entering the event, they serve many craft beer samples and a 5 oz souvenir sampling cup. You will also appreciate the live DJ performance, food stalls, and other activities.
The VIP ticket will give you a commemorative Brewfest Drinkware and quick access. However, if someone doesn’t like the liquor atmosphere, a special driver ticket is available to access the non-liqueur and food stalls.
RiverFire Festival:
| Location | Berlin, NH |
| Date | October 15, 2024 |
| Website | androscogginvalleychamber.com/riverfire-festival |
RiverFire Festival offers a distinct feeling not available in any other place in the Granite State. There will be a spectacular display of firelight on the dark water as boom piers running down the Androscoggin River are lit on fire at dusk.
Along the bridge, carved pumpkin lanterns is another light source that removes the darkness. During the daytime, people of all ages participate in fun activities such as the cornhole tournament, helicopter rides, and the Halloween Costume Parade.
Zombie ATV Poker Run is suitable for those who love adventure. A variety of delicious food options and live music performances also exist.
New Hampshire Pumpkin Festival in Laconia:
| Location | Laconia, NH |
| Date | October 29, 2024 |
| Website | nhpumpkinfestival.com |
Laconia is known as the heart of the Lakes Region in NH. Start Halloween festivities before the beginning of the Pumpkin Festival. Customize your carved pumpkin to display on the Jack-o-Lantern or paint it.
Youngsters can amuse themselves with face paintings, inflatables, games, a climbing wall, pumpkin bowling, etc. Pumpkin Festival Beer Garden provides live music and brews for adults.
Along with the Great New England Craft and Artisan Show offerings and food merchants, the carnival includes a children’s costume parade, Riverside Duck Derby, a corn hole tournament, and Rock N Roll Racing.
After sunset, a Pumpkin Dump Derby, Jack-o-Lantern Lighting ceremony, Halloween movies, and Zombie Walk occur.
New Hampshire Poutine Fest:
| Location | Merrimack, NH |
| Date | October 15, 2024 |
| Website | nhpoutinefest.com |
Poutine Fest has been held at Anheuser-Busch Brewery for the last two years. Franco American Centre of the NH organized this carnival. Its main motive is to protect the region’s French heritage, culture, and language.
NH restaurants will compete for “Best Poutine of the Fest” as they serve up their best poutine. Children’s activities, games, and live entertainment also exist. It is highly recommended to wear a Halloween costume. An extensive range of beers is also available for adults to wash down all that poutine.
Milford Pumpkin Festival:
| Location | Milford, NH |
| Date | October 7 to 9, 2024 |
| Website | milfordpumpkinfestival.org |
The Milford’s Granite Town Festivities Committee organized a Milford Pumpkin Festival during Columbus Day weekend each year. Three stages of live music, delicious foods, and handmade goods like maple syrup are all part of this celebration on the Massachusetts border.
Visitors from all over New England and greater Boston join a fair. It is a 3-day carnival that is equally beneficial for the whole family.
At this free event, you can participate in a Pumpkin Catapult, paint pumpkins, sell pumpkins, play in the Giant Pumpkin Weigh-In contest, and do pumpkin carving. Besides scarecrow making, visitors can enjoy a haunted trail and make their ghosts.
Winchester Pickle Festival:
| Location | Winchester, NH |
| Date | September 24, 2024 |
| Website | winchesternhpicklefestival.org |
Winchester Pickle Festival is a free event celebrating its 25th year. Around 5,000 guests from Winchester and other surrounding areas join the feast yearly. There will be free pickles from Patriot Pickle Company for the day or while supplies last.
A Pickle Memorabilia Stand boasts a farmers’ market and local vendors to shop pickles. Along with main stage performances, Mr. Pickle appears in the “Pickles” Parade and is available for photos. Bounce houses and crafts will keep kids entertained.
Fall Foliage Festival:
| Location | Waterville Valley, NH |
| Date | October 8 to 10, 2024 |
| Website | waterville.com/basiccalendar/2022/10/8/fall-foliage-fest |
On Columbus Day, visit the Waterville Valley Resort to partake in their Fall Foliage Festival. The fair starts its activities with a snowboard swap and skiing. On-site tents are sold by Sport Thoma all around the week.
The gala has many things, including a 1.6k fun run, bike and boat rentals, a hike, and a 5k road race. Many live music performances are held at the pavilion. Kids and families can watch a live animal show held by the Squam Lakes Science Center on Monday morning.
New Hampshire Pumpkin Festival in Keene
| Location | Keene, NH |
| Date | October 29, 2024 |
| Website | pumpkinfestival.org |
Each year at the end of October, the New Hampshire Pumpkin Festival is held at the college town of Keene. The residents of Monadnock and Keene collect jack-o-lanterns to break the world record this year.
They already broke the world record in 2003 to 2006 and 2013. There are many things for amusement, such as games, food booths, live music, costume parades, etc. Kids may also join many events. The best part of this fair is Keene State College students who work as volunteers.
