5 Great New England Garlic Festivals To Visit This Fall

Fall brings many familiar joys. With it comes a burst of color, fruiting apple trees, a crisp breeze, and the gentle closing of another hot, sun-baked summer. But those with an enthusiasm for alliums (a family of flowering plants which most notably includes onions, garlic, leeks, and chives) know that fall in New England also means it’s finally garlic’s time to shine. At these garlic festivals scattered throughout the region, farmers, gardening enthusiasts, chefs, home cooks, and foodies convene to express a shared love for these flavorful gems, as well as to enjoy cooking demonstrations, yummy samples, and live entertainment. If your love for garlic is as strong as the cloves themselves, don’t miss these fantastic New England garlic festivals this fall!

North Quabbin Garlic & Arts Festival | Orange, Massachusetts

September 30 and October 1, 2023

For more than two decades, the North Quabbin Garlic & Arts Festival has been celebrating local farmers, artists, and organizations with this “festival that stinks.” Held annually at Forster’s Farm in Orange, Massachusetts, the festival features over 100 booths and more than 50 workshops and demonstrations. The highlight of the weekend? The annual raw garlic-eating contest.

Garlictown, USA | Bennington, Vermont

September 2, 2023

“Eat, drink, & get stinky with us,” reads the banner on the website for Garlictown, USA, a pungent Vermont village which emerges each year on Labor Day weekend in what is usually known as downtown Bennington. In 2022 over 75,000 visitors flocked to the festival to enjoy food trucks, browse vendor tents, hop on board a tractor ride, and more.

Garlic & Harvest Festival | Bethlehem, Connecticut

October 7th and 8th, 2023

From food samples from vendors to expert garlic cooking demonstrations, there’s no shortage of flavorful fun at the Garlic & Harvest Festival in Bethlehem, Connecticut. And then there’s the food court, where you can enjoy everything from deep fried garlic to garlic ice gream (yes, you’re reading this right). Pack your toothbrush and head on over!

Maine’s Garlic Fest | Skowhegan, Maine

October 7th and 8th, 2023

Maine might be better known for its bounty of lobster and blueberries, but this festival proves that the state holds its own when it comes to garlic. The annual festivities include an obstacle course, cornhole, kayaking and canoe rentals, music, art exhibits and, naturally, plenty of garlic-heavy food.

The Garlic Festival at Olde Mistick Village | Mystic, Connecticut

September 16th and 17th, 2023

For over 15 years, people have been gathering in the Olde Mistick Village in Mystic, Connecticut, to appreciate all things garlic at this award-winning festival. Like many of the other festivals on this list, the festivities include live music, a wide array of garlicky food, craft vendors, and farm booths to browse.

Have you visited any of these New England garlic festivals? Let us know in the comments below!