Best Sheep and Wool Festivals in New England

Late spring is the season when New England sheep get their hair cut, and celebrations have sprung up all across the region to make a festive occasion of the event. New England is home to many fine sheep and wool festivals. Most include food, crafts, games, competitions, and more — but all (naturally) promise to demonstrate how to properly shear our favorite wooly friends. Make a day of this fun spring tradition at one of our picks for the Best Sheep and Wool Festivals in New England.

2025 Best New England Sheep and Wool Festivals

Sheepshearing Festival at Gore Place
Waltham, MA | April 26, 2025

Held rain or shine on the historic grounds at Gore Place, the festival features shearing demonstrations (both manual and electric), herding dogs, spinning and weaving demonstrations, food, live music, and a crafts fair with more than 75 vendors. goreplace.org/sheepshearing-festival

NH Sheep & Wool Festival
Deerfield, NH | May 10-11, 2025

Alpacas, llamas, and sheep, oh my! And don’t forget the border collies. Held at the Deerfield Fairgrounds, you’ll be able to watch the action at the sheepdog trials and the best-in-show competition. Also enjoy exhibits and demonstrations of weaving, spinning, and shearing, and take in informative sessions on caring for the animals. nhswga.org/nh-sheep-wool-festival

The Sheep & Wool Festival at Coggeshall Farm Museum
May 17, 2025

Family Sheep and Wool Day at Billings Farm and Museum
Woodstock, VT | May 24, 2025

At Billings Farm and Museum, enjoy a day devoted to Southdown sheep and their Border Collie friends. Watch the spring shearing of the farm’s ewes, spinning and carding demonstrations, and a chance to watch the talented Border Collies herding sheep in the farm fields. There’s also a children’s art show. billingsfarm.org

Massachusetts Sheep & Woolcroft Fair
Cummington, MA | May 24-25, 2025

Launched as a spin-off of a youth sheep judging contest, this event has evolved into a one-of-a-kind agricultural fair. From shearing competitions and sheepdog trials to crafting workshops, a spinning contest, and a petting barn, the Cummington Fairgrounds are the setting for two days of all things sheep and wool.

Wool Days at Old Sturbridge Village
Sturbridge, MA | May 25-27, 2025

It’s the kickoff weekend for another Old Sturbridge Village 1830s-style summer — and haircut time for the sheep. Throughout the weekend, farmers will shear our sheep while costumed historians demonstrate the entire wool process, from scouring and carding the wool to dyeing, spinning, and then knitting the hand-spun wool yarn. osv.org

Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival
TBA October 2025

Have you ever attended one of our picks for the best sheep and wool festivals in New England?

This post was first published in 2015 and has been updated. 

SEE MORE:
Best Spring Events in New England
Best Spring Flower Festivals in New England

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