10 Fun New Hampshire Fall Events For 2024

New Hampshire’s 2024 fall season is packed with exciting events, with various experiences that celebrate the state’s vibrant autumn traditions. From the Highland Games in the White Mountains to the Deerfield Fair, Pickle Festival, and more than one pumpkin festival, there’s something for everyone—from culinary delights and live music to outdoor adventures and family-friendly activities across the state.

2024 New Hampshire Fall Events

New Hampshire Highland Games
September 20-22

Don your best tartan and head to Loon Mountain Resort in the White Mountains for three days of everything Scottish – from bagpipes and whisky to clan bonding and “The Caledonian Clash,” a heavy athletics competition featuring seven traditional feats of strength, including the fan favorite Caber Toss (the one where competitors toss an enormous tapered pole).

Deerfield Fair
September 26-29

Once a small affair started in 1876, the Deerfield Fair now runs over four days on over 100 acres with more than 100,000 visitors. Find all the traditional fair favorites, including music, food, rides, animals, crafts, competitions, and so much more.

Winchester Pickle Festival
September 28

A pickle parade, pickle eating contest, canning contest, and largest cucumber growing contest are just some of the ways the pickle is celebrated at this unique annual event. There’s also music, a bounce house, and local food vendors.

Claremont Fall Festival & Chili Cook-Off
October 5

Sample entries in individual, non-profit, and business categories, and then vote for your favorite bites in the annual Claremont Fall Festival & Chili Cook-Off. The town green also hosts children’s activities and food vendors for a day of spicy fall fun.

Dover Apple Harvest Day
October 5

Started in 1985, this annual downtown Dover fall festival attracts more than 60,000 people for a day of food and music while browsing stalls from more than 300 vendors.

Milford Pumpkin Festival
October 11-13

Take in a dizzying array of pumpkin offerings and fall fun at the annual event centered around the Milford Oval. Enjoy two stages of live music, a haunted trail, fun runs, fair foods, craft vendors, and a carved pumpkin lighting display.

Warner Fall Foliage Festival
October 11-13

This family-friendly fall tradition has the usual assortment of crafts, music, food, parades, and a farmer’s market, but you’ll also find an oxen pull, woodsmen’s contest, ice cream eating contest, and an apple pie bakeoff.

Sandwich Fair
October 12-14

Visitors to the New Hampshire Lakes Region look forward to the Sandwich Fair each year for old-fashioned fun. Find music, food, a midway, plus livestock, exhibits, and events like a skillet toss, cornhole competition, and children’s tractor pull.

Berlin RiverFire
October 19

Make this creative celebration a new fall tradition. Enjoy live music, food vendors, hayrides, children’s activities, and a beer tent while you wait for dark and the glow of fires dotting the Androscoggin River.

New Hampshire Pumpkin Festival
October 22-31

In addition to the obvious draw (thousands of carved pumpkins clustered around downtown, including those lined up on a massive tower), offerings include fair foods and rides, live musical performances, and don’t-miss events such as a pumpkin pancake breakfast, a pie-eating contest, and a pet costume parade.

More New England Fall Fun

Best Corn Mazes in New England

If you look forward to making your way through a corn maze each fall, here’s a list of the best corn mazes in New England from Maine to Rhode Island.

Best Apple Orchards in New England

Apple picking is just one of those fall activities that never seems to grow old. Yankee senior food editor, Amy Traverso, provides a list of the best apple orchards in New England.

Fall Foliage Train Tours

Looking for a fun, new way to experience the autumn color in New England? Fall foliage train tours are a great alternative to driving.