Don't Miss These Colorful CT Fall Festivals
Fall in New England is like a dream. With vibrant oranges and reds decorating the trees, smells of the season filling the area, the best way to celebrate this colorful 2024 season is with a fall festival! It's the best part of the season, featuring agricultural exhibits, great food, and plenty of amusements and games for the whole family to enjoy. Here are our favorite fall festivals in the Nutmeg State.
Connecticut Maritime Heritage Festival, New London, CT
Welcoming the fall with a celebration of Connecticut’s maritime history, the CT Maritime Heritage Festival features numerous tall ships as well as U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ships. Make sure to try all of the delicious food, including a classic chowder.
Berlin Fair, Berlin, CT
The Berlin Fair is a cross-generational favorite with live music, amusement rides, and agricultural related rides (think tractor rides) for the little ones. Craft exhibits, livestock, and tractors are on display for those interested in seeing more farm and handicraft items.
Durham Agricultural Fair, Durham, CT
The Annual Durham Fair is a New England favorite that has around 200,000 people flocking to it each year. Prepare to be dazzled by live musical performances, craft beer and cider tastings, ox pulls, tractor rides, magic shows, farm animals, rides, games, and more. It’s no wonder this festival has been a huge success since 1916. Through and through, this true agricultural fair is certainly not one to miss!
Garlic Festival, Mystic, CT
Enjoy the annual Garlic Festival at the quaint shopping center, Old Mystick Village in mid-September. This fun, flavorful festival features over 50 local farm, bakery, and restaurant stalls that sell food with a focus on celebrating the garlic harvest.
Glastonbury Apple Harvest & Music Festival, Glastonbury, CT
Head over to the beautiful town of Glastonbury for the annual Apple Harvest Festival and 5K. The festival runs in mid-October, and here you can enjoy live music and delicious fall food. For kids and thrill lovers, there are also amusement rides and a 5K race for those seeking a way to work off the apple foods that were indulged in.
Norwalk Oyster Festival, Norwalk, CT
Each year in early September, head to the Norwalk Veteran’s Park for rides, craft beer, and everything oyster. This annual festival is fun for all those who enjoy oysters, but also is great for those who aren’t interested in seafood, as there are numerous other activities, crafts, and international food. In addition, bands play live music each evening.
Connecticut Garlic & Harvest Festival, Bethlehem, CT
The Bethlehem Fairgrounds are a beautiful backdrop for a good old fashioned festival. Each October, Bethlehem hosts the Connecticut Garlic & Harvest Festival which features tons of garlic cooking demonstrations, live music, and plenty of delicious free samples. If you're a lover of all things garlic, you're going to want to come out and visit. Think garlic dips, spreads, cheeses. Yum! Is your stomach rumbling yet?
Key Insights at a Glance
- Fall festivals in Connecticut are the best way to celebrate the colorful season
- CT Maritime Heritage Festival in New London features tall ships and delicious food.
- Berlin Fair offers live music, amusement rides, and agricultural exhibits
- Durham Agricultural Fair is a New England favorite with live music, craft beer tastings, and more
- The Garlic Festival in Mystic celebrates the garlic harvest with local food stalls
- Glastonbury Apple Harvest & Music Festival in mid-October offers live music and amusement rides
- Norwalk Oyster Festival in early September features rides, craft beer, and everything oyster
- Connecticut Garlic & Harvest Festival in Bethlehem offers garlic cooking demonstrations and delicious samples
