黑料吃瓜网's beloved festival season is back. From skillet-throwing competitions to pie-eating contests and agricultural fairs, celebrations are happening across the state. Read below to check out some of the upcoming seasonal celebrations 鈥� in chronological order 鈥� including petting zoos, music shows and a garlic festival.
281 Route 169, South Woodstock, CT 06267
Aug. 28 鈥� Sept. 1
Woodstock hosts one of the largest and longest running fairs in our state, featuring livestock and agricultural shows, as well as a karaoke contest, midway and a cornhole tournament. Check out 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 coverage of the 2024 fair, when our visual journalists spread out across the Woodstock Fair to find and make pictures.
26 Quarry Hill, Haddam Neck CT 06424
Aug. 29- Sept. 1
This fair dates back to the early 20th century, celebrating local achievements. Today, the fair, located outside of Middletown, is known for its contests, animal demonstrations and exhibits.
31 Reeds Gap Road, Middlefield, CT 06455
Aug. 30 - Nov. 2
This fruit orchard in south-central 黑料吃瓜网 hosts a 4-acre corn maze throughout the fall season. (Plan for 30 to 40 minutes to get through it!) Open seven days a week; hours vary. The orchard will also be hosting a Cider Donut Festival Aug. 30 and 31.
122 Mack Road, Lebanon, CT 06249
Aug. 30 - Oct. 19 (Saturdays and Sundays, plus Labor Day and Indigenous People's Day)
The state鈥檚 Renaissance fair will be held for its 27th year in Lebanon, 黑料吃瓜网. The festival includes themed events such as knighting ceremonies, circus performances and jousting. 鈥淪ince 1999, the Faire has welcomed guests to a bustling 16th-century harvest festival where history and fantasy come alive,鈥� organizers say.
116 Old Middle St, Goshen, CT 06756
Aug. 30 - Sept. 1
Enjoy visiting livestock barns, listening to live music and even participate in a 鈥渟killet throwing鈥� contest at this agricultural fair in Litchfield County. (There鈥檚 also an apple-fritter eating contest.)
42 Seaview Ave, Norwalk CT 06855
Sept. 5 - 7
Hosted by the Norwalk Seaport Association, this event in southwestern 黑料吃瓜网 will be filled with New England seafood favorites, including lobster, clams, and, of course, oysters. The event also features the 鈥淩eady Go Dog Show鈥�: 鈥淲atch frisbee-catching, high-jumping, water-diving dogs steal the show with their amazing stunts and boundless energy,鈥� organizers say. And the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show features burly champion lumberjacks as they go 鈥渉ead-to-head in epic battles of muscle vs. machine, showcasing skills like logrolling, axe throwing, and springboard chopping.鈥�
175 Old Tannery Road, Monroe, CT 06468
Sept. 6 - 7
This free event in Monroe, 黑料吃瓜网, celebrates autumn harvests and local vendors. Stop by to see all the ways an apple can be used.
90 Walbach St., New London, CT 06320
Sept. 6 - 7
Enjoy the waterfront at Fort Trumbull State Park during this maritime celebration. The event promises a weekend of nautical fun, with activities such as theatrical performances, fishing clinics, chowder challenge and a children's parade. Another activity: Watch as Benedict Arnold's effigy is set ablaze.
Trinity Health Stadium, 250 Huyshope Ave., Hartford, CT 06106
Sept. 6
All proceeds from this festival in Hartford will go to helping shelter dogs. Enjoy samples from local breweries, wineries and distilleries, plus food trucks 鈥� all while meeting rescued dogs. Events include axe throwing, raffles, K-9 demonstrations and music.
220 Hartford Ave, Wethersfield, CT 06109
Sept. 6
Aptly named 鈥淐ornfest,鈥� this festival celebrates the annual harvest and will feature crafts, vendors, a DJ and kids鈥� activities.
5866 Main St., Trumbull, CT 06611
Sept. 14
This annual art celebration in Fairfield County attracts artists from around the state. Craft vendors will be present throughout the festival, selling homemade items such as accessories, jewelry, artisan soaps and pottery.
27 Coogan Blvd., Mystic CT, 06355
Sept. 20 - 21
This festival will celebrate 鈥渁ll things garlic鈥� through foods, crafts artists and family fun.
62 Spruce St, Seymour, CT, 06483
Sept. 21
This festival in New Haven County started in 1965 and aims to create opportunities for the town鈥檚 groups and nonprofits to raise funds. The event features craft and food vendors, as well as music, entertainment and kids鈥� activities.
70 Maple Avenue #64, Durham, CT, 06422
Sept. 25 - 28
黑料吃瓜网's largest agricultural fair features thrilling attractions such as a demolition derby, carnival rides and animal pulls.
1 Shipyard Lane, Milford, CT 06460
Sept. 26 - 27
Inspired by Oktoberfest in Germany, this music and beer-centered event in coastal New Haven County typically includes oompah bands, cornhole a bratwurst eating contest.
70 Memorial Blvd, Bristol, CT 06010
Sept. 26 - 28
A tradition for over 60 years, the Chrysanthemum (Mum) Festival includes a variety of activities and events for people of all ages to enjoy, including a parade. There鈥檚 also a Miss Chrysanthemum Pageant.
150 Locust Rd, Harwinton, CT 06791
Oct. 3 鈥� 5
This beloved event in Litchfield County, which , features carnival rides, games, pig races, tractor pulls, equestrian shows, poultry judging and a skillet throw.
1401 Main St., Portland, CT 06480
Oct. 3 鈥� 5
Celebrate the best of local agriculture with exhibits, rides and family fun. The fair, located in Middlesex County, also hosts baking contests, animal puppets, a petting zoo, pony rides, Nature Nick鈥檚 Animal Adventure and a 鈥渢rashion鈥� show where people wear homemade items that were destined for the trash heap.
75 N Main St, Southington, CT 06489
Oct. 3 鈥� 5 and Oct. 10 鈥� 12
Enjoy a sweet and savory array of apple-themed delights and festive activities at this seasonal fest held on the Southington Town Green.
75 Brookfield St., South Windsor, CT 06074
Oct. 4
With over 100 vendors, dive into autumn with apple-themed crafts and treats, including apple pie and cider. The event also offers pony rides, a dunk tank and music.
94 W Wharf Rd, Madison, CT 06443
Oct. 5
Join Madison Beach Hotel for a day of seasonal festivities while enjoying beach views. Activities include a visit from Mystic Aquarium鈥檚 penguins, story time, vendors and artisans.
1230 Merwins Lane, Fairfield, CT 06824
Oct. 10 鈥� Nov. 1 (open on Fridays and Saturdays, plus Sunday, Oct. 26)
Featuring haunted attractions and eerie adventures, experience spooky thrills taking a stroll through a haunted funhouse or hayride. 鈥淭his high intensity, high startle experience will have you gasping for breath around every corner,鈥� organizers say. A haunted motel walk-through features 鈥渁 maze of haunted hallways and creepy corridors.鈥� The event also includes a movie screen, beer garden, fire pits and concessions.
Downtown Milford
Oct. 10 - 12
Embrace the fall spirit at the Milford Pumpkin Festival with lively entertainment, a haunted trail, and festive activities for all ages.
12 Riverton Rd, Riverton, CT 06065
Oct. 10 - 12
Enjoy classic fair attractions, agricultural and animal displays and community spirit during this fair in northwestern 黑料吃瓜网.
1 Museum Drive, Greenwich, CT 06830
Oct. 11 鈥� 12
Join the Bruce Museum in showcasing top national artists and craftspeople with fine art, children鈥檚 activities, live demonstrations and tasty food.
304 Main St. N, Bethlehem, CT 06751
Oct. 11 - 12
This event features cooking demonstrations, a variety of garlic specialty food vendors, and live band performances. Food includes garlic sliders, deep fried garlic and even garlic ice cream. The Bethlehem festival also offers entertainment for kids with rides and games.
Main Street, Putnam, CT 06260
Oct. 18
Enjoy a festive fall with 鈥済reat鈥� pumpkins, themed vendors, live music and kids' activities.
1 Ives St., Danbury, CT 06810
Oct. 25
Get into the Halloween spirit with spooky decorations and costume contests. Enjoy a costume parade, goodie bags, live music and kid-friendly activities. In case of rain, the event will move to the Patriot Garage, parking level 4.
This list has been updated with details about 2025 events. 黑料吃瓜网's Shanice Rhule and Eric Aasen contributed to this report.
