10 Popular Festivals In New England, USA

festivals in new england
Louise
Louise 
Updated
| 5 min read

Nestled on the northeastern side of the USA, New England is a region in the country that is home to six stunning states. New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, Vermont, and Rhode Island are found in this enormous territory. It has breathtaking natural wonders, such as Acadia National Park, Mount Washington, White Mountain National Forest, Cape Cod National Seashore, and more. Also, it has lots of museums and historic points of interest that will surely excite tourists who are into art, history, and culture. Plus, this region hosts vibrant festivals that one must witness once or twice in their life. For your guidance, here is a list of the popular festivals in New England, the USA. Browse below.

1. Central Maine Egg Festival [Last event in 2019]

Delicious egg dish
Source: Pixabay

Planning to spend a holiday in New England in July? Be sure to be on time for the Central Maine Egg Festival. The charming state of Maine hosts a fun-filled annual fundraising event called Central Maine Egg Festival in honor of their thriving poultry industry. This festival aims to bring people closer together and to provide them with a pause to create lasting memories. The thought of the festival was born in 1973, and since then, it has been celebrated. The event features a colorful parade, art shows, live music, and lots of fun family-friendly games. Thousands of people join this festival that is held annually.

Central Maine Egg Festival

Address: 112 Somerset Ave, Pittsfield, ME 04967, United States

Website: Central Maine Egg Festival

Takes place: July

Price: 20 - 25 USD

Visited this place?

2. Northeast Kingdom Fall Foliage Festival

Community barbecue
Source: Pixabay

What better way to celebrate the fall season than taking part in the seven-day Northeast Kingdom Fall Foliage Festival? This dreamy celebration highlights the various town of Vermont. Towns that most often take park in the Northeast Kingdom Fall Foliage Festival include Cabot, Walden, Peacham, Barnet, Groton, and Playfield. The venue of the festival change from day to day, so participants must keep up if they wish to attend all of them. Through this event, attendees will be able to tour Vermont, visit historic districts, learn about different cultures, and make friends with hospitable locals. There will be barbecues, cook-offs, concerts, guided tours, and lots of games.

Northeast Kingdom Fall Foliage Festival

Address: New England, USA

Takes place: September

Visited this place?

3. Festival of Fireworks

New Years fireworks, Gateshead, January 2016 (06)
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ardfern used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Be mesmerized by the dazzling show of lights at the Festival of Fireworks. This superb festival in New England happens annually, every fourth of July, in celebration of the United States of America’s independence. This region bills itself as one of the best places to celebrate Independence Day as its towns prepare extravagant parades, magical fireworks displays, and a multitude of activities for families, friends, and couples. Vermont, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine, and Connecticut try so hard to outshine one another is showcasing the most unforgettable Fourth of July program.

Festival of Fireworks

Address: New England, United States

Website: Festival of Fireworks

Takes place: July 4th

Visited this place?

4. Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Dilankf used under CC BY-SA 4.0

Just like numerous places in the world, New England celebrates Oktoberfest. Prepare yourself for days of booze and music when you visit New England in October as this region has numerous Oktoberfest celebrations happening in different parts of it. Come to Boston for the Samuel Adams Historic Fest. You might want to swing by Gardiner for Swine & Stein Oktoberfest. Hop on your ride to Dover for Mount Snow Oktoberfest. Chatham, Warren, Bartlett, Windsor, and Southwest Harbor, all host their version of Oktoberfest. Each one has its own edge against the other. Some are known for its world-class breweries, while others charm tourists with their picturesque venues.

Oktoberfest

Address: New England, USA

Takes place: October

Visited this place?

New England Tour Guide

Naim Benmayor

Naim Benmayor

As a Boston tour guide, I have the added experience of being a world traveler. For many years, I frequently visited Europe, Asia, and Latin America on business. During this time, I also organized tours of the USA, Europe and Asia for my business clients. I now bring this passion, excitement and expertise to the Boston area.By exploring the globe, I was exposed to various cultures, and this unique perspective has taught me what appeals to people when visiting a new part of the country or a new part of the world. My fluency in English and Turkish, and my advanced skills in Spanish and intermediate skills in French, also help me to service a wider range of tourists and business people.I moved to Boston, Massachusetts several years ago, and I now reside in Brookline. I have three children, so I develop my tours to accommodate families with kids, couples, and individuals who want to visit and learn about the rich history and culture of Boston. As a parent, I know that Boston is a great place for higher education, and I have knowledge of the colleges and universities in the area.I customize tours to suit the needs and preferences of my customers. Whether you want a walking tour, a riding tour, or a little of both, I can create an itinerary that showcases the best of what Boston has to offer.My one day tours are educational and entertaining, and include the history, culture, personalities, architecture and, even the shopping areas of this renowned city. At the end of the tour you will be happy and satisfied when you realize you've seen so much in just a short time.I am here to share my knowledge of Boston, Cambridge and all of New England with you, and help you to enjoy your visit so you can explore the must-see parts of this great city. I look forward to meeting you and guiding you around the city, so please send me a message if you have any questions.Thank you for reading.

5. Blueberry Festival

Blueberries
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user LanaDelRey used under CC BY-SA 3.0

A celebration that highlights everyone’s favorite fruit, Blueberry Festival is an exciting festival that honors the fruit that makes the city of Maine famous all over the country. Come to Maine and join the celebration. There will be crafts, food, drinks, and lots of games and surprises. Boat tours, carriage rides, and races are also part of the program, as well as a Blueberry Queen contest. Everyone is welcome to participate at no cost. The best part? The festival takes place at different places in the city, including downtown Rangeley, downtown Machias, and the town of Wilton.

Blueberry Festival

Address: Maine, New England, USA

Website: Blueberry Festival

Takes place: August

Visited this place?

6. Boothbay Harbor Fall Foliage Festival and Craft Fair

WP&Z Ry - riding steam train through woods, Portland, Oregon
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Steve Morgan used under CC BY 3.0

Swing by Boothbay Harbor in October for the Boothbay Harbor Fall Foliage Festival and Craft Fair. This two-day event is an annual celebration that happens in Boothbay Railway Village. People are treated to a wonderful time that is full of music and delicious food. Plus, there are activities curated for participants of all ages. Steam train rides are one of the highlights of the festival, as well as a pumpkin-carving contest. Arts and crafts are sold at Boothbay Harbor Fall Foliage Festival and Craft Fair, so be sure to bring back home some souvenir items to remember your holiday.

Boothbay Harbor Fall Foliage Festival and Craft Fair

Address: Boothbay Railway Village, Boothbay Harbor, New England

Website: Boothbay Harbor Fall Foliage Festival and Craft Fair

Takes place: October

Visited this place?

7. International Festival of Arts & Ideas

Performing arts by Primary School students 04
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Mahyars used under CC BY-SA 4.0

International Festival of Arts & Ideas is a beloved festival held in New Haven, Connecticut. It’s a lengthy and joyous 15-day celebration that highlights the creativity in the performing arts. It aims to showcase outstanding talents and at the same time, nurture budding artists. Expect days of concerts from local and international performers, lectures, workshops, and a lot of food and drinks.

International Festival of Arts & Ideas

Address: New Haven, Connecticut

Website: International Festival of Arts & Ideas

Takes place: Usually held in June

Visited this place?

8. Manchester Fall Art and Craft Festival

St Briavels Art and Craft Fair 2012 12
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user John Cummings used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Manchester has a long line up of fabulous festivals all year round. One of the most attended of them is Manchester Fall Art and Craft Festival. For three decades, this recurring festival has been continuously providing locals with a venue to showcase their craft and time to bond with their loved ones. For tourists, the festival provides them a reason to return to the city every October. Ready your wallets as there will be a huge trade fair with superb goods, made by the city’s best craftsmen. There will also be talks and seminars about business and the arts. Come to the specialty food and spirits tent and sample delicious local delicacies that will surely make your heart melt. Plus, there’s live music to create a happy atmosphere.

Manchester Fall Art and Craft Festival

Address: Manchester Center, VT 05255, United States

Website: Manchester Fall Art and Craft Festival

Takes place: Usually held in October

Visited this place?

9. Pumpkin Festival

Pumpkin fest
Source: Pixabay

New England has the best pumpkin festivals in the country, and many cities within this region host their version of this exciting festival. Some cities celebrate for a whole week, while others last up to 10 days. Pumpkintown, Connecticut becomes a haven for pumpkin-headed kids and kids at heart during the whimsical Halloween celebration, and their program includes exciting hayrides. In Vermont, they have a fun trebuchet-building contest. Come to Providence and check out their 5,000 jack-o-lanterns that illuminates an entire zoo. Damariscotta and Laconia are worth visiting during this season as well, as they prepare unforgettable programs.

Pumpkin Festival

Address: New England

Takes place: September or October

Visited this place?

10. Chamber Music Festival [Event has passed]

Music performance
Source: Pixabay

For tourists who are coming to New England in August, be sure to see the Chamber Music Festival, especially if you are a musician by profession or by heart. It is a two-week long event that is full of music lessons, sing-alongs, live performances, coaching from prominent musicians, and lots of recreational activities. Artists are born at this fantastic festival. Hone your talent in violin, guitar, drums, and other instruments with the help of professionals. Blaise Dejardin, Andrew Bier, and Danielle Cho are some of the mentors in the Chamber Music Festival.

Chamber Music Festival

Address: New England, United States

Website: Chamber Music Festival

Takes place: August

Visited this place?

Explore the beautiful region of New England

New England is an enormous region in the US that is home to six beautiful states with diverse offerings. It is a territory that is worth exploring for its breathtaking natural wonders, gorgeous parks, remarkable architecture, fascinating museums, must-visit historic districts, and a vibrant cultural life. If you are a social butterfly, plan a holiday in New England and attend one or two of its most popular festivals.

Visited this place?
Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

History


Get Trip101 in your inbox

Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data

She is a lover of life and a very optimistic person. She thinks of herself as a vessel of a billion possibilities, which can harness limitless potential. Trying new experiences, going places she's...Read more

 Want to contribute as a Local Expert?
Explore New England
Looking for accommodation?
x
Good things are meant to be shared!
Back to top
Visited any of these places? Click this button to activate our "Add a Tip" feature to share your experience.