Fall Festival Guide 2023: Harvests, witches, art & more

Photo: Bewitched and Bedazzled photo courtesy of Hearthside House.

The fall season is loaded with festivals. From harvest festivals with giant pumpkins to a witches ball with a VIP witch room (ooh-la-la). There’s something for everyone in autumn.

HARVEST

September 9 – Seven Cedars Farm Fall Festival
Seven Cedars Farm is hosting their fall festival to celebrate the end of their season. Hayrides, vendors, and more. 20 John Mowry Rd, Smithfield. sevencedarsfarm.us/farmers-market

September 15 – Misquamicut Fall Fest
A combination of non-stop entertainment, Rockwell amusements rides, midway, vendors, as well as a food truck rodeo. This family-friendly event is hosted from September 15 – 17, rain or shine. Admission is $12. Misquamicut State Beach, Westerly. misquamicutfestival.org

September 16 – Great Pumpkin Festival
The Great Pumpkin Festival is back, baby! A combination of vendors and activities for the whole family. Admission is free, donations welcome. Join in on the fun from 11am – 6pm. North Smithfield High School, 412 Greenville Rd, North Smithfield. greatpumpkinfestival.org

September 23 – Autumn Festival Tea and Tipping
A tea party filled with snacks and seances presented by Emerald Frog Reiki & More. Entrance is $65 from 2 – 4:30pm. 2145 Broad St, Cranston. bit.ly/3sszJS4

September 23 – Smith’s Castle Harvest Festival
Hosted in the 17th century house, this family-friendly event will host Sheffield Farm Petting Zoo and pony rides, Farm Dog Band, and colonial games and activities, including the Great Pumpkin Roll. All of this entertainment will be coupled with some local vendors and an overall 17th century vibe. Admission is $10 per adult, $8 for seniors and military, $6 for children over 6 years. Family Cap is $25. Noon – 4pm. 55 Richard Smith Dr, North Kingstown. smithscastle.org/calendar/2023/9/23/harvest-festival

September 30 – Norman Bird Sanctuary Harvest Fair
For 45 years, the Norman Bird Sanctuary has hosted their award-winning Fall Fair on Aquidneck Island. The event itself is composed of crafters’ tents, food vendors, and some friendly competitions. General admission is about $12 and the event is hosted September 30 and October 1, 10am – 5pm at the Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown. normanbirdsanctuary.org/harvest-fair

September 30 – Franklin Farm Harvest Festival and Tractor Show
Tractors, regional music, food trucks, scenic hayrides, historic barn tours, pony rides, Audubon raptors, vendors, educational activities, games, and more. Admission is free, parking is $10. 10am – 4pm. 142 Abbott Run Valley Road, Cumberland. franklinfarmri.org/harvest-festival

October 1 – Woonsocket’s Autumnfest
It’s a parade! Woonsocket Autumnfest hosts their annual parade, filled with music, crafts, food, and amusement rides – this is northern RI’s largest fall festival at its best. 9:30am – 6pm. WWII Memorial Park, Woonsocket. autumnfest.org

October 1 – Great Townie Pumpkin Festival
Hosting over 30 vendors, pumpkin decorating, circus arts workshops, pop & bop bubble bash, and live music, the Great Townie Pumpkin Festival is here to celebrate pumpkin season. 11am – 4pm. Crescent Park Carousel, 700 Bullocks Point Ave, Riverside. crescentparkcarousel.org/pumpkinfest

October 21 – Spooky Fall Festival
The Warwick Community Police Division and We Be Jammin’ Events host the second annual Spooky Fall Festival complete with local vendors, hayrides, bounce houses, and beautiful ocean views. 10am – 3:30pm. 1 Rocky Point Avenue, Warwick. bit.ly/3OOS3fl

ARTS

September 1 – Pawtucket Arts Festival
This year’s annual Pawtucket Arts Festival is just as jam-packed as last year. From September 1 – 10, Pawtucket hosts artists and vendors for two weekends of events. Day one starts easy with a local farmers market coupled with some great food trucks, a pint for all the beer lovers out there, and the River Bend East Songwriters Festival, which continues into day two. Day two keeps the good vibes going with 3 more events: Empanada fest, culture shock, and a production of Romeo and Juliet (which returns the following weekend). Day three kicks off with Nha Tera Nha Kretcheu Festival (a traditional Cape Verdean festival), McCoy’s Final Inning (see stories on page 22), and Where the River Falls: a concert of original classical music. The second weekend is just as jam-packed with events. September 8 brings the Elemdi Performance Collaborative: The Silent M and The Slater Park Fall Festival, which continues on September 10. September 10 kicks things off with the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra’s Pops in The Park, presented by the Pawtucket Teachers’ Alliance, the 7th annual Healthy Living Community Event and Scouts in the Park. Admission is free! Times and locations vary. For more info visit pawtucketartsfestival.org.

October 10 – Scituate Arts Festival
This three-day arts festival is composed of original fine art, handmade crafts, and antiques in a sprawling open-air market, featuring tasty treats and live musical entertainment. 10am – 5pm on Oct 7 and 8; 10am – 4pm on Oct 9. Located at the Village Green in North Scituate, 88 Main St, Hope. scituateartfestival.org

WITCHES

September 16 – Magickal Mystical Psychic Faire and Vendor Market
For all you witches, wiccans, and warlocks, Ascension NXT is hosting a Psychic Faire, filled with local vendors, tarot readings, and spirit mediumship. Admission is free. 11:30 – 5pm. Ascension NXT, 155 Jefferson Blvd, Warwick. bit.ly/3OJtfFP

September 30 – Bewitched and Bedazzled
A personal witchy favorite, set at the filming location of Disney’s Hocus Pocus 2, Hearthside House Museum hosts their 2nd annual Bewitched and BeDazzled Magical Fall Festival. This family-friendly event includes hayrides, contests, magic and circus shows, food trucks, children’s activities, psychics, historical presentations, artisan vendors, face painting, storytelling, costumes, music, theatrical and dance performances. 10am – 4:30pm. Hearthside House, 671 Great Road, Lincoln. greatroadheritagecampus.org/bewitched-and-bedazzled

October 20 – Witches Night Out
Brown & Hopkins Country Store hosts Witches Night Out this year. Guests are encouraged to check out some spooky New England literature, have their tarot read, and get their books signed by Arlene Nicholson and Tom D’Agostino, authors of countless New England ghost story collections and paranormal books. Tickets are $7 with a portion of proceeds going to a local animal rescue. 4 – 8:30pm. Brown & Hopkins Country Store, 1179 Putnam Pike Chepachet. bit.ly/45qKq63

October 21 – The Witch’s Ball
It’s a witch’s ball! Come on out to the very first RI Witches Guild Witch’s Ball. Dress up in your finest witchy-wear because prizes will be awarded for the best dressed. Includes live entertainment, a bar, and an hors d’oeuvres buffet for general admission, and a lot more for badass VIP witches. Tickets range from $75 to $125. 5:30 – 10:30pm. Quonset O Club, 200 Lt. James Brown Rd, North Kingstown. bit.ly/3P8jrXd

KIDS

September 9 – Applumpkin Fall Festival
One for the kids! This festival includes children’s games and activities galore, not to mention entertainment from local artists and a beer and wine garden for the adults. 10 am – 7pm. Ninigret Park, Charlestown. applumpkin.com

CRAFTS

September 9 – Fernwood Artisan Festival
Hosted by Acrylic Pour Obsessed, this festival includes local artists and vendors. 9am – 4pm.60 Fernwood Drive, East Greenwich. bit.ly/3qHtxov

September 16 – Burrillville Arts and Crafts Festival
This two-day event brings out over 100 unique handmade craft vendors, live entertainment all day, a beer garden provided by Bravo Brewing, and hayrides provided by Liberty Farms. 10am – 7pm. Rain or shine. Assembly Theatre, 26 East Ave, Burrillville. assemblytheatre.org/event-details/burrillville-arts-crafts-festival-2023

MORE FESTIVALS TO EXPLORE

September 1 – River Bend East Songwriters Festival

September 1 – Soul Rhythm & Roots

September 2 – Food Trucks & Concerts at Chace Farms

September 3 – Cape Verdean Traditional Festival

September 8 – PVD Fest

September 8 – Cranston Greek Festival

September 8 – Amigos de Terceira Feast

September 9 –Trifecta Festival

September 9 – Irish Music Festival

September 9 – Rock for Autism Music Festival and Bike Ride

September 10 – Johnston Apple Festival

September 14 – Beerfest

September 16 – RI Seafood Festival

September 16 – RI Calamari Festival

September 16 – RI 45th Annual Heritage Festival

September 16 – Oktoberfest at The Guild

September 16 – Newport Oktoberfest

September 17 – Bristol Porchfest

September 22 – Newport Mansions Food & Wine Fest

September 23 – Vegtoberfest 

September 23 – Armenian Food & Arts Festival

September 23 – Celebration of Surf Festival

September 23 – Ocean State Bluegrass Festival

September 23 – Rootstock

September 24 – Oktoberfest at Greysail Tap Room

September 29 – Oktoberfest at Gansett Brewery

September 30 – Beervana Fest 2023

September 30 – Festival in the Park

September 30 – Oktoberfest by The German-American Cultural Society

October 14 – Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival

October 15 – Newport Oyster Festival

October 16 – University of Rhode Island Guitar Festival

October 21 – RI’s Gluten-Free Festival

October 22 – Christmas Craft and Gift Fair