11 Connecticut Fall Festivals You’ll Visit For The Food And Autumn Scenery
I’ll never forget the first time I bit into a warm apple fritter at a Connecticut fall festival, surrounded by trees painted in red and gold.
The air smelled like cinnamon and adventure, and I knew right then that autumn in the Constitution State was something special. Connecticut comes alive every fall with festivals that celebrate everything from garlic to pumpkins, oysters to mums.
Whether you’re chasing the perfect Instagram shot of foliage or just want to eat your weight in fair food, these festivals deliver both flavor and scenery in equal measure.
1. Southington Apple Harvest Festival
Apple fritters the size of your face are just the beginning at this legendary Southington celebration. Running across two weekends in October, this festival has been Connecticut’s crown jewel of autumn fun for decades. Families flock here for the parade that winds through town, bringing smiles and wave after wave of community spirit.
Carnival rides light up the evening sky while live music keeps your feet tapping between bites of everything apple-related you can imagine. From apple pie to apple cider donuts, your taste buds won’t know what hit them. The whole town transforms into one giant party where neighbors become friends and strangers become neighbors.
Plan your visit for either the first or second October weekend and prepare for crowds, because everyone knows this is where fall truly begins.
2. Connecticut Garlic & Harvest Festival
Bethlehem becomes the garlic capital of New England every October, and honestly, your nose will thank you before your stomach does. This festival ranks among the biggest food celebrations in the region, drawing foodies and families from states away. Cooking demonstrations show you how to transform humble garlic into culinary magic while vendors hawk everything from garlic ice cream to roasted garlic by the bulb.
Kids bounce between rides while parents sample specialty dishes that prove garlic belongs in absolutely everything. The festival grounds sprawl across scenic farmland where fall colors frame every photo op. Local farmers showcase their harvest bounty, reminding us where real food comes from.
Mark your calendar for mid-October and bring an appetite big enough to match the garlic cloves on display.
3. Durham Fair
Connecticut’s largest agricultural fair doesn’t mess around when it comes to showing off farm life and feeding hungry festival-goers. Durham transforms into a wonderland of livestock competitions, tractor pulls, and enough fried food to fuel a small army. The fair runs for four glorious days in late September when the foliage just starts its annual color show.
Walking the grounds feels like stepping back to simpler times when county fairs were the highlight of everyone’s year. Food vendors line every pathway, offering classics like funnel cakes alongside creative new fair foods that challenge your definition of what belongs on a stick. Agricultural exhibits teach kids where their food actually comes from, which is surprisingly refreshing.
Bring comfortable shoes because you’ll rack up serious steps exploring every corner of this massive celebration.
4. Harwinton Fair
Pig races might sound ridiculous until you’re standing at the rail cheering for your favorite porcine athlete at the Harwinton Fair. This classic Litchfield County tradition packs more personality into three days than most festivals manage all season. Tractor pulls thunder across the grounds while contestants hurl cast iron skillets in a competition that celebrates both strength and absurdity.
Food stands dish out comfort classics that taste even better when you’re surrounded by rolling hills dressed in October colors. The fair maintains that authentic small-town vibe where everyone seems to know everyone, and newcomers get welcomed like old friends. Agricultural displays and livestock shows remind city folks why farm life still matters.
Early October brings perfect weather for wandering the fairgrounds and discovering why locals guard this tradition so fiercely.
5. Portland Agricultural Fair
Portland knows how to throw a proper agricultural fair without any fancy frills getting in the way of good old-fashioned fun. Running the first weekend of October, this festival celebrates farming heritage while serving up every fair food your heart desires. Agriculture takes center stage with showcases that highlight Connecticut’s farming roots and the hardworking folks who keep them alive.
Carnival rides add thrills between bites of corn dogs and cotton candy, creating that perfect fair equation of excitement plus sugar. Kids learn about farm animals up close while parents appreciate the reasonable admission prices and genuine community atmosphere. The surrounding countryside provides stunning fall backdrops that make every photo look like a postcard.
Pack your appetite and your camera for a weekend that honors tradition without forgetting to have a blast.
6. Riverton Fair
Perched along the river with mountains of foliage as your backdrop, Riverton Fair feels like autumn decided to throw itself a birthday party. Mid-October timing means you’ll catch peak leaf season while munching your way through vendor after vendor of incredible fair food. Contests ranging from silly to serious keep crowds entertained and laughing throughout the weekend.
The riverside setting adds something special that flat fairgrounds just can’t match, with water reflecting the brilliant reds and oranges overhead. Local vendors showcase Connecticut-made products alongside classic fair staples, creating a shopping experience that supports your neighbors. Families spread blankets on hillsides to watch entertainment while kids burn off energy on rides and games.
This fair proves that sometimes the best festivals happen in the smallest towns with the biggest hearts.
7. Bristol Mum Festival
Mums explode in every color imaginable across Bristol during this festival that’s been brightening Connecticut autumns for over sixty years. Late September brings not just flowers but an entire night dedicated to food trucks, which is basically my idea of heaven on wheels. The parade showcases community pride while giving you a front-row seat to small-town charm at its finest.
Chrysanthemums frame every corner and storefront, transforming downtown into a floral wonderland that smells as good as it looks. Food truck night draws crowds who come hungry and leave happy, sampling everything from tacos to lobster rolls under string lights. The festival proves you don’t need rides or games when you’ve got gorgeous flowers and seriously good eats.
Bring your flower-loving friends and your stretchy pants for maximum enjoyment.
8. Norwalk Oyster Festival
Oysters and lobster take over Norwalk’s waterfront every September in a seafood celebration that makes landlocked festivals jealous. Early September timing means you’re still catching summer’s tail while autumn whispers promises of cooler days ahead. Entertainment fills multiple stages while your hands stay busy cracking shells and dipping fresh seafood in melted butter.
The festival has become a Connecticut tradition where seafood lovers gather to worship at the altar of bivalves and crustaceans. Vendors serve everything the ocean offers, from clam chowder to fish tacos, all with that fresh-caught quality that makes coastal living worthwhile. Families enjoy activities beyond eating, though let’s be honest, the food is the real star here.
Come hungry, leave smelling like the sea, and plan to return next year because one visit is never enough.
9. Olde Mistick Village Garlic Festival
Free admission and fifty-plus vendors make this Mystic garlic celebration a no-brainer for families watching their budgets while chasing autumn adventures. Mid-September brings perfect weather for wandering the charming village setting that looks like it stepped out of a history book. Farm vendors showcase local agriculture while food stands prove garlic belongs in desserts too, which sounds weird until you try it.
The family-friendly atmosphere means kids stay entertained while parents sample artisan products from Connecticut makers. Garlic takes every form imaginable, from roasted bulbs to infused oils, giving you plenty of excuses to support local businesses. The village backdrop adds colonial charm that makes every corner Instagram-worthy without trying too hard.
Park once, walk everywhere, and enjoy a festival that celebrates both garlic and community in equal, delicious measure.
10. Seymour Pumpkin Festival
Since 1965, Seymour has been celebrating pumpkins like they’re royalty, and honestly, who’s going to argue with that logic? The town green transforms into autumn headquarters every September with crafts, food, and activities that keep kids from complaining about being bored. Pumpkins of every size create photo opportunities that’ll dominate your social media feed through Thanksgiving.
Local artisans sell handmade goods that make perfect gifts for people who appreciate quality over mass-produced junk. Food vendors serve seasonal favorites that taste better when you’re sitting on the green surrounded by orange gourds and happy families. The festival maintains that genuine small-town feel where everyone’s invited and everyone belongs.
Mark your calendar for late September and experience why this tradition has lasted almost six decades without losing its charm.
11. Putnam Pumpkin Festival
Downtown Putnam throws its pumpkin party in mid-October when foliage peaks and everyone’s ready to celebrate autumn properly. Music fills the streets while food vendors compete for your attention and your appetite, creating tough decisions about which amazing smell to follow first. Family activities keep kids entertained while parents browse local shops that give big-box stores a run for their money.
The downtown setting means you can festival-hop between stores, restaurants, and vendor booths without ever moving your car. Pumpkins decorate every storefront and street corner, reminding you that October is Connecticut’s time to shine. Local businesses go all out, proving small-town charm beats generic mall shopping every single time.
Bring your walking shoes and your sense of adventure for a festival that showcases everything wonderful about Connecticut’s quiet corner.