NEL has discovered some of the best ways to ring out the summer season across every New England state.
By Bryn Feeney
As Labor Day draws near, and with it the end of summer, every New Englander knows what that means: the time has come to squeeze in some outdoor fun before colder weather and school year responsibilities arrive.
What our region does especially well is seeing summer out with a bang. We’ve rounded up some of the best fairs, food, festivals, and can’t-miss activities happening all across our six states this August and September. So don’t put away your beach chairs quite yet—instead get ready to explore.
A Classic New England County Fair:
Woodstock Fair, Woodstock, Connecticut
Celebrating its 189th year, the Woodstock Fair is Connecticut’s tribute to rural New England through celebrating its surrounding communities and the work of local farmers, musicians and artists, and holding events that draw curiosity from all members of your family. Whether you choose to indulge in a perfectly sugared fried piece of dough, put your competitive hat on and compete in a friendly tournament of cornhole, or walk the corrals and view performances from past prize-winning livestock, this Labor Day event isn’t one to miss.
Event Dates:
September 3rd through 7th | South Woodstock, Connecticut
Best Fair for First-Time Goers:
Hopkinton State Fair, Hopkinton, New Hampshire
If you’ve never had the chance to experience a classic New England fair, the Hopkinton State Fair is the perfect place to start. Blending generations of agricultural traditions from New Hampshires roots, with the excitement of a summer festival, it offers an authentic taste of New England in a family-friendly atmosphere. Spend your day sampling homemade delights, watching the world-famous Frisbee Dogs perform high-flying disc stunts, or visiting the Country Porch Stage for a variety of performances and entertainment from talented folks. Running for five days this summer, the Hopkinton State Fair offers a lively celebration, honoring traditions and most importantly, creating new ones.
Event Dates:
September 3rd through 7th | Hours: Thu 5pm – 10pm, Fri, Sat & Sun 8am – 11pm, Mon 8am – 5pm
Best Grand Finale:
The Big E, West Springfield, Massachusetts
No New England summer feels truly complete without a visit to The Big E. As we slowly pay tribute to the summer season, this timeless fair offers you and your family one last ride, one last-freshly squeezed lemonade, and one last show watching livestock, musicians, and so much more.
Spanning over 17 days, The Big E Fair is the largest on the East Coast, bringing together 1.5 million people a year. What makes this experience so unique is its celebration of all six New England states. Along the ‘Avenue of States’, guests can explore each state building representing its regional foods, traditions, and locally produced products that highlight the character of each state. Whether you’re there to enjoy the scenery, live music and entertainment, or indulge in the fair’s endless delicious and tempting offerings, The Big E brings a piece of every corner of New England, all in one place.
Event Dates:
September 18th through October 4th | 1305 Memorial Ave. West Springfield, MA
Best Seafood Bash:
Charlestown Seafood Festival – Charlestown, Rhode Island
If your idea of a perfect late summer weekend falls under the seafood category, the Charlestown Seafood Festival should be at the top of your list. Set along the Ocean State’s coastline, the festival celebrates Rhode Island’s long maritime history, with lobster rolls, clam bakes, chowder, fresh oysters, and any seafood you can think of. Beyond just food, guests can be immersed in the entertainment of fireworks, amusement rides, a car show, and even bring your RV! Whether seafood is the way to your heart, or you’re just looking for a fun way to spend the day right on the ocean, the festival in Ninigret Park is where you should be.
Event Dates:
August 7th through 9th | Fri; 12:00 p.m. – 11 p.m. Sat; 11:00 a.m. – 11: p.m. Sun; 11:00 a.m. – 10 p.m.
www.charlestownseafoodfestival.com
Best Splurge-Worthy Dining Weekend:
A Taste of New England – Stowe, Vermont
For a more elevated late-summer food experience, A Taste of New England at Spruce Peak brings together five of the top chefs from the region for an unmatched weekend of tasting five-course dinners, paired with the perfect glass of wine, and small plates to try and share in Vermont’s Alpine Hall. Some of the events recent chefs have been James Beard finalists, making it the perfect excuse to visit them for a weekend in the Green Mountains, to soak up the last few weeks of green leaves.
Event Dates:
August 13th through 15th | Spruce Peak, Stowe, Vermont
Best Festival Worth Planning for Months in Advance:
Harvest on the Harbor – Portland, Maine
Slightly past late summer but worth preparing your trip for now: since 2007, Harvest on the Harbor has brought together talented Portland chefs, local distillers and brewers, and unresistable food from local artisans for a multi-day celebration on the waterfront, including a Maine Cocktail Classic, an all-you-can-eat OysterFest, and the marquee Maine Lobster Chef of the Year competition. Usually marked on the Calander for late October, this event brings back some of those sought after summer feelings, that New Englanders are nostalgic for after the closing of it’s 2026 season just weeks prior. If your late summer Maine trip leaves you hungry for more, this is the reason to come back.
Event Dates:
October 30th through November 1st | Portland, Maine
Best Up-in-the-Air Activity
Crown of Maine Balloon Fest – Presque Isle, Maine
The Crown of Maine and Balloon Fest bring New Englanders the opportunity to not only take time to experience breathtaking views, but to witness pilots fly in one of their favorite places, The County. Fill your day with live music, local food, a craft and vendor fair, generating fun for all ages. For over two decades, Aroostook County has filled the sky with seven balloon launches over three days at the Northern Maine Fairgrounds. The evenings are filled with a ‘moon glow’ tradition where the fields fill with glowing lanterns in the sky. It’s an unforgetting experience, encompassing Maine’s quiet community, coming together to celebrate magic.
Event Dates:
August 28th through 20th | Presque Isle, Maine | Times vary
Best Waterfront Evening Activity:
WaterFire – Providence, Rhode Island
Whether you’re a Rhode Island local looking for a way to spend a late summer evening, or a New Englander looking for some evening fun, there’s nothing quite like the WaterFire experience in Providence’s city center. Nearly 100 bonfires are lit across three rivers, running through the city, illuminating the buildings with the reflection of fiery sparks. Visit the banks on select evenings in August, September, and November, arriving before the sun sets to secure a spot to watch the city lite into color and stay until the light runs out – its free for all and fosters urban experience and community engagement for all.
Event Dates:
Visit Website for Details on Location, Times, and Dates
Best “Are We Still in New England” Event:
NHSCOT & NH Highland Games Festival
Step deep into the Scottish heritage without ever having to leave New England: Held at the Loon Resort with an unbeatable white mountainous backdrop, the NH Highland Games & Festival is the perfect place to eat, sing, and live through old Scottish traditions. Three days of intense athletic competitions, food and drink straight out of Europe, the stirring sounds of massed pipe bands, countless vendors, and festival seminars. You don’t have to be Scottish to enjoy the experience, and this one of a kind event will truly have you questioning, ‘are we still in New England?’
Event Dates:
September 18th through 20th | Loon Mountain Resort, Vermont | Times Vary
