Posts tagged “Massachusetts”

Porchfest in New England: What It Is and Where to Find One

A porchfest is a free, one-day music festival where the stages are people's front porches — no gate, no ticket, no fenced venue. Here is how the format works, what to bring, where the idea came from, and every porchfest still ahead on our Massachusetts calendar this season.

September 2026 Fairs in Connecticut and Massachusetts: A Weekend-by-Weekend Guide

September is the busiest month of the New England fair season, and Connecticut and Massachusetts carry most of it. Every fair and festival of the month sorted by weekend, with the two weekends still ahead marked — the Big E, Old Deerfield, Durham and more.

Topsfield Fair 2026: Dates, Giant Pumpkins, and What to Expect

The Topsfield Fair runs eleven days from October 2 to 12, 2026, on Boston Street in Topsfield. Run by the Essex Agricultural Society since its first cattle show in 1820, it's home to the All New England Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off — where the world's first one-ton pumpkin was weighed in 2012.

Salem Haunted Happenings 2026: What's On, When, and How to Plan Your October

Salem spends all of October as Halloween's unofficial capital. Haunted Happenings 2026 runs October 1-31, anchored at Salem Common, with the Grand Parade on Friday, October 2. Here's how to plan a visit — and what you'll want to confirm with the organizers before you go.

Topsfield Fair 2026: Eleven Days in October, Running Since 1820

Running since the Essex Agricultural Society's first cattle show in 1820, and home of the All New England Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off. Here's the 2026 run.

Salem Haunted Happenings 2026: The Complete October Guide

Salem's Halloween season is a full month, not a weekend. Here's how Haunted Happenings 2026 is structured and when to go if you want to actually move around.

Barnstable County Fair 2026: Visitor's Guide

Cape Cod's Barnstable County Fair returns July 20–26, 2026 to the Cape Cod Fairgrounds in East Falmouth — seven days of rides, fair food, livestock, a demolition derby, and nightly main-stage concerts.

Cummington Fair 2026: Visitor's Guide

The 158th Cummington Fair returns August 27–30, 2026 to the Cummington Fairgrounds in the western Massachusetts hilltowns — four days of livestock, horse and ox draws, a midway, live music, and country-fair tradition.

Wellfleet OysterFest 2026: Visitor's Guide

Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival 2026: Visitor's Guide

Glasgow Lands — Massachusetts' only Scottish festival and New England's second largest — returns to Look Park in Northampton on Saturday, July 18, 2026, with around 40 pipe bands, Highland athletics, dance, a clan village, and a Celtic pub.

King Richard's Faire 2026: Visitor's Guide

King Richard's Faire — New England's largest Renaissance festival — returns to Carver, MA for its 45th season, weekends September 5 through October 25, 2026. Here's how to plan your day: hours, tickets, jousting, food, and the artisan marketplace.

Massachusetts Breweries 2026: A Region-by-Region Guide to All 197

Massachusetts has 197 craft breweries — the largest scene in New England. This 2026 guide breaks the state down into eight regions, from Boston's taproom district through Worcester County's hop-forward scene to the Pioneer Valley, the Berkshires, and Cape Cod. Plus the year's beer festivals — Mass Beer Week, Frühlingsfest, Cape Cod Brew Fest.

New England Breweries 2026: The Complete Guide to 500+ Craft Brewers

A pillar guide to the 500+ craft breweries across New England, organized by state — from Massachusetts' Boston taproom scene and Vermont's legendary IPA destinations to Maine's Portland brewery district and the New Hampshire seacoast circuit. Includes the year's major beer festivals and trail events.

Cape Cod & Berkshires Craft Fair Circuit 2026: Complete Regional Guide

Cape Cod and the Berkshires host over 20 craft fairs annually, from spring markets in Chatham to October foliage festivals. This comprehensive guide covers seasonal calendars, venue logistics, pricing, and insider tips for discovering regional craft artists across both regions.

Old Deerfield Craft Fairs: Vendors & Visitors Guide

Old Deerfield Craft Fairs represent some of the finest curated craft exhibitions in New England. With three shows annually—spring, fall, and holiday—these meticulously juried events showcase contemporary fine craft. Discover what to expect, how to prepare, and how Old Deerfield fits into your New England craft fair circuit.

Boston Metro Craft Fair Circuit 2026

Boston metro has the largest urban craft fair market in New England. Our guide covers the major shows, neighborhood circuits, and Boston logistics for vendors and shoppers.

Paradise City Arts Festival: Vendor's & Visitor's Guide

Paradise City Arts Festival is one of the East Coast's most prestigious juried craft events. Our guide covers both 2026 shows, vendor selection, and visitor tips.

Craft Fairs in Massachusetts 2026: A Vendor's and Visitor's Guide

A 2026 guide to craft fairs in Massachusetts for vendors and visitors — featuring Old Deerfield Craft Fairs, Paradise City Arts Festival, the Boston metro craft scene, the Berkshires circuit, Cape Cod artisan markets, and the Topsfield Fair craft section.

Massachusetts Fairs and Festivals in 2026: Your Complete Guide

A month-by-month guide to every major fair and festival in Massachusetts for 2026 — from small-town agricultural fairs in the Berkshires to the Big E and Topsfield Fair.

Belchertown Fair 2026: A Visitor's Guide to One of Massachusetts' Best Small Fairs

Everything you need to know about the Belchertown Fair in 2026 — dates, what to see, tips for visiting, and why this small Massachusetts agricultural fair is a local favorite.

Gun Shows in New England 2026: Your Complete Schedule and Guide

A complete schedule of every gun show in New England for 2026, covering all six states — Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island — with dates, locations, admission prices, and tips for first-time attendees.

The Big E: Your Guide to the Eastern States Exposition in 2026

The Eastern States Exposition — the Big E — is one of the largest fairs in the country: 17 days, a million-plus visitors, and the Avenue of States showcasing all six New England states. Here's everything you need to plan your 2026 visit.

Big E on a Budget: How to Enjoy the Fair Without Breaking the Bank

The Big E can get expensive fast — but with smart planning, you can enjoy New England's biggest fair without breaking the bank. Here's how to save on admission, food, rides, and everything else.

The Big E with Kids: A Family Guide to the Eastern States Exposition

The Big E is one of the best family outings in New England — if you plan for it. Here's how to navigate the Eastern States Exposition with kids, from rides and animals to food and logistics.

Big E Parking and Getting There: How to Avoid the Stress

Over a million people visit the Big E each year — and parking and traffic are the biggest headaches. Here's how to get there, where to park, and when to go to avoid the stress.

The Big E Avenue of States: A Building-by-Building Guide

The Avenue of States is the heart of the Big E — six buildings, one for each New England state, packed with food, crafts, and local culture. Here's a building-by-building breakdown of what to see, eat, and buy.

Best Food at the Big E: What to Eat (and What's Worth the Line)

The Big E has some of the best fair food in the country — cream puffs, lobster rolls, maple creemees, and more across six state buildings and a massive midway. Here's what to eat and how to beat the lines.