37 Fall Festivals around Boston in 2024
When:
Wednesday, Sep 04, 2024 12:00p -
Wednesday, Nov 06, 2024 8:00p
Wednesday, Sep 04, 2024 12:00p -
Wednesday, Nov 06, 2024 8:00p
Where:
Boston
Surrounding areas
Boston, MA
Admission:
$Varies
Categories:
Art, Date Idea, Drinks, Festivals & Fairs, Food, Games, Good for Groups, History, Innovation, Kid Friendly, Music, Outside, Party, Pet Friendly, Seasonal, Shows, Social Good
Event website:
https://www.thebostoncalendar.com/
Fall is fast approaching! As the sweaters come out and the pumpkin spice lattes waft across the Boston Common, put a few of these fall festivals into your calendar. From dynamic film festivals to classic New England farm festivals, these events will help you settle comfortably into the cozy season. If you’re looking for Oktoberfest festivities find those here.
by Celina Colby
Events are listed chronologically.
When: Friday 9/6 to Sunday 9/8
Where: Somerville
Cost: Free
Info: Fuel up on authentic Greek food, wines, and pastry, then head to the dance party under the big tent featuring live, local music.
Greek Festival at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral
When: Friday 9/6 to Sunday 9/8
Where: Brookline
Cost: Free
Info: If you’re not based near Somerville, never fear. There’s another Greek festival in Brookline the same weekend. Savor Greek cuisine, watch traditional performances, and search for a treasure at antique vendors.
When: Sat 9/7 to Sun 9/8
Where: North End
Cost: Free
Info: For two days the Boston Arts Festival highlights visual and performing artists in the city with installations, live stage performances, and exhibitions of work spanning the media spectrum from photography and pottery to painting and jewelry.
When: Sat 9/7
Where: Jamaica Plain
Cost: Free
Info: Jamaica Plain is known for its thriving artistic scene and this festival provides the opportunity for local musicians to take center stage. Listen to a dynamic lineup of performers on two stages and keep your energy up with snacks from on-site food trucks.
When: Sunday 9/8
Where: South End
Cost: Free
Info: Peruse works by more than 20 fiber vendors at the second annual Boston Fiber Festival celebrating all things soft with knits, yarn, felt, and more.
When: Sunday 9/8
Where: Cambridge
Cost: Free
Info: The Cambridge Carnival is a city-wide celebration of the African diaspora featuring a grand costume parade, musical performances, traditional foods, dancing in the streets, and much more.
When: Saturday 9/14
Where: Somerville
Cost: Free
Info: Watch an extensive lineup of live local music, engage in free children’s activities for the whole family, shop at a vendor marketplace run by the Boston Women’s Market, and enjoy a spectacular fireworks show.
KickBack Boston Presents: One Day Only Fest 2024
When: Saturday 9/14
Where: Downtown
Cost: Free
Info: Six sets by live, local DJs will be the baseline for this joyful festival celebrating emerging artists and BIPOC joy. Food and drinks (alcoholic and nonalcoholic) will also be available for purchase.
When: Sat 9/14
Where: Revere
Cost: Free
Info: Watch artmaking in real time at the Revere Beach Arts Fest where a live art competition is just the start of the excitement. Create your own works and enjoy music, food, and the beautiful beach scenery during the festival.
When: Sat 9/14
Where: Roxbury
Cost: $425-$60
Info: Celebrate the flavors and sounds of the Caribbean at this festival showcasing food and cocktails from the tropical region. The culinary offerings will be accented with live entertainment and work by local artists and craftspeople.
When: Sun 9/15
Where: Greenway
Cost: Free
Info: You certainly won’t go hungry at this festival! The celebration features more than 75 local food vendors, showcasing some of the best eats Boston has to offer. Sample different dishes while you stroll along the Greenway enjoying the city’s beautiful scenery.
Soulful Bliss Arts & Music Festival
When: Sunday 9/15
Where: Spectacle Island
Cost: Free
Info: Take the ferry to Spectacle Island for the party of the season. Engage with artists and watch live musical performances, purchase Caribbean eats from ZaZ Restaurant, and enjoy stunning sunset views of Boston.
When: Saturday 9/21
Where: Watertown
Cost: Free
Info: Jam out to live entertainment, test out your baking skills during Marsha’s apple pie bake off, sip a brew at the beer garden, bring the family to the Kids Zone, and more at this Watertown festival.
When: Saturday 9/21
Where: South Boston
Cost: Free
Info: More than 5,000 guests come to revel at the South Boston Street Fest every year, a mammoth festival featuring two entertainment stages, food, drinks, children’s activities, and a huge market of local vendors.
When: Saturday 9/21
Where: Medford
Cost: Free
Info: In a scenic spot along the Mystic River in Medford, watch live music performance, browse works by local artists, eat food, play games, and engage in kids activities for the whole family.
When: Saturday 9/21
Where: Roslindale
Cost: Free
Info: Enjoy a free, neighborhood-wide concert where you can watch musicians in a huge variety of genres perform on porches, lawns, and parks across Roslindale.
When: Saturday 9/21
Where: Somerville
Cost: Free
Info: In celebration of the invention of fluff in Somerville, the What the Fluff? festival offers fluff games, fluff competitions, and more fluff recipes for sampling than you ever thought possible.
Fens Fest at the Fenway Victory Gardens
When: Saturday 9/21
Where: Fenway
Cost: Free
Info: Spend an early fall afternoon in the Fenway Victory Gardens enjoying live music, food from neighborhood vendors, and the still-in-bloom gardens before the first frost arrives.
Boston Music Project: Youth Fest!
When: Saturday 9/21
Where: Seaport
Cost: Free
Info: Watch live performances by some of Boston’s most promising musical talent at this free youth festival designed for all ages. Food and beverage are also available and local R&B legend Miranda Rae will perform.
When: Sunday 9/22
Where: Fenway
Cost: Free
Info: College students with a valid student ID are welcomed to Boston with the ultimate moving-in experience: a free festival in Fenway Park. Listen to live music and collect swag from beloved brands while you meet other local students.
When: Monday 9/23 to Sunday 9/29
Where: Cambridge
Cost: Free
Info: This week-long festival celebrates Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM) with a series of fun and interactive activities, demonstrations, workshops, and performances. The festival also heralds the official opening to the public of the Broad Discovery Center, run by MIT and Harvard.
Roslindale Greek Food Festival
When: Friday 9/27 to Sunday 9/29
Where: Roslindale
Cost: Free
Info: Get in touch with Greek culture at this three-day festival featuring authentic Greek cuisine, wine, and pastries, plus a shopping market of cultural goods.
NOVA's 11th Annual Trung Thu Festival
When: Saturday 9/28
Where: Dorchester
Cost: Free
Info: This festival and night market celebrate the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival with a spectrum of live entertainment, tons of local food vendors, and engaging family-friendly activities including food contests, lantern making, and much more.
The Great Northeast Jug Band Festival
When: Saturday 9/28
Where: Arlington
Cost: Free
Info: Celebrating “good time” music from the 1920s and ‘30s through the present day, The Great Northeast Jug Band Festival will have danceable live music outdoors all day long.
MassRobotics 6th Annual Robot Block Party
When: Saturday 9/28
Where: Seaport
Cost: Free
Info: Join more than 40 companies as they come together to show off their latest robotic technology in the Seaport. Watch robotic demonstrations, play games, and interact with the robots in a hands-on environment.
11th Annual Ignite! Global Street Food and Fire Festival
When: Saturday 9/28
Where: Somerville
Cost: Free
Info: Sample global street food from a wide array of local restaurants, watch unique cultural performances by area artists, and enjoy vivid light installations at this annual festival.
When: Saturday 9/28
Where: Roslindale
Cost: Free
Info: Celebrate this beloved food by sampling dumplings from local restaurants and food trucks. Then try to pick a favorite, a tough choice between traditional classics and avant-garde innovations. Individual plates are $6 and dumpling flight s(includes dumplings from 5 restaurants)are $25.
When: Saturday 9/28 to Sunday, 9/29
Where: Roxbury
Cost: Free
Info: Embrace a plant-based lifestyle, or just learn about one, at this comprehensive festival. Sample foods, listen to chef and lifestyle speakers, and shop a marketplace of products geared towards a more sustainable food industry.
Taiwan Film Festival of Boston
When: Saturday 9/28 to Sunday, 9/29
Where: Downtown Boston
Cost: $20+
Info: The Taiwan Film Festival of Boston will showcase short and feature length films around this year’s theme of “Faces of Life.” Eight films related to this concept will be screened at the AMC Boston Common.
When: Sunday 9/29
Where: East Cambridge
Cost: $27.50+
Info: Local pitmasters face off at this festival for the title of best ribs in town. Enjoy piled high plates of barbecue, live music, games, and more. Bring your best Gordon Ramsey face to judge between dishes.
45th Annual Harvard Square Oktoberfest
When: Sunday 10/6
Where: Harvard Square
Cost: Free
Info: Celebrate Oktoberfest at this raucous all weekend festival in Harvard Square. Listen to live music on multiple stages, sample food from international food vendors, experience arts and crafts, and toast at festive beer gardens around the square. And don’t miss the annual HONK! Parade.
When: Friday 10/4 to Sunday 10/6
Where: Somerville
Cost: Free
Info: The HONK! Festival of Activist Street Bands in Somerville is a raucous weekend of music, performances, and over-the-top spectacle. Listen to music, participate in art making, march in the parade, and stand up for social justice all in one place.
Fall Fest at Kendall/MIT Open Space
When: Saturday 10/5
Where: Kendall Square
Cost: Free
Info: On a rooftop in Kendall Square celebrate the fall season with food, drinks, lawn games, live music, and family-friendly fun for all.
Boston Public Market Harvest Party
When: Thursday 10/17
Where: North End
Cost: $60+
Info: Boston Public Market’s annual Harvest Party is not to be missed. Enjoy an open bar (for the first part of the night), bites from the food vendors around the market, live music, dancing, raffles, and more. Best of all, the ticket proceeds go towards field trips for Boston Public School students.
The Head of the Charles Regatta 2024
When: Friday 10/18 to Sunday 10/20
Where: Charles River
Cost: Free
Info: Watch thousands of rowers from around the globe compete in this stunning water sports competition. In addition to watching the race you can enjoy food and beverages in The Reunion Village.
When: Sunday 10/20
Where: Newton
Cost: Free
Info: Watch live entertainment from local performers on two separate stages, decorate a pumpkin, and explore international cuisine from food trucks on-site. Kids can enjoy the thrills of the caterpillar rollercoaster as well. There’s also a Harvest Fair Carnival the day before for family-friendly fun.
When: Friday 10/25 to Saturday 10/26
Where: Back Bay
Cost: Free
Info: Celebrate the power of words at this all day festival featuring lectures, workshops, author talks, live music, food trucks, and many other events centered on books and reading. There’s no better time to find your next read or work up the courage to ask for an autograph from your favorite author.
When: Wednesday 11/6 to Wednesday 11/20
Where: Around Boston
Cost: $15+
Info: The Boston Jewish Film Festival is the largest film-based organization in New England, welcoming 15,000 guests annually to view films by Jewish filmmakers and about Jewish life. Watch screenings around the city and participate in associated events during the festival.
