11 Great Fall Festivals in Rhode Island
Get in to the swing of autumn and attend a fun fall festival with family and friends.
Summer may be over, but there’s still plenty to do over the next two months before you break out the winter jacket and snow boots.
Photo from Wakefield Village Association Facebook Page.
German Lovers: Wakefield Octoberfest
The scene: Downtown Wakefield is hosting its fourth annual Oktoberfest with live music, street performers, dancing, local vendors and Riverfire. Walk up and down Main Street for local food, drinks and shopping from more than 100 vendors and artisans.
The details: October 5. Free. Main Street, Wakefield, facebook.com.
Outdoor Festival-Goers: Scituate Art Festival
The scene: Lots of (painted) landscapes in a beautiful landscape. Plus antiques, ceramics, jewelry, sculpture and more.
The details: October 12-14. Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Village Green, Route 116, Scituate, scituateartfestival.org.
Back to the Land-ers (Colonial-style): Smith’s Castle Harvest Festival
The scene: Farm to table circa 1678. Children’s colonial games and crafts, a pumpkin roll maize, historians talking farming, tips on preserving food — plus butter-making demonstrations and Johnny Cake making.
The details: October 19. Noon- 4 p.m. Adults $8, children $6. Smith’s Castle, 55 Richard Smith Dr., North Kingstown, 401-294-3521, smithscastle.org.
Lobster Lovers: Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival
The scene: Legions of lobster, crab cakes, oysters and craft beer as you dance to cover bands and learn about the ship Oliver Hazard Perry with more than 8,000 of your closest friends.
The details: October 19-20. Saturday 11 a.m.-6 p.m, Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free admission. Bowen’s Wharf, 13 Bowen’s Wharf, Newport, 401-849-2243, bowenswharf.com.
Wine Enthusiasts: Newport Vineyard’s Harvest Festival
The scene: Sip, savor and toast to the seasons’ crush at the fourth annual Harvest Festival. Two days full of grape stomping, wine and beer tasting, pie eating goodness. Plus, listen to live music while sipping on wine or beer and munch on bites.
The details: October 26-27. Noon-5 p.m. $25, children under fifteen are free. Newport Vineyards, 909 East Main Rd., Newport, 401-848-5161, newportvineyards.com.
Fall Music Festival Fiends: Third Annual Fall Moon Festival
The scene: Hop over to Newport for the third annual Fall Moon Festival as five female folk artists take the stage. This year’s festival focuses on the importance of women in folk music and the female perspective in art, in all its variations.
The details: November 2. 7:30 p.m. $15-$35. Casino Theatre, International Tennis Hall of Fame, 10 Freebody St., Newport, 401-683-5085, commonfencemusic.org.
Downtown Devotees: WaterFire Salute to Veterans
The scene: This special WaterFire event focuses on those who serve our nation. The seventh annual WaterFire Salute to Veterans will honor and recognize all United States veterans, active and reserve military personnel and families for their service and dedication to their country. Art fairs, food vendors, special performances and events begin at 5 p.m. with the lighting of the torches at sunset.
The details: November 2. 5-11 p.m. Free. Waterplace Park, Providence, 401-273-1155, waterfire.org.
Art Connoisseurs: Art Providence Show
The scene: The show will feature more than 150 New England artists, makers and designers of varying backgrounds.
The details: November 8-10. Friday 5-8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Adults $10, children under twelve free. Rhode Island Convention Center, 1 Sabin St., Providence, 401-458-6000, artprovidenceshow.com.
Local Wine and Fall Lovers: Annual Harvest Festival at Greenvale Vineyards
The scene: Celebrate the twentieth annual harvest festival at Greenvale Vineyards for a day filled with food, music, wine samplings and fall festivities.
The details: November 9. 1-4 p.m. Free. Greenvale Vineyards, 582 Wapping Rd., Portsmouth, 401-847-3777, greenvale.com.
Traditional Fair-Goers: Autumnfest
The scene: This family-friendly fest is full of delicious bites from food row, live music and brews in the beer tent, midway rides, art and craft booths, fireworks, a parade and more. There’s a little something for everyone!
The details: October 11-14. Free admission. Veterans Memorial Park, 40 Snow St., Woonsocket, 401-771-8900, autumnfest.org.
Italian Food Fanatics: Columbus Day Weekend Festival
The scene: Join in the celebration of the twenty-eighth annual Columbus Day Festival. Enjoy amusement rides and games, live entertainment, see cooking demonstrations, taste delicious bites and more.
The details: October 12-14. 10 a.m. Free. Federal Hill, Atwells Ave., Providence, federalhillprov.com.
With assistance by Kerri Tallman.
