Pumpkin spice and everything nice: Get in the spirit by going to these RI fall festivals
With students back in school, the unofficial start of fall is upon us, which means it's time for fall festivals.
Festivals that celebrate the harvest. Festivals that celebrate heritage. Festivals that celebrate seafood. There are enough festivals coming up to go to a different one every weekend through Halloween.
If that sounds like your cup of pumpkin-spiced coffee, here are 20+ fall festivals in the state organized by weekend so you can always find something to do.
PVDFest
When: Friday, Sept. 8, Saturday, Sept. 9 and Sunday, Sept 10
When: Sunday, Sept 10
Where: 195 District Park, Providence
What to know: Making its fall debut in a new location, PVDFest has seen some changes this year. You can expect block parties on the first night of the festival, a full WaterFire lighting Saturday night, and 20 food trucks. Mayor Brett Smiley said the changes will put the focus on the arts.
More information: pvdfest.com
Cranston Greek Festival
When: Friday, Sept. 8, 5 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 9, noon to 10 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 10, noon to 8 p.m.
Where: Church of the Annunciation, 175 Oaklawn Ave., Cranston
What to know: The food is the big draw for this festival, with roast lamb, Greek-style chicken, souvlaki (skewered pork or chicken), pastitsio (delectable “Greek lasagna”), spanakopita (“spinach pie”) and tiropita (“cheese pie”) all on the menu, plus desserts. In addition to the food, there is live Greek music and dancing. Admission is free.
More information: facebook.com/events/670830201561270?ref=newsfeed
Slater Park Fall Festival
When: Saturday, Sept. 9, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Slater Memorial Park 401 Newport Ave. Pawtucket
What to know: A part of the greater Pawtucket Arts Fest, the festival brings more than 100 crafters, creators and artisans together for a festival that has games, food and entertainment. On Saturday, the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra will perform followed by a fireworks show. Admission is free.
More information: pawtucketartsfestival.org/2023-events
Gansett Fest and RI Calamari Festival
When: Friday, Sept. 15, 5 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 16, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 17, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Veterans Park, 10 Memorial Park, Ocean Road, Narragansett
What to know: This festival is basically a series of mini-festivals. Friday night is the Endless Summer Music Festival. Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. is the Calamari Festival, which celebrates the state's official appetizer. There are also family-friendly activities happening at Gazebo Park as part of Gansett Days and another concert in the evening. On Sunday, there's more family fun at Gansett Days, including helicopter rides from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the North Beach parking lot. The Narragansett Historical Society will be doing a walking tour on Sunday about the history of Boon Street, followed by 1890s field games at LeRoy Thompson Memorial Park. Prices depend on which event you are interested in going to.
More information: narragansettcoc.com/event-calendar/ri-calamari-fest
Misquamicut FallFest
When: Friday, Sept. 15, 5 to 11 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 16: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 17, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Misquamicut State Beach, Westerly
What to know: Midway rides, a classic car show on Saturday and Sunday, a music tent and all the fair food you could want make this a classic festival for the beginning of fall. Tickets are $12. Children under 7 are admitted free. Rides are an additional cost.
More information: misquamicutfestival.org
Smith's Castle Harvest Festival
When: Saturday, Sept. 23, noon to 4 p.m.
Where: Smith’s Castle, 55 Richard Smith Drive, North Kingstown
What to know: Set at the historic Smith's Castle, this festival will have Colonial games, activities and crafts. The Sheffield Farm Petting Zoo and Pony Rides along with the Farm Dog Band will also be providing entertainment. Admission is $10 per adult, $8 for seniors and military, and $6 for children, with a family cap of $25.
More information: www.smithscastle.org/upcomingevents
Armenian Fest RI
When: Saturday, Sept. 23, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, Sept. 24, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church, 7 Armenia St., Providence
What to know: Come hungry to this festival. Expect Armenian food, including chicken, shish or losh kebab, kufta, soujoukh, and falafel. There will also be music, the Hamazkayin Dance Group and vendors. Admission is free and there is free valet parking.
More information: facebook.com/armenianfestri/
2023 Rain Harvest Festival
When: Sunday, Sept. 24, noon to 3 p.m., rain date Sunday, Oct. 1
Where: Roger Williams Park Boathouse Lawn, 1000 Elmwood Ave., Providence
What to know: A celebration of water, science, art and the Providence Parks Department’s investment in more than 40 projects to clean polluted stormwater runoff before it enters the ponds in the park, this festival has environmental workshops and activities, performing artists and musicians, a rain barrel raffle, games, food trucks and more.
More information: stormwaterinnovation.org/rainharvestfestival
Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular: Pumpkins Around the World
When: Thursday, Sept. 28, through Tuesday, Oct. 31, 6 to 10:30 p.m.
Where: Roger Williams Park Zoo, Providence
What to know: Thousands of pumpkins illuminate the trail at Roger Williams Park Zoo to create a Halloween experience like no other. This year, the wanderlust theme will take attendees on a European vacation and a safari, as well as to the Pyramids of Giza and down Route 66. The event is rain or shine, and tickets can’t be rescheduled, so think about that when purchasing. Tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for children.
More information: rwpzoo.org/jols/
Beervana Fest
When: Saturday, Sept. 30, 2 to 5 p.m.
Where: The Waterfire Arts Center, 475 Valley St., Providence
What to know: Sample beers from all over the world at this annual event. Tickets are $70 and include a tasting glass and unlimited 2-ounce pours. Plan accordingly.
More information: beervanafest.com/
BeWitched & BeDazzled
When: Saturday, Sept. 30, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Chase Farm, 671 Great Road, Lincoln
What to know: Located at one of the filming sites for the film "Hocus Pocus 2," this event will have hayrides, contests, magic and circus shows, food trucks, children’s activities, psychics, historical presentations, vendors, contests and more. Tickets are $13.
More information: greatroadheritagecampus.org/bewitched-and-bedazzled
The Annual Harvest Festival & Tractor Show
When: Saturday, Sept. 30, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Metcalf Franklin Farm, 142 Abbott Run Valley Road, Cumberland
What to know: The tractors have top billing at this annual festival, but they're certainly not the only thing to see. There's music, food vendors, craft vendors, educational activities and tours of the barn.
More information: franklinfarmri.org/harvest-festival
The Wooly Fair
When: Saturday, Sept. 30, 3 to 10 p.m.
Where: The Steelyard, 27 Sims Ave., Providence
What to know: Coming back after a 10-year hiatus, The Wooly Fair is a participatory arts carnival. Struggling to imagine what that might look like? Think art installations that you can engage with, like a 60-foot-long tunnel filled with popcorn that you can crawl through, or a Bad Date Obstacle course. Plus, there’s live music. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children.
More information: woolyfair.org/
Oktoberfest
When: Saturday, Sept. 30, from 1 to 11 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 1, from noon to 5 p.m.
Where: 78 Carter Ave., Pawtucket
What to know: German beers, German entertainment and German food. If you can’t travel to Germany, this is the next best thing in Rhode Island. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door.
More information: gacsri.org/oktoberfest
49th Harvest Fair at Norman Bird Sanctuary
When: Saturday, Sept. 30, and Sunday, Oct. 1, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: 583 Third Beach Road, Middletown
What to know: At this classic fall festival, expect activities like sack races, hayrides, a mud pit, a tug-of-war and fair games. There are food trucks for when you’re hungry. And if you have some home-grown vegetables that you’re particularly proud of, enter them in the home and garden competition. Tickets are $12 for nonmembers.
More information: normanbirdsanctuary.org/harvest-fair
Atlantis Rising International Sand Sculpture Competition
When: Friday, Oct. 6, doors open at noon; Saturday, Oct. 7, Sunday, Oct. 8, and Monday, Oct. 9
Where: Misquamicut State Beach, Westerly
What to know: Now in its second year, this competition brings artists from all over the world to create elaborate sand sculptures that you have to see to believe, with everything from giant octopuses to Pinocchio. In addition to the sculpting, there are pirate lessons for the kids, music, food and more. Tickets are $12 for adults and $5 for children.
More Information: southcountyri.com/atlantis-rising/
Autumnfest
When: Friday, Oct. 6, from 6 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 7, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 8, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Monday, Oct. 9, from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Veterans Memorial Park, 40 Snow St., Woonsocket
What to know: With fair rides, a parade on Monday morning and fireworks on Sunday night, this is a big festival. There’s something for everyone at this family-friendly event.
More information: autumnfest.org/
Southern New England Giant Pumpkin Growers Weigh Off
When: Saturday, Oct. 7, noon to 8 p.m.
Where: Pasquale Farm, 421 Kingstown Road, Richmond
What to know: This competition is heading toward the 3,000-pound mark as farmers bring their giants in to be weighed. Beyond photo opportunities with some truly ginormous pumpkins, there’s pumpkin smashing, hay rides, food and other activities for the family.
More information: sngpg.com/pdfs/SNGPG_Weighoff_2023_Flyer.pdf
Federal Hill Columbus Day Festival
When: Saturday, Oct. 7, through Monday, Oct. 9
Where: Atwells Avenue, Providence
What to know: There’s a parade on Sunday, games and rides for the kids, and live entertainment, but the star of this festival is the Italian food. If you like it, this festival is a must. The opening ceremony with the award presentation will be at noon on Saturday and the parade will be Sunday at 11 a.m.
More information: federalhillprov.com/festivals/columbus-day-weekend-festival/
Scituate Art Festival
When: Saturday, Oct. 7, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 8, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Monday, Oct. 9, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Village Green, on Route 116, North Scituate
What to know: More than 200 artists, craftspeople and antiques dealers come to show their wares at this annual open-air market. Get a treat from the food court (which supports nonprofit organizations) and browse while listening to some live music.
More information: scituateartfestival.org
Pronk! 2023 Indigenous People’s Day Celebration
When: Monday, Oct. 9
Where: Dexter Park, Providence
What to know: Get loud! Pronk is an “activist + outdoor justice + music+ arts festival” that features brass bands, percussion, musicians, performers and artists to reclaim the streets by occupying public space and pushing back on mainstream culture and consumerism. It’s free and family-friendly.
More information: sites.google.com/view/providencehonk/about?authuser=0
Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival
When: Saturday, Oct. 14, and Sunday, Oct. 15, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Bowen’s Wharf, Newport
What to know: At this festival that you are meant to eat your way through, expect fish tacos, lobster rolls, stuffies, chowder, fried calamari, clams and oysters. There will be some options for those who don’t love seafood as well. Live music sets the tone for this event.
More information: bowenswharf.com/events/annual-seafood-festival/
Witches Paddle
When: Sunday, Oct. 22, noon to 2 p.m. (Rain date: Oct. 29)
Where: Public-access beach next to Gardner's Wharf, Main Street, North Kingstown
What to know: Witches, goblins and ghouls are invited to take part in the Kayak Centre's annual costume contest and paddle.
More information: kayakcentre.com/paddle-with-us/events/witches-paddle-2023
Harvest Festival at Newport Vineyards
When: Saturday, Oct. 28, and Sunday, Oct. 29, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 2:30 to 5 p.m.
Where: 909 East Main Road, Middletown
What to know: With a chance to stomp the grapes if you’re chosen from the crowd, this festival celebrates the fall grape harvest with – what else? – wine. Sample some wine at their wine and beer bars, eat some food and take in the vineyards. Tickets will go on sale in mid-September.
Website: newportvineyards.com/events/
This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Here's your guide to fall festivals happening in Rhode Island in 2023
