As the leaves begin to change and a new season arrives, the SouthCoast is getting ready for all the fun that comes with fall.
From festivals and food events to family activities and autumn celebrations, the calendar is filling up with plenty of good old-fashioned fall fun.
Whether you're looking for something to do on a weekend, an event to check out with the family or a new place to explore, there are plenty of options coming up without the need to drive too far.
Here are some of the events happening around Greater New Bedford in the months ahead.
Friday, Sept. 11 and Saturday, Sept. 12: Free admission to two days of food, games, exhibits, and family fun at The Dartmouth Grange, 1133 Fisher Road, Dartmouth. The fair opens at 4 p.m. on Friday, with a pie-eating contest at 6:30 p.m. and a magic show at 7 p.m. Saturday will feature beekeeping demonstrations, apple tasting, art quilting, a Giant Penny Sale, and music by the Unlikely Strummers Ukulele Band.
Saturday, Sept. 12 and Sunday, Sept. 13: Celebrate the start of fall at Acushnet's 45th annual Apple-Peach Festival! Enjoy local food, peach cobbler, baked treats, crafts, live music and plenty of small-town fun. Don't miss Sunday's parade, which kicks off at 10 a.m. at Pope Park and heads to the festival grounds. Be a part of the tradition at Long Plain Museum,1203 Main St., Acushnet.
Saturday, Sept. 12: The first annual event will bring a full day of activities to Dartmouth from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Holy Ghost Grounds & Hall, 104 Allens Neck Road. The free indoor/outdoor festival will feature artisan vendors, handmade goods, live music, food vendors, family field day competitions, raffles and prizes, with something happening throughout the day for all ages.
Saturday, Sept. 12: For the savvy shopper, this is a fall-themed cocktail and shopping event will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. There will be dozens of vendors, food trucks, and a bar service. Admission is free at the Middleboro Town Hall Lawn, 10 Nickerson Ave., with free parking.
Saturday, Sept. 19: The Southcoast YMCA is getting into the fall spirit with a festival from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at 276 Gulf Road, Dartmouth. The $10-per-child event will include pumpkin decorating, crafts, face painting, a story walk, a bounce house, popcorn, and more. The recommended age is 2 to 10, and registration is required at https://ymcasouthcoast.org/event/dartfallfestival.
Saturday, Sept. 19: For a day of lively music, delightful food, crafts, and plenty of fun. All ages are welcome with free admission. Don't miss the pig roast, live country music, vendors, crafts, kids' fun and more at Madeira Field, 50 Madeira Ave., New Bedford.
Saturday, Sept. 19: Filled with over 60 vendors, crafters and artisans, there will be something for everyone at 38 Plymouth St., Middleboro. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., indulge in the café, preserves, raffles, and more.
Friday, Sept. 25 through Sunday, Sept. 27: The Westport Fairgrounds will again be teaming with an autumn-themed event full of live music, fall food, an artisan market, and antique trucks. Tickets can be purchased at the event and are $10 for adults; $5 for children 5 to 12, and free for children younger than 5. Make sure to check out all the fall garden displays at 200 Pine Hill Road, Westport.
Saturday, Oct. 3 and Sunday, Oct. 4: Help raise money for at-risk youth while participating in a New Bedford tradition. Taste test local and craft beers, hard seltzers, and sangria while listening to live music and playing cornhole. Local vendors and food trucks will be on hand to dish out some mouthwatering bites at the City Pier 3, 51 MacArthur Drive, New Bedford. Presale tickets are $15; day-of tickets are $20; both include entry and entertainment only; food and drinks are bought separately. Don't miss out on this New Bedford favorite; buy your tickets at >
Tuesday, Oct. 6: In its 21st year, it's time again to try chowders from local restaurants and cast your vote for the best one. Sample chowders and soups, listen to live music by Be Kind, Rewind, and enjoy the community vibe. The fun is from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at Rachel's Lakeside, 950 State Road, Dartmouth. Tickets are $35; children 6 to 12 years old are $10; and children under 5 are free. Grab your tickets early at https://onesouthcoast.com/chowderfest.
Saturday, Oct. 31 (tentative): An ultimate food truck experience is on the horizon, along with dozens of craft breweries all in one place at one time. There is Halloween entertainment and games for the entire family. Fort Taber, 1000 S Rodney French Blvd., New Bedford, will host a spooktacular culinary lineup of deliciousness, craft beverages to enjoy, lawn games, live music, costumes, and more. There will be prizes for best costumes. Tickets to enter are $5 in advance and $10 at the door, and there is a $15 city parking fee. Purchase them at https://www.foodtruckfestivalsofamerica.com/newbedford.
Thursday, Oct. 8: From 4 to 8 p.m., the Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum lawn will be filled with Jack-O-Lanterns carved by local community members at 396 County St., New Bedford. There will be lawn games to play and a scavenger hunt with prizes inside the mansion. The Toe Jam Puppet Band will perform at 5:30 p.m. The event is part of AHA! Night, with a suggested donation of $5 per person or $10 per family.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: 2026 guide fall festivals on the SouthCoast