Massachusetts September Events for Family Fun

Posted by Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism

This September in Massachusetts, you can celebrate different cultures, hang out with cute animals, get some new art for your home or office – you can even travel back in time! Here are some of the event highlights happening this month across the state.

King Richard’s Faire
Massachusetts’ longest-running renaissance fair begins its 8-week run in Carver, Massachusetts! Stop by weekends and Monday holidays until October 22 for fun, food, crafts for sale, and other entertainment. Check out their website for information on themed weekends and other special events.
10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily September 2 – Sun, October 22, 2023
King Richard’s Faire
235 Main Street (rt. 58), 235 Main Street, Carver, MA 02330

Cambridge Carnival Jamboree
Celebrate the contributions of the Caribbean residents of Cambridge and their rich Caribbean heritage, featuring DJs and other live entertainment. This event is free and open to the public.
5 – 9 p.m. September 6, 2023
Lafayette Square Park
900 Main St, Cambridge, MA 02139

Sailors’ Series | Crew of Three
Learn what it takes to live out on sea for 2 years from some people who have done it. This family set sail for Grenada from Massachusetts in 2014 and is now telling their story – both how they managed to survive at sea, and the challenges they encountered in reentering society after their journey.
6 p.m. September 7, 2023
New Bedford Whaling Museum
18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA 02740

Botanic Prints with Gelli Plates
Learn how to make incredible prints without a press using flowers, leaves and other flora, and take home a unique piece of art for your home. Beginners of all ages welcome! Tickets must be purchased in advance.
10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. September 8, 2023
New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill
11 French Drive, Boylston, MA 01505

15th Anniversary Plaza Party & Season Kick-Off
This 15^th-annual fall season kickoff is free and open to the public. Entertainment scheduled includes live music and food trucks! Members can enjoy a screening of the documentary On a Wing and a Prayer: Achieving the Impossible Dream followed by a special musical performance.
4:30 – 9 p.m. Sat, September 9, 2023
The Hanover Theatre & Conservatory for the Performing Arts
2 Southbridge St, Worcester, MA 01608

Arts and Crafts Festival
Explore the Lexington arts scene with a variety of creators on hand to showcase and sell their work. Browse paintings, photography, jewelry, woodworking, glasswork, handbags, wearable art, and more. This annual event regularly brings hundreds of people to Lexington to celebrate and discover local artisans.
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sat, September 9, 2023
Visitors Center Lawn
1855 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington, MA 02421

Bats! Opening Day
A colony of Egyptian fruit bats comes to Salem – just in time for the fall! This unique exhibition also contains bat-themed art from all over the world, as well as inventions and innovations inspired by our winged friends.
10 a.m. – 5 p.m. September 9, 2023
Peabody Essex Museum
161 Essex Street, Salem, MA 01970

Peter Yarrow
Best known for his work in the folk group Peter, Paul, and Mary, Peter Yarrow earned awards and acclaim throughout the 1960s while popularizing folk music across the country. Don’t miss an opportunity to see one of America’s greatest songwriters perform live.
7 – 9 p.m. September 14, 2023
Firehouse Center for the Arts
One Market Square, Newburyport, MA 01950

Rockport Celtic Festival Opening: Quebec to Newfoundland

Celebrate the history and musical traditions of French Canada in the opening event of this year’s Celtic Festival. The three-day festival will feature musicians, artists, and storytellers from around the world.
September 15, 2023, 7 – 9 p.m. September 15, 2023
Shalin Liu Performance Center
37 Main Street, Rockport, MA 01966

Cape Cod Canal Day
Train rides, food trucks, arts and crafts, a cornhole tournament, a 5k race, and more fill out the schedule of this day-long, family friendly event on Buzzards Bay.
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. September 16, 2023
Buzzards Bay Park
90 Main Street, Buzzards Bay, MA 02532

Lowell Kinetic Sculpture Race
Come see what junk can really do! Marvel at these one-of-a-kind, human-powered sculptures made of recycled materials as they race through multiple terrains on their way to glory. This all ages event is free to attend.
9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. September 16, 2023
LKSR
61 Market Street, Lowell, MA 01852

New Bedford Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival
The fifth-annual event will feature over 30 local food truck favorites as well as local breweries, lawn games, live music, and more family fun.
Noon to 5 p.m. (VIP hour 11 a.m. to Noon), September 16, 2023
Fort Taber
1000 S Rodney French Blvd, New Bedford, MA 02744

WWI Aviation Weekend
Come see some of the world’s first and oldest fighter aircrafts – even watch them actually fly (depending on weather conditions).  Other World War One-era artifacts will be on display.
Sat. & Sun. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat, September 16 – 17, 2023
American Heritage Museum
568 Main St, Hudson, MA 01749

Hey Day
Explore and enjoy Wachusett Meadow’s agricultural history in this annual fundraising event that dates back to the 1960s! Relax on a hayride around the meadow, take a canoe out on Wildlife Pond, or participate in some fun family activities.
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. September 23, 2023
Mass Audubon Wachusett Meadow
113 Goodnow Rd, Princeton, MA 01541

Cape Cod Doxie Day
The Cape Cod fall fun tradition returns, featuring a parade and the Doxie Dash! Bring your furry friends down to Barnstable for this free event.
12 – 3 p.m. September 30, 2023
Barnstable County Courthouse Complex
3195 Main Street, Barnstable, MA 02630

Events are curated from the events section of our site. Are we missing an event? Let us know or join our business directory to create your own listings on VisitMA.com.

TOPICS: Barnstable, Boylston, Buzzards Bay, Cambridge, Carver, Hudson, Lexington, Lowell, New Bedford, Princeton, Rockbort, Salem, Worcester