Summer and fall are perfect times for festivals and fairs in Massachusetts. Throughout the state, regions come together to celebrate agriculture, community spirit, and tradition. In Massachusetts, we take these traditions seriously. You haven’t seen a fair or festival until you’ve seen how Massachusetts does one. There are dozens of special festivals and fairs throughout the seasons for visitors to enjoy. Here are some highlights to look forward to:
The Barnstable County Fair
Is there anything better than Cape Cod in the summer? For seven days each July, the Barnstable County Fair celebrates everything that is great about the Cape, inviting thousands of fairgoers to East Falmouth for the largest annual fair in the region. You won’t want to miss the fair food, live entertainment, and the world’s largest demolition derby.
The Bolton Fair
Each August since 1874, Central Massachusetts comes together to celebrate the area’s agriculture, heritage, and community at the Bolton Fair. Activities each year include monster truck shows, demolition derbies, working blacksmith and carpentry shops, animal shows, and much more. The 3-day fair is managed and run entirely by volunteers, and their passion and dedication can be felt throughout the fairgrounds.
The Marshfield Fair
With amusement park rides, a midway, livestock and farm exhibits, and 4-H shows, the Marshfield Fair has attracted visitors each August since 1867. The Marshfield Fair is well-known for its Weekend Blues Festival.
The Three County Fair
The appropriately-named Three County Fair brings three counties together – Hampshire, Franklin, and Hampden, for one of the longest-running fairs in the country. Since 1818, the “late great summer fair” has highlighted agriculture, education, and science. Each year the fair features live performances, carnival rides and games, livestock, and more.
The Big E
The biggest fair of the year happens annually in West Springfield at The Big E – the largest agricultural event on the east coast, and the only fair in the country put on by more than one state. Over two weeks, attendees can look forward to concerts, parades, midway games, special food and drinks, and the Avenue of States, where each New England state brings their best treats and goods for purchase.
The Topsfield Fair
America’s oldest county fair is the Topsfield Fair, which takes place each year in Topsfield, Massachusetts. The fair was founded by the Essex Agricultural Society in 1818. Typically the last fair of the season, the Topsfield Fair takes place takes place for the 10 days leading up to Indigenous Peoples’ Day each October. Attendees look forward to the fair’s premier flower show, beekeeping and honey show, and famous Giant Pumpkin Weigh-In. The largest pumpkin ever brought in to the fair weighed 2507 pounds!
More Fun Fairs and Festivals to Enjoy
In addition to the fairs above, you can also look forward to the Spencer Fair, the Sterling Fair, the Franklin County Fair, and many more. For those looking for a Renaissance Fair experience don’t miss King Richard’s Faire in Carver which runs on weekends through September and October.
Find more fairs and information here.
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This blog was updated Summer 2026.
