The air may be brisk but the season’s festivities are warming up

Cool air and colorful leaves set the tone for the season. With the kids back in school, fall weekends are family time, tucked neatly between the summer madness and the holiday crazies.

Here, fall doesn’t just arrive; on the South Coast, it rolls in on a tractor full of pumpkins and a calendar packed with fun. From hayrides to corn mazes and apple-filled orchards, there are many activities to fill the cool-weather weekends and keep kids entertained.

Below is a roundup of local favorites:

• Perry Hill Apple Orchard – Pick-your-own apples Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Find Honeycrisp, Freedom, Liberty, MacIntosh, and Mutsu varieties, plus honey and pears at the farmstand.
• South Coast Harvest Festival – This two-day festival runs Oct. 26–28. The fun begins at noon on Friday and ends at 8 p.m. On Saturday, hours are from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and the Sunday wrap-up is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 
• HalloWizz at Water Wizz, Wareham – A new fall attraction blending cozy charm with spooky fun. Open Fridays through Sundays, now to Nov. 2. Daytime Fall Festival starts at 4 p.m.; Haunted Attractions begin at 6:30 p.m.
• Hayrides at Westport Rivers Winery – Ride through the scenic vineyard and River Flatts field from now to Nov. 1. Hayrides run every 30 minutes between noon and 4:30 p.m., and include a souvenir pumpkin.
• Fall Festa at the Madeira feast grounds – On Saturday, Sept. 27, from noon to 8 p.m. Enjoy traditional food, drinks, and Madeira wine in a festive atmosphere that nods to the summer Feast of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Udder Chaos Corn Maze & Mystery Game at Buzzards Bay Brewing – Weekends from 1 to 6 p.m. Navigate the corn maze while solving the mystery of Farmer Buck’s missing tractor. The taproom is open Saturdays until 8 p.m.
• Silverbrook Farm Fall Festival – Weekends in October (4–5, 11–13, 18–19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Find pumpkins, autumn activities, and local food at this family-friendly farm event.
• John Manjiro Festival – Held biennially in Fairhaven. Will be held on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This cultural celebration honors the historic friendship between Japan and the U.S. through performances, crafts, and Japanese cuisine.
• New Bedford Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival – On Saturday, Oct. 4, from noon to 5 p.m. (VIPs get early access at 11 a.m.). Over 30 food trucks, craft beer, and artisan vendors take over Fort Taber.
• New Bedford Oktoberfest 2025 –On Saturday, Oct. 4, starting at 3 p.m. The Oktoberfest grounds come alive with the sounds of five local bands. Between sets, explore the artisan market, cornhole games, caricature artists, antique trucks, garden displays and grab a bite from a food truck.

Keep an eye on our Arts & Culture calendar for updates and the latest fall happenings. New events are added daily. Our curated listings highlight the best of what the South Coast has to offer. To have your event added to the lineup, fill out the online form or email us at calendar@newbedfordlight.org. 

Email Toni Delgado-Green at tdgreen@newbedfordlight.org