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Fall in New Hampshire means pumpkins on porches, apples in baskets, and festivals popping up in nearly every town. Whether you’re looking to wander through a pumpkin-filled village, sip a local brew, or hear from nationally known authors, there’s no shortage of ways to soak up the season. Here are nine events happening across the Granite State this week.
🎃 Return of the Pumpkin People
Jackson — Oct. 1–31
An annual townwide display of pumpkin people and fall-themed activities.
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🎨 MacDowell Downtown Series: Brent Watanabe
Peterborough — Friday, Oct. 3
Artist and creative coder Brent Watanabe presents projects combining traditional art forms with emerging technologies.
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📚 NH Book Festival
Concord — Oct. 3–4
Festival featuring more than 50 nationally recognized authors and poets, keynote events, free author panels, book signings, food trucks, children’s activities, and vendors.
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🍎 Applefest
Nashua — Oct. 4–5
Outdoor family event at Sullivan Farm with games, apple picking, scarecrow-making, face painting, hay rides, crafts, and food.
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🍂 Fall Crafts Fair and Festival
Laconia — Saturday, Oct. 4
Ladies of the Lake Annual Fall Crafts Fair with over 75 juried artisan crafters, annual wreath festival, food truck, raffles, and bake sale.
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🍺 Annual Exeter Powder Keg Beer & Chili Festival
Exeter — Saturday, Oct. 4
Spend the afternoon sampling bold chili recipes, browsing handcrafted goods, and discovering the creativity of local makers and cooks.
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🧶 Mount Washington Valley October Craft Fair
North Conway — Saturday, Oct. 4
Arts and crafts fair with 100 exhibitors in front of the Scenic Railroad at Schouler Park. Crafts, food, demos, and music both days.
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🎃 Pumpkin Festival at Charmingfare Farm
Candia — Oct. 4, 5, 11, 12, & 13
Family festival featuring pumpkin picking, wagon rides, barrel train rides, scarecrow stuffing, corn play area, hay bale maze, farm animals, pony rides, costumed characters, live music, and demonstrations.
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🥨 19th Annual Oktoberfest Dinner with Live Oompah Music
Troy — Sunday, Oct. 5
This event includes hors d’oeuvres, German dinner with a vegetarian option, and live Oompah music. BYOB. Reservations required.
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