We've got visions of candied apples and pumpkins dancing in our heads as we make our way into October. This month brings so much to do, from the coziest fairs and festivals like the Bowen's Wharf Seafood Festival and the Norman Bird Sanctuary Harvest Fair to a lengthy list of activities you absolutely need to check off your autumn bucket list, like haunted trails in the underground tunnels of a historic military fort, ghost tours and the beloved Pell Bridge Run. We'll just be right here swooning over all things Autumn in New England.
Our picks for the month below.
BRISTOL BURGER BASH
When: Sunday, October 1; 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Where: Linden Place Mansion
Admission: $35
Details: Linden Place Museum’s Bristol Burger Bash brings together three elements that make for a fantastic fall afternoon – burgers, beer and bluegrass! Come sample East Bay’s best burgers all under one roof while enjoying local beers and wines and listening to down home live bluegrass in the Linden Place ballroom and gardens.
ESCOBAR'S HIGHLAND FARM PUMPKIN FESTIVAL
When: Sunday, October 1, 2017; 1200 - 4:00 PM
Where: Escobar's Highland Farm
Admission: Free
Details: Pick your own pumpkins at the official opening of Lou's Pumpkin Patch. Enjoy pumpkin games, crafts, face painting and scarecrow making.
ANNUAL HARVEST FAIR AT NORMAN BIRD SANCTUARY
When: Sunday, October 1; 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Where: Norman Bird Sanctuary
Admission: Adults: $6, Children: $3 (age 3-12); under 3 are free
Details: An autumn ritual for generations of families, this beloved old-fashioned fair offers something for everyone. The “Mabel Express” Barrel Train, Monkey Bridge, mud pit, Midway games and children’s crafts tent invites kids of all ages to join in the fun. Talented crafters and artisans sell their beautifully created items, enticing fair-goers to get a jump on holiday shopping. Local food and beer vendors offer an array of appetizing selections, while an impressive line-up of musicians round out the festive atmosphere.
RELATED: Harvest Fair Returns to Norman Bird Sanctuary
ROGUE ISLAND COMEDY FESTIVAL
When: Thursday, October 5 - Monday, October 9; 7:00 - 8:45 PM
Where: Various venues throughout Newport
Admission: $20 online / $25 at the door
Details: Five nights of comedy at venues all over Newport featuring over 70 stand-up comedians from Comedy Central, CONAN, HBO, Last Comic Standing, The Tonight Show w/ Jimmy Fallon, MTV, VH1 and more!
BOWEN'S WHARF COLUMBUS DAY SIDEWALK SALE
When: Friday, October 6 - Monday October 9; 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Where: Bowen's Wharf
Admission: Free
Details: Make your way to the waterfront for the Bowen's Wharf Columbus Day sidewalk sale where shops will be featuring fantastic deals for end-of-the-season sales.
NEWPORT MARATHON AND HALF-MARATHON
When: Sunday, October 8, 2017, 7:30 AM
Where: 175 Memorial Boulevard, Newport, Rhode Island
Entry Cost: Marathon: $100 (plus fee) and Half-Marathon: $80 (plus fee)
Details: Enjoy 13.1 or 26.2 miles of scenic, oceanfront splendor at the Newport Marathon and Half Marathon. Long stretches of gorgeous views, challenging hills, and Newport's unique beauty make this a bucket-list experience for any runner.
A portion of each ticket sold will be donated directly to local non-profits. In 2015, the event helped raise more than $70,000 in charitable donations.
TERROR ON THE TRACKS
When: Thursday - Sunday through October
Where: Rail Explorers
Details: Savor fireside s'mores and hot chocolate as you ride the haunted tracks.
2ND ANNUAL BROADWAY STREET FAIR
When: Saturday, October 7; 12:00 - 6:00 PM
Where: Broadway District
Admission: Free
Details: The Broadway Street Fair begins at Equality Park and extends all along the street offering live music, food, family activities and exhibiting artists. Five outdoor stages will feature local musicians, comedy, and dance. More than a dozen restaurants will show off their culinary talents, and local artisans will showcase their creativity, too.
RELATED: A Guide to Fall Festivals & Fairs Coming to Newport & Bristol Counties
FORTRESS OF NIGHTMARES AT FORT ADAMS
When: Friday and Saturday through October starting October 13
Where: Fort Adams
Admission:$15
Details: Fortress of Nightmares at Fort Adams includes Tunnels of Terror, Mayhem 3D, Paranormal 360 Virtual Reality, and a Kids Fun House for children who might scare easily.
BOWEN'S WHARF 26TH ANNUAL SEAFOOD FESTIVAL
When: Saturday, October 14 - Sunday, October 15; 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Where: Bowen's Wharf, Newport, Rhode Island
Admission: Free
Details: Honoring the harvest of the sea, this Festival offers fresh local seafood, continuous live music and family fun. Cafe-style seating is set up throughout the Wharf and proceeds from festival bars benefit Oliver Hazard Perry, RI's brand new 200-foot official sailing education vessel which will be at Bowen's Wharf Marina and available for ship visits. NEW for 2017: Gluten-free delicacies from Lola's Blue Farm.
RELATED: Deal Alert: Plan Your Autumn Escape With These Cozy Hotel Deals
ANNUAL CITIZENS BANK PELL BRIDGE RUN
When: Sunday, October 22, 7:00 AM
Where: Jamestown, Rhode Island
Entry Cost: $50 before September 30, $55 October 1-19
Details: The Citizens Bank Pell Bridge run is a 4 mile run/walk that serves as a major fundraiser for dozens of local charities each year. This race is hosted by the Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority and managed by Gray Matter Marketing.
RELATED: Registration Is Officially Open for Citizen's Bank Pell Bridge Run
HALLOWEEN CARNEVIL
When: Friday, October 27; 7:00 - 11:00 PM
Where: Newport Vineyards
Admission: $55 per person
Details: Head to Newport Vineyards for a costume party with an evening full of circus performers, fortune teller machine and more. Ticket includes Creepy Cocktail Hour with nosh food, (1) drink, meet and greet with Ami Bruni and Adam Berry of TLC's Kindred Spirits, music from DJ Buff from 92 PRO-FM, juggling performances from Circus Dynamics and fortune teller machine. Prizes for best costume.
FARMFEST
When: Saturday, October 28; 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Where: Mount Hope Farm
Admission: Free
Details: Mount Hope Farm, the 127-acre National Historic Site in Bristol RI, will host its annual FarmFest Celebration on Saturday, October 28 with tours, Native American storytellers, militia re-enactments, viewing of farm animals, hayrides and much more.
NEWPORT VINEYARD'S HARVEST FESTIVAL
When: Sunday, October 29, 2017; 12:00 - 5:00 PM
Where: Newport Vineyards
Admission: $25 per person, includes wine tasting
Details: Sip, savor and toast to the season's’ crush at Newport Vineyard's second annual Harvest Festival. A day full of grape stomping, pie eating, wine tasting goodness. Enjoy live music while sipping cocktails and noshing on food from the vineyard's culinary team and local vendors. Below are some of the fun activities that are being offered:
- 1:00 PM & 3:00 PM: Grape Stomping
- 2:00 PM: Pie Eating Contest
*Grape stomping and pie eating contestants will be selected at random the day of the event. Please be present and dressed accordingly.
RELATED: The Ultimate Newport Fall Bucket List
TASTE OF NEWPORT
When: Sunday, October 29, 2017
Where: The Atlantic Resort
Admission: $125 per person
Join Child & Family for the 34th annual Taste of Newport to benefit community programs and services that help Rhode Islanders in need. Enjoy savories, sweets and sips from Newport’s finest restaurants, caterers, confectioners, and beverage vendors. For information and tickets visit childandfamilyri.org
