15 Best County Fairs Nearish to Boston: Fall 2024 [08/06/24]

Fall is almost upon us and it’s the season of lots of wonderful things: pumpkins, apple picking, foliage, Patriots Season, and county fairs. There’s nothing quite like roaming the fairgrounds with friends (or your sweetie), snacking on fried dough, playing games, and riding the ferris wheel. Fairs are listed chronologically.

by Celina Colby

The 141st Bolton Fair (Lancaster, MA)

Date: August 9–11

Distance: 47.6 miles from Boston

Details: This family-friendly fair prioritizes education, community, agriculture, and creativity. Visit a historic blacksmith’s shop, try your hand at a Human Rooster Crowing Contest, watch a hypnotist show, and more.

Washington County Fair (Richmond, RI)

Date: August 14-18

Distance: 82.4 miles from Boston

Details: Love roller coasters? The Washington County fair has you covered with the largest traveling roller coaster in New England.

Hardwick Community Fair (Hardwick, MA)

Date: August 16–17

Distance: 70 miles from Boston

Details: The "Oldest Fair in the United States", established in 1762, features agricultural and creative exhibits, demonstrations, food, live music, children’s games, wagon rides, an antique tractor parade, and more.

The 156th Marshfield Fair (Marshfield, MA)

Date: August 16–25

Distance: 29.7 miles from Boston

Details: Explore beekeeping, woodcarving, and glassblowing at the Marshfield Fair, plus visit zoo animals, attend a quilting bee, and watch a puppet show. Keep an eye on the special events calendar for live concerts and a demolition derby.

Spencer Fair (Spencer, MA)

Date: August 30 – September 2

Distance: 57.3 miles from Boston

Details: The Spencer Fair is a great example of the traditional, old-time county fair experience. You can watch ox and horse pulls, cattle, rabbit and poultry shows, visit hall exhibits, and experience midway and outdoor entertainment.

3 County Fair (Northampton, MA)

Date: August 30 – September 2

Distance: 101 miles from Boston

Details: The 3 County Fair is jam-packed with cool experiences, from tethered hot air balloon rides, demolition derbies, and live music to a King Arthur baking competition, horse wagon rides, and a cornhole tournament.

King Richard's Faire (Carver, MA)

Date: August 31 – October 20 | Weekends only

Distance: 44.1 miles from Boston

Details: Travel back in time to the age of ale and jousting at King Richard’s Faire. A crew of performers puts on a show to create a Renaissance themed world where you can eat period appropriate food, shop handcrafted goods, and watch spellbinding performances.

The 175th Franklin County Fair (Greenfield, MA)

Date: September 5–8

Distance: 93.8 miles from Boston

Details: Family fun reigns at the Franklin County Fair, where you can watch pig races, an illusionist, high-jumping puppies, a cowboy circus, and demolition derbies all in one place.

The Sterling Fair (Sterling, MA)

Date: September 6–8

Distance: 55.1 miles from Boston

Details: Kick off your visit to The Sterling Fair with a pancake breakfast, build legos at the lego tent, watch tractor pulls, experience fireworks, and see a law sawing contest all in the action-packed fairgrounds.

Hillsborough Country Fair (New Boston, NH)

Date: September 6–8

Distance: 50.9 miles from Boston

Details: Livestock is at the heart of this classic county fair. Visit rabbit and sheep shows, watch oxen pulling, learn about wildlife encounters, and spectate an animal olympics. In addition you can see a battle of the bands and experience breathtaking fireworks.

Granite State Fair (Rochester, NH)

Date: September 12–15 & September 19–22

Distance: 75.1 miles from Boston

Details: The Granite State Fair has upped the ante of state fairs by offering more than 40 carnival and fair rides to the public. The bold can ride roller coasters all day long while more grounded visitors can snack on foods from local vendors. We just don’t recommend mixing the two.

The Big E (Springfield, MA)

Date: September 13–29

Distance: 93.3 miles from Boston

Details: The Big E is one of the biggest and most exciting fairs in New England featuring musical acts like Ludacris and Big Time Rush. Shop the farmer’s market, go on rides, sip a brew at the Sam Adams Beer Garden, and watch the big parade that kicks off the fair.

The Deerfield Fair (Deerfield, NH)

Date: September 26–September 29

Distance: 63.2 miles from Boston

Details: This is the oldest fair in New England and it hasn’t lost a bit of charm over the years. Experience livestock shows, tractor and cattle pulls, magic shows, music, midway rides, the Miss Deerfield Fair Pageant, a pumpkin weighing contest, and more.

Belchertown Fair (Belchertown, MA)

Date: September 29–22

Distance: 92.5 miles from Boston

Details: Belchertown Fair is a community celebration of the region’s agricultural roots. In addition to showcasing their livestock and produce, the fair creates fun for all ages with adult and kid-friendly entertainment, a parade, and an exhibit hall of crafters and local organizations.

Topsfield Fair (Topsfield, MA)

Date: October 4–14

Distance: 22 miles from Boston

Details: You’ll never run out of fun at the Topsfield Fair where you can experience a series of dog-in-the-water events called “Dock Dogs,” a hot dog eating contest, a parade, live music, and more. They even have a sensory-friendly day for visitors with sensory sensitivities.

Photo: Topsfield Fair by @derrickphotos_

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