Things To Do: Fall Activities in the Ocean State

Summer is officially over, and Fall is here! Rhode Island has fun activities for all ages from corn mazes to pumpkin activities to beer festivals. Help plan your Fall with some of the events below.

Friday, August 28 - Sunday, November 8. On its 75th anniversary, Escobar's Highland Farm Corn Maze in Portsmouth is Wizard of Oz themed spanning eight acres of land. Check out their website for special events and ticket information!

Saturday, August 29 - Sunday, November 1. Salisbury Farm in Johnston also has a corn maze–the first of its kind in New England!–with over a mile of paths over its five acres of land. Tickets and information on the popular Moonlight Mazes can be found on their site.

Saturday, September 26 (10AM-5PM). Head to Rhode Island’s only Organic Gardening Center, The Good Earth in Cranston, for their Harvest Festival! Learn to grow your own food and bring home some local and organic plantings.

Saturday, September 26 (2PM-3:30PM). Venture out to the fields of the Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown to check out the beautiful wildflowers. Pre-register for this short hike on the event website.

Sunday, September 27 (8AM-9:30AM). Celebrate the start of fall with a guided bird walk at Ballard Park in Newport. Bring sturdy shoes and binoculars if you have them!

Sunday, September 27 (10AM-4PM). Each fall, Cluny School in Newport hosts its annual Cluny Country Fair. In its 54th year, this old-fashioned country fair has family-friendly activities and plenty of games and prizes for everyone. Also at the fair are hay rides, raffles, a silent auction, and live music! See all the fun on the event website. Thursday, October 1 - Sunday, November 1. Each Fall, the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence hosts the wondrous Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular. Featuring over 5,000 illuminated jack-o-lanterns, this year's theme is "The People's Choice" and will feature public favorites throughout the past 27 years of shows. Tickets and time information can be found on the event website.

Saturday, October 3 (10AM-4PM). Tranquil Lake Nursery in Rehoboth, MA is hosting a Fall Garden Festival to help you hone your gardening skills for the fall. There will be workshops and hands-on activities and professionals to help.

Saturday, October 3 (11AM-9PM). Peace and Providence is a non-profit organization that aids individual families within Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Each year, they organize a Family Fall Festival at the Alex and Ani Center in Downtown Providence. In their fifth year, there will be bands, vendors, food, raffles, and fun! All proceeds from the event will be used to purchase food and fill 400 Thanksgiving meal baskets and start preparing for Christmas. The event is free, so head down and enjoy a fun-filled day with the fam! Saturday, October 3 & Sunday, October 4 (10AM-5PM). This year marks the 41st Annual Harvest Fair at the Norman Bird Sanctuary in Middletown. This old-fashioned fair is family friendly and features plenty of fun and games. Check out local food vendors and musicians from around the area!

Saturday, October 10 - Monday, October 12. At the WWII Memorial State Park  in Woonsocket, this three day long Autumnfest has local, regional and national acts of all genres as well as fireworks and a parade. Hours and additional information can be found on the festival website.

Saturday, October 17 (10AM-5PM). Head to Bristol for a free Fall Family Open House at the Herreshoff Marine Museum to take a tour, win prizes, and play games!

Saturday, October 17 (12PM-8PM) & Sunday, October 18 (12PM-6PM).   Beer lovers rejoice–the Annual International Oktoberfest has a new location! In its 23rd year, the International Oktoberfest will be on the Providence Waterfront at India Point Park. Enjoy seasonal brews, German cuisine, and lively music. The event is 21+ and tickets can be purchased on the event website.

Sunday, October 18. Head to the Audubon Society of Rhode Island in Bristol for their annual The Perfect Pumpkin Party. Learn how much fun you can have with pumpkins by making pumpkin art, playing pumpkin games, and more! Be prepared to get messy. The event is free with admission and is perfect for all ages.

Sunday, October 18 (12PM-4PM). There’s fun for the whole family at the Narragansett’s Annual Pumpkin Festival at the Kinney Bungalow at Sunset Farm! This free event has hayrides, face painting, pumpkin decorating and more.

Saturday, October 24. Enjoy the fall foliage of Putnam, CT at the three-and-a-half hour long Fall Foliage and Shopping Excursion starting at the Blackstone Valley Train Station in Woonsocket. Participants can enjoy shopping, dining, and the Putnam Pumpkin Festival. Tickets and additional information can be found on the event website.

Saturday, October 24. We may be the smallest state, but Rhode Island holds America’s Largest International Beer Festival in Providence’s RI Convention Center. The 22nd Great International Fall Beer Festival allows you to sample over 250 brews and pizza by Pizza Pier–you can also have conversations with brewers. The proceeds of this event benefits Rhode Island non-profits like the RI Community Food Bank. For ticket information and times, check out the event website.

Saturday, November 7. At the Farmer’s Daughter in South Kingstown, load your pumpkin into a catapult and try to hit a target. Time of the Pumpkin Launch TBD closer to the event date.