Here’s some weekend trivia for you: What do pumpkins, Taylor Swift, Pokémon, fashion, foliage, swing dancing, and chocolate have in common? They’re all being celebrated at events around the state this weekend! Don’t let this crispy weather weekend pass you by without making the most of your fall free time.
Seeking some more artistic inspiration for your weekend plans? Check out our Weekly Entertainment report for live music and lively arts in and around Southern NH.
Multi-day events:
Oct. 9-12
Honk! Festival of Activist Street Bands, Davis Square, Somerville, MA – An awesome annual 3-day free festival bringing brass bands from all over the United States and the world to Somerville for a celebration of music, community and activism. Organized entirely by volunteers and now in its 20th year, the festival kicks off on Friday night with a lantern parade in Davis Square neighborhoods and a band showcase. On Saturday more than 33 bands take over Davis Square for a giant music and dance party. On Sunday, local community groups, artists, and activists working for a variety of progressive causes — economic justice, protecting the environment, world peace, an end to racism — join the brass bands to make a spectacular parade from Davis Square to Harvard Square along Mass Avenue. The 2025 HONK! Festival will also include a HONK! U Conference on Thursday, October 9 at Tufts University’s Department of Music, from 10 am – 5 pm, with breakfast available starting at 9 am.
Oct. 10-12
Milford Pumpkin Festival, Milford, NH – Activities, music, and more! Join for the Opening Ceremony and Citizen of the Year Presentation, The Great Pumpkin Weigh Off, Pumpkin Runner & Lighting of the Town Hall Pumpkin, the Haunted Trail, Beer Wine & Spirit Tasting, Pumpkinfest 5K and Kids Fun Run, and more. There will also be 3 days of live music across 3 stages. This year’s festival will take place on Friday, Oct. 10 from 5 pm – 9pm, Saturday, Oct. 11, from 10 am – 9 pm, and Sunday, Oct. 12 from 10 am – 3pm. More info here.
Warner Fall Foliage Festival, Warner, NH – Since 1947, the people of Warner have hosted the Warner Fall Foliage Festival to welcome old and new friends to our community. With hundreds of local volunteers helping to put on the event and raise money for community organizations, the Festival has donated thousands of dollars to organizations to support the growth and enrichment of local culture, music, art, sports, town and school projects, parks and facilities. Please join us on Main Street to celebrate the return of the Festival this year, October 10-12, 2025!
Oct. 11-13
Pumpkin Festival, Charmingfare Farm, Candia, NH – Bring the whole family to Charmingfare Farm’s Pumpkin Festival, the ultimate family-friendly fall event in New Hampshire! Your kids will love searching for the perfect pumpkin in our expansive pumpkin patch or picking one from our Market Stand. Enjoy a scenic horse-drawn hayride, meet and greet animals at the petting zoo, and let the little ones explore our exciting cornstalk maze. Take a fun-filled tractor train or horse-drawn ride, there’s even pony rides for children. With a wide variety of fall activities for kids, there’s something for everyone at this unforgettable autumn event. This festival will take place on Saturday, Oct. 11, Sunday, Oct. 12, and Monday, Oct. 13 from 10 am – 3 pm each day. More info here.
The Sandwich Fair, 7 Wentworth Hill Rd, Sandwich, NH – A Columbus Day weekend tradition since 1910, this classic fall country fair has it all– camping, carnival rides, craft exhibits, fair food, livestock shows, live music and more! Events will take place on Saturday, Oct. 11, Sunday, Oct. 12, and Monday, Oct. 13, from 8 am – 5 pm each day. More info here.
Applecrest Farm Orchards 3-Day Holiday Weekend Festival, Hampton Falls, NH – Applecrest Farm Orchard’s fall harvest season continues this weekend with our 3-Day Holiday Weekend Festival! Over a dozen varieties of Pick-Your-Own Apples including Mutsu, Empire, McIntosh, Cortland, Macoun, Ida Red, Honeycrisp and Red Delicious! Many more varieties available in the market. Pick-Your-Own Pumpkins too! We look forward to you joining us here at Applecrest Farm Orchards for a fun-filled fall family day! Enjoy the corn maze, barnyard animals, hot apple cider donuts, corn roast & grill. Satisfy your sweet tooth with ice cream treats from the creamery and scratch made goodies from our in-house bakery!
Oct. 9
Life of a Swiftie, Nashua Public Library, Nashua, NH – For tweens and teens. Get ready, Swifties! Taylor Swift’s Life of a Showgirl is here, and we’re throwing a party to celebrate. Join us for music, games, and creative activities inspired by the new album. Discuss your favorite songs, test your Taylor knowledge, and make your own Swift-themed crafts. The party kicks off on Thursday, Oct. 9 at 4 pm.
Catch Em’ Card Show: Show on the Road, The Venues at the Factory, Manchester, NH – Catch Em’ Card Show is hitting the road AGAIN and we are back in Manchester, NH! Join us for a special edition of New England’s favorite midweek trading card and collectibles event, now in a brand new city! Dive into a night of Pokémon, sports cards, Magic the Gathering, One Piece, and more—right in the heart of Manchester. This event will take place on Thursday, Oct. 9 from 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm at The Venues at the Factory.
An Evening with David Sedaris, Nashua Center for the Arts, Nashua, NH – David Sedaris, America’s best-selling humorist and social satirist, returns following publication of his most recent book of short stories, Happy Go Lucky, and his first ever children’s book, Pretty Ugly. In his customary sartorial and humorous manner, David will make you laugh and think in equal measures, with all new, unpublished stories and commentary. As always, the reading will be accompanied by a pre and post-show book signing. This event will take place on Thursday, Oct. 9 starting at 7:30 pm. Get tickets here.
Oct. 10
Open Mic Night: Sober Social, Rhythm & Roots Dance Studio, Manchester, NH – Step into the spotlight and share your voice! Whether it’s poetry, music, dance, or spoken word, the mic is yours, pookie. This event will take place on Friday, Oct. 10 from 7 pm – 9 pm at Rhythm & Roots Dance Studio on Hanover St. $10 at the door. Featuring special performances by Lianna Giannini. Come connect, create, and celebrate the arts. No judgment, just good vibes and raw talent.
Moonlight Market, Hooksett Town Hall, Hooksett, NH – Join us for a spooky, fun-filled evening at the Moonlight Market on Friday, Oct. 10, from 4 pm – 8 pm at Hooksett Town Hall. Browse a variety of local vendors offering handmade and homemade treasures (vendor list updated weekly!) Cake Walk – $1 per walk – try your luck and win a delicious dessert! Kids’ Coloring & Crafts Corner – free activities for the little ones! Raffles – $1 per ticket or 6 for $5 – prizes donated by our amazing vendors! Free admission – fun for the whole family! Mark your calendars, bring a friend, and enjoy an evening of shopping, treats, and Halloween fun at the Moonlight Market!
NH Fashion Week, Event Center Nashua, Nashua, NH – Experience an unforgettable evening celebrating fashion, community, and creativity. Sip and socialize during a chic cocktail hour, be captivated by stunning runway collections from New Hampshire and New England’s top designers, and close the night with an exclusive VIP reception. Our Mission NH Fashion Week showcases the immense talent within New England while connecting our community to local small businesses-fostering a thriving economy and vibrant cultural scene. This event will take place on Friday, Oct. 10 from 6 pm – 9 pm. Get tickets here.
Oct. 11
S.C.A.R.E Costume Giveaway, Nashua Public Library, Nashua, NH – Come by and find your perfect costume! New and gently-used costumes ranging from infants through adults XXL will be available. Donations of costumes to S.C.A.R.E are also accepted at this time. This event will take place on Saturday, Oct. 11 from 9 am – 12 pm. Visit their website at scarenh.org to learn more and find additional distribution sites.
Coloring Main Street, Downtown Nashua, NH – Get ready to bring Downtown Nashua to life with color! Coloring Main Street invites local artists and art lovers of all ages—from kids to adults, young and young-at-heart—to transform the sidewalks into a giant, life-size coloring book. Chalk outline murals will be set up on and around Main Street, from the Main Street Bridge to the Nashua Public Library to City Hall. This community event will take place on Saturday, Oct. 11 from 11 am – 1 pm.
Boston Indigenous Peoples Day March, Park St Station, Boston, MA – INDIGENOUS PEOPLES DAY NOW! Indigenous Peoples Day MA is a coalition of organizations and individuals who work to get Indigenous Peoples Day legislation passed in Massachusetts and to implement celebrations. Join Indigenous Peoples Day MA on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 12 pm at Park St. Station for a march endorsed by the following organizations: United American Indians of New England (UAINE), Boston People’s Reparations Commission, Cultural Survival, New Democracy Collation and Italians for Indigenous Peoples Day.
Free Swing Dance with Clyde Bisbee, Pembroke City Limits, Pembroke, NH – Come to a free swing dance with Clyde Bisbee and the wheelhouse revelers. The swing dance lesson will take place on Saturday, Oct. 11 from 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm by Northshore Swing. Dance/ social from 6:30 pm to 7 pm. Clyde hits the stage at 7 pm sharp for a night of dancing.
Improv Comedy Double Feature, New Hampshire Theatre Project, Portsmouth, NH – Join us for spooky season with 2 different shows in one night! In Edgar Allan Bingoe, Poe-inspired prompts drawn from a bingo cage help inspire scenes while the audience plays along for a prize. In A Night of the Living Dead Improvised, our cast interviews / then plays as audience members trapped in a farmhouse surrounded by zombies. Who knows what will happen! This event will take place on Saturday, Oct. 11 from 7 pm – 8:30 pm. Get tickets here.
Oct. 12
The Chocolate Expo 2025 New Hampshire, Doubletree by Hilton Manchester Expo Center, Manchester, NH – The Chocolate Expo returns for a third exciting year to the Doubletree Expo Center in Manchester, NH, with tastings & sales of chocolates, baked goods, specialty foods, cheeses and craft beverages (wines, spirits, etc.), along with entertainment and presentations throughout the day. The expo will take place on Sunday, Oct. 12 from 10 am – 6 pm. Get tickets here.
Moo Moos & Mimosas, Local Street Eats, Nashua, NH – Sip, sway, and slay… in your comfiest glam!
Bring your flowy fits, oversized sunnies, & brunch crew for the most fabulous Sunday vibes! Brunch is on Sunday, Oct. 12 from 11 am – 2 pm. Reservations required. Reserve your spot online here.
Planning Ahead?
October 16: Phantom of the Opera with Live Piano, Nashua NH
October 25: NH PoutineFest 2025, Merrimack NH
October 25: NH Pumpkin Festival, Laconia NH