Applauded by media with accolades like “most spectacular places for fall foliage” by Buzzfeed and “Best fall destination” by TripAdvisor and USA Today/10 Best, Mt Washington Valley and the White Mountains are a popular fall vacation choice.

It’s no wonder why. Mother Nature simply never disappoints with her harvest hues painting a patina across the mountains. There are so many ways to peep a leaf in Mt Washington Valley, and that’s reason enough to come.  

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Add in special fall festivals, family fun, foliage and fairs throughout the Valley and it’s no wonder this is such a popular vacation destination. We always advise visitors to ‘book now or forever hold your peep”.  With more than 150 lodging properties in the Valley, there’s always room for fall visitors, but it gets harder and harder to find availability the closer you get to peak foliage (usually coincides with Columbus Day but varies by weather each year).

Pull out the calendar and start planning your fall getaway around these exciting fall festivals, fairs, and fundraisers! Have a ball this fall with foliage and family fun!

Fall Fest at Settlers Green: Experience the best of fall in the White Mountains with family-friendly fun at Settlers Green's annual Fall Festival on September 28th. Featuring a Candy Pumpkin Guessing Contest, complimentary apples on the green, a kids hay maze and pumpkin painting as well as fall displays.

Live Music featuring String Equinox - the talented duo of Shana Aisenberg and Beverly Woods - will be ongoing from 11am to 1pm "on the green" in the Courtyard. Beverly specializes in playing the hammered dulcimer and Shana specializes in the violin. Seating will be provided to sit in and enjoy.

Settlers Green is also hosting the Busker Festival on October 12th and 13th, where shoppers will discover music around every corner at Settlers Green. More than a dozen street musicians are scattered throughout Settlers Green, filling the autumn air with sweet sounds of bluegrass, jazz and rock and roll to enjoy while shopping and dining. The buskers play from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day.

It's also important to save the date for Settlers Green's famed annual shopping event, Bring a Friend on November 1st - 11th. The perfect girls getaway, enjoy shopping deals, great dining experiences, giveaways and entertainment. The event culminates on Saturday, November 9, 2024, with the bulk of activities including the coveted 1000 shopping bag giveaway at 8 a.m. on The Green to kick off the day. Stores also have extended hours on that day, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and there is entertainment, live DJs and more.

Fryeburg Fair: Located in Fryeburg, Maine. This is a hybrid of a food festival, livestock show, 4-H competition, and carnival, complete with rides and games. It sits on 185 acres of land, is spread across 100 buildings, and attracts over 220,000 people annually. It's taking place September 29th - October 6th, this year!

While there are many reasons to visit the Fryeburg Fair, many come for its food scene. People wait all year for the vendors who are famous for their pizza, fried dough, loaded baked potatoes, apple crisp, glazed donuts, turkey legs, and more. Many visitors make special relationships with individual vendors, and return year after year to see the same bakers and chefs for their signature fair food.

Enjoy taking in special events such as the Skillet and Anvil Throw, Firemen's Muster, or Sheepdog Trials, as well as daily live entertainment with an impressive lineup of musicians.

Sandwich Fair: Happening October 12th through October 14th, this traditional agricultural fair features thrilling rides and midway concessions, music and entertainment, agricultural exhibits, crafts, parades, and delicious food. Events over the three days will include parades, Children’s Day on Saturday, and Family Day on Sunday. Monday is Senior Citizen/4H/Military Day, with free admission for active or retired military.

A new cornhole tournament is being planned for Friday night, Oct. 11th and Saturday morning Oct. 12th, always a favorite competition for New Englanders!

Now in its 115th year, The Sandwich Fair is one of New Hampshire’s longest running agricultural fairs. It draws thousands of visitors from around New England for the Columbus Day weekend event. Plenty of free and paid parking around the historic small-town makes the Sandwich Fair an easily accessible, fall-foliage adventure to plan for.

Return of the Pumpkin People: Each year, a highlight of foliage season is "The Return of the Pumpkin People" now in its 40th year. Businesses throughout Mt. Washington Valley create whimsical displays of pumpkin people; the only requirement being that the heads are made of pumpkins. Take a self-guided tour of the pumpkin people and vote on your favorite from Oct 1-31, 2024. At least a dozen of the pumpkin people will be located at Settlers Green. Maps available at participating properties and online at JacksonNH.com.‍

"Get ready to do the Time Warp again! The cult classic "Rocky Horror Picture Show" is coming to M&D Playhouse October 10, 11, and 12, complete with a live shadow cast. Whether you're a Rocky Horror virgin or a seasoned veteran, this interactive experience is NOT TO BE MISSED. Join us for outrageous fun, wild costumes, and unforgettable performances. Don't dream it, be it—grab your tickets now!" A Rocky Horror Picture Show shadow cast is a common feature at showings of the movie, which is known for its fan participation. A group of actors lip-sync and act out the 1975 cult classic movie as it is shown on the screen. 

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For complete trip planning resources and information, explore this site, visitmwv.com, or call 800-367-3364 (800-DO-SEE-NH) to talk to a Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce rep.  To learn more about New Hampshire vacations, go to www.VisitNH.gov.