Your 2026 season guide
Massachusetts Fairs & Festivals 2026
From the Big E to your town green — discover agricultural fairs, craft shows, food festivals, and seasonal celebrations across the Commonwealth.
- 101
- fairs & festivals
- 6
- regions covered
- 24
- happening this month
About Massachusetts fairs and festivals in 2026
Welcome to the most complete guide to Massachusetts fairs and festivals in 2026. We track 101 real events across all 6 regions of the Commonwealth — from century-old agricultural fairs like the Big E and the Topsfield Fair to craft shows, food festivals, and free community celebrations. Search by name above, or filter the full calendar by region, town, month, and date.
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Fairs by season
Spring
Mar – May
Maple festivals, blooming town greens, and the first farmers markets of the year.
See spring fairs →
In season nowSummer
Jun – Aug
Carnivals, waterfront festivals, and county fairs in full swing.
See summer fairs →
Fall
Sep – Nov
The Big E, agricultural fairs, pumpkins, and peak-foliage harvest celebrations.
See fall fairs →
Winter
Dec – Feb
Holiday markets, tree lightings, and cozy indoor craft fairs.
See winter fairs →Browse by month
Fairs this weekend →Browse all fairs & festivals
Your guide to Massachusetts fairs & festivals in 2026
Massachusetts has one of New England’s richest fair-and-festival calendars. Across the year, 101 events light up 6 regions — from the rolling farm country of Western Massachusetts to Cape Cod & the Islands and the towns around Greater Boston.
The season builds all summer and peaks in the fall, when the great agricultural fairs return. The Big E in West Springfield is New England’s largest fair, and the Topsfield Fair — first held in 1818 — is the oldest county fair in the country. Alongside them you’ll find food festivals, music festivals, and cultural celebrations in nearly every town.
Use this directory to plan your year: filter by region, type, town, or month, see what’s on this weekend, or read our guides to the best fall fairs, free events, and more. Every listing has 2026 dates, location, admission, and a link to the organizer.
Browse Massachusetts fairs by type
Frequently asked questions
- When is fair season in Massachusetts?
- Massachusetts fair season runs from late spring through fall. A few festivals begin in May and June, the calendar fills out through July and August with summer carnivals and county fairs, and it peaks in September and October when the big agricultural fairs — led by The Big E and the Topsfield Fair — take over. A handful of holiday markets and indoor craft fairs round out the winter.
- What is the biggest fair in Massachusetts?
- The Big E (the Eastern States Exposition) in West Springfield is the largest by far, drawing more than a million visitors each fall. The Topsfield Fair, first held in 1818, is the oldest continuously running county fair in the United States and the largest in eastern Massachusetts.
- How many fairs and festivals are in this directory?
- This directory tracks 101 fairs and festivals across all 6 regions of Massachusetts for 2026 — agricultural fairs, craft and artisan shows, food festivals, music festivals, cultural celebrations, family carnivals, and seasonal events — each with dates, location, admission, and full details.
- Are there free fairs and festivals in Massachusetts?
- Yes. Many events offer free admission — most town festivals, cultural celebrations, and craft shows cost nothing to attend, and 38 of the listings in this directory are free. Look for the green “Free” badge on any listing.
- What types of fairs and festivals can I find?
- You can browse agricultural fairs, craft and artisan shows, food festivals, music festivals, cultural celebrations, family carnivals, and seasonal events — and filter the full 2026 calendar by region, town, month, and date.