Feeling Festive

From the first apple blossoms of spring to the joy of the holiday season, there’s always something to celebrate in North Central Massachusetts.

After a summer packed with blueberry festivals, peach festivals, sunflower festivals and more, local communities are ready to move into high gear in the fall—it is, after all, apple season in Johnny Appleseed’s back yard! But there’s so much more than apples on the festival menu here; you won’t want to miss the Oktoberfest parties (featuring great brews crafted here); pumpkin festivals, where families can gather, and even decorate, those bright orange orbs; and, of course, garlic! Yes, the “festival that stinks” is a late-September tradition in Orange.

And the fun doesn’t end with the harvest festivals on area farms. The Johnny Appleseed Festival is held right in downtown Leominster, and food trucks gather at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area for festival-goers who want to spend a day eating everything from pizza to beef brisket and chocolate-covered strawberries; drinking  craft beer (and pumpkin-spiced ale!); and enjoying live music. Love cannoli? The Italian favorite is the star of a festival in Leominster’s business district.

What’s on your annual Thanksgiving table? You’ll find everything you need at the Thanksgiving Harvest Festival in Phillipston—and you can take a nature hike, watch blacksmith demonstrations, and keep the kids busy with family-friendly activities.

If fall is here, winter can’t be far behind, and you won’t want to miss the Christmas Tree Festivals at the Gardner Museum and Leominster City Hall. Picture it: dozens of themed holiday trees, by local residents and groups. Vote for your favorite; take a chance on winning a tree to take home; bring the kids and watch them delight in the sheer volume of holiday embellishment. Along with the large events listed on this page, local organizations and communities have planned a full plate of festivals this season; many are listed in the Calendar section.

Get that festival feeling any time of the year in North Central Massachusetts! The fun never ends, so be sure to check the calendar for updated information on all the festivities in the region.

September

14 Saturday, 9 am-5pm. Johnny Appleseed 250th Festival in downtown Leominster.

14-15 Saturday-Sunday, 12-3 pm. Great New England BBQ Fest at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, Princeton.

14-15 Saturday & Sunday, 11 am-4 pm. Apple Festival at Hollis Hills Farm, Fitchburg. Live music, vendors, PYO apples, ice cream.

Saturday, 11 am-8 pm. Oktoberfest “Party in the Street” in downtown Gardner. A celebration devoted to beer, food, fun and families. Starting with a Run for the Beer at 10 am, the day includes a keg tapping at 11; Men’s & Women’s Stein-holding Competition at 1 pm; Chair Luge at 2; live music from 3-8 pm.

28-29 Saturday & Sunday, Garlic & Arts Festival at Forster’s Farm, Orange. Visit the “Festival That Stinks” for everything garlic! Travel the garlic globe in the chef demo tent, view work by local artists, participate in workshops and contests at this very “green” event.

October

5-6 Saturday & Sunday, 12-5 pm. Oktoberfest at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, Princeton.  Raise your steins and celebrate with food, live German music, contests, shows, craft and farmers’ market vendors, and activities for the whole family. Wachusett.com.

12 Saturday, 10 am-5 pm. Winchendon Fall Festival. Live bands, food trucks, local artists, performances, kids’ activities, vendors—enjoy a party that encompasses the entire downtown!

14 Monday, 5-9 pm. Cannoli Festival at Monument Park in downtown Leominster.

19-20 Saturday & Sunday, 11 am-5 pm. Applefest at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, Princeton. Local beer, great food, tons of craft vendors, live music and more! Repeats Oct 26-27.

26-27 Saturday & Sunday, 11 am-5 pm. Applefest at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, Princeton. Local beer, great food, tons of craft vendors, live music and more!

November

2-3 Saturday & Sunday, 12–5 pm. Fall Food Truck Fest at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, 499 Mountain Rd., Princeton.

13 Wednesday, 1-4 pm. Opening day of 19th annual Festival of Trees at the Gardner Museum, Gardner. Open Wednesdays-Sundays 10 am–4 pm. Festival closes with raffle of trees on Dec. 7.

18 Opening day of Festival of Trees in Leominster City Hall. See creatively decorated trees through Dec. 19.

Nov 23-24  Saturday & Sunday, 10 am-4 pm. Thanksgiving Harvest Festival at Red Apple Farm, Phillipston. Fresh crops and unique products, pony rides & hayrides, blacksmith demonstrations, local live music, PYO ornamental corn, guided nature hikes.

Nov. 23-24 Thanksgiving Harvest Festival at Red Apple Farm, Phillipston. Find everything you need for your Thanksgiving dinner—and join the hay bale-tossing and other fun farm contests.