2025 MA Fall Fun Guide: The Big E, 'Hocus Pocus' Reunion And More

MASSACHUSETTS — The autumnal equinox on Monday, Sept. 22, signals the official arrival of fall, but the season is already in full swing in the Bay State with events like corn mazes, hay rides, fall festivals and harvest events.

Sunny days and crisp evenings are perfect for outdoor fun. One can’t-miss event is the Topsfield Fair on the North Shore. It's completely stacked with a hot dog eating contest, must-see entertainment, like a Taylor Swift experience and a performance from Frankie Avalon.

But that’s just the beginning of fun activities taking place over the next couple of months.

Are you planning an event this fall? Feature it so nearby readers see it all across Patch — including in roundups like this!

Below, find the 2025 Patch Guide to Fall Fun in Massachusetts:

Salem's Haunted Happenings:

'Hocus Pocus' Cast Reunion in Salem
"It's Just a Buncha Halloween" will be a four-day tour of actors Jason Marsden (Binx), Vinessa Shaw (Alison), Larry Bagby (Ice), Omri Katz (Max) and Tobias Jelinek (Jay) will include a movie screening and Q&A at Beverly's historic Cabot Theater and an appearance in Salem as the grand marshals of the annual Haunted Happenings parade on Oct. 2.

October Club in Salem
Nearly three dozen Salem businesses are partnering with The Salem Pantry to help turn the tourism boom into a lasting impact for those who experience food insecurity in the region.

There are hundreds of attractions and activities in Salem leading up to Halloween. You can find more here.

Related: 'Toughen Up Salem': Safety Stressed As 1.15+ Million Witch City Halloween Season Visitors Expected

Festivals & Fairs:

King Richard's Faire - Carver
New England's largest and longest-running Renaissance festival. It's open on weekends from Aug. 30 to Oct. 19. The faire at 5 Pine St., promises live entertainment, jousts, delicious food and an artisan marketplace.

The Big E - West Springfield
Largest event on the East Coast with entertainment, attractions and food. It runs for 17 days from Sept. 12 through Sept. 28, at 1305 Memorial Ave.

Applefest at Wachusett Mountain - Princeton
Apple-flavored treats from candy to cocktails, and a beautiful view of fall foliage. The event runs two weekends on Oct. 18 and 19, and Oct. 25 and 26. It's at Wachusett Mountain Ski Area, located at 499 Mountain Rd.

Harvest Moon Festival, Classic Car Show - Onset
A car show, with vendors, food trucks and live music, presented by Rusty Nuts Car Club. It's at Onset Pier, located at 186 Onset Ave.

Topsfield Fair - Topsfield
One of America's oldest fairs, stacked with a hot dog eating contest; entertainment like a Taylor Swift experience and performance from Frankie Avalon; as well as rides, games and tons of food options. The fair runs from Oct. 3 to 13, at 207 Boston St.

Entertainment

The Boston She Party presents LIBERATED — Beverly
Burlesque-style show with live jazz musicians guiding you through the Boston Tea Party, Stamp Act and the Boston Massacre, all with a wink to 18th-century colonial intrigue.

Plenty of stars are heading to Massachusetts this Fall to perform, including Mt. Joy, Lorde and Sombr.

Related: MA Fall 2025 Concert Guide: Tyler Childers, Lorde, NBA Youngboy, Addison Rae And More

Oktoberfest

Harpoon Octoberfest - Boston
Octoberfest party with beer, music, contests and chicken dancing. Located at Harpoon's Beer Hall at 306 Northern Ave. on Oct. 3 and 4.

Jack's Abby Oktoberfest - Framingham
The German-inspired brewery hosts an Oktoberfest-style event with games, food and lager. Two weekends on Sept. 27 at noon and Oct. 5 at 9:00 pm. It's located at Jack's Abby Beer Hall at 100 Clinton St.

Corn Mazes:

Davis Mega Maze - Sterling
Maze boasts it's designed to be the world's best maze and can take anywhere from 30 minutes to three hours to complete. There are 8 acres of corn and 3 miles of pathways. It's open from Sept. 27 to Oct. 26 and located at 142 Redstone Hill. There will be an Adventure & Brews: The Ultimate Maze Day there on Oct. 11.

Mike's Maze - Sunderland
25th year of Mike's Maze, equipped with playground, giant slide and more. It's open Sept. 5 to Nov. 2 at Warner Farm, located at 23 S. Main St.

Sauchuk's Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch - Plympton
There are nearly 50 fun activities at this site, like a cow train, hayride, duck races and two corn mazes. It's open from Sept. 13 through Oct. 26 and located at 200 Center St.

Related:

• Where To Pick Apples Around Framingham: 2025 Guide
• Where To Pick Apples Around Worcester: 2025 Guide

Running Events

Boston Half Marathon - Boston
The Boston Half Marathon is on Nov. 9. The race begins and ends in Boston's Franklin Park, located at 1 Franklin Park Rd.

Baystate Marathon - Lowell
This marathon, hosted by the Greater Lowell Road Runners, is on Oct. 19. There are other races, like a half-marathon and relay, on the same day. The race starts at Tsongas Center, located at 300 Arcand Dr.

Cape Cod Marathon - Falmouth
This marathon is on Oct. 12 and starts at the Mullen Hall School on Katharine Lee Bates Rd. There are other races on the course during the weekend, including a 5k and a half-marathon.

Related: MA 2024 Leaf-Peeping Guide: When Fall Foliage Will Reach Peak Colors