All of the Best Fall Festivals on Cape Cod
Pick a weekend, any weekend, between September 14th and October 21st and there is a fun fall festival happening on Cape Cod. Some are quiet country affairs with family-friendly activities and a slow pace. Others are a big bash with music, dancing and, perhaps, a bit of alcohol available.
The granddaddy of all the Cape Cod fall festivals is Wellfleet OysterFest on October 19th and 20th. It is not by coincidence that Endless Dunes closes for the season following OysterFest. Yes, it’s that big of a deal and, yes, we will sell out.
Let the fun begin!
Harwich Cranberry Arts & Music Festival
This is a small-town event with Norman Rockwellesque appeal. More than 150 crafters are on hand offering everything from jewelry to clothing, art, ceramics, gourmet food and vintage items. Food trucks are kind of a thing on the Cape and you’ll find plenty at this two-day event. Devil’s Purse Brewing Company, from the next town over, is there keeping the kegs flowing. A rotation of live, local music rounds out the fun.
September 14 and 15; Harwich Community Center: 100 Oak Street Harwich
Organized by Mass Audubon, this one-day event keeps the focus on the Cape’s wildlife and is very much geared toward families. Expect wildlife-themed activities and talks with experts from local animal welfare organizations. Past years have included live raptor demonstrations. A live animal show, live music and – wait for it – food trucks complete the day. The location alone is worth the drive: absolutely stunning!
September 14; 345 Bone Hill Road, Cummaquid
Held at the Cape Cod Fairgrounds in East Falmouth, the Cape Cod Brew Fest is quite the haul from our Cape Cod hotel, but craft beer lovers seem to be willing to do anything in their pursuit of the perfect pour, and this event has hundreds from which to choose. More than 50 breweries from throughout the region will offer as many as 200 different types of beer to sample. Live music from The DMB Project amps up the fun. And…wait for it…food trucks help keep bellies full. General admission is $65 and includes beer; designated driver tickets are just $20. Have fun, but please be smart.
September 21, 2:00-5:30pm; 1220 Nathan Ellis Hwy, East Falmouth
Love Local Fest is a one-day event that began as a sleepy little thing and has grown into a juggernaut on the Cape Cod fall festival scene. Held in Aselton Park overlooking Hyannis Harbor, more than 100 craftspeople, farmers and food makers come together to sell all things local. If it’s for sale at Love Local Fest, it is indeed made or grown on Cape Cod (them's the rules). The daylong event includes music from the Catie Flynn Band and Funktapuss.
September 29, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm; Corner of South & Ocean Streets, Hyannis
Much closer to home, so to speak, is the Vinegrass Music Festival which draws bands from around the Cape and around the country to Truro Vineyards. The music blends bluegrass and Americana; think fiddles and mandolins. This year’s lineup includes Yarn, Dirty Grass Players, The Wolff Sisters and Monica Rizzo on the Main Stage. On the Pavilion Stage will be Salted Folk, Tyler Harmon and more. Wine and spirits are available; food trucks are onsite. Tickets are $55.
October 6, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm; Truro Vineyards: 11 Shore Rd, North Truro
Outermost Roots & Blues Festival
Music and a party at a beach? Sign us up! Fans of the nationally renowned G. Love & Special Sauce may not know that “G.” is Garrett Dutton. And they probably have no idea that Garrett is a local boy. This local may have made it big, but he has not forgotten his roots and is often seen around town. G. Love & Special Sauce are the headliners. Others set to play include Slightly Stoopid, Donavon Frankenreiter, and Tauk. Tickets are good for both days of the event and are $189 (children $49; toddlers free). Local beer and food trucks fuel the fun. See website for parking details.
October 12th and 13th, 12:00 pm start; Nauset Beach
Wellfleet OysterFest
This is it! What started as a little gathering of locals celebrating their town’s world-famous shellfish quickly grew into a festival worthy of regular mention in The New York Times. Thousands of people make the trek to the gallery town by the sea to partake of what are arguably the best oysters in the world, enjoy culinary demonstrations, peruse the wares of local artisans, and dance and listen to live music. This year, the organization is taking over Main Street, which sounds like a great idea. The main event is the Shuck Off. We’re not sure what is about watching a few people shuck oysters as fast as possible that’s so exciting, but it is absolutely awesome. Tickets are $30.
October 19 and 20th, starts 10:00 am (we think); Main Street, Wellfleet