Southern New Hampshire is teeming with fun things to do this October. Check out these examples, from fall festivals to stunning scenic drives.
Ask any local what their favorite season is, and you’re likely to hear the word “fall” escape their mouth with sheer adoration. New Hampshire springs are lovely, and summers here are fairly temperate. But fall is another story entirely. The weather is crisp and fresh, the foliage statewide burns in harmonious colors, and everyone’s moods are lifted as they settle into new routines for the months to come.
It also doesn’t hurt that there’s a lot to do throughout the fall, especially in October. It’s the perfect period: Summer has just ended, and it’s not too cold yet, making going outdoors a treat rather than a scorcher or a shiver-inducing trek. Want to get in on the fun? We’ve rounded up everything you need to do in Southern New Hampshire this month, from the state’s best fall festivals to scenic drives and lovely farms to check out for peak autumnal fun.
1. Pumpkin Festival at Charmingfare Farm
Address: 774 High St, Candia, NH 03034
Dates: Oct. 3, 4, 10, 11 & 12
This October, Charmingfare Farm is holding its annual Pumpkin Festival to get everyone properly in the autumnal spirit. Located not far from Concord, Charmingfare Farm hosts many events throughout the year, including sleigh rides close to Christmas, but you don’t want to miss the Pumpkin Festival in particular. The festival promises petting-zoo fun, pumpkin picking, serene hayrides, and so much more.
Tickets cost $29 per person or $89 for a family, and they come with a two-hour window of time to enjoy everything the festival has to offer.
2. Warner Fall Foliage Festival
Address: 2 W Main St, Warner, NH 03278
Dates: Oct. 9-11
Another longstanding event in New Hampshire, the Warner Fall Foliage Festival is in its 79th year. The festival is put on by Warner locals who raise money through the foods, activities, and more that are sold during the three-day event, as well as donations, all of which go back into the community through various charities and programs.
The 2026 festival will feature live animals, a market full of crafts and locally grown produce, food-themed events like an ice cream eating contest and a lobster dinner, and so much more. It’s fun for the whole family, and it’s something uniquely Warner that you need to experience at least once.
3. Ghosts on the Banke
Address: 14 Hancock St, Portsmouth, NH 03801
Dates: Oct. 16-17 & 23-24
Every year, Portsmouth’s Strawbery Banke Museum, a living history museum that preserves architecture and culture from America’s founding years, hosts Ghosts on the Banke, a trick-or-treating event that immerses participants in whimsical, historical fun. The houses that make up the living museum area become the trick-or-treating neighborhood for these two weekends, with ghosts of famous figures throughout America’s history residing in them. One might even contain a witch!
Tickets for Ghosts on the Banke cost $17, or $8.50 if you’re a member of the museum. And it may well be worth it. In addition to trick-or-treating, participants can jam to themed music, play themed games complete with prizes, and more.
4. Halloween Howl
Date: Oct. 23
Halloween Howl is back in 2026, bringing Concord together for two hours of unadulterated family fun. Community members will come together on Oct. 23 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. to enjoy live music, trick-or-treating, delicious dishes from local food trucks, festival games, and more.
Plus, a winner will be crowned at the annual costume contest, so you’ll want to pull out all the stops on an inspired Halloween look. Sponsored by Intown Concord, this free event will be spread out over Main St., which will remain closed throughout the evening to ensure guests’ safety.
5. Laconia Pumpkin Festival
Dates: Oct. 23-24
The Laconia Pumpkin Festival is slated to bring fa-boo-lous fun to downtown Laconia from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Oct. 23 and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Oct. 24. This annual festival is a treat to the senses: The Pumpkin Tower is a hauntingly beautiful sight you won’t soon forget, and the local-made treats (like candy apples) are perfectly on-theme and scrumptious. Then, there’s the costume parade and live music that will make you feel oh-so alive. This is one event you will absolutely want to dress up for and take plenty of pictures at.
6. Portsmouth Halloween Parade
Date: Oct. 31
The Portsmouth Halloween Parade is entering its 31st year, and it will kick off at 7 p.m. on All Hallows’ Eve after folks gather at Pierce Island by Prescott Park. The parade is organized by locals who are passionate about Halloween, and it’s a free, come-one-come-all event for anyone who wants to strut the streets of Portsmouth in their costume.
Walking in the parade is a great way to show off your 2026 look, but you can also spectate from the sidelines and make new friends. No matter what, you’ll contribute to a delightful display of the community’s passion.
7. Concord Farmers’ Market
Address: 65 Capitol St, Concord, NH 03301
Bringing the city’s farmers, makers, and shoppers together since 1981, the Concord Farmers’ Market closes for the 2026 season on Oct. 31. However, you still have a few weekends to make it and support local artisans. The market is open every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., and it features fresh fruits and vegetables, delectable cheeses, homemade treats for your pets, crisp coffees, and so much more.
Even if you don’t buy anything, walking through the market is sure to boost your serotonin levels. Plus, who doesn’t love crisp fall air in the morning?
8. Haunted Overload at DeMeritt Hill Farm
Address: 20 Orchard Way, Lee, NH 03861
DeMeritt Hill Farm is a beloved institution in the Lee area, and for good reason. The owners and staff are incredibly friendly, and the farm’s year-round activities give locals things to look forward to at all times. Throughout October, you can attend many seasonal events, including Pumpkins and Pilates, Giant Pumpkin Carving, and the Chunky Knit Pumpkin Workshop. However, we’d argue the best one is Haunted Overload, the farm’s annual spooky event in honor of Halloween.
Haunted Overload begins on Oct. 8 and runs through Nov. 1. The haunted attraction has ticketed times during the day (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and at night (6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.), so there’s time for everyone to visit. Tickets range in price from $16 to $40, and reviewers say it’s worth the price. One visitor shared in a Google review, “This is a MUST VISIT Halloween attraction. During the day walk, you can see the architecture and design better. But the night walk is EPIC!! The pictures don’t justify the scale of the structures but it was so cool.” Sign us up!
9. Sunfox Farms
Address: Gully Hill Rd, Concord, NH 03301
Sunfox Farms is a family-friendly destination all year, but it really comes alive in the fall, when its corn maze becomes a favorite attraction for locals. The 2026 season for Sunfox Farms’ Corn Maze and PYO Pumpkins event is the month of October.
Throughout the month, visitors can check out these activities every Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The maze covers six acres, giving explorers plenty of room to get lost in without being overwhelming, and tickets are just $13 per person.
While at Sunfox Farms, you may catch live music on certain days, and you’re bound to smell delicious tacos, which the farm’s staff prepared with freshly picked produce. After you’ve danced and eaten, you can pick out your own pumpkin for $0.89 per pound. Then you can have another full night of fun by carving it, roasting its seeds for a yummy salty snack, and seeing it lit up for the first time.
10. Take a scenic drive to appreciate fall foliage
October is the perfect sweet spot between summer and winter, and with it comes beautiful fall foliage that’s ablaze. There’s nothing else like it, and those oranges, reds, and yellows are arguably more vibrant in New England than anywhere else, so why not take advantage of it?
This October, pack your favorite snacks, pick up your favorite perfectly spiced latte, and take a trip through the 80-mile-long Monadnock Region Loop to become awash in fall’s beauty. You could also take the Kancamagus Highway to Lincoln, but as you likely know, it’s a tourist hotspot that’s frequently backed up with traffic, making it harder to appreciate the serene, stunning scenery around you. Along both routes, there are hiking opportunities if you want to become even better acquainted with nature.
