Fall on Cape Cod is a simply glorious time of year, a true feast for the senses…from the smell of the crisp, salty ocean air to the sights of vibrant autumn colors, Cape Cod has it all, but without the crowds! To celebrate the season, the Cape comes alive in a frenzy of Fall Festivals. Escape and discover true hometown celebrations bursting with Art, Music, Food, Fun and much more!
Harwich Cranberry Arts & Music Festival 
September 17 & 18
Yes, it has already past this year, but it’s definitely worth making a note of for next year! The Harwich Cranberry Festival has earned a name for itself over the past three decades as one of the top festivals of its kind in America. Highlights include an enormous art and craft sale (and we mean enormous!) and live musical entertainment, a wide selection of food and cuisine and a spectacular fireworks display. Mom and Dad will love the arts and crafts tents, as well as the fantastic Trade and Home Show. The kids will find plenty of fun, and teenagers will no doubt love the sounds of some of the top musical bands and artists in the greater Cape Cod area.
Visit www.harwichcranberryfestival.org for more information.
42nd Annual Bourne Scallop Fest
September 23-25
An exciting weekend paying homage to the native, tasty Scallop. Yearly, over three tons of succulent Scallops are deep fried and served to over 55,000 visitors. But of course, there’s much more to the Bourne Scallop Fest! Featuring a juried craft show, food court tent with everything from herb roasted chicken dinners and lobster rolls to a raw bar and burgers, Midway of rides and games and non-stop entertainment.
A special performance this year will be held on Saturday, September 24. Cape Cod’s own Siobhan Magnus will be performing solo – hopefully with a sneak peak at songs from her first solo album, ‘Beatrice Dream’ which is expected to be released this fall.
Visit www.bournescallopfest.com for complete schedules and listings.
Cape Cod Cranberry Day at Green Briar
October 1
Green Briar celebrates the native berry with cooking demonstrations in the 1903 Jam Kitchen, special exhibits on the cranberry industry on Cape Cod and homemade baked cranberry goods, clam chowder and chili.
Visit www.thorntonburgess.org/SpecialEvents.htm for directions and information.
Harvest Festival at Barnstable County Fairgrounds
October 1 & 2
The festival will include live entertainment by local bands, a marketplace of local farmers and crafters, pony rides, hayrides and much more. Again this year, in the spirit of Oktoberfest, the Harvest Festival will feature a traditional wine and beer garden. Parents and kids can spend quality time together, enjoying kiddie rides, a haunted house, pumpkin painting and the 4-H horse drill team. There will be food vendors, gardening tips and soil testing as well. This year’s theme is “The Holidays Start Here” and will feature exhibitors selling wares and services that will make ideal gifts for year-end celebrations.
Visit www.barnstablecountyfair.org/harvestfest for more information.
25th Annual Oktoberfest
October 8
The 25th Annual Oktoberfest kicks off at the Mashpee Commons’ Village Green with a 10K Road Race and Fun Run, sponsored by New Balance Mashpee. The celebration continues throughout the day with authentic German music by The Vagabonds, Magic Show, K-9 Dog Show, Fiddlers, Irish Step Dancers and exhibits by local crafters and restaurants.
Visit www.MashpeeCommons.com for more information
33rd Annual Yarmouth Seaside Festival
October 8 – 10
The Yarmouth Seaside Festival has grown into a gala event which boasts a craft fair of more than 125 crafters from all over the country, a giant parade, continual musical entertainment, high-quality children’s events, kayak and canoe race, 5K road race, greased pole contests, pie-eating contestsand fireworks display, to name just a few. Bringing together townspeople and tourists alike, this event captures a warm, fun-loving, and still FREE event for all to take part in and enjoy. A huge selection of varying crafts, and a dazzling fireworks display are what truly light up the Yarmouth Seaside Festival, but there’s plenty more to give it substance. A parade, New England cuisine, music, children’s rides, and various competitions help keep the party going all weekend long. Participate in or watch kayak and road races, and be sure to bring along a camera for the sand sculpture contest. The fantastic parade will include antique cars, marching bands, and special surprises for the children. The event itself is free, although you’ll want to bring along some money to enjoy the huge selection of food and other activities that may require a fee.
Visit www.yarmouthseasidefestival.com for more information.
Wellfleet OysterFest – family fun 
October 15 – 16
A bit of a drive, but certainly worth it! This two-day street party celebrates the town’s famous oysters, clams and shellfishing traditions and brings together locals and visitors for a weekend full of hometown flavor and big time fun. The town center becomes a walking district that offers something for everyone: local cuisine, arts and crafts, children’s activities, educational exhibits, live music and the Oyster Shuck-Off competition. Satellite events away from the crowds, and many with the beautiful harbor as a backdrop, showcase all that the village has to offer: beachcombing and bird walks, a 5K road race and children’s fun run, cooking demonstrations, tasting seminars, book talks, and oyster grant tours. Kids will enjoy the moon bounce, pumpkin decorating, face painting, oyster jewelry making, a steel drum workshop, sing-a-longs and more.
Visit www.wellfleetoysterfest.org for more information.
Cape Cod Oyster Festival, Hyannis – more of an adult festival
October 15 – 16
Every Fall, Cape Cod showcases their world famous oysters to the many tourists that come to take part in the Annual Cape Cod Oyster Festival. Relax by the Hyannis Harbor, sampling the very finest of Cape Cod oysters and wine from across the world. All oyster lovers, and those simply needing a break, should make sure to get to Cape Cod this Fall. One price buys you admission to the event, which includes wine, food, and of course, oyster samples. This first-class event benefits the United Way, making it the ideal way to help others while enjoying one of Cape Cod’s most renowned commodities.
Fall for the Arts
Entire Month of October
Follow the Arts Trail throughout the month of October during the Arts Foundation of Cape Cod’s 4th Annual Fall for the Arts Festival, with 125+ special events awaiting you, including live performances by local musicians, special exhibits, arts activities for kids, readings and lectures, guided art and heritage walks, plein air painters and more.
Visit www.artsfoundation.org/fall-for-the-arts for the full line-up of Fall for the Arts events!
