The 7 Best Events Happening in October

Grab your flashlight and explore the Scamman Farm corn maze under the stars.

1. Apple Picking at Applecrest Farm, Hampton Falls, weekends throughout October

If you’re looking for a socially distanced fall activity, apple picking is for you. This fourth-generation farm also grows a number of different fruits, pumpkins and gourds, but there’s a reason apples are its namesake — they have 220 acres of orchards growing more than 40 varieties. From 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., they offer pick-your-own fruit and cut-your-own flowers, bluegrass music, old-fashioned ice cream with fruit from the farm and more. applecrest.com

For a full list of places to apple pick around the Granite State, head to nhmagazine.com/where-to-pick-your-own-apples.

2. Castle Car Show, Moultonborough, October 3

View stunning examples of antique cars dating from the turn of the 20th century in an equally stunning setting. Prizes will be awarded for the people’s choice in the featured category (this year’s featured category is the Pre-War: 1920s and 1930s), and the people’s choice outside of the featured category. castleintheclouds.org

3. Mt. Washington Valley October Craft Fair, North Conway, October 3 and 4

This free fair features over 90 exhibitors displaying their fine jewelry, primitive crafts, country and contemporary décor, functional and decorative pottery, gourmet foods, glass art, fine art, textile arts, quilts, wood turned crafts, furniture and more. There will also be live music to enjoy while you walk around (socially distanced, of course). joycescraftshows.com

4. Virtual Apple Harvest Day, Online, October 3-30

“Apple Harvest Day at Home” will offer vendors and festival goers the opportunity to experience Apple Harvest Day from the safety and comfort of their own home. This new online format will give vendors and visitors the ability to shop Apple Harvest Day for the entire month of October, rather than just a single day. In an effort to preserve the authenticity of the event, there will still be live-streamed program on October 3 featuring events like the “first bite ceremony.” The plan is to give vendors an opportunity during the live stream program to do virtual demonstrations as well. dovernh.org/ahd.

5. Haunted Overload, Lee, October 9-25

This Granite State Halloween classic is back again, though this year the scares and haunts are socially distanced. Experience one-of-a-kind props, set designs, real headless horsemen, hundreds of lighted pumpkins, and monsters looming over the crowd, some as tall as 42 feet. Stop by at night or during the day when no actors are around and see what all the talk is about. hauntedoverload.com

6. Scamman Farm Night Corn Mazes, Stratham, October 9, 16, 23 and 30

Exploring a corn maze is a blast during the day, but exploring one at night makes it a bit more thrilling. Bring your flashlight and check out the twists and turns at this fun corn maze. With stalks growing up to 12 feet tall, it makes for a challenging and immersive maze experience. Each year a new game is revealed within the maze, which adds to the fun by encouraging mazegoers to cover all of the possible paths. scammanfarm.com

Looking for other corn mazes to get lost in this fall? Check out our a-maze-ing list of mazes. 

7. 73rd Virtual Warner Fall Foliage Festival, online, October 10

Just because you can’t meet in person this year doesn’t mean that you can’t still participate in the fall fun. Celebrate the rural life and vibrant foliage online by signing up for the 2020 Festival 5K fun run/walk, buy a raffle ticket for cash prizes, watch streaming coverage of historical parades and other events and much more. wfff.org