Every great road trip deserves an unforgettable stop — and few experiences capture the spirit of the open road like America’s best food and harvest festivals. Across the East Coast, farms, small towns, and coastal communities come alive with the flavors of the season, from sweet strawberries and juicy peaches to golden maple syrup and crunchy pecans.
If your family loves great food, local traditions, and a dash of adventure, these food and harvest festivals are the perfect reason to pack the car and hit the road.
Note: Festival dates and activities can change from year to year — always check the official festival website for the latest updates. (All links below open in a new tab.)
Festival Highlights: The Best Food and Harvest Festivals for Families
Machias Wild Blueberry Festival — Machias, Maine
- When: Mid-August
- Why It’s Special: Tucked away in Downeast Maine, this small-town festival packs a ton of charm, with blueberry pie-eating contests, craft fairs, and live musical performances.
- Families Will Love: Kid-friendly games, a blueberry-themed parade, and the famous Blueberry Musical comedy show.
- Adults Will Love: Local craft booths, blueberry bake-off competitions, and Maine seafood offerings.
- Plan Your Visit: Lodging fills early; consider combining your trip with a visit to Acadia National Park.
Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl — Boston, Massachusetts
- When: Early Summer (June)
- Why It’s Special: Ok, this one was a stretch for this post, but who doesn’t love ice cream and curing cancer – and it does check the dairy category. An ice cream lover’s paradise featuring all you can eat samples from regional creameries, family games, and live entertainment. Single price admission supports the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.
- Families Will Love: Endless ice cream tastings, kids’ activities, and a fun festival vibe.
- Adults Will Love: Artisanal flavors, live music, and exploring nearby Boston landmarks.
- Plan Your Visit: Parking is limited downtown — public transportation is highly recommended.
Vermont Maple Festival — St. Albans, Vermont
- When: Late April
- Why It’s Special: A sweet celebration of Vermont’s iconic maple syrup, complete with parades, tastings, cook-offs, and sugarhouse tours.
- Families Will Love: The Maple Parade, scavenger hunts, and maple-themed treats.
- Adults Will Love: Syrup tastings, Vermont craft foods, and live demonstrations.
- Plan Your Visit: Stay in nearby Burlington for extra family-friendly activities.
Vermont Cheesemakers Festival — Shelburne, Vermont
- When: Late Summer (August)
- Why It’s Special: A showcase of Vermont’s finest cheeses, ciders, and farmstead foods held on the beautiful Shelburne Farms estate.
- Families Will Love: Farm tours, kid-friendly cheese tastings, and outdoor picnic spots.
- Adults Will Love: Wine and cheese pairings, chef demos, and craft shopping.
- Plan Your Visit: Buy tickets early — this popular festival often sells out.
Garlic Festival — Bethlehem, Connecticut
- When: Mid-September
- Why It’s Special: This aromatic festival celebrates everything garlic with quirky foods, cooking demos, and small-town charm.
- Families Will Love: Garlic treats, games, crafts, and live music.
- Adults Will Love: Cooking lessons, artisan food shopping, and seasonal produce stands.
- Plan Your Visit: Make it a weekend getaway in Connecticut’s scenic Litchfield Hills.
Lafayette Apple Festival — Lafayette, New York
- When: Early October
- Why It’s Special: One of New York’s largest apple festivals, featuring hundreds of vendors, apple-themed treats, and classic fall fun.
- Families Will Love: Hayrides, carnival rides, pony rides, and fresh cider donuts.
- Adults Will Love: Craft beers, fresh pies, artisan vendors, and live entertainment.
- Plan Your Visit: Lafayette is just south of Syracuse — a great fall weekend destination.
Chatsworth Cranberry Festival — Chatsworth, New Jersey
- When: Mid-October
- Why It’s Special: This historic festival celebrates New Jersey’s cranberry heritage with harvest foods, crafts, and community spirit.
- Families Will Love: Cranberry treats, parades, and kids’ games.
- Adults Will Love: Artisan craft shopping, fresh produce stands, and live music.
- Plan Your Visit: Use festival shuttles for easier access; parking fills quickly.
National Apple Harvest Festival — Biglerville, Pennsylvania
- When: First two weekends of October
- Why It’s Special: A beloved tradition in Pennsylvania apple country, featuring orchard tours, antique shows, and apple treats galore.
- Families Will Love: Hayrides, kids’ fun zones, and candy apples.
- Adults Will Love: Antique car shows, apple dumplings, and craft demonstrations.
- Plan Your Visit: Biglerville is close to Gettysburg — extend your trip for some American history.
Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival — Martinsburg, West Virginia
- When: Mid-October
- Why It’s Special: West Virginia’s apple harvest celebration blends vintage traditions with lively parades and hometown pride.
- Families Will Love: Parades, pie contests, live shows, and historic downtown fun.
- Adults Will Love: Car shows, orchard tours, and sampling farm-fresh apples.
- Plan Your Visit: Martinsburg is easily accessible via I-81 — great for a fall road trip loop.
NC Apple Festival — Hendersonville, North Carolina
- When: Labor Day Weekend
- Why It’s Special: One of North Carolina’s most iconic fall events, celebrating the apple harvest with four days of street fairs, parades, and orchard adventures.
- Families Will Love: King Apple Parade, carnival rides, and apple games.
- Adults Will Love: Bluegrass concerts, cider tastings, and shopping the farmers’ market.
- Plan Your Visit: Enjoy stunning Blue Ridge scenery — and don’t forget a visit to nearby apple orchards!
SC Pecan Festival — Florence, South Carolina
- When: Early November
- Why It’s Special: Florence’s lively downtown transforms for this pecan harvest party packed with food trucks, music stages, and fall family fun.
- Families Will Love: Kid zones, pie-eating contests, and outdoor games.
- Adults Will Love: Craft beer gardens, pecan treats, and artisan markets.
- Plan Your Visit: Florence sits right on I-95 — ideal for fall travelers heading south.
Georgia Peach Festival — Fort Valley & Byron, Georgia
- When: Mid-June
- Why It’s Special: Celebrate Georgia’s sweetest crop with peach parades, cobbler contests, and hometown Americana fun.
- Families Will Love: Rides, parades, water slides, and cobbler tastings.
- Adults Will Love: Craft fairs, recipe competitions, and outdoor concerts.
- Plan Your Visit: Visit both towns — Fort Valley and Byron each host parts of the festival!
National Peanut Festival — Dothan, Alabama
- When: Early November
- Why It’s Special: As the largest peanut festival in the U.S., this massive Southern celebration honors peanut farmers with midway rides, parades, agricultural displays, and every kind of peanut treat you can imagine.
- Families Will Love: Thrilling carnival rides, kids’ contests (like sack races and peanut shelling), a big parade, and live animal shows.
- Adults Will Love: Craft vendors, peanut recipe competitions, agricultural exhibits, and lively concerts under the stars.
- Plan Your Visit: Dothan is known as the “Peanut Capital of the World” — you’ll find peanut-themed murals and statues throughout town, perfect for a fun family scavenger hunt during your trip.
Florida Strawberry Festival — Plant City, Florida
- When: Late February to Early March
- Why It’s Special: Florida’s ultimate fair-meets-farm celebration built around strawberries, midway rides, concerts, and Southern charm.
- Families Will Love: Rides, strawberry shortcake stands, and kids’ agricultural shows.
- Adults Will Love: Country concerts, craft vendors, and tons of fresh berries.
- Plan Your Visit: Perfect for a late-winter road trip before spring break crowds arrive!
Final Thoughts: Plan Your Sweetest Road Trip Yet
Whether you’re craving a fresh apple right off the tree, a slice of peach cobbler bigger than your plate, or the golden goodness of Vermont maple syrup, these food and harvest festivals offer the perfect excuse to hit the open road.
Pick your favorite, mark the dates on your calendar, and start a new family tradition filled with flavor, fun, and unforgettable memories.
Let me know in the comments what your favorite food and harvest festival is or if I missed an entry. And, if you are looking for even more family road trip inspiration, check out my guide to Hidden Gem Road Trip Stops.
