Fall Cranberry Festivals
Just where do all those cranberries come from that end up on the Thanksgiving table? Why, the fall cranberry festivals of course – at least in part.
Although cranberries are harvested year round, October seems to be full of cranberry celebrations from New Jersey to Washington. Cooking and baking contests are particularly popular so you’ll want to sample everything from traditional cranberry sauces and chutneys to cranberry-studded breads and even ice cream. To honor the humble cranberry, which was introduced to Europeans by Native Americans who believed in its medicinal qualities, you’ll find parades and even cranberry queens of all ages. If you’re lucky there will be a nearby cranberry marsh to tour so you can see firsthand how these popular fruits are grown.
The whole family will find activities, craft booths, and entertainment to keep them amused and busy, so don’t hesitate to bring them all along even if they proclaim to be no fans of cranberries! Perhaps by the end of the day, they’ll have changed their minds.
Cranberry Harvest Festival - Grayland, WA - Oct 11 to Oct 13, 2024
Bog tours, cranberry cook off, cranberry eating contest, Jog the Bog and Beach, live music, and firelight parade.
Eagle River Cranberry Fest - Eagle River, WI - Oct 5 to Oct 6, 2024
Eat, drink, and play with the more than 40,000 attendees of this annual event held at Vilas County Fairgrounds, plus tours of the cranberry marsh (leaves from the Chamber of Commerce). Taste the world’s largest cranberry cheesecake and other cranberry foods, and shop with hundreds of crafters and artisans.
Bordentown Cranberry Festival - Bordentown, NJ - Oct 5 to Oct 6, 2024
Over 145 juried artists and crafters plus live music, kid’s zone, and great food from local restaurants.
Stone Lake Cranberry Festival - Stone Lake, WI - Oct 5 to Oct 5, 2024
Join over 30,000 guests for a day of fun and festivities. See over 300 vendors and artisans, tours of the cranberry marshes, great food, parade, and baking contests. Since 1978.
Warrens Cranberry Festival - Warrens, WI - Sep 27 to Sep 29, 2024
Cranfest draws around 120,000 and is one of the world’s largest cranberry festivals. Features three days of activities including parade, marching bands, marsh tours, food, contests, and over 1300 booths for shopping. Free admission.
Oregon Cranberry Festival - Bandon, OR - Sep 12 to Sep 15, 2024
Long running annual event, featuring a pageant, parade, live music plus food fair and cranberry eating contest to win prizes. Cranberry cooks compete for a culinary crown in the Queen of the Kitchen food fair. Farmers and artisans strut their stuff at Cranberry City and the Festival Market. Multiple venues including Old Town, the waterfront, city park, and the high school.
Cranfest - Plymouth, MA - Nov 11 to Nov 12, 2022
Nantucket Harvest Festival - Nantucket, MA - Oct 1 to Oct 2, 2022
Visitors can expect to learn about the history of cranberry farming on Nantucket through educational displays and harvesting demonstrations, participate in family activities, sample delectable cranberry treats and other New England classics, or simply enjoy the music and the spectacular autumn scenery, plus tons more fun. Parking is $25 per car. This event combines Nantucket’s two favorite fall events, the Cranberry Festival and the Island Fair.
Cranberrian Fair - Ilwaco, WA - Oct 10 to Oct 11, 2020
Canceled for 2021, look for their return in 2022. Normally: Hosted during the cranberry harvest on the second weekend in October. Bog tours, crafts, food and music to celebrate the harvest. Admission to the events at the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum is covered by purchase of a $5 collectible button. The Cranberry Museum is free. The Cranberry Trolley transports visitors between the two locations.