Fall Harvest Fun
Autumn in the Manchester, VT area is more than just stunning foliage—it’s a full celebration of the season. Alongside scenic drives and strolls under colorful canopies, visitors can enjoy festive annual events like Fall Harvest Day, the Fall Harvest Decorating Contest, and the Pumpkin Carving Contest. Family-friendly fun abounds with corn mazes, hayrides, and Halloween on the Hill at SVAC, offering a perfect mix of spooky and spectacular. Whether you’re sipping cider, exploring local shops, or diving into classic fall activities, use the guide below to plan your unforgettable seasonal getaway.
Fall Harvest Day
Manchester, Vermont Fall Harvest Day
Saturday, October 18 2pm – 5pm
Proudly presented by Heritage Family Credit Union and the Manchester Business Association, this free, family-friendly event promises festive fun for all ages — from live music to hands-on crafts and activities! Enjoy a live performance by artist Arthur James, whose soulful sounds will set the perfect fall vibe. Kids and families can dive into a variety of interactive experiences including:
Pumpkin crafting, cornhole games, face painting and more will be hosted by local nonprofits including the Northshire Day School, Manchester Community Library, Maple Street School and MEMS PTO
Free popcorn will be available, thanks to Kimpton Taconic Hotel and delicious treats like ice cream and cookies will be available for purchase from local favorites Wilcox Ice Cream and Bubbles Bakes.Don’t miss a special appearance by the Manchester Volunteer Fire Department, who will be on-site with a fire truck for kids to explore — always a highlight!
The event will wrap up with a display of entries from the annual Pumpkin Carving Contest, showcasing the creativity of our community and region.
Upcoming Activities & Fall Festivals in Manchester, Vermont
Fall Craft Market at SVAC
October 4–5, 2025 | Free Admission
A New Season for SVAC’s Craft Market! Southern Vermont Arts Center (SVAC) is thrilled to announce a fresh new chapter for one of its most beloved events. The SVAC Craft Market is moving from winter to the fall season, taking place this year on Saturday, October 4 and Sunday, October 5, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Admission is free, and all are welcome!
This craft market will feature an impressive lineup of local and regional artisans working in ceramics, fiber arts, glass, jewelry, leather, mixed media, paper, wood, and more. It’s the perfect opportunity to support local makers.
Manchester CiderFest
Oct 11–12
Local Maverick and Split Spirits present the inaugural CiderFest—a two-day celebration of Vermont cider, fall flavors, and local craftsmanship. Enjoy tastings, exclusive Apple Brandy, and shop 20+ Vermont brands. Family-friendly with non-alcoholic cider and 10% off in-store for registered guests.
When: Oct 11–12, 11 AM–6 PM
Where: 96 Depot Street, Manchester, VT
Proceeds support NOFA-VT’s Farm Share program.
Fall Harvest Decorating Contest
Both locals and visitors are invited to celebrate the season by exploring the town’s vibrant, autumn-themed storefronts. From October 7 to October 19, participating businesses adorn their windows with pumpkins, gourds, hay bales, and colorful mums, creating a festive atmosphere throughout the community. Everyone is encouraged to admire the displays, and vote for their favorite decorations online. The business with the most votes will be crowned the “Fall Harvest Decorating Champion.”
This event not only showcases the town’s creativity but also fosters community engagement and supports local businesses. Don’t forget to snap a photo of your favorite display and share it on social media using #ManchesterVT to spread the autumn cheer!
Manchester Pumpkin Carving Contest
Saturday, October 18
Calling All Carvers from Near and Far! The Town of Manchester and the Manchester Business Association are thrilled to announce the return of the Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest, happening Saturday, October 18 — and you’re invited to join the fun!
Whether you’re a local or visiting from across the region, this is your chance to show off your carving skills, creativity, and Halloween spirit. Enter as many carved pumpkins as you’d like! Prizes will be awarded across age groups and special categories like Spookiest Pumpkin and Most Creative Pumpkin. Thanks to the generosity of local businesses, you’ll be carving for a frightfully fun selection of prizes!
Pre-Registration is Required and it’s FREE to Enter!
Halloween on the Hill at SVAC
Saturday, October 25
Join us for a spooktacular afternoon of family fun at Halloween on the Hill at the Southern Vermont Arts Center (SVAC) on 10/25 from 2–5 p.m.—free for all ages (just don’t forget to register)! This beloved community celebration is packed with festive fun, including magical illusions by Tom Joyce, spooky musical stories performed by the Trillium Quartet, arts & crafts, face painting, fortunes told, and an art scavenger hunt to keep little ghouls and goblins on their toes. Don your best costume for the costume parade, enjoy some sweet treats during trick-or-treating, and don’t miss the always adorable pet costume parade. With live performances from the school band and surprises around every corner, this is a Halloween celebration you won’t want to miss!
Pumpkin Carving Parties
Saturday’s: Oct. 11,18, 25
Pumpkin Carving Saturdays at Sun Lodge & Trailhead Restaurant! Join us every Saturday in October for a fun-filled Pumpkin Carving party at Sun Lodge and Trailhead Restaurant & Bar — the perfect seasonal activity for families!
Each Saturday includes:
Pumpkin carving for kids
Spooky fall story time
A festive package with warm apple cider, toasted pumpkin seeds, and a kids’ meal
Saturdays at 2 PM
Cost: $30 per child — includes a pre-hollowed pumpkin, stencils, kid-friendly carving tools, cider, seeds, and a meal from the kids’ menu. Celebrate fall, get creative, and make lasting family memories!
Stratton Harvestfest Weekend
October 10 – 13
Celebrate fall in full color at Stratton Mountain’s HarvestFest Weekend, where three signature events bring Vermont’s autumn magic to life! Kick things off on Saturday with Brewfest, featuring a massive selection of Vermont’s best craft beers, ciders, and sours alongside live music by The Mallet Brothers and Saints & Liars, a mac and cheese cook-off with local chefs, and a fun-filled kids’ adventure camp. On Sunday, the party continues with Oktoberfest, Stratton’s lively twist on a German classic, including more live music from The Amish Outlaws, stein hoisting and keg toss contests, mouthwatering beer brats, pumpkin painting, and a climbing wall for the kids.
Then on Monday, challenge yourself in The North Face Race to the Summit, where participants run, jog, or hike to the 3,875-foot peak for a chance to win an Ikon Base Pass. With food, fun, competition, and fall foliage, HarvestFest Weekend is the ultimate autumn escape for all ages!
Pumpkins and wagon rides and corn mazes—oh my!
Now through the end of October (weather permitting) – Closed Tuesday’s
Get swept up in the magic of Fall Foliage Fun, at Equinox Valley Nursery, where vibrant leaves set the scene for a day full of autumn adventure. Start by wandering through our charming pumpkin patch, bursting with pumpkins and gourds in every wild shape, size, and color—just be sure to wave hello to our friendly scarecrows along the way! Next, climb aboard a tractor-drawn wagon ride through the scenic North Field, where the breathtaking views of the Green and Taconic mountains are straight out of a fall fairytale. Feeling brave? Test your skills in our spooky corn maze, where twists and turns keep the whole family guessing. Cap off your visit in our festive shop filled with Halloween decorations, pumpkin carving kits, maple syrup, and all the cozy touches you need to bring the spirit of fall home. It’s a patchwork of fun you won’t want to miss!
Where to See Fall Foliage in Manchester, Vermont
The Manchester, VT area, offers some of the most breathtaking fall foliage experiences in the region, whether you prefer soaring above the treetops, gliding up a mountain, or hiking through vibrant woods. Check out these uniqiue experiences below.
Bromley Mountain
Select weekends now through mid-October
Bromley Mountain in Peru, Vermont, offers a spectacular vantage point for leaf peeping during the fall foliage season. The resort’s scenic chairlift provides a leisurely ride up the mountain, granting passengers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. From the summit, visitors are treated to sweeping vistas of the Green and Taconic mountain ranges, with vibrant autumn colors painting the scenery.
Stratton Mountain’s Gondola Ride
Now through mid-October
Stratton Mountain’s gondola ride offers one of the most breathtaking ways to experience Vermont’s fall foliage. Ascending to 3,875 feet, the tallest peak in all of Southern Vermont and offers panoramic views of local mountain ranges, with vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows painting the landscape below. The ride operates on weekends and select weekdays during the fall season, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the peak colors of autumn. For those seeking a more adventurous experience, the summit offers hiking trails leading to the historic fire tower, where the views are even more expansive.
Prospect Rock
This spot is ideal for fall foliage watchers because Prospect Rock sits high above the Manchester Valley and faces Mount Equinox and the Taconic Range, so during peak leaf season you get a sweeping panorama of vivid reds, oranges, and golds across both mountain ridgelines. The trail’s elevation gives a broad vantage point, and the views bridge the valley floor and lofty peaks—making it one of the most striking leaf‑peeping destinations around.
Equinox Pond and Robin’s Lookout
If you’re craving a perfect fall outing, visiting the Equinox Preserve during foliage season is a treat for outdoor adventurers. The Flatlanders Pass Trail—a wide, relatively flat route hugging the 1,200‑foot contour line—delivers a gentle, scenic approach to Equinox Pond, where surrounded by flaming reds, oranges, and golds you can soak in the autumn hush.
From there, a short climb to Robin’s Lookout rewards you with sweeping views over the Battenkill Valley, the pond below, and the distant Green Mountains to the east. With trails spanning over 11 miles across 914 protected acres, the preserve offers a tranquil yet immersive way to experience Vermont’s foliage spectacle.
Historic Marble Rail Trail
The Historic Marble Rail Trail runs up the center of the valley between the Green and Taconic Mountains, offering stunning views on both sides—especially during peak foliage, when the hills explode with color. Once used to transport Dorset marble to build landmarks like the New York Public Library, the former rail line is now a scenic, crushed-gravel path. Winding through forests and fields, the trail features interpretive signs, marble remnants, and an easy, family-friendly grade—perfect for a peaceful walk or bike ride through Vermont’s vibrant landscape and rich history.
