Manchester's Fall Harvest Day returns to Factory Point Green on October 18 for three hours of live music, pumpkin decorating, face painting, and free activities for all ages. The completely free event anchors a packed October calendar that includes cider tastings, mountain brewery festivals, and Halloween celebrations across town.
Between now and the end of the month, Manchester delivers fall programming beyond just foliage drives. You'll find craft beer tastings at Stratton, corn mazes at Equinox Valley Nursery, carved pumpkin displays downtown, and a grand finale Halloween celebration at SVAC. Here's your guide to Manchester's harvest season, starting with the main event on October 18.
When: Saturday, October 18, 2:00-5:00 PM
Where: Factory Point Green, downtown Manchester
Cost: Free
Heritage Family Credit Union and the Manchester Business Association know how to throw a harvest party. The October 18 event at Factory Point Green delivers the essential fall festival experience without the admission price. Three hours of live music, hands-on activities, and community connection make this the gathering that helps define Manchester's autumn.
Local nonprofits drive the activity lineup. The Northshire Day School, Manchester Community Library, Maple Street School, and MEMS PTO host stations throughout the green - pumpkin decorating, cornhole tournaments, face painting.
The Kimpton Taconic Hotel provides free popcorn all afternoon. When you're ready for something sweeter, Wilcox Ice Cream and Bubbles Bakes sell treats that taste even better when the temperature drops.
The afternoon culminates with the annual Pumpkin Carving Contest display. Submitted carved pumpkins line up for judging, showcasing everything from traditional jack-o'-lanterns to intricate artistic designs. If you're entering the contest, you'll want to register by October 16 - entries span multiple age groups with categories for Spookiest and Most Creative, and local businesses contribute fantastic prizes.
Before Fall Harvest Day arrives, two major events kick off the mid-October festivities.
When: October 11-12, 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Where: Local Maverick and Split Spirits, 96 Depot Street
Local Maverick and Split Spirits launches its inaugural CiderFest with two days of Vermont cider tastings, exclusive Apple Brandy releases, and 20-plus Vermont brands. This isn't a massive fairground operation - it's a curated experience at 96 Depot Street that puts craft cider front and center.
Registered guests receive 10% off in-store purchases, and non-alcoholic cider options keep the event family-friendly. Proceeds support NOFA-VT's Farm Share program, connecting tastings directly to Vermont's agricultural community.
When: October 10-13
Where: Stratton Mountain Resort
Twenty minutes from downtown Manchester, Stratton Mountain packs four days with three distinct events. Saturday's Brewfest brings Vermont craft beer, live music from The Mallet Brothers and Saints & Liars, a mac and cheese cook-off, and kids' adventure camp. Sunday shifts to Oktoberfest mode - The Amish Outlaws perform, stein hoisting competitions test your stamina, and beer brats disappear fast.
Monday's Race to the Summit challenges participants to run, jog, or hike to Stratton's 3,875-foot peak. The prize? An Ikon Base Pass. Even if you're not competing, the gondola ride operates through mid-October, delivering panoramic views of peak foliage across the Green and Taconic ranges.
Several Manchester autumn traditions run throughout the month, letting you build your own harvest itinerary.
When: October 7-19 (voting period)
Where: Participating businesses throughout Manchester
Downtown storefronts compete for the title of Fall Harvest Decorating Champion through October 19. Pumpkins, gourds, hay bales, and mums transform shop windows across town. Online voting determines the winner, and businesses genuinely commit to their displays - this isn't a few pumpkins on a doorstep situation.
Walk the downtown corridor, snap photos of your favorites, and share them with #ManchesterVT.
When: Saturdays October 11, 18, 25
Where: Sun Lodge & Trailhead Restaurant
Sun Lodge runs three Saturday afternoon pumpkin carving parties designed specifically for families. The $30 per child package includes a pre-hollowed pumpkin, stencils, kid-friendly tools, warm apple cider, toasted pumpkin seeds, and a kids' meal from Trailhead Restaurant's menu.
Spooky fall story time rounds out each session. Pre-hollowed pumpkins mean kids focus on design instead of struggling with the messy extraction process - a detail that matters when you're working with younger carvers.
When: Now through October (weather permitting, closed Tuesdays)
Where: Equinox Valley Nursery
Equinox Valley Nursery transforms its North Field into fall festival central. Tractor-drawn wagon rides deliver Green and Taconic Mountain views, the corn maze tests navigation skills, and the pumpkin patch stocks every shape and size you need for decorating or carving.
The on-site shop carries Halloween decorations, pumpkin carving kits, local maple syrup, and seasonal décor. Scarecrows stationed throughout the property add charm without veering into over-done territory. Plan for a couple hours - the combination of activities and shopping keeps families engaged longer than expected.
When: Saturday, October 25, 2:00-5:00 PM
Where: Southern Vermont Arts Center
SVAC closes October with Halloween on the Hill, a free afternoon (registration required) that combines magical illusions by Tom Joyce, spooky musical stories from the Trillium Quartet, face painting, fortune telling, and an art scavenger hunt across the campus.
The costume parade remains the event's centerpiece, with separate competitions for kids and pets. School band performances, trick-or-treating stations, and arts and crafts round out the programming. SVAC's hilltop location adds atmosphere - the property's 407 acres provide natural Halloween ambiance without artificial haunted house dramatics.
Come for Fall Harvest Day on October 18 and you'll catch the Decorating Contest voting period, plus the mid-point of pumpkin carving season at Sun Lodge. Start your weekend with CiderFest tastings, head to Stratton for Brewfest, then return to Manchester for Sunday farmers market shopping.
The beauty of Manchester's harvest calendar lies in its concentration. Everything happens within a 20-minute radius, businesses coordinate rather than compete, and the town's compact downtown means you can walk between events. Factory Point Green sits at the center of it all, making Fall Harvest Day your natural anchor point for exploring Manchester's autumn offerings.
Bring layers - October afternoons start warm but cool quickly once the sun drops behind the Taconics. Parking fills up near Factory Point Green on event days, but the municipal lots on Center Hill Road and Seminary Avenue stay accessible. Register in advance for events requiring it - the Pumpkin Carving Contest closes registration October 16, and Halloween on the Hill fills its capacity early.
