The Northeast Kingdom Fall Foliage Festival is a series of Vermont community days, with different towns welcoming visitors on different dates. For 2026, the regional tourism organization lists the coordinated celebration from September 26 through October 3. You can visit one village for a day or arrange a longer trip around several stops.
The key planning detail is the village calendar. Do not assume every town has activities every day, or that a previous year’s seven-town itinerary is still current. The 2026 regional schedule names six dated community days. Our guide below uses that schedule, checks individual organizers where available, and separates nearby festivals from the coordinated series.
Northeast Kingdom Fall Foliage Festival: 2026 village dates
| Date | Village day | First planning step |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday, September 26 | Cabot | Check the community association program |
| Sunday, September 27 | Marshfield | Plan around the 11 a.m.–3 p.m. gathering |
| Monday, September 28 | Walden | Collect the day’s local information |
| Thursday, October 1 | Peacham | Check individual activity times |
| Friday, October 2 | Barnet | Get the current route and stops |
| Saturday, October 3 | Groton | Reserve a supper ticket if desired |
September 29–30 are not assigned village days in that published list. They can be useful rest or sightseeing days on a longer itinerary. Plainfield is not listed there as a 2026 stop; do not add it based solely on an older brochure.
How to make the most of each community day
Cabot: start with the program, then follow your interests
On September 26, the Cabot Community Association directs visitors to the Historical Society at 3216 Main Street from 10 a.m. to noon for information about the day. Its Cheese & Culture Festival is scheduled for noon–5 p.m. on the Town Common, with free entry.
This is a good fit for travelers interested in local food and village history. Pick up the current information before deciding on any self-guided stops. For a family visit, a short morning activity followed by time on the Common is easier to manage than trying to complete every open house.
The organizer also lists a takeout turkey dinner, but meals and purchases have their own arrangements. Confirm availability directly if supper is the reason for your visit. A free community celebration does not automatically mean tastings, meals, or every optional activity are included.
Marshfield: keep the middle of the day free
The regional schedule places Marshfield’s September 27 harvest gathering at the Old Schoolhouse Common, 122 School Street, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Use the linked Jaquith Public Library for local updates.
Our suggestion is to reserve that entire window, with a flexible arrival and departure. It gives children time to settle into an activity and adults time to browse without rushing toward a second distant event. Pack a small day bag so you can remain on foot once parked.
If you are staying overnight, plan your restaurant or grocery stop separately. An event window is not a guarantee that every nearby business keeps the same hours, particularly after the festival closes.
Walden: make time for small stops
Walden’s September 28 day begins with registration at the church in Noyesville Village at 9 a.m., according to the regional program. It describes self-led visits and a 5:30 p.m. barbecue beef supper. Confirm the route and meal arrangements through the local contacts in that program.
This kind of day rewards a slower pace. Choose a few visits that match your interests, rather than treating the entire route as a list to finish. If you are hoping to meet makers or learn about local work, allow time for conversation and buy only what you can safely carry home.
Before leaving a stop, check where you intend to park at the next one. Rural addresses, village centers, and event registration points may be different places.
Peacham: combine a confirmed activity with village time
Peacham’s October 1 date is independently supported by the Peacham Historical Association’s 2026 events. The Historical House is listed as open 10 a.m.–4 p.m., with a local-history food tasting from 12:30–1:30 p.m.
At our September 21 check, the town’s Foliage Day page still asked readers to return for the full 2026 details. That does not cancel the confirmed date; it means the final town program should be checked before choosing additional activities.
Use the museum or tasting as an anchor and leave the rest of the day adjustable. For photography, find a lawful parking space first and remain on public routes or places explicitly open to visitors. A picturesque field or private driveway is not automatically a public viewpoint.
Barnet: get the current map before choosing a route
Barnet’s day is Friday, October 2. Check the town’s festival page for the current map and local details before setting out.
A map matters more here than collecting a long list of suggested stops from an older article. Decide how much driving your group wants, identify one or two priorities, and ask about parking, access, and opening hours for those places. You can then add other stops if time allows.
If your group includes someone who needs a step-free route, contact each venue directly. Accessibility can differ between a village street, an older building, and an outdoor demonstration area.
Groton: book supper before building the evening around it
Groton’s October 3 community day includes the chicken pie supper organized by the Groton Community Club. Its linked 2026 ticket page gives the venue as the Groton Community Building, 1476 Scott Highway, with dine-in sittings at 4:30, 5:30, and 6:30 p.m.
At our check, that ticket page marked the first two sittings sold out. Availability can change, so view the live booking options before making the meal a fixed commitment. The page also offers takeout arrangements; use the time on your actual ticket.
For a group, agree on a sitting before anyone purchases. Allow enough time to return from daytime activities, park, and find the correct entrance. Check dietary needs with the organizer ahead of time rather than relying on a general description of a community meal.
Two ways to organize a short visit
A first-weekend visit: September 26–27
Choose Cabot on Saturday and Marshfield on Sunday. Keep Saturday morning available for collecting information, then build around the Common gathering. On Sunday, have breakfast before traveling to Marshfield and leave your afternoon flexible.
There is also a separate Burke Fall Festival on September 26. It takes place in East Burke, with a 10 a.m. parade and a published Route 114 closure from 9:30–10:45 a.m. Choose it as an alternative Saturday destination if its village-green program appeals more than Cabot. The organizer advises bringing cash and notes that the barbecue is cash only.
A later visit: October 1–3
Use Peacham, Barnet, and Groton as three distinct days. That gives you a clear sequence without packing several village programs into one afternoon. Book your Groton supper first if it is a priority, then work backward through lodging and travel plans.
For either itinerary, our festival planning guide helps with booking and packing, while the New England pumpkin festival guide offers ideas for another trip.
Foliage conditions, lodging, and rural roads
Festival dates are fixed; leaf color is not. Vermont’s official weekly foliage tracker reports changing conditions during September and October. Use that current information for scenic detours rather than treating the festival week as a guaranteed statewide peak.
Choose accommodation by the events you plan to attend and compare the actual routes between them. Download maps and ticket confirmations before leaving your lodging. Keep a spare layer and rain protection in the car, plus shoes suitable for grass or uneven ground.
Drive slowly through village centers, follow temporary signs, and use designated parking. If a scenic road is closed or signed for local access, choose another route. Leave room in the itinerary for an unexpected delay without sacrificing the meal or event you booked.
Frequently asked questions
Is there one ticket for the whole festival?
Plan each community day individually. Meals and particular activities can require separate tickets or payment, as Groton’s supper does. Confirm inclusions with the relevant organizer.
Do I need to attend all six village days?
No. One or two days can make a satisfying short trip. Choose by date, travel distance, and the activities your group actually wants.
Is this suitable for children?
It can be, especially with a shorter itinerary, regular food breaks, and activities selected for their ages. Consult our family festival planning guide and ask local organizers about the specific program.
Schedule and ticket information checked September 21, 2026. Follow the current organizer pages for changes, reservations, and final activity details.