Topsfield Fair

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Cultural & TraditionalTopsfield
Dates2–12 October 2026Confirmed listing
Duration11 daysListed event span
CrowdMediumAbout 475,000 people
Best forLiving tradition, ritual symbolsFew American fairs trace an unbroken
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryCultural & TraditionalFestival type
The story

Topsfield Fair in Topsfield

The Topsfield Fair is a ten-day agricultural fair held every year in Topsfield, Massachusetts, ending on Columbus Day, tracing its roots to 1818 when the Essex Agricultural Society staged its first cattle show. Billed as America's oldest county fair, it now draws 450,000 to 500,000 visitors annually for livestock competitions, a large midway, giant pumpkin weigh-offs, and agricultural exhibition halls on its permanent Topsfield grounds since 1910.

The Topsfield Fair traces its origin to February 1818, when Timothy Pickering helped found the Essex Agricultural Society with the goal of educating farmers and giving them a public forum to exchange techniques.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Few American fairs trace an unbroken agricultural lineage back to 1818, when the Essex Agricultural Society, founded under Timothy Pickering, organized cattle shows to help local farmers exchange techniques

02

The mystery stays covered

That same organization still runs the fair today from the 150-acre Topsfield site it moved to permanently in 1910

03

The city starts moving

The fair's Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off, running since 1984, has repeatedly set world records, including the first pumpkin ever to break one ton in 2012 and a 2,294

04

The water draws everyone in

Long-running community food traditions, like the Congregation Church of Topsfield's turkey dinners served since before 1920, sit alongside a Fiesta Shows midway operating since 1950, giving the fair a mix of genuine agricultural heritage and modern carnival entertainment

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Core traditions include the opening-day parade and ceremony held since 1979

Water and renewal

Living ritual

the Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off running since 1984 that has produced multiple world-record pumpkins

The sacred route

Living ritual

and turkey dinners served by the Congregation Church of Topsfield continuously since before 1920

The local code

Living ritual

The Fiesta Shows midway has operated at the fair since 1950

Tradition 5

Living ritual

and the fair always concludes on Columbus Day Monday

Tradition 6

Living ritual

a scheduling tradition tied to its identity as America's oldest county fair

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

2–12 October 2026

Getting around

For Topsfield Fair, plan transport around the exact Topsfield venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Layered fall clothing works best since Topsfield's early-October weather swings from warm midday sun to cool evenings: a light jacket or sweater, jeans, and closed-toe walking or waterproof...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For Topsfield Fair, stay near the part of Topsfield you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map42.64 N, 70.95 WOpen in Google Maps

Topsfield, MA

Nearest airportBOS — Boston Logan
TransportFor Topsfield Fair, plan transport around the exact Topsfield venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Topsfield Fair, stay near the part of Topsfield you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Topsfield via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Topsfield, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for October.Compare faresFestival gearLayered fall clothing works best since Topsfield's early-October weather swings from warm midday sun to cool evenings: a light jacket or sweater, jeans, and closed-toe walking or waterproof shoes for muddy livestock barns and midway grounds.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Topsfield Fair?

Topsfield Fair is listed for 2–12 October 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Topsfield Fair take place?

The festival is listed in Topsfield, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

11 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Topsfield, MA

How big is it?

Medium: 475000

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLtopsfieldfair.org
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates2–12 October 2026
Source statusOfficial source linked
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