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EVENTSPublished September 1, 2026
Fun Fall Things to Do in New Bern
Written by Lisa Marie Toler
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Fun Fall Things to Do in New Bern + Eastern NC in 2026
Looking for fun ways to enjoy fall around New Bern? Here are some of my favorite local festivals, farms, pumpkin patches and easy family activities for the season.I’ll keep updating this page as more 2026 dates are announced.
Add These Dates to Your Calendar
September 26 — New Bern Oktoberfest
Riverfront Convention Center of Craven County203 S. Front Street, New Bern
5–9 p.m.
German food, music, dancing, face painting and more. This one has more of an evening festival atmosphere than some of the kid-focused events on the list.
October 2–4 — North Carolina Seafood Festival
Morehead City WaterfrontSeafood, rides, vendors, entertainment and plenty happening along the waterfront. A fun fall day trip if you don’t mind the drive.
October 3 — Kirkman Farm’s Fall Family Fun Day
5255 NC Highway 55 West, Cove CityHayrides, vendors, food trucks, a pumpkin patch, farm animals, kids activities, live music and cloggers.
This sounds like a great all-in-one fall farm day.
October 3 — Harvest Fair at Firefly Cafe
901B Pollock Street, New Bern11 a.m.–9 p.m.
Local vendors, live music and family-friendly fall activities right here in New Bern.
October 10–11 — MumFest
Historic Downtown New BernFree admission
MumFest is basically a New Bern fall requirement.
Downtown fills with food, vendors, music, rides, family activities and mums everywhere.
October 10–11 — Swansboro Mullet Festival
Downtown SwansboroFree admission
Food and craft vendors, live entertainment and the Saturday morning Mullet Parade.
Just know you’ll have to choose between this one and MumFest — they’re the same weekend.
October 17 — Crystal Coast Highland Games
196 Carl Garner Road, Newport9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Highland athletics, bagpipes, dancing, vendors, food and a kids area. A fun option if you want something a little different.
October 22–24 — New Bern Ghostwalk
Historic Downtown New Bern + Cedar Grove Cemetery6–9:30 p.m.
A family-friendly historical event with actors bringing stories from New Bern’s past to life.
This one may be especially fun for slightly older kids.
October 24 — Truck or Treat at the Tuscarora Landfill
7400 Old Highway 70 West, New Bern5–8 p.m.
Sensory-friendly hour: 5–6 p.m.
Yes, the landfill.
But this one is seriously fun.
Kids can check out big trucks and equipment up close, enjoy Halloween activities and treats, and families can grab a free dinner while they’re there.
October 24–25 — Carolina Kite Festival
Fort Macon State Park2303 E. Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach
Huge show kites, stunt kites and plenty of room to bring your own.
Pack some snacks and turn it into a fall beach day.
Pumpkin Patches + Farms
Cider Landing Farms
1120 Ten Mile Fork Road, TrentonSeptember 19–November 8, 2026
One of my favorite classic fall outings. Pumpkins, farm fun and plenty of space for the kids to explore.
White’s Farm
5200 US-17 N, VanceboroFall season begins the second week of September
A great nearby option if you want some fall farm fun without making a full-day road trip out of it.
Briley’s Farm Market + Pumpkin Patch
5290 Old Pactolus Road, GreenvilleLate September through early November
Worth the drive if you want the bigger pumpkin-patch experience with a hayride, corn maze, animals, inflatables, train rides and more.
Fall Fun You Can Do Anytime
Visit the Christ Church Pumpkin Patch
320 Pollock Street, Downtown New BernOctober — exact dates coming soon
The church lawn fills with pumpkins every October and is one of my favorite little New Bern fall traditions.
Pick out a pumpkin, take some pictures and walk around downtown while you’re there.
Paint Something Fall-Themed at The Accidental Artist
219-A Craven Street, New BernPick a pumpkin, mug or another fall pottery piece and make your own seasonal keepsake.
It’s also an easy rainy-day activity.
Watch for Fall-Themed Days at The Tot Loft
494 US-70 West, HavelockThe Tot Loft regularly hosts themed days, holiday celebrations and special play events.
Keep an eye on their calendar for fall crafts, Halloween activities and other seasonal fun for younger kids.
Take a Fall Trip to Simply Natural Creamery
1265 Carson Edwards Road, AydenTake a country drive, visit the cows and finish with ice cream.
Farm tours and weekend wagon rides continue into the fall, or you can just go for the ice cream.
Watch Art House for Fall Classes
New BernKeep an eye on their schedule for pumpkin, Halloween and Thanksgiving-themed art classes.
These are generally sign-up-ahead activities rather than walk-in crafts.
Go Trunk-or-Treat Hopping
New Bern + surrounding areasMostly October
Churches, schools, fire departments and local businesses host tons of trunk-or-treats throughout the area each fall.
I’m putting together a separate 2026 New Bern-area Trunk-or-Treat Guide with dates, times and locations, so check back for that list as events are announced.
Simple Fall Ideas
Not every fall day needs an official event.Take a downtown New Bern fall photo walk, paint pumpkins at home, grab a seasonal drink and head to Cottle Park, visit the New Bern Farmers Market, collect leaves and pinecones at a park, take a cool-weather trip to Fort Macon or drive around one evening looking for the best decorated Halloween houses.
You can also make your own fall-food mission: apple cider donuts, caramel apples, pumpkin ice cream or whatever seasonal treat you can find.
Check Back for More
Fall events around New Bern tend to get announced little by little, so this page will be updated throughout the season as more 2026 dates are released.If I missed one of your favorites, send it my way.
I’d love to keep adding the best pumpkin patches, festivals, farms, trunk-or-treats, themed play days and family traditions from around New Bern and the surrounding areas.
I love getting out and finding the little things that make New Bern and Eastern NC such a fun place to call home — especially with kids.
I’m a local mom and REALTOR®, so if you’re thinking about moving to the area, buying your first home, or just trying to figure out which part of town might fit your family best, I’d love to be a resource for you.
Lisa Marie Toler
REALTOR® | All Star Living-ENC
Keller Williams Realty New Bern
252-671-6064
I’m a local mom and REALTOR®, so if you’re thinking about moving to the area, buying your first home, or just trying to figure out which part of town might fit your family best, I’d love to be a resource for you.
Lisa Marie Toler
REALTOR® | All Star Living-ENC
Keller Williams Realty New Bern
252-671-6064
Last updated: September 1, 2026
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