The Biggest Fairs in Massachusetts

Representing all six New England states, the Big E is the largest fair in the northeastern United States and one of the largest in North America. Its 17-day run each September set an all-time attendance record in 2024, including a single-day record of 178,608 visitors, and it's been a regional institution since 1916.

Held annually since 1818 at the Topsfield Fairgrounds, the Topsfield Fair is recognized as the oldest continuously running agricultural fair in America. The 11-day fall fair drew 418,170 visitors in 2024, ranking among the top 50 fairs in North America by attendance, and is known for its giant pumpkin weigh-off and haunted house.

Held each summer at the 100-acre Cape Cod Fairgrounds in East Falmouth, the Barnstable County Fair is Cape Cod's largest annual event. The 7-day fair draws crowds that have topped 90,000 in recent years, with a full carnival midway, livestock competitions, and the "World's Largest Demolition Derby" among its biggest draws.