38 Fun Things to Do in Rhode Island this October

From the Clark Farms' Fall Festival to the Little City Thrifty Vintage Market, we've compiled all the activities to add to your October to-do list.

October 2, 2023

Edelinda Baptista,

FEATURED

Photography courtesy of Clark Farms.

Weekends through 10/30: Clark Farms’ Fall Festival

WHAT: Get lost (on purpose) with the family in the giant corn maze, go on a hayride through the Matunuck countryside for some leaf peeping, fire ears of corn out of a corn cannon, pet the donkeys and goats at the petting zoo, show off your go-karting skills while riding the pedal-powered karts and much more at Clark Farms’ Fall Festival. WHERE: 2984 Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry Memorial Hwy., Wakefield. MORE INFO: 783-8844, clarkfarms.com.

Photography courtesy of Little City Thrifty Vintage Market.

10/14–15: Little City Thrifty Vintage Market

WHAT: Bring home nostalgic and pre-loved clothes, home decor, records and more from Little City Thrifty. This 15,000-square-foot vintage market features more than ninety vendors for your thrifty and antique finds in case you need some funky furniture or a distinct piece that screams “this is my style.” Tickets include a complimentary drink ticket that can be redeemed on-site for a small beer or alcohol pour, or a nonalcoholic drink or coffee from local vendors. Noon–6 p.m.; early entry 11 a.m. General admission $8; early buying hour $15. WHERE: WaterFire Arts Center, 475 Valley St., Providence. MORE INFO: 273-1155, littlecitythrifty.com.

Photography courtesy of the Guild PVD Beer Garden.

Through 10/29: The Guild PVD Beer Garden

WHAT: Taste-test seven styles of The Guild Brewing Co. beer and additional beverages with a view of the Creative Capital’s skyline
at this year’s beer garden. Grab a seat at one of the twenty long tables or twenty high tops and stop by one of the onsite food trucks, including Masa Taqueria, Ming’s Asian Street Food, Cafe Modesto and others. Visit the website for times, music and food truck lineups. Wed.–Sun. WHERE: Providence River Pedestrian Bridge, Innovation District. MORE INFO: theguildpvd.com.

THEATER

Trinity Rep

THROUGH NOV. 10: In Becky Nurse of Salem, Becky Nurse, a descendant of an executed Salem “witch,” has been fired from her job. She’s also pining for a married man, troubled by her granddaughter’s boyfriend and taking pills to cope after her daughter’s overdose. She consults a local witch in hopes of changing her misfortune, which leads to shocking and funny outcomes. Run time is two hours. Visit the website for times and ticket prices.

THROUGH NOV. 12: When The Crucible’s Abigail Williams begins working for sixty-year-old John Proctor, her life begins to unravel from playing with poppets into something unforeseen. The sequel play The Good John Proctor reassesses the Salem Witch Trials through the eyes of the four young girls — Abigail, Betty Parris, Mercy Lewis and Mary Warren — at its center. Run time is ninety minutes. Visit the website for times and ticket prices. 201 Washington St., Providence, 351-4242, trinityrep.com

Providence Performing Arts Center

OCT. 17–22: Laugh and cry along to the heartwarming tale of Mrs. Doubtfire, a story about an out-of-work actor who simply wants to spend time with his kids and will do anything for them. Visit the website for times. $38–$80.

OCT. 31–NOV. 5: The Tony Award-winning musical The Book of Mormon follows the footsteps of a pair of missionaries tasked with spreading the Good Word, and the outrageous adventures that accompany them. Visit the website for times. $34–$124. 220 Weybosset St., Providence, 421-2787, ppacri.org

FAIRS AND FESTIVALS

PVD Flea Market

ONGOING: Obsess over vintage finds and locally sourced products from more than seventy-five vendors including indie makers, bakeshops, clothing vendors and more. Sun. 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Free admission. Farm Fresh Rhode Island, 10 Sims Ave., Providence, 484-7783, providenceflea.com

Norman Bird Sanctuary Harvest Fair

OCT. 1: The forty-ninth annual Harvest Fair invites guests to challenge friends to a sack race, peruse the crafter’s tent, compete in the home and garden competition and more with the fam. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Adults $11; children three to eighteen $7; three and younger free. 583 Third Beach Rd., Middletown, 846-2577, normanbirdsanctuary.org

Oktoberfest 2023

OCT. 1: Celebrate the Bavarian tradition of the Wiesn at the German American Cultural Society of RI with an assortment of German foods, authentic beer and live music. Noon–5 p.m. $10 online; $12 at the door; children twelve and younger free. 78 Carter Ave., Pawtucket, 726-9873, gacsri.org

Atlantis RIsing International Sand Sculpture Competition

OCT. 6–9: Ditch the sandcastle molds — artists from all over will turn Misquamicut State Beach into the mythical city of Atlantis for the annual Atlantis RIsing International Sand Sculpture Competition. Visitors can watch artists create intricately carved sand sculptures and vie for the popular vote and cash prize. Entertainment for the weekend also includes food trucks, photo opportunities, live music and activities for the kiddos. Noon–6 p.m. $5–$12. Misquamicut State Beach, 257 Atlantic Ave., Westerly, 800-548-4662, southcountyri.com/atlantis-rising

Scituate Art Festival

OCT. 7–9: From antiques to handmade crafts and fine art, the fifty-seventh annual Scituate Art Festival will always showcase the most intriguing works. Stick around for the local food and drinks (menu items like doughboys, steak sandwiches, apple cider and pumpkin pie) and live music. Sat. and Sun. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Mon. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Free. 554 West Greenville Rd., Scituate, scituateartfestival.org

Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival

OCT. 14–15: Fill your weekend with fresh
local seafood at the Bowen’s Wharf Seafood Festival. Dig into calamari, oysters, lobster rolls, fish tacos, clams and more paired with refreshing beer and signature cocktails. Proceeds from the festival bars benefit the Oliver Hazard Perry, the state’s 200-foot official sailing education vessel. 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Free admission. Bowen’s Wharf, Newport, 849-2243, bowenswharf.com

Spooky Fall Fest

OCT. 21: Venture down to scenic Rocky Point State Park at the second annual Spooky Fall Festival and enjoy hayrides by the water, a petting zoo and food trucks and dessert vendors. 10 a.m.–3:30 p.m. Free admission and parking. 1 Rocky Point Ave., Warwick, 527-0414, webejamminevents.com

Rhode Island’s Annual Heritage Festival

OCT. 21: Experience a vibrant celebration of cultural heritage with music and dance performances from around the world. Visit the craft demonstrations, cultural exhibits and visual art displays as well as food trucks, arts and crafts, face painting and more. Don’t miss the kick-off parade featuring more than thirty flags from a variety of countries. Noon–5 p.m. Free admission. WaterFire Arts Center, 475 Valley St., Providence, preservation.ri.gov

TRIPS AND TOURS

Rhode Island Red Food Tours

ONGOING: Explore your favorite Rhody neighborhoods in the Capital City and the City by the Sea with a food tour. Walking tours include delicious food samplings plus alcohol pairings at six local restaurants. Reservations are required. Thurs.–Sun. at noon. $74–$94. Various locations in Providence and Newport, rhodeislandredfoodtours.com

Rail Explorers Tours

ONGOING: Take a bite out of brunch or check out the night sky with Rail Explorers in themed, pedal-powered tours from the Southern Circuit to Bayside Station. See website for tour times and ticket prices. 1 Alexander Rd., Portsmouth, 877-833-8588, railexplorers.net

Newport Foodies Stroll

THROUGH OCT. 14: Throughout the nearly two-mile walking food tour, rediscover Thames Street with the help of great meals. Wander the historic streets of the City by the Sea with tour guides Thomas and Susan Maxwell in between three-course meals and wine pairings at notable restaurants and pubs. Reserve your spot online. Wed.–Sat. 11:30 a.m. and noon. Adults $88; children twelve and younger $55. Meeting location in front of wave statue, 337 Thames St., Newport, 619-3019, newportfoodiesstroll.com

KIDS’ STUFF

Studio Playground

THROUGH OCT. 14: Feel empowered during a multi-week acting class with Studio Playground. Children between the ages of five and fourteen can explore the art of improvisation, participate in acting games and expand their storytelling skills while building confidence and bonding with other theater mates. Visit the website for class options, times. Sat. $225–$300. Rhode Island School for the Deaf, 1 Corliss Park, Providence, studioplayground.org

MUSIC

United Theatre

OCT. 1: Salt Marsh Opera presents Verdi’s Falstaff, the Italian comic opera based on Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor. Fri. 7 p.m.; Sun. 3 p.m. $40–$60. United Theatre, 5 Canal St., Westerly, 388-8208, unitedtheatre.org

Rhode Island Philharmonic

OCT. 13–14: Jeremy Denk plays Mozart on the piano as Nicholas McGegan conducts. Amica Rush Hour concert Fri. 6:30 p.m., Taco Classical concert Sat. 8 p.m. $20–$161. The Vets, 1 Avenue of the Arts, Providence.

OCT. 22: Dvořák: A Bohemian Rhapsody, a play within a concert, brings together members of the RI Philharmonic Orchestra and guests such as pianist Judith Lynn Stillman and Fred Sullivan Jr. as Dvořák. 3 p.m. $10–$25. The Rhode Island Philharmonic Music School, 667 Waterman Ave., East Providence, 248-7000, tickets.riphil.org

DANCE

Ballet RI

OCT. 13–15: Shakespeare’s Othello is brought to the stage with Jose Limón’s choreography in The Moor’s Pavane as rage, jealousy and relationships of the characters are conveyed throughout the performance. In Death and the Maiden, set to one of Franz Schubert’s final compositions, darkness and humanity are explored through music and movement. The world premiere of this performance is choreographed by Yury Yanowsky and Ken Ossola with music performed live by Aurea Ensemble. Fri. and Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sat. and Sun. 1:30 p.m. $35–$65. Woodman Family Community and Performance Center, Moses Brown School, 250 Lloyd Ave., Providence, balletri.org

BENEFITS

NAMIWalks Rhode Island

OCT. 7: Fight stigma and help raise awareness around mental illness during the annual NAMIWalks event. Choose between completing your walk solo, in a team full of family and friends, or join one of the NAMIWalks teams to accomplish your goals on the grounds of Roger Williams Park. 10 a.m.–noon. Roger Williams Park, 1000 Elmwood Ave., Providence, 331-3060, namirhodeisland.org

Crate Escape 5K

OCT. 8: On a delightful fall morning, help the furry friends at Save One Soul Animal Rescue League find a forever home. Save One Soul hosts its seventh annual Crate Escape 5K to raise funds for homeless dogs. Run or walk with friends, pets or both before enjoying music, food trucks and more. Register by Oct. 5. 8 a.m.–noon. $35. Slater Memorial Park, 401 Newport Ave., Pawtucket, 206-0727, sosarl.org

MUSEUMS

RISD Museum

ONGOING: Plan your in-person visit in advance online and check out exhibitions on view including “Art and Design from 1900 to Now” and “The Performative Self-Portrait.” Tues., Wed., Sat., Sun. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Thurs. and Fri. noon–7 p.m. Adults $17; seniors $12; youth eighteen and younger free. Free admission Thurs. and Fri. after 5 p.m. and all-day Sun. 20 North Main St., Providence, 454-6500, risdmuseum.org

Newport Art Museum

ONGOING: View exhibits such as “Farm to Table” and “Ana Flores: Shaman Ladders and Other Stories.” Tues.–Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. noon–5 p.m. Adults $15; seniors $10; college students and military $8; museum members and children seventeen and younger free. 76 Bellevue Ave., Newport, 848-8200, newportartmuseum.org

ETCETERA

Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular

THROUGH OCT. 31: Get into the Halloween spirit early this season by admiring the iconic symbol of autumn. As the late afternoon turns into a dark evening, behold the sight of thousands of creatively carved pumpkins at the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular. 6–10:30 p.m., last admission 10 p.m. Visit the website for admission prices. Roger Williams Park Zoo, 1000 Elmwood Ave., Providence, 785-3510, rwpzoo.org

WaterFire Providence

OCT. 14: As the sun sets on the Creative Capital this fall, feel the warmth of the full lighting supported by Brown University, which will feature several lit-up braziers all the way down to Memorial Park. Programs and vendors open at 5 p.m. Free. Memorial Boulevard, Providence, 273-1155, waterfire.org

Solar Eclipse

OCT. 14: Witness the moon eclipse the sun — leaving a small ring of sun around the moon — at the Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center. The eclipse begins at 12:15 p.m., and the maximum eclipse occurs at 1:26 p.m. when the moon eclipses 19 percent of the sun. Grab one of the observatory’s eclipse glasses, or purchase one onsite. 10 a.m.–3 p.m. $5 suggested donation. Ninigret Park, 62 Park Ln., Charlestown, frostydrew.org

Vegan Restaurant Week

OCT. 27–NOV. 5: Step into several restaurants in Providence and surrounding areas that showcase their unique plant-based dining options during Vegan Restaurant Week. Participating restaurants and vendors will craft three-course prix-fixe dining experiences or two to three unique plant-based specials. Visit the website for the full list of participating restaurants. Various restaurants throughout Providence and neighboring cities, vegrestaurantweek.com