The Big E
Fall festival · West Springfield · Massachusetts
New England's largest fair, seventeen days long, with a building for each of the six New England states, championship livestock barns, and the Avenue of States lined with food halls. It's the kind of scale where you plan a route in advance, since the cream puff line alone can take a while.
Don’t miss
Plan your visit
17-day run; check easternstatesexposition.com for daily gate hours
Dates from the official announcement, checked August 20, 2026. Always confirm before you go.
Color nearby peaks: October 17–October 21
Color builds from October 3 · mostly bare by November 9
Sampled at The Big E’s own coordinates and elevation (23 m) rather than a regional average.
This window comes from 4 weather points across Massachusetts, nudged 3 days later to match 1 published peak date from smokymountains.com and almanac.com. Massachusetts is running 3 days earlier than its own average this year. How the forecast works
When to go to The Big E
Good color holds through about October 28, giving you roughly 25 days from the first turn to past peak.
It is roughly 22 mi out of Hartford. Providence is about 65 mi out.
The Big E on the map
Drag the date slider to see when color reaches this corner of Massachusetts, or tap a pin for that stop’s own peak window.
More things to do in Massachusetts
Leaves & views
- Boston Public GardenGarden · Peak Oct 24
- Arnold ArboretumArboretum · Peak Oct 24
- Mount Auburn CemeteryGarden cemetery · Peak Oct 23
- Middlesex Fells ReservationState park · Peak Oct 23
- Walden Pond State ReservationState park · Peak Oct 21
- Mount Greylock State ReservationState park · Peak Oct 7
- Mohawk Trail (Hairpin Turn)Scenic drive · Peak Oct 9
Plan from a city
Frequently asked
- When is The Big E open in 2026?
- The 2026 season runs Sep 18 – Oct 4. 17-day run; check easternstatesexposition.com for daily gate hours. Dates can shift, so check the official site before you go.
- When does The Big E peak in 2026?
- Peak color is predicted for October 17–October 21 (best estimate October 19). Color starts around October 3 and is mostly bare by November 9.
- How do I get to The Big E?
- The Big E is in West Springfield. The closest city is Hartford, about 22 mi away. It's part of Massachusetts's fall lineup.
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