TrekUnity
When
September
Attendance
~200,000
Admission
Ticketed
Setting
Outdoor
The Durham Fair is Connecticut's largest agricultural fair — a four-day late-September tradition since 1916, with livestock and produce competitions, oxen pulls, a giant midway, grandstand concerts, and quintessential fair food spread across the town green and fields of Durham.
A beloved New England autumn ritual, it captures small-town harvest-season charm and pairs easily with a fall-foliage drive through the Connecticut countryside.
Want to go? Turn Durham Fair into a trip you plan with your group.
Creates an editable trip seeded with a starter itinerary, hotels & eats.
Event details
Typical dates
Four days in late September (Thu–Sun)
Admission
Daily gate admission · rides & concerts extra
Parking
Free fairground parking with shuttles; expect traffic on the busy weekend days.
Nearest airport
Hartford (BDL) ~40 min; New Haven ~25 min
Typical weather
Crisp New England early fall — 60s °F days, cool evenings; bring a layer.
Official website
Location
Durham, CT
Where to stay
Middletown hotels
Nearest cluster ~15 min away.
New Haven hotels
More options ~25 min south.
Connecticut country inns
Charming inns in the surrounding towns.
Where to eat & drink
Fair food
Classic fair fare and local agricultural treats.
New Haven apizza (Frank Pepe / Sally's)
The famous New Haven-style pizza nearby.
Middletown restaurants
Main Street dining nearby.
Nearby attractions
Connecticut fall foliage
Scenic country drives in peak color.
Wadsworth Falls State Park
A pretty waterfall and trails nearby.
Yale University (New Haven)
The historic campus and art museums ~25 min away.
A sample itinerary
1Arrive + New Haven
- •Fly into BDL
- •Afternoon: New Haven + Yale
- •Dinner: New Haven apizza
2Fair day
- •Day: livestock, midway, and fair food
- •Evening: grandstand concert
3Foliage + depart
- •Morning: a fall-foliage drive + Wadsworth Falls
- •Head to BDL
Make it yours — an editable trip you can share with your group.
Travel tips
- Use the free shuttle from the fairground lots on busy days.
- Pair it with New Haven apizza and Yale.
- Go for the fall foliage — late September is beautiful in Connecticut.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Durham Fair?
Four days in late September in Durham, Connecticut.
What makes it special?
It's Connecticut's largest agricultural fair — a classic New England harvest tradition since 1916.
What else is nearby?
New Haven's famous pizza and Yale, plus prime Connecticut fall foliage.
Going with friends?
TrekUnity keeps the whole group on the same page — vote on plans, split costs, and see who's arriving when.
Start planning freeTrekUnity is an independent travel guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Durham Fair or its organizers. Dates, prices, and details are provided for informational purposes and can change — always confirm on the official event website before booking.