Above: This fall’s programs at Chestnut Hill Farm include free times to take Scarecrow Selfies and pick your own pumpkin. (images cropped from TTOR photos**)
I’m sharing the upcoming events at Chestnut Hill Farm over the next two months, including Halloween themed events newly posted for October.
Events are organized below first by special events, followed by ones recurring weekly.
Below are the basic details (mostly in their words, but edited by me for brevity). Click links for the full descriptions (or visit here for all of their upcoming programs at the farm).
The events all require pre-registration and most include a fee. (Fees are discounted for members and you can find membership details here.) (The fees listed below are by Trustees’ member/non-member.)
Special One Day Events
Pumpkintime: Pick Your Own Pumpkins
All ages
Saturday, October 7th, 12:00 – 4:00 pm (with timed 1-hour tickets)
Activities will include picking your own pumpkin from our pumpkin patch, scarecrow selfies, face painting and a children’s scavenger hunt. Pay for the pumpkins you pick in the Farm Store, which will be filled with seasonal treats and local items for your fall shopping pleasure. (Free except for the price of pumpkins)
For details and to register, click here.
Junior Farmer for a Day
For grades K-5.
Monday, October 9 and Tuesday, November 7 , 9:00 am – 12:00 pm (Columbus Day and Marlborough schools’ Professional Development Day)
A special drop-off program will give children the experience of what it’s like to be a farmer. They will help care for farm animals, learn about farm-fresh food, go for a hike and make nature-inspired crafts.
For details and to register, click here.
Owls, Spiders, and Bats, Oh My!
For families with children ages 4-7
Saturday, October 14th, 10:00 – 11:30
What’s an owl pellet? How do bats hunt? Are all spider webs the same shape? Learn about some of our spookiest wildlife during this fun family program! ($20/25 per adult-child pair)
For details and to register, click here.
Hunt for Halloween Mushrooms Guided Hike
For families with children ages 6+
Saturday, October 21st, 5:00 – 6:30 pm
Focus on finding some “scary” and Halloween-themed mushrooms (e.g., Witches’ butter, Jack o’ Lantern mushrooms, Dead man’s fingers, and bleeding fungi). At dusk, experience how certain mushrooms glow in the dark! ($12-20/$15-25)
For details and to register, click here.
Spooky Full Hunter’s Moon Hike
All ages
Saturday, October 28th, 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Join us for a special evening hike under the Full Hunter’s Moon, where we will discover all things spooky by moonlight. On this spooky moonlit evening, we will search for nocturnal hunters, bat silhouettes, and learn about owl calls in hopes that you’ll hear a feathered hunter on your hike. ($12-20/$15-25)
For details and to register, click here.
Happy Goat-A-Ween!
For families with kids ages 0-8
Sunday, October 29th, 2:00 – 4:00 pm (with timed, 1-hour tickets)
Kiddos up to eight years-old are invited to wear their Halloween costumes and join us for some fun and trick-or-treating with our goats, sheep and rabbits. Your little one can make a Halloween craft, take selfies with a pumpkin scarecrow or while cuddling with a favorite goat, enjoy complimentary apple cider, a scavenger hunt, and take some Halloween candy home. ($32/$40 per carload)
For details and to register, click here.
Weathering the Winter: An Interactive Walk
All ages
Saturday, November 11th, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Join our ranger and our farmer for this special interactive walk to learn how Chestnut Hill Farm – the cultivated fields and the woodlands surrounding them – prepare for and survive the winter. In observance of Veteran’s Day, Veterans may request a complimentary ticket. ($12-24/$15-30)
For details and to register, click here.
Talking Turkey!
For families with children ages 4-7
Saturday, November 18th, 10:00 – 11:00 am
It’s Turkey Time! With Thanksgiving approaching, your kiddos are definitely talking turkey. What do you call a baby turkey? What are some differences between turkeys you might see in your backyard and the turkey you see at the Thanksgiving table? ($20/25 per adult-child pair)
For details and to register, click here.
Full Beaver Moon Hike
All ages
Saturday, November 26th, 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Enjoy a tranquil evening walk under a full moon, or near-full moon as it waxes or wanes. Your guide will lead you along the farm trails as we take in views of the night sky and share an informal discussion about the traditional significance of November’s Beaver Full Moon. ($12-20/$15-25)
For details and to register, click here.
Weekly Programs
Scarecrow Selfie Saturdays — Drop-in
All ages
Saturdays, October 7th – 28th, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Bring your family and friends for a fun fall Saturday at Chestnut Hill Farm. Take a selfie with our scarecrows and shop tasty fall treats from our farm store. Costumes are welcome and encouraged – bring accessories (hats, sunglasses, wigs, etc) and get creative in dressing up with our scarecrows! (Free)
No registration required. For details, click here.
Books with Bunnies
Preschooler with parent (siblings allowed for additional fee)
Tuesdays, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
An interactive storytime in the bunny garden with the farm’s Flemish Giant Rabbits hopping about. ($5/10)
For details and to register, click here.
Preschool Farm Explorers***
For ages 2 yrs & 9 months – 5 yrs with parents (younger siblings allowed)
[Note: Sometime between posting this story and late November, the program was put on hold.]***
Thursdays, 10:00 – 11:00 am
Your little farm explorers will become fully immersed in what life is like at the farm with topics based on the season and farm cycle. Each session is a new learning experience. ($24/30)
For details and to register, click here. [
Goat Hangout and Ramble
All ages
Saturdays and Sundays through November 19th, 9:00 am, 10:00 am, and 11:00 am
Take a goat on a leisurely stroll or even a lengthy hike, or just hang out close to the farmyard, letting the goats feed and frolic with you along the trails. ($76 per family up to 4 people/$95)
For details and to register, click here.
*For each of the Chestnut Hill Farm programs:
- For the most up-to-date information or weather cancellations for this and other programs, follow Chestnut Hill Farm’s Facebook page.
- Because it is a working farm, dogs aren’t permitted on the property.
**(all photos are copied from TTOR website events pages or Chestnut Hill Farm’s Facebook posts/events)
***Updated (11/22/23 3:49 pm): I learned that due to a staffing issue, the Preschool Explorers program has been put on hold.
