Beer, wine, chili, lobsters—the Seacoast's fall food festivals have it all. Here's a sampler to tempt the palate.

Fishtival, Saturday, Sept. 22
Walk the decks of a local fishing boat, taste freshly landed local seafood prepared by Seacoast chefs, learn to identify and prepare local fish, watch an on-location Seafood Throwdown cook-off competition, investigate the Gulf of Maine ecosystem, sing a song and hear a tale or two along the historic waterfront in Prescott Park, right beside the N.H. commercial fishing pier. It’s an event for all ages with games, live music, demos, foul-weather gear, net mending, fish printing, touch tanks, and more, noon to 4 p.m. Admission is free; seafood tastings are $4 each. Visit www.fishtival.org.

Piscataqua Oysterpalooza, Sunday, Sept. 23
Presented by the Coastal Conservation Alliance of NH and the Oyster Shell Recycling Project, the annual Piscataqua Oysterpalooza will feature oysters and other food, along with beverages, live music, a shucking contest, an auction, and informational booths. The admission donation is $20 in advance or $25 on the day of the event (free for children 12 and under), with proceeds going toward the Great Bay Oyster Restoration Project. It all takes place from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Seacoast Science Center at Odiorne Point State Park in Rye. For more information, visit www.ccanh.org.

Apple Harvest Day, Saturday, Oct. 6
Anyone looking for a slice of true Yankee life will find it at this food and craft fair, which draws more than 25,000 people to downtown Dover. In “Orchard Alley,” there will be apples and candy apples and apple-pie contests. The day also features artists and hand-crafters, live entertainment, a healthy living expo, a variety of activities for children and much more. Hosted by the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 603-742-2218.

N.H. Brew Fest, Saturday, Oct. 6
More than 100 brews from some 35 breweries will be available for sampling on the grounds of Redhook Ale Brewery in Portsmouth during the 2012 Brew Fest, a fundraiser for the Prescott Park Arts Festival in partnership with the Master Brewers Association of America and WHEB’s The Morning Buzz. It goes down in two sessions, a matinee from 1 to 4 p.m. and an evening session from 6 to 9 p.m., at Redhook Brewery, 35 Corporate Drive, Portsmouth. There will also be food and music, but of course. Admission is $25-$30 in advance, $35-$40 day of fest. Visit www.prescottpark.org.

Chili Cook-Off, Saturday, Oct. 13
The annual chili chow-down takes place at Strawbery Banke Museum in conjunction with their N.H. Fall Festival and a Redhook beer sampling. Restaurants from around the region will compete for the “Best Chili on the Seacoast” crown. Starts 11:30 a.m. and goes until it’s all gone (roughly 2 p.m.). Prizes will be awarded for People’s Choice and Judge’s Choice. Admission is $15 for adults, $6 for children 12 and under. Hosted by the Prescott Park Arts Festival, 603-436-2848, www.prescottpark.org.

Somersworth Pumpkin Festival, Saturday, Oct. 13
It’s a celebration of all things pumpkin. Such as? Oh, pumpkin painting, pumpkin carving, scarecrow making, pumpkin catapult, pumpkin smashing, pumpkin cookie/cupcake decorating, hay rides, pumpkin mask making, food court, pumpkin bowling, pumpkin putt-putt golf, pumpkin basketball shooting, potato launch (?!), pumpkin parade and more. Hosted by the Somersworth Festival Association, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission includes both events, $10 per child to cover materials, adults free, Somersworth Plaza on Main Street, 603-692-5869 or www.nhfestivals.org.