Local News Financial media company MarketBeat set out to find the best free autumn experiences available this season. See what topped the list. The Salem Food Truck & Craft Beverage Festival topped the list of free fall activities in Mass. Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff

With household budgets stretched thinner this year, many families are looking for ways to enjoy their fall weekends without spending as much. 

A new survey from financial media company MarketBeat polled more than 3,000 families for the best free fall activities in every state, from community fairs to wildlife events. The survey, conducted in September, respondents were asked to choose free events they would be most interested in attending; those responses were then aggregated to find the activities that drew the most interest nationally.

The results suggests a growing interest in free and local experiences. Traditional fall festivals, such as pumpkin-themed events, remain a key driver for families, if not “the closest thing fall has to an official event,” MarketBeat wrote among its key findings.

More than half of respondents said they expect to spend less on fall activities this year, and nearly two-thirds said free admission will be extremely or very important when deciding which events to attend. Nearly half said they’ve specifically searched for free fall activities because of the cost of living.

And in Massachusetts, the survey’s top picks lean heavily into community festivals that don’t require an admission fee.

“What these findings show is that families are not willing to give up the experiences and traditions they look forward to each fall,” MarketBeat founder Matt Paulson said in a news release. “Instead, they are becoming more selective about where their money goes and actively seeking better-value alternatives,” he added.

Massachusetts families also said they’re willing to travel for free admission: 24% said they’d drive more than 50 miles, and another 34% would travel between 26 and 50 miles.

Here’s what topped the list in Massachusetts:

1. Salem Food Truck & Craft Beverage Festival

Before Salem’s Halloween season hits full swing, downtown hosts a two-day festival built around food trucks and local drinks, now in its seventh year. Vendors offer everything from smashburgers and barbecue to bubble tea and sopaipillas, alongside a lineup of craft beer and cocktails. The festival gives visitors an early taste of Salem’s fall calendar before the October crowds descend.

Sept. 19-20 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Salem

2. What the Fluff? Festival

Somerville holds a distinctive piece of culinary history: Marshmallow Fluff was invented there in 1917 by candy maker Archibald Query. The city has celebrated that legacy since 2005 with one of the region’s more offbeat annual festivals. This year’s event takes place in Union Square and marks the festival’s 21st anniversary.

Sept. 19 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Union Square, Somerville

3. Ashfield Fall Festival

The Ashfield Fall Festival traces back to 1970. Set against the Berkshire foothills, the festival now spans the historic town common with craft vendors, farm stands, and live music. A scholarship fund for educational purposes is also still part of the more than 50-year-old tradition.

Oct. 10-11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Ashfield

See the full Market Beat survey results for America’s top autumn activities that are free.

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