One thing’s for sure – New Hampshire loves a good festival. You already know not to miss the big country fairs or Laconia Motorcycle Week, but have you heard of these smaller but no less fun local festivals? Whether you want to learn about UFOs, meet some friendly sheep, or dig into a bowl of prize-winning chili, there’s a celebration for you.
Mark your calendar and get ready for some unique New Hampshire experiences – and plenty of delicious treats!
- American Independence Festival - Exeter
Facebook/AmericanIndependenceMuseum Take a trip back in time July 15, 2017, at the American Independence Festival. With tours of the American Independence Museum, reenactments of Revolutionary War encampments, crafts for kids, and tasty snacks, this festival will be a lot more fun than history class.
- New Hampshire Highland Games - Lincoln
New Hampshire Highland Games Whether or not you have any Scottish blood in your veins, you need to check out this festival. Watch traditional athletics and dance, sample Scottish delicacies, and listen to fantastic music, September 15-17, 2017.
- Gate City Brewfest NH - Nashua
Facebook/GateCityBrewfestNH Sample craft beers and delicious chicken wings at Nashua’s historic Holman Stadium. If you’re feeling competitive, join in a game of cornhole, or bring along your family to enjoy a wide range of children’s activities. This year’s festival is August 19, 2017.
- Fire on the Mountain Chili Fest - Henniker
Facebook/RotaryClubofHenniker With beverages, food, and plenty of entertainment, this festival is a great draw for spice-lovers from across the state. Come ready to burn your tongue on August 20, 2017!
- New Hampshire Sheep and Wool Festival - Deerfield
Facebook/NewHampshireSWGA Are you a knitter, felter, or just a sheep lover? Then you won’t want to miss the New Hampshire Sheep and Wool Festival, where you can see herding dog demonstrations, learn about spinning technique, and of course, buy plenty of wool. This year’s event is May 13-14, 2017.
- WOKQ Chowder Festival - Portsmouth
WOKQ Taste-test 20 different chowders and enjoy live music as you kick off summer at Portsmouth’s Prescott Park this June 3.
- Fairy House Festival - Portsmouth
Facebook/FairyHouseTour Bring your little ones to explore the world’s largest fairy house tour, with magical houses built by both community members and professional artists. The enchantment runs from September 23-24, 2017.
- Hillsborough Balloon Festival - Hillsborough
Hillsborough Balloon Festival Book a balloon ride or take photos from the ground while enjoying carnival rides, food, stage acts, and a road race. The fun lasts four days, July 6-9, 2017.
- Exeter UFO Festival - Exeter
Facebook/ExeterUFOFestival Whether you’re a UFO true believer or a skeptic, you’re certain to learn something from the UFO enthusiasts around the country who’ll gather in Exeter September 2-3, 2017.
- Warner Fall Foliage Festival - Warner
Facebook/WarnerFallFoliageFestival Enjoy three days of small-town fall fun October 6-8, 2017, with musical entertainment, parades, road races, and more.
- Newport Brewfest - Newport
Facebook/NewportBrewfest This brewfest only features New Hampshire nano-breweries. Sip some samples and get a new pint glass to add to your collection on June 17, 2017!
- Milford Pumpkin Festival - Milford
Facebook/Milford-Great-Pumpkin-Festival-120540746657/ With a haunted trail, food and beverages, two sound stages, and of course, plenty of pumpkins, this festival offers something for pumpkin lovers of all ages. Carve your pumpkins October 6-8, 2017.
As you can see, there is truly a festival for every interest in New Hampshire. Residents and visitors alike will have plenty to keep them busy in 2017!
Facebook/AmericanIndependenceMuseum
Take a trip back in time July 15, 2017, at the American Independence Festival. With tours of the American Independence Museum, reenactments of Revolutionary War encampments, crafts for kids, and tasty snacks, this festival will be a lot more fun than history class.
New Hampshire Highland Games
Whether or not you have any Scottish blood in your veins, you need to check out this festival. Watch traditional athletics and dance, sample Scottish delicacies, and listen to fantastic music, September 15-17, 2017.
Facebook/GateCityBrewfestNH
Sample craft beers and delicious chicken wings at Nashua’s historic Holman Stadium. If you’re feeling competitive, join in a game of cornhole, or bring along your family to enjoy a wide range of children’s activities. This year’s festival is August 19, 2017.
Facebook/RotaryClubofHenniker
With beverages, food, and plenty of entertainment, this festival is a great draw for spice-lovers from across the state. Come ready to burn your tongue on August 20, 2017!
Facebook/NewHampshireSWGA
Are you a knitter, felter, or just a sheep lover? Then you won’t want to miss the New Hampshire Sheep and Wool Festival, where you can see herding dog demonstrations, learn about spinning technique, and of course, buy plenty of wool. This year’s event is May 13-14, 2017.
WOKQ
Taste-test 20 different chowders and enjoy live music as you kick off summer at Portsmouth’s Prescott Park this June 3.
Facebook/FairyHouseTour
Bring your little ones to explore the world’s largest fairy house tour, with magical houses built by both community members and professional artists. The enchantment runs from September 23-24, 2017.
Hillsborough Balloon Festival
Book a balloon ride or take photos from the ground while enjoying carnival rides, food, stage acts, and a road race. The fun lasts four days, July 6-9, 2017.
Facebook/ExeterUFOFestival
Whether you’re a UFO true believer or a skeptic, you’re certain to learn something from the UFO enthusiasts around the country who’ll gather in Exeter September 2-3, 2017.
Facebook/WarnerFallFoliageFestival
Enjoy three days of small-town fall fun October 6-8, 2017, with musical entertainment, parades, road races, and more.
Facebook/NewportBrewfest
This brewfest only features New Hampshire nano-breweries. Sip some samples and get a new pint glass to add to your collection on June 17, 2017!
Facebook/Milford-Great-Pumpkin-Festival-120540746657/
With a haunted trail, food and beverages, two sound stages, and of course, plenty of pumpkins, this festival offers something for pumpkin lovers of all ages. Carve your pumpkins October 6-8, 2017.
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