Fall is finally here in New Hampshire, but that doesn’t mean the celebrations from summer need to stop. Fall is a great time to attend festivals, and New Hampshire is full of great fall festivals to celebrate the autumn harvest. Of course, there are the county fairs, which you won’t want to miss. But here are 8 more unique fall festivals that you’ll only find in New Hampshire.
- New Hampshire Highland Games and Festival, September 16-18
New Hampshire Highland Games and Festival Even if you don’t have Scottish heritage, you’ll love getting in touch with Scottish traditions at this weekend-long festival at Loon Mountain in Lincoln. You’ll enjoy Celtic music, beer tastings, and a heavy athletics competition including hammer throw and lifts, where you will see some of the strongest athletes in the world.
New Hampshire Highland Games/faecbook
- Dover’s Apple Harvest Day, October 1
Apple Harvest Day/facebook Apples in New England are something we love to celebrate, and Dover puts on a great festival. There is a 5k road race, live local music, and, of course, plenty of apples and apple pie.
Apple Harvest Day/facebook
- Warner Fall Foliage Festival, October 7-9
Warner Foliage Festival/facebook For sixty-nine years the small town of Warner has put on a great fall festival, complete with a parade and a 5k race. This one is worth the drive along, since Warner is nestled in a beautiful part of the state.
Warner Foliage Festival/facebook
- Milford Great Pumpkin Festival, October 7-9
Milford Great Pumpkin Festival/facebook This small-town festival brings big fun. The craft fair is coupled with outstanding music and plenty of pumpkin-oriented fun. The waffle breakfast on Sunday morning, put on by the Fire Department, is particularly memorable.
Milford Great Pumpkin Festival/facebook
- White Mountain Oktoberfest, October 8-9
Loon Mountain/facebook This event sponsored by Sam Adams is the largest Oktoberfest in the state. Adults will love the beers on tap and German food, but there is also plenty for the kids to do, including a rootbeer keg toss and pumpkin painting.
Loon Mountain Resort/facebook
- Fall Foliage Festival, Waterville Valley, October 8-10
Waterville Valley/facebook The Fall Foliage Festival at Waterville Valley is full of everything the resort is famous for: outdoor adventure, great food and lots of fun. Staying true to the resort’s roots there’s even a ski swap to prepare for upcoming ski season.
Waterville Valley/facebook
- New Hampshire Film Festival, Portsmouth, October 13-16
New Hampshire Film Festival/facebook More than 10,000 attendees flock to Portsmouth over this weekend to watch the best independent films from around the region and the world. Films are shown in four locations around town, and all of Portsmouth comes alive with the thrill of the film fest. You may even get to walk to red carpet!
New Hampshire Film Festival/facebook
- New Hampshire Pumpkin Festival, Laconia, October 22
NH Pumpkin Festival/facebook 20,000 pumpkins are on display for this event, including the 34-foot tall jack-o-lantern tower. The day is packed full of pumpkin fun for the whole family, and the idea is amazing after dark when all the Jack-o-lanterns light up.
NH Pumpkin Festival/facebook
New Hampshire Highland Games and Festival
Even if you don’t have Scottish heritage, you’ll love getting in touch with Scottish traditions at this weekend-long festival at Loon Mountain in Lincoln. You’ll enjoy Celtic music, beer tastings, and a heavy athletics competition including hammer throw and lifts, where you will see some of the strongest athletes in the world.
New Hampshire Highland Games/faecbook
Apple Harvest Day/facebook
Apples in New England are something we love to celebrate, and Dover puts on a great festival. There is a 5k road race, live local music, and, of course, plenty of apples and apple pie.
Warner Foliage Festival/facebook
For sixty-nine years the small town of Warner has put on a great fall festival, complete with a parade and a 5k race. This one is worth the drive along, since Warner is nestled in a beautiful part of the state.
Milford Great Pumpkin Festival/facebook
This small-town festival brings big fun. The craft fair is coupled with outstanding music and plenty of pumpkin-oriented fun. The waffle breakfast on Sunday morning, put on by the Fire Department, is particularly memorable.
Loon Mountain/facebook
This event sponsored by Sam Adams is the largest Oktoberfest in the state. Adults will love the beers on tap and German food, but there is also plenty for the kids to do, including a rootbeer keg toss and pumpkin painting.
Loon Mountain Resort/facebook
Waterville Valley/facebook
The Fall Foliage Festival at Waterville Valley is full of everything the resort is famous for: outdoor adventure, great food and lots of fun. Staying true to the resort’s roots there’s even a ski swap to prepare for upcoming ski season.
New Hampshire Film Festival/facebook
More than 10,000 attendees flock to Portsmouth over this weekend to watch the best independent films from around the region and the world. Films are shown in four locations around town, and all of Portsmouth comes alive with the thrill of the film fest. You may even get to walk to red carpet!
NH Pumpkin Festival/facebook
20,000 pumpkins are on display for this event, including the 34-foot tall jack-o-lantern tower. The day is packed full of pumpkin fun for the whole family, and the idea is amazing after dark when all the Jack-o-lanterns light up.
What are your favorite fall festivals in New Hampshire? Suddenly we’re really excited for fall!
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