Annual NH Events
This is just a sampling of the many exciting and unique events hosted in New Hampshire each year. For a complete list of events, please view our complete Online Events Calendar.
January
New Hampshire Sanctioned & Jackson Invitational Snow Sculpting Event, Gorham
January 26 – 28, 2024
Watch amateur and professional snow sculptors create works of art at this annual event. Sculptors come from all over the Northeast to participate in this event, which kicks off Friday afternoon. Work continues throughout the weekend with judging taking place Sunday afternoon. Spectators are welcome to watch all weekend long. Bring the whole family as there is a scavenger hunt for kids and other activities planned.
February
Keene Ice and Snow Festival, Keene
February 3, 2024
Taking place in Central Square and the Downtown area of Keene this event features a day of outdoor family fun including ice carving, snow sculpting, snowboard rail jam, Snowman Central (crafts for kids), horse drawn wagon rides, refreshments and more!
March
Maple Sugaring Month in New Hampshire, Statewide
March 2025
Usher in spring with a month-long celebration of pure NH Maple Syrup! During the month of March, sugarhouses across the Granite State open their doors to visitors. This is the time when you can take a tour of maple orchards, and step inside a sugar shack to see firsthand how this sweet treat is made. Taste free samples of maple products and fill up on pancake breakfasts.
April
Restaurant Week Portsmouth & The Seacoast, Seacoast
April 2024
This is an event not to be missed by foodies or anyone just looking to try something new! During this 10-day culinary event, restaurants around the Seacoast offer special three course prix fixe menus for lunch and dinner. It’s a great opportunity for visitors and residents to try new restaurants and at the same time support local New Hampshire businesses.
May/June
Fields of Lupine Festival, Easton, Franconia, Sugar Hill
Late May/June 2024
Paying homage to the annual blossoming of this captivating wildflower, the Fields of Lupine Festival is a time-honored regional event. The brilliant spikes of the lupine flower carpet local fields and pastures in a rolling sea of vibrant purples, pinks, blues and whites. The long-lasting blossoms attract equally dazzling butterflies and create a breathtaking floral display against the majestic backdrop of the Franconia, Presidential, and Kinsman Mountain ranges. Every visitor is guaranteed abundant photo and recreational opportunities in the Northeast's most spectacular mountain region.
June
Laconia Motorcycle Week, Laconia
June 8-16, 2024
The nation’s oldest motorcycle rally brings thousands of enthusiasts to New Hampshire each year. “America’s Original Riding Rally” welcomes guests from around the country to this hotbed of riding heritage every June. Bikers can look forward to breathtaking motorcycle rides through winding roads, stunning lake vistas and riding on historic roads like the Kancamagus Highway. There will be headlining bands and concerts all through the Lakes Region so you can quench your thirst for some good music.
July
Hillsboro Summer Festival, Hillsboro
July 11-14, 2024
The Hillsboro Summer Festival is a four-day event with activities and fun for all! Festival highlights include live entertainment every day of the fair, a hometown parade, midway and carnival rides, and 5k Road Race. Plus, the Saturday night fireworks extravaganza is one of the premier fireworks displays in all of New Hampshire!
August
North Country Moose Festival, Colebrook
August 23-25, 2024
It would be wrong if the North Country Chamber of Commerce didn't pay homage to one of the great creatures in our forests - the moose. This year marks the 34th annual event. Festivities throughout the weekend include the ever-popular moose calling contest, chili cook-off, live music, artisan and craft vendors and family favorites such as horse & wagon rides, the dog show and the classic car show.
September
Hampton Beach Seafood Festival, Hampton Beach
September 6-8, 2024
The biggest party on Hampton Beach returns to celebrate its 35th year this September! More than 50 of the Seacoast’s top restaurants serving a bounty of mouthwatering seafood delicacies await you, along with vendors offering locally made products, sidewalk sales along Ocean Boulevard, chef demonstrations and two stages featuring continuous live entertainment. There’s a reason this festival has been rated as one of the top 100 Events in North America by the American Bus Association, so don’t miss out on this year’s festivities.
New Hampshire Highland Games, Lincoln
September 20 – 22, 2024
Celebrate all things Scottish this September when the New Hampshire Highland Games & Festival returns to Loon Mountain. The event is one of the largest and most diverse Highland Games held in North America with a little something for everyone from Scottish music, dance, food and fun to heavy athletics, sheep dog trials and a crowd favorite, massed bands. The festival just happens to coincide with the start of fall foliage so be sure to check out the seasonal sights while you’re here.
October
New Hampshire Book Festival, Concord
October 4 – 5, 2024
Head to Concord this fall for the inaugural book festival bringing authors together with readers to celebrate literacy, conversation, and community. New Hampshire’s historic capital city will be the backdrop for this event that will bring 40+ nationally recognized authors to downtown. The free two-day event features live presentations, panel discussions, book signings, great food and more.
Riverfire
October 19, 2024
It’s the perfect way to celebrate the brisk fall days. The city of Berlin heats things up with their RiverFire festival! This year will mark the 20th annual event in the “city that trees built.” Enjoy a full day of family friendly activities including hay rides, a costume parade, live music, pumpkins on the bridge, food and it’s all capped off with dramatic fires on the Androscoggin River at night.
November
Gift of Lights, Loudon
End of November – January 1, 2025
Imagine over 4 million festive holiday lights all in one place. No need to imagine it, that’s what you’ll experience at New Hampshire Motor Speedway’s Gift of Lights! More than 400 displays decorate the 2.5-mile-long drive, where millions of light illuminate the track creating a festive holiday journey. Start your adventure driving through the tunnel of lights! Check the schedule schedule for days of operation when planning your trip.
December
Vintage Christmas, Portsmouth
Weekends in December 2024
A month long event that transforms historic downtown Portsmouth into a holiday wonderland. The event features professional holiday theatre at the Music Hall and Strawbery Banke’s historic houses from four centuries decorated in period regalia, hundreds of candles lighting the lanes and landscape a gingerbread house contest and display, live music and holiday entertainment for all ages, along with horse-drawn carriage rides, holiday decoration demonstrations, a romantic outdoor ice-skating rink, and more.
