Visit New Hampshire for fun festivals any time of the year. This small state has plenty to offer for all members of the family.
New Hampshire has many festivals that celebrate its natural beauty, food, heritage, the seasons, holidays, and the arts. From winter carnivals to seafood extravaganzas, the state has many fun events to keep visitors occupied. Festivals occur throughout the year, and here's a festival in New Hampshire for each month of the year.
JANUARY
Amazing snow sculptures can be seen at the WINTER FEST in Jackson, as teams compete in the New Hampshire Snow Sculpting Competition. The sculptures are on display over a weekend after being sculpted on a Friday; chug some hot chocolate, view the incredible figures, and make a snowman of your own.
FEBRUARY
Another great winter carnival, the MOUNT WASHINGTON VALLEY WINTER CARNIVAL, lasts for 10 days and features fun outdoor events, as well as music and other entertainment and lots of food. There are events to interest visitors of all ages, from snowmobiling, skiing, and ice skating to looking at ice carvings and attending seminars. The carnival is centered in North Conway in the beautiful White Mountains of New Hampshire.
MARCH
MAPLE SUGARING take place in New Hampshire during a period of a few weeks in February, March, and April, and visitors can see what's involved in the process of sugaring by visiting a sugar house. Many farms will let visitors watch or even participate in the sugaring, and many delicious maple products like syrup and candy can be tasted and purchased.
APRIL
Bretton Woods Mountain Resort hosts a FAMILY FESTIVAL during April. The 10-day festival offers lots of fun activities for kids ages 4 and up and separate activities for teens. Parents can ski or relax while the kids have a great time doing arts and crafts, watching movies, listening to live music, and having special dinners such as luaus on theme nights.
MAY
The NEW HAMPSHIRE SHEEP AND WOOL FESTIVAL in Contoocook promises visitors "a wooly good time" and has lots of events for those interested in raising sheep or working with wool fibers. There are demonstrations of weaving, spinning, knitting, lace making, and other crafts, and beautiful examples of the wool arts are on display. There are also animal shows, clinics, and contests, and many vendors display their wares at this annual festival at Hopkinton Fairgrounds.
JUNE
Art in many forms is presented at the PRESCOTT PARK ARTS FESTIVAL in Portsmouth, beginning in June and continuing throughout the summer. Performances in theater, dance and music are held on stages in the park, which is located on the Piscataqua River. Events that interest children are scheduled, and artwork in many different mediums is displayed at the arts festival.
JULY
Hot-air balloons are the main attraction at the HILLSBOROUGH BALLOON FESTIVAL in Hillsborough. Watching the scores of colorful balloons lift off is fun, and rides on the balloons, although pricey, are available for the adventurous. Other events such as a parade, a car show, a 5K run, and horse and tractor pulls are held, and there are lots of food and craft booths.
AUGUST
Dover hosts THE SEACOAST IRISH FESTIVAL in August. Irish music is the main draw at this festival, and several Irish bands are featured. There are also events like dancing, storytelling, arts and crafts, and lots of good food. If you liked "Riverdance," you'll love the Irish Festival in Dover.
SEPTEMBER
The SEAFOOD FESTIVAL in Hampton Beach offers tastes of many different seafood dishes from local restaurants. Arts and crafts booths, musical entertainment, activities for children, and fireworks are some of the other things you'll find at the beach festival; chow down on lobster or steamers, hit the beer tent, or watch the street performers as you stroll along Hampton Beach at this end-of-the-summer fest.
OCTOBER
The PUMPKIN FESTIVAL in Keene is held around Halloween, and each year the festival tries to rebreak its world record for displaying the most jack-o-lanterns. Festival-goers are invited to carve a jack-o-lantern and bring it to add to the many thousands at the festival. There are lots of pumpkin-related contests visitors can enter, such as pumpkin seed spitting, pumpkin pie eating, and pumpkin carving, and there's music, a costume parade, and food and craft vendors.
NOVEMBER
The SOMEWHERE NORTH OF BOSTON, or S.N.O.B., FILM FESTIVAL is held in November in Concord. The festival awards prizes for independent films submitted to the competition, and many films are screened during the festival, which is held in Sweeney Hall Auditorium at the New Hampshire Technical Institute. If you like unusual, arty films, this is the place to see a wide variety at one time.
DECEMBER
The SNOWFLAKE FESTIVAL in Portsmouth takes place the whole month of December, beginning with the lighting of a holiday tree on Market Square and ending with a New Year's Eve celebration. Parades, a holiday decoration contest for store windows, performances of the traditional holiday ballet, "The Nutcracker," and eggnog and wine tastings are some of the events visitors can attend, as well as lots of shopping at holiday fairs. Strolls through the Strawberry Banke historic area will allow visitors to see how Christmas was celebrated in the past as they view historic homes and interact with actors in period costumes. There are many events scheduled throughout the month, with activities included to interest those of all ages.
