Fairs and Festivals in NH

Location: Peterborough, and throughout the region
Approximate Date: July-August
Monadnock Music is a meeting place where listeners, performers, and composers come together each summer to nurture a vision of what our collective musical life can be. The ideal of making the best in music available to everyone is the driving force behind Monadnock Music. Of the thirty-plus concerts, fully half of them are free of charge and occur in the central meetinghouses and churches of the many small towns that dot the region. In the central town of Peterborough, a weekend ticketed series presents music of many genres, from recitals to choral and orchestral concerts, even the occasional opera.
www.monadnockmusic.org

Location: Swanzey
Approximate Date: July-August
From animals to zucchini, fairgoers find something for every family member – Horse Pulling for Dad – Country Music for Mom – Carnival Rides for the Kids – and a Demolition Derby for the whole family.
www.cheshirefair.com

Location: Jaffrey
Approximate Date: 3rd Sat. of August
Live music, dancing, tons of food and novelty items, sky diving exhibition and games for children of all ages! And of course - Atlas PyroVision's award-winning fireworks!!!
www.jaffreychamber.com

Location: At 4 sites in the Hillsborough area
Approximate Date: August 21 & 22, 2010
Experience the 1700's, 1800's, and early 1900's as you interact with period musicians, reenactors, historical figures, artisans, craftsmen, and children's activities where history comes alive. For more information E-mail: LivingHistoryEvent@gmail.com visit:www.LivingHistoryEventNH.com, or write to Living History Event 2010, P. O. Box 703, Hillsborough, NH 03244-0703.
www,LivingHistoryEventNH.com

Location: Keene
Approximate Date: September
The Keene Music Festival began in the summer of 2001. Its mission is to lend support and inspiration to local musicians through the creation and production of an annual, outdoor performance event. In addition to the main event (Saturday, August 30 in 2008) there are events all summer long.
www.keenemusicfestival.com

Location: Keene
Approximate Date: Labor Day Weekend
In the early autumn of 1958 a loose knit group of fine artists numbering fewer than a dozen, gathered on the town common in Keene to display their paintings and art work. The city of Keene provided wooden snow fencing around the Central Square and the artists hung their work on the reddish slats for all to see. The sun filtered through the turning Autumn leaves and a tradition painted itself into the town's history.
www.keeneartassoc.org/pages/ArtinthePark.html

Location: Winchester
Approximate Date: September
An old-fashioned town fair. The Winchester’s annual Pickle Festival is fun for all. Downtown Winchester becomes the fairgrounds, with Main Street (Route 10) the parade route. Kids march along with the parade, which features local pickle-themed floats, plenty of pickle costumes and marching bands. Along the route are craftsmen (many demonstrating), food booths, and a lively competition among local cooks for the best jar of pickles. There are free pickles for everyone. Live music goes on all day, with everything from blues and country-western to a barbershop quartet and violin ensemble. To Find the Pickles All events take place on Main Street (Route 10) in Winchester. Winchester is south of Keene – just follow Route 10 south from the Route 101 intersection.
www.picklefestival.org

Location: Hillsborough area
Approximate Date: September 18 - 19, 2010
The annual Open Studio Tour is a two day event and is a self guided tour of artist studios all within a 20 mile radius of the downtown Hillsborough area. Many of the artist will be demonstrating their craft. The hours of the studio tour on Saturday and Sunday are 10am -5pm
www.hillsboroughartisans.com

Location: Antrim
Approximate Date: September
Antrim’s Home and Harvest Days just keep getting better and better. It features 2 days of activities including a parade, community breakfasts and suppers, live music, one of N.H.’s old acting troupes, and fun and games which are free to all kids.
www.antrimcc.com/Home---Harvest-Festival.html

Location: Hillsborough
Approximate Date: September 25, 2010
Come & taste the most authentic German food you'll find outside of Germany at the 8th Annual Schnitzelfest in Hillsborough. Enjoy Schnitzel (breaded or grilled), Bratwurst, Knackwurst, Wieners, Homemade German Potato Salad, Sauerkraut, Rotkohl, Breads, Desserts, Beer & Wine. Live Umpah Band & other entertainment. Crafters. Under the tents, rain or shine, in downtown Hillsborough from 11am to 5:00pm. FREE admission, fun for the entire family! Come & taste the difference.
www.hillsboroughnhchamber.com

Location: Peterborough
Approximate Date: Last Sat. in September
This event is designed for young and old alike to promote wellness to all. There are free health screenings, exhibitors, live entertainment, healthy food, and demonstrations all capped by the hilarious Shopping Cart Parade down Grove Street at Noon.
www.monadnockrotary.org/wellness

Location: Hillsborough
Approximate Date: October
Annual October Candlelight Dessert and Open House. More details are available on the Hillsborough Chamber web site when the date is set.
www.hillsboroughnhchamber.com

Location: Dublin, Marlborough, Harrisville, Hancock, Peterborough and Jaffrey
Approximate Date: October (Columbus Day weekend)
The Open Studio Art Tour happens each October on Columbus Day weekend during the peak of the beautiful foliage season in southwestern New Hampshire. Each year, around 50 artists who live and work in the towns around Mount Monadnock - Dublin, Marlborough, Harrisville, Hancock, Peterborough and Jaffrey - participated in the Tour, representing the remarkable range and diversity of the visual arts in our region.
www.monadnockart.org/art-tour.php

Location: Peterborough
Approximate Date: October
Each year, at the height of the fall foliage season in New Hampshire, the town of Peterborough is awash in bright gold and orange banners signaling the Annual "Peak Into Peterborough" celebration. The name of the event is a play on words that is intended to capitalize on the "Peak" of the fall foliage season. But hearing the name suggests that you give Peterborough a quick glance. Either way, the Monadnock Region is the place to be for spectacular fall foliage.
www.greater-peterborough-chamber.com/peak-into-peterborough.php

Location: Keene
Approximate Date: End of November or start of December
The Tree Lighting Festival is the community's way of welcoming the magic and joy of the Holiday season, climaxing with the lighting of the giant Christmas tree in Keene's charming Central Square.

Location: Putnam Park - Downtown Peterborough
Approximate Date: 1st Sunday in December
Make merry to start the season - caroling, milk & cookies at the Historical Society (yes - coffee and cocoa,too!), the excitement of the downtown tree being lit and a visit from Old Saint Nick. A true small town holiday evening

Location: Walpole
Approximate Date: October

Location: Keene
Approximate Date: October
Keene and the Monadnock Region are full of fascinating things to see and do - especially during Pumpkin Festival time! While the festival is a single day, you can easily fill a week or more taking advantage of all our region has to offer - whether you like hiking mountains, visiting historical sites, or sampling fine dining. The Keene Pumpkin Festival is held each year during New Hampshire’s brilliant foliage season… reason enough to come for a visit!
www.pumpkinfestival.org

Location: Jaffrey
Approximate Date: December
www.jaffreychamber.com

Location: Winchester
Approximate Date: Last Sat. of January
www.winchestertrailriders.org

Location: Keene
Approximate Date: February
Come with the whole family to see ice carvings, build a snowman at Snowman Central, watch snowboarders on the railjam, participate in the snowball throwing contest, enjoy hot chocolate and food, and take a horse-drawn wagon ride!
www.keenechamber.com/iceandsnow.html

Location: Jaffrey
Approximate Date: 2nd Sat of February
The return of an old tradition in town.
www.jaffreychamber.com

Location: Peterborough
Approximate Date: May (usually 3rd Sat.)
An annual festival celebrating art for, by, and of the children of our community. Streets are closed to vehicular traffic and filled instead with song, laughter, parading Giant Puppets, food, fun, dancing, chalk art, the Art Walk, and something for everyone who loves art and children.
www.childrenandthearts.org

Location: Historic Hillsborough Center
Approximate Date: June 12 - 13, 2010
The Hillsborough Area Artisans Spring Into Summer Faire takes place under tents & in studios in the Historic Hillsborough Center and features HAA artisans as well as many juried guest artisans. The faire will include baskets, jewelry, blown glass, fabric art; paintings, pottery, photography; woodburning, blacksmithing, and more. In addition to artist displays in outdoor tents there will be artisans in the Center Club. Also several artisans at hosted in the Gallery at Wellsweep. Gibson Pewter and Sissi Studio, both located in Hillsboro Center, will also be open during the faire. Refreshments will be available in the Center Club: Coffee, tea, cold drinks, pastries, German soft pretzels and a special lunch menu will be served by German John's Bakery.
www.hillsboroughartisans.com

Location: Swanzey
Approximate Date: June
Annual outdoor theatre production of Denman Thompson's spectacular realistic drama about life in 19th century America.
www.oldhomesteadswanzey.com

Location: Gilsum
Approximate Date: End of June
The annual Rock Swap and mineral Show attracts 6,000 - 8,000. Here more than 70 dealers, swappers, distributors, and collectors can buy, sell, or swap beryl, quartz crystals, semi-precious stones, and rocks and minerals of all sorts. Displays range from newly found specimens in the rough to fossils, prized collector’s pieces and even hand crafted jewelry.
gilsum.org/rockswap.aspx

Location: Peterborough
Approximate Date: July 4 (or nearest Saturday)
With acres of wide open fields, the location gives spectators an up-close-and-personal connection with the amazing pyrotechnic display by Atlas PyroVision. Over the years, this event has become an outing for the entire family, with concession stands serving hamburgers, hotdogs, and soft drinks.
www.greater-peterborough-chamber.com/fireworks-nh-firework-display.html

Location: Grimes Field, Hillsborough, NH
Approximate Date: July 8 - 11, 2010
More than 30,000 people attend the annual Balloon Festival & Fair. Each year new events are added. Balloon flights over New Hampshire's beautiful Monadnock Region are available to the general public along with tethered flights for the more cautious. Saturday night's fireworks extravaganza is one of the premier fireworks displays in all of New Hampshire. A true hot air balloon festival featuring balloon lift offs at 6am & 6pm (weather permitting), carnival midway, parade, road race, fireworks (Sat. night weather permitting), mud bogs, food and fun for the entire family. FREE admission.
www.balloonfestival.org

Location: Hillsborough
Approximate Date: July
Celebrate Tradition! Costumed staff welcomes visitors to the President Franklin Pierce Homestead as you travel back in time for a day of traditional crafts and arts demonstrations and sales on the shaded grounds and gracious interior of the 1804 Homestead.
www.hillsboroughnhchamber.com

Location: Jaffrey
Approximate Date: Last Sat. of July
A downtown event with crafts, music, hot air balloon rides and much more.
www.jaffreychamber.com