Calendar

Editor’sChoice

for July

raphy, arts, crafts and flower shows. $3-$60. 5 to 10 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, 12 to 5 p.m. on Friday and Sunday, 1299 Dartmouth College Highway, North Haverhill. (603) 989-3305; nohaverhillfair.com

July 28-August 6

Freedom Old Home Week > Every summer the community of Freedom is one of only five NH towns that celebrate an “Old Home Week.” Freedom’s 124th Old Home Week will feature ducky day, a lawn party, a parade, an ice cream social, a 5K and more. Free. Times vary, Freedom. freedomoldhomeweek.com

July 29-August 6

July 6, 13, 20, 27

Atlantic Grill Music by the Sea > This summer concert series brings some of New England’s hottest bands to the Seacoast on Thursday nights. Enjoy great tunes from bands like Jumbo Circus Peanuts (seen above) or Joshua Tree in the seaside setting while supporting the Seacoast Science Center and their ocean education mission. Bring a blanket or chair, pack a picnic or purchase freshly grilled dinner food and cold beverages on site. Concertgoers can also enjoy the Center and its exhibits, free with concert admission. $15-$20. 6 to 8:30 p.m., 570 Ocean Blvd., Rye. (603) 436-8043; seacoastsciencecenter.org

Fairs & Festivals

July 1-2

Hampton Falls Liberty Craft Festival > More than 75 juried artisans from all over New England come to Hampton Falls to display and sell their American-made works. Crafts include pottery, fine art, aprons, ladies apparel, cutting boards, soaps, dolls, scarves, fine jewelry, country wood crafts, floral arrangements, vintage chic décor, mixed media, metal sculpture, glass garden art and more. Free. Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Town Common, 4 Lincoln Ave., Hampton Falls. castleberryfairs.com

July 8

Keep NH Brewing Festival > For a beer fest that’s all New Hampshire, all the time, look no further than this annual fête. The event features more than 50 Granite State breweries and over 130 craft beers on tap making it the largest single collection of NH breweries found at any event in 2023. $20-$65. 12 to 4 p.m., Kiwanis Waterfront Park, 15 Loudon Rd., Concord. (334) 603-2337; nhbrewers.org

July 15

American Independence Festival > If you didn’t get all the patriotism out of your system on the Fourth, then try this later homage to America. Activities at this 33-year-old fest include battle reenactments, lawn games, live music and enough kids activities to keep the little ones entertained all day. Prices vary. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., American Independence Museum, 1 Governors Ln., Exeter. (603) 772-2622; independencemuseum.org

July 21-23

Great American Ribfest & Food Truck Festival > This amazing festival features great food, music, kids’ activities and beer. While you enjoy pulled pork, other delicious barbecue and games, your kids can take part in bounce houses, obstacle courses and more. Proceeds from the event will support the Merrimack Rotary Club. New for 2023 is an expanded kids area, kids 16 and under free on Saturday and Saturday, an exclusive Friday night concert with Slaughter and The Ben Cote Band, an exclusive people’s choice rib sampler and the final 90 minutes of Saturday and Sunday free, presented by the New Hampshire Army National Guard. $10-$59. Times vary, Budweiser Brewery, 221 Daniel Webster Highway, Merrimack. greatamericanribfest.com

July 26-30

North Haverhill Fair > Described as “Christmas in July,” the North Haverhill Fair features a boatload of free events. Crowd pleasers include concerts on Friday and Saturday nights, horse, pony and oxen stone boat pulling, a demolition derby, tractor and pulling events with transfer sleds, dairy, sheep, goat and dog shows for 4-H, an open horse show and art, photog-

Sunflower Festival > Coppal House Farm’s annual Sunflower Festival is a special event put on every summer to celebrate their beautiful sunflower fields. The farm harvests the sunflowers every fall to press the seeds into culinary oil — but they’re a sight to behold while blooming. Oilseed sunflowers blooms begin to turn their heads after only 12 days, so this week-long festival is a special, ephemeral time for flower lovers. Enjoy a sunrise in the sunflowers on July 30, an artisan craft fair, live local musicians, local food vendors and a series of mini-events while gazing on the sunflowers’ natural beauty. $6-$12. 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. each day, Coppal House Farm, 118 North River Rd., Lee. nhsunflower.com. New Hampshire Magazine is a proud sponsor of this event.

July 29

New England Hot Sauce Fest > Coming back for their second year, Spicy Shark presents a New England destination and celebration for hot sauce lovers. Featuring hot sauce samples from over 20 craft companies, music, food trucks, food challenges (including a hot pepper eating contest and a hot wing contest), craft vendors, Smuttynose Brewing Co. beer, bouncy houses and more, don’t miss out on the spicy-sweaty fun. Proceeds support the Blue Ocean Society and Seacoast Science Center. $11-$20. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Smuttynose Brewing Co., 105 Towle Farm Rd., Hampton. newenglandhotsaucefest.com. New Hampshire Magazine is a proud sponsor of this event.

July 29

24th Annual Chocolate Fest > Enjoy an evening of chocolate temptations in Town Square accompanied by a free outdoor concert as the sun sets. Pack a picnic, or just bring a bottle of your favorite red or white libation and enjoy an indulgent evening in the square, on a blanket or with your toes in the sand. 6 to 9 p.m. Town Square, 33 Village Rd., Waterville Valley. waterville.com

Sports & Rec

July 9

Loon Mountain Race > This Granite State race is the race to end all races. It is 6.03 miles, 10.62 kilometers, has an elevation gain of 3,125 feet and an average slope of 14 percent. It has a reputation as one of the country’s toughest mountain races in large part due to the kilometer ascent of North Peak, known as Upper Walking Boss. “The Boss,” as it’s colloquially termed, is around a kilometer of grassy slope with angles that exceed a 40-percent grade. Voted as one of the five classic vertical trail races in the U.S., this race is no joke. If you are feeling daring this summer, be sure to check this one out. $50. 7:30 a.m., Loon Mountain Resort, 60 Loon Mountain Rd., Lincoln. loonmountainrace.com

July 14-15

The Prouty > If you enjoy outdoor recreation of just about any kind, then you’ll find something to suit your tastes at this annual mega-fundraiser for the Dartmouth Hitchcock Norris Cotton Cancer Center. Cyclists can opt for 20- to 100-mile rides on the road or the 200-mile, two-day Prouty Ultimate; walkers can traverse anything from a 3K stroll through Hanover to an 11K walk in the woods; rowers can hit the Connecticut River for 5 to 15 miles; and golfers can enjoy a four-person scramble at the Hanover Country Club. Don’t like any of those? They also need volunteers. Prices, times and locations around Hanover vary. (603) 646-5500; theprouty.org

July 16

Crayon 301 > If you haven’t taken the plunge to attend a NASCAR race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, here’s your chance. New England’s only NASCAR weekend is July 14-16 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. The NASCAR Cup Series will make its traditional mid-summer visit to “The Magic Mile” on Sunday, July 16 for the Crayon 301. $10-$59. 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., New Hampshire Motor Speedway, 1122 Route 106, Loudon. (603) 783-4931; nhms.com

July 30

14th Annual Sunrise Ascent on Mount Washington > Get your hiking shoes and cameras ready for this sunrise hike. Before dawn, teams ascend the Mount Washington Auto Road to reach the 6,288-foot summit. Each team includes an athlete with a disability and a team of crew, who support the athlete as they climb to the summit. After the teams complete their hike to the summit, roadrunners help to transport athletes and their crew back down to the base area. Volunteers help throughout the event, with set up, registration and the celebratory after-party at the base of the Mount Washington Auto Road. Together, the teams are inspired by the beauty of the sunrise, the majesty of the Presidential Range and the determination shared amongst them.

The goal for this event is to raise over $200,000 to help fund the operating budget of Adaptive Sports Partners. Donations accepted. 3:45 a.m., Auto Road, Gorham. (603) 823-5232; adaptivesportspartners.org

Arts & Music

Tuesdays through Fridays

2023 Bank of New Hampshire Children’s Summer Series > Are you a Disney fan? This summer play list is for you. The Summer Children’s Series boasts a variety of well-known and beloved stories that include music, dancing, audience participation and more. Even better? Your kiddos have the opportunity to meet the characters at the end of every show. This year’s lineup includes magician BJ Hickman, Beauty and the Beast, Rapunzel and more. $10. Shows at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., The Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester. (603) 668-5588; palacetheatre.org

July 7, 8, 14, 21, 23 28

Vernon Family Farm Live Music Series > This favorite family farm is known as a one-stop spot for shopping local, but their outdoor music series is one for the books, too. Every Friday and second Saturday of the month from May to October, the farm hosts live music, including bands like High Range and Superfrog, and offers delicious local food from their very own farm-to-table restaurant, Vernon Kitchen. New to 2023, the farm plans on hosting a Sunday brunch on the fourth Sunday of each month. Grab your friends and family and head over for a night (or morning) of community, rotisserie chicken and music at a space that nurtures the human desire to connect and love. Prices vary. 5 to 8 p.m., Vernon Family Farm, 301 Piscassic Rd., Newfields. (603) 340-4321; vernonfamilyfarm.com. New Hampshire Magazine is a proud sponsor of this event.

July 14-August 27

HAIR at the Seacoast Rep > For decades, audiences have flocked to the brilliant shooting star that is HAIR — the American tribal love rock musical. Against the backdrop of the Vietnam war, the counterculture of the ’60s is melted into a psychedelic tapestry of ence that defies description. A celebration of life, love and radical peace, this 1968 musical has remained relevant for half a century, featuring billboard hits like “Aquarius,” Good Morning Starshine” and “Let the Sunshine In.” Join the glorious rock revolution that defined a generation: HAIR! Prices and times vary, Seacoast Repertory Theatre, 125 Bow St., Portsmouth. (603) 433-4472; seacoastrep.org

July 15, 22

Lynda Cohen Performing Arts Series > Originating from her love of music and the mountains, Lynda Cohen imagined a series where people from far and wide can come together nestled among the mountains of Crawford Notch to enjoy live tunes. July performers are Della Mae, on July 15, and Dwight + Nicole, on July 22. Free. 7 to 9 p.m., AMC Highland Center, Bretton Woods. (603) 466-2727; visitwhitemountains.com

July 29

New London Historical Society Antique Show & Sale > Get ready for the 55th annual Antique Show and Sale on the New London Historical Society’s grounds. Goosefare Antiques and Promotions of Saco, Maine, is helping bring over 50 quality dealers to the show. The proceeds of the event will help the historical society. $8. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., New London Historical Society, 179 Little Sunapee Rd., New

Miscellaneous

Throughout July 603 History Hunt > See New Hampshire in ways you never have before. Held during the month of July, the New Hampshire Historical Society’s 603 History Hunt is a statewide scavenger hunt that tests your knowledge of the Granite State and takes you on the road to complete a series of challenges. Visit the world’s longest candy counter, locate a scene from the movie “Jumanji,” or find an 8,000-year-old summer camp — all located right here in the Granite State. Choose which challenges to accept based on your own interests and abilities, with hundreds of challenges to choose from. It’s a great activity for families, friends, couples or on your own, as people can participate as a team or as individuals. Prizes will be awarded in a variety of categories. Participation in the 603 History Hunt is free and open to the general public. This event is sponsored by Merrimack County Savings Bank. nhhistory.org

Find additional events at nhmagazine.com/ calendar. Submit events eight weeks in advance to Caleb Jagoda at cjagoda@nhmagazine.com or enter your own at nhmagazine.com/calendar. Not all events are guaranteed to be published either online or in the print calendar. Event submissions will be reviewed and, if deemed appropriate, approved by a New Hampshire Magazine editor.

New Hampshire’s attractions, beaches, wineries, galleries and more are ready to welcome you for an epic season of warm-weather excitement. The following advertisers are a great resource for starting your summer plans.

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