June!

FAIRS & FESTIVALS

JUNE 3

NH Maker Fest > This festival is a gathering of fascinating, curious people who enjoy learning and love sharing what they do. From engineers and artists to scientists and chefs, the Maker & Food Fest is a venue for these “makers” to show off hobbies, experiments and projects, and for attendees to enjoy fantastic grub. The team at the Children’s Museum call it “The Greatest Show and Tell on Earth” — a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity and resourcefulness. Suggested donation of $5 per person. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire, 6 Washington St., Dover. childrens-museum.org

JUNE 3

WOKQ Chowder Festival & Summer Social >

Prescott Park Arts Festival welcomes the Granite State to chow on some chowder and get jiggy with it. This event features restaurants from throughout the Seacoast in a delicious chowder competition for the ages. The festival also offers music, merch and other family-friendly activities for friends young and old. And for those non-chowder chompers, a host of other delicious treats will be available, including handmade ice cream sandwiches, fresh-pressed lemonade, oysters and more. Prices vary. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or until the chowder runs dry), Prescott Park, 105 Marcy St., Portsmouth. (603) 436-2848; prescottpark.org

JUNE 4

16th Annual Kitchen Tour > Take a self-guided tour of some of the finest kitchens in Amherst, Bedford and Manchester — all in one day. Dig the decor and enjoy lunch from Baron’s Major Brands. All proceeds from the Kitchen Tour benefit professional and youth theater programming at the historic Palace Theatre. $55-$65. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., The Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester. (603) 668-5588; palacetheatre.org. New Hampshire Magazine is a proud sponsor of this event

JUNE 10

46th Annual Market Square Day > Created by nonprofit Pro Portsmouth to celebrate the renovation and beautification of downtown Portsmouth and, in particular, Market Square, the festival has grown in size along with the popularity of Portsmouth. It is estimated that 60,000 people walk through downtown Portsmouth on this day enjoying the entertainment, products and food offered by artists, crafters and merchants — many from the Seacoast area. Two performance stages feature local and regional musicians. The day kicks off with a 10K Road Race. Free. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., downtown Portsmouth. (603) 433-4398; proportsmouth.org

JUNE 10-19

Featured Event

JUNE 3

NH Bacon & Beer Festival > A fundraiser for High Hopes Foundation of New Hampshire — an organization dedicated to providing lifeenhancing experiences and medical equipment to New Hampshire’s terminally and chronically ill children — this 7th-annual event celebrates the savory grease of some good ol’ bacon alongside the endless flavor possibilities that have come to define well-crafted beer. Featuring local restaurants pulling up with their finest pork products, live music from The Slakas and over 60 breweries slinging their delicious brews, the Bacon & Beer Festival is an artery-clogging time for the ages. $35-$125. 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., Anheuser-Busch Brewery, 221 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack. nhbaconbeer.com

Juneteenth Celebration 2023 > Portsmouth’s Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire offers a weeklong Juneteenth celebration to honor early African settlers and their descendants for their extraordinary contributions to the growth of the region. The celebration includes a tour, a panel discussion, a Reggae festival, a gospel choir concert, African drumming and more. Prices and times vary. Portsmouth. (603) 570-8469; blackheritagetrailnh.org

JUNE 15

New England Wine Spectacular > Celebrate New Hampshire Wine Week with the seven-day celebration’s crown jewel: the Wine Spectacular. It’s New England’s largest showcase of premium wines, featuring over 1,700 wines and 25 restaurants, and drawing a capacity crowd of more than 1,500 guests. The event now benefits the New Hampshire Food Bank, with a portion of proceeds going toward fighting hunger in the Granite State. $65-$135. 6 to 9 p.m., DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown, 700 Elm St., Manchester. nhwineweek.com

JUNE 15-17

Hampton Beach Master Sand Sculpting Classic

> This extravaganza boasts 200 tons of imported sand transformed into sand sculptures that will put little Bobby’s castles to shame. World-class master sculptors come together to create their own unique sculptures and compete for the $15,000 grand prize. Their masterpieces will be illuminated at night for an unforgettable walk down the boardwalk. Free. Hampton Beach, Hampton. hamptonbeach.org

JUNE 17

Manchester Pride > Celebrate pride in the Queen City! This year’s event is moving to Veteran’s Memorial Park to increase the downtown community’s involvement. The festival will feature Queerlective’s Queer Art Extravaganza, youth-focused activities, queer performers and many local community vendors. Free. 12 to 6 p.m., Veteran’s Memorial Park, 723 Elm St., Manchester. manchestertrue.org

JUNE 22-24

Concord Market Days Festival > Celebrate summer in the Capitol City with this annual free fest. Throughout the weekend, visitors can enjoy over 150 vendors and exhibitors, concerts in both Eagle and Bicentennial Squares and a beer tent smackdab in the middle of the festival. The weekend also coincides with the Capital City 10K, in case you like your street food served with a side of athleticism. Free. Main Street, Concord. (603) 226-2150; marketdaysfestival.com

JUNE 24

White Mountains Pride > Head to North Conway for a full day of activities including food trucks, music, kids activities and other celebrations. Check out their website for more details. Free. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., White Mountains Community Center Park, 78 Norcross Circle, North Conway. whitemountainspride.com

JUNE 24

Nashua Pride Festival > Join members of the local LGBTQIA community to celebrate Nashua Pride. The festival is a free celebration of diversity, acceptance, music and fun focused on promoting equality and inclusion of all people. The festival takes place in the Nashua Public Library parking lot and a parade kicks off at 2 p.m. at the Elm Street School. Free. 2 to 6 p.m., Nashua Public Library, 2 Court St., Nashua. Facebook.