The Best Events Happening in May
This month has a variety of events held all over the Granite State, from Pow Wows, to expos, festivals and more!
Bedrock Gardens in Lee opens to the public on May 13. Photo by Morgan Karanasios
Seacoast Eat Local Summer Farmers Markets Open, May 1 and 3, Exeter and Portsmouth
Seacoast Eat Local operates summer farmers’ markets in four locations in the Seacoast region of New Hampshire: Portsmouth, Exeter, Dover, and Durham. The markets are made up of a variety of different vendors who sell fruit, vegetables, meat, seafood, eggs, honey, maple syrup, baked goods, value-added foods, hot prepared food, crafts, and body care products. All of the vendors make, grow, harvest, catch, or craft 100% of the products they sell at the market. They also have musicians, nonprofits, and other guests to help make the markets fun, community-oriented, and engaging. seacoasteatlocal.org
Farm and Forest Expo, May 1-2, Deerfield
The 43rd New Hampshire Farm, Forest & Garden Expo is a hands-on, family-friendly celebration of agriculture, forestry, and land stewardship in the Granite State. This year’s theme, “From Soil to Sawdust: How New Hampshire Makes Ag Happen”, brings the full story to life — showing how New Hampshire’s natural resources are transformed into the food we eat, the tools we use, and the products that support everyday life. Enjoy two full days of live demonstrations, expert-led workshops, running machinery, barnyard animals, lumberjack shows, and free horse-drawn wagon rides. With interactive exhibits and activities designed for all ages, the Expo offers something for families, gardeners, landowners, makers, and anyone curious about how things are grown, built, and made right here in New Hampshire. $10-$12, Friday, 9 a.m. -5 p.m. & Saturday, 9 a.m. -4 p.m., Deerfield Fairgrounds, 25 Stage Rd, Deerfield; nhfarmandforestexpo.org
Rescue Run: Race for Marine Mammals, May 2, Rye
The day includes a 5K trail race through Odiorne Point State Park featuring varied terrain—you’ll run, or walk, through the forest, by the rocky shore, across a sandy beach, and alongside historic military fortifications—and enjoy sweeping vistas of the Gulf of Maine and Little Harbor. Following the race, participants, along with their families and friends, will be welcomed back to the Seacoast Science Center, where prizes will be awarded. Then it’s time for the littlest runners to race in the Kids Fun Runs, featuring a 300-yard dash for ages 1-7 and a half-mile run for children ages 8-12. We’ll end the day with a Beach Cleanup along the shoreline in the Park, hosted by the Blue Ocean Society. Registration required, Seacoast Science Center, 570 Ocean Blvd, Rye; seacoastsciencecenter.org/events or runreg.com
Spring Awakening Pow Wow, May 2, Tilton
Hosted by the New Hampshire Intertribal Council, this open-to-the-public event will feature drummers, dancing, Native American arts and crafts, food and more! 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. (Grand Entry at noon), Winnisquam Regional High School, 435 W. Main St., Tilton; calendar.powwows.com
Celebrate spring at Strawbery Banke with heritage-breed baby animals, heirloom gardens, and historic landscapes! Meet lambs, calves, and other baby animals—and their moms—while discovering their vital roles in farming history. Explore the connection between animals, horticulture, and the lives of New Englanders past and present.
Enjoy live demonstrations, including oxen at work, traditional sheep shearing, sheepdog trials, and honey extraction. Families can join in hands-on activities like gardening and seed-saving, creating lasting memories together.
Discover how the Museum prepares its nationally recognized gardens for summer through guided tours and demonstrations. Don’t miss the chance to bring a piece of history home from the plant sale, featuring the very plants showcased in the historic gardens! Strawbery Banke Museum, 14 Hancock St., Portsmouth, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m.; strawberybanke.org
Great Bay Food Truck Festival, May 9, Stratham
Head over to Stratham Hill Park for a wonderful day where local flavors meet great company. This lineup of food trucks has something for everyone. Make sure to come hungry, bring your friends and family, and enjoy the simple pleasure of good food in the great outdoors. $10-15, 12 p.m.- 4 p.m., Stratham Hill Park, 270 Portsmouth Ave., Stratham; greatbayfoodtruckfestival.com
Colonial Garden Club of Hollis Annual Plant Sale, May 9, Hollis
More than 2,000 plants, trees, shrubs, and Mother’s Day baskets will be for sale. The sale provides the club’s operating budget and funds many worthwhile projects in Hollis. The Garden Club is proud to contribute to local scholarships, the Beaver Brook Association and the Hollis Social Library, as well as civic-improvement projects and seasonal town plantings. 9 a.m. to noon, the field next to the Lawrence Barn, 28 Depot Road Hollis; hollisgardenclub.org
NH Renaissance Faire, May 9,10, 16 & 17, Fremont
Hear ye, hear ye! The NH Renaissance Faire is a family-friendly, educational, visual, theatrical, and fantastical event held in gorgeous, (and central), Fremont. From historical knights to fantastical fairies, NHRF brings together education and fun for the whole family. The merchants are mainly local artisans with an emphasis on handmade items including costumes, jewelry, pottery, herbals, weaponry, and more. Some will even demonstrate their craft live for your enjoyment. $15- 20, 80 Martin Rd. Fremont; nhrenfaire.com
Bedrock Gardens 2025 Season Opens, May 13, Lee
This emerging public garden integrates unusual botanical specimens and unique sculpture into an inspiring landscape journey. This 37-acre site is transitioning from a historic farm and private garden to a public oasis of art, horticulture and inspiration. Visit a garden that The Boston Globe described as “one of the most beautiful and intriguing landscapes in New Hampshire.” Plan your spring, summer and fall with some time in this oasis. Bring your family and friends outdoors. Order a box lunch or bring a picnic. $15. High Rd., Lee. (603) 659-2993; bedrockgardens.org
The Thing in the Spring, May 15- 17, Keene
Founded in 2008, The Thing in The Spring is a legendary annual New Hampshire music and arts festival that works to bring the outside world in and connect myriad undergrounds in accessible ways. Originally in Peterborough, The Thing now calls Keene’s Nova Arts home. novaarts.org. Ticket prices vary, 8 Emerald St., Keene; novaarts.com
Lakes Region Spring Craft Fair, May 16, Tilton
Come and join the fun at this awesome arts & crafts fair at Tanger Outlets! Over 90 fabulous exhibitors with a wide range of media! Saturday 20 a.m.- 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., Tanger Outlets, 120 Laconia Road, Tilton; joycescraftshows.com
Exeter Arts & Music Fest, May 16, Exeter
There’s no shortage of Seacoast-area festivals on the calendar this summer, but you can get a head start on the season with this fest from Town.Exeter.Arts.Music. There’s plenty of family programming, but this party is especially impressive with attractions like a rock-climbing wall, an ecovillage and sets from hip local musicians to supplement the standard arts festival fare at Swasey Parkway. Downtown Exeter, teamexeter.com
Spring into Warner Festival and 5k, May 16, Warner
Celebrate spring at this festival in downtown Warner! Enjoy local vendors, running in a color run 5k and so much more!
9 a.m.- 4 p.m., Downtown Warner, Warner; warnerfarmersmarket.org & Facebook.
8th Annual Outdoor Fest, May 22-25, Rumney
Enjoy a full weekend of camping, community, live music, yoga, guided adventures, gear demos, exploring the vendor village and so much more! Times and ticket prices vary, Barn Door Hostel, 30 Stone Hill Rd, Rumney; barndoorhostel.com
Taco Tour Manchester, May 28, Manchester
The world’s largest taco tour returns to Manchester to take Elm Street by the taco. With over 60 restaurants serving tacos for $3 each, a concert in Veteran’s Park and Elm Street completely closed down to traffic, the taco will reign supreme once again in the Queen City. Attendees can vote for their favorite taco, and the winning restaurant will receive the Golden Taco Trophy and $1,000 to donate to the charity of their choice.
4 to 8 p.m. in Downtown Manchester. tacotourmanchester.com
