The Best Events Happening in June
This June, you'll find a variety of events across New Hampshire, from sand sculpting competitions to concerts to festivals.
An aerial view of the Bela Fleck concert at Prescott Park Arts Festival in Portsmouth. Photo by Clear Eye Photo
FEATURED EVENT
The Best of New Hampshire Party, June 25, Lee
The Best of NH Party 2026 returns to Flag Hill Distillery and Winery. The event will be an elegant tent and garden party celebrating the best the state has to offer at one of NH’s most beautiful local treasures. The event will be an elegant tent and garden party celebrating the best the state has to offer at one of NH’s most beautiful local treasures. Join us for an evening that’s all to honor the 2026 Best of NH winners and to support our nonprofit beneficiary: the New Hampshire Food Bank. Thursday, 6 p.m.- 8 p.m., Flag Hill Distillery and Winery, 297 North River Rd., Lee. nhmagazine.com/best-of-nh/
Late May/ June, Fields of Lupine Festival, Sugar Hill
Paying homage to the annual blossoming of this captivating wildflower, the Fields of Lupine Festival is a time-honored regional event. The brilliant spikes of the lupine flower carpet local fields and pastures in a rolling sea of vibrant purples, pinks, blues and whites. The long-lasting blossoms attract equally dazzling butterflies and create a breathtaking floral display against the majestic backdrop of the Franconia, Presidential, and Kinsman Mountain ranges. Every visitor is guaranteed abundant photo and recreational opportunities in the Northeast’s most spectacular mountain region. Easton, Franconia, Sugar Hill.
Prescott Park Arts Festival, Portsmouth
Spend your summer on the lawn at Prescott Park, enjoying movies in the park, concerts, musicals and more! Each summer boasts a lineup that you won’t want to miss. Prescott Park, 105 Marcy St., Portsmouth. (603) 436-2848; prescottpark.org
Great Waters, Lakes Region
With two venues in scenic locations, Great Waters brings world class shows and music to the heart of the Lakes Region. This summer’s shows include a Broadway cabaret dinner, a dance show, concerts and more. Tickets vary, locations vary. 603-7710; greatwaters.org
Gunstock Run the Mountain Series, Gilford
Each week features a 5K trail run at Gunstock Mountain Resort, with courses inspired by the familiar ski-trail rating system. This progression is intentional and welcoming. Whether you’re new to trail running, returning after time away, or a seasoned mountain runner, Run the Mountain is about progress, not perfection. Runners earn points throughout the summer toward a season-long series champion, but the real reward is building confidence, strength, and connection over time. Come for one race or commit to the full journey. Start easy. Build strong. Run the Mountain. Race times and dates vary; gunstock.com
NH Maker Fest, June 6, Dover
The 14th annual New Hampshire Maker Fest is an all-ages celebration of creativity and innovation taking place in and around the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire in downtown Dover. From engineers to artists, to scientists, to chefs, the NH Maker Fest is a day for these “Makers” to show hobbies, experiments, projects, and for all of us to discover something new! It’s a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity, and resourcefulness.Please note, because the museum needs to make room for the Makers, some of the museum’s exhibits won’t be accessible as usual. This is not a normal day of play at the museum, which is why you can’t reserve tickets for normal play sessions! 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
10th Annual NH Bacon & Beer Festival, June 6, Manchester
A fundraiser for High Hopes Foundation of New Hampshire — an organization dedicated to providing life-enhancing experiences and medical equipment to New Hampshire’s terminally and chronically ill children — this 10th-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 and libations from over 60 breweries, the Bacon & Beer Festival foodie’s dream. $40-140. 1:30 to 5 p.m., Arms Park, 10 Arms St., Manchester. nhbaconbeer.com
7th Annual Winnipesaukee Volleyball Classic, June 6, Laconia
Hosted by the Akwa Marina Yacht Club, this competitive sand classic combines the fun of beach volleyball with making a difference in the lives of young children with special needs. Logan’s Giving Fund for Autism at CMF kids. The Autism Fund provides families support by directly paying their child’s service provider for services and treatment they would otherwise not be able to afford. The event offers a bouncy castle for kids and all the amenities of the beautiful waterfront at AKWA Marina. Prices vary. 9 a.m. till completion, Akwa Marina Yacht Club, 95 Centenary Ave., Laconia. (603) 669-0821; akwamarina.com
Fun in the Sun Color Run, June 6, Nashua
Open to children, adults, families and teams, the event is hosted by the Nashua Silver Knights and benefits the Lil’ Iguana’s Children’s Safety Foundation. Participants run or walk a 1 mile or 5K course around Nashua North High School. Following the race, participants and their families can enjoy a “Finish Line Luau” with live music, entertainment, food and beverage samples and activities provided by area businesses and vendors. Registration fee varies. 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., 8 Titan Way, Nashua. (603) 881-9805; liliguanausa.org
49th Annual Market Square Day, June 13, Portsmouth
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 growth and popularity of Portsmouth. It is estimated that approximately 60,000 people walk through downtown Portsmouth on that 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
Northlands Music and Arts Festival, June 19-26, Swanzey
It’s finally festival season, and if you’re a festival lover, this is one you won’t want to miss! The boutique-sized independently owned music and art festival is a breath of fresh air and as authentic as it gets! Let your spirit soar with a lineup that will let the good vibes roll. Prices and times vary. Cheshire Fairgrounds, 247 Monadnock Hwy., Swanzey. northlandslive.com
37th Annual Portsmouth Pocket Garden Tour, June 19-20, Portsmouth
The self-guided walking tour features eight private gardens and educational opportunities. This year’s tour returns to the historic South End neighborhood and features ten private gardens and the Goodwin Garden at Strawbery Banke Museum. Along the route you will find musicians, artists, and refreshments. Join this wonderful Portsmouth tradition! Friday and Saturday, times vary South Church, 292 State St., Portsmouth; southchurch-uu.org
Hampton Beach Master Sand Sculpting Classic, June 18-19, Hampton
This extravaganza boasts 200 tons of imported sand transformed into sand sculptures that will put yours to shame. World-class master sculptors come together to create their own unique sculptures and compete for the grand prize. Their masterpieces will be illuminated at night for an unforgettable walk down the boardwalk. Free. Hampton Beach, Hampton. hamptonbeach.org
52nd Annual Concord Market Days Festival, June 25- 27, Concord
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 smack-dab 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. 10 a.m.- 10 p.m., (603) 226-2150; marketdaysfestival.com
White Mountains Triathlon, June 27, Franconia
Not only is this athletic event among the most scenic triathlons in the state, it’s also the only one with a whole festival built around it. Over two days, runner-biker-swimmers can participate in either the sprint, half-Iron man or Olympic distance races, and they can hang around for a Saturday post-race BBQ followed by a mountaintop sunset social. Registration required. Early packet pick-up and registrations begins on Friday at 4:30 p.m. and continues Saturday at 5:30 a.m., with the first race kicking off at 7 a.m., Cannon Mountain Ski Area, 260 Tramway Dr., Franconia. (603) 488-1186; millenniumrunning.com
