The Best Events Happening in August
This month brings a variety of events, from great music to wildlife festivals to balloon festivals and more.
The annual League of NH Craftsmen’s Fair brings together creators of all stripes for workshops, craft sales and more. Courtesy photo
August 1
New England Hot Sauce Fest > Last year was so spicy, they’re doing it again! 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, libations, bouncy houses and more- don’t miss out on the spicy-sweaty fun! Proceeds support the Blue Ocean Society and Seacoast Science Center. Ticket prices vary., Strawbery Banke Museum, 14 Hancock St., Portsmouth. newenglandhotsaucefest.com. New Hampshire Magazine is a proud sponsor of this event.
August 1-2
10th Annual Southern NH Food Truck Festival > This family fun event features a corn hole tournament, a kids zone (with free bounce houses), a whoopie pie eating contest, face painting, artisans, music, food trucks, caricature drawings and more. $7. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. & 11 a.m.- 4 p.m., Hampshire Dome, 32 Emerson Rd., Milford. gnefoodtruckfest.com
August 1-9
93rd Annual NH League of Craftsmen Fair
The Annual Craftsmen’s Fair began in 1933 and runs for nine days each year, featuring the juried work of hundreds of members with sales booths, interactive demonstrations, and curated exhibitions attracting over 20,000 visitors annually. 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., Ticket prices vary, Mount Sunapee Resort, 1398 New Hampshire Rte 103, Newbury; nhcrafts.org
August 8
Woods, Water and Wildlife Festival > This day-long celebration of the great outdoors is a chance for families to have fun, explore and learn about the natural world together and features fun and educational outdoor activities. Take a hayride to the river, observe and learn about NH wildlife, take a discovery walk, watch demonstrations of traditional skills, try your hand at fishing, do crafts with your kids, enjoy food trucks and more. Prices vary. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Branch Hill Farm, 307 Applebee Rd., Milton Mills. (603) 473-2020; mmrgnh.org
August 8-16
Sunfox Farm Sunflower Bloom Festival > Twenty acres of sunflowers awaits you at Sunfox Farm’s 7th Annual Sunflower Bloom Festival! The event will take place at their 57-acre farm located in the heart of Concord, New Hampshire’s capital city. Walk through the fields and experience the beauty and vibrancy of sunflowers towering over you, stretching nearly as far as the eye can see! In addition to the beautiful blooms, during festival weekends enjoy local musicians, as well as a variety of vendors showcasing unique offerings, and food trucks too. Concord. sunfoxfarm.org
August 8-16
Sunflower Soiree> Experience the wonder of sunflowers in full bloom at Brookford Farm! The whole family will love picking their own sunflowers, seeing farm animals up close and so much more! brookfordfarm.com
August 9
Fairy Festival> This celebration of Fairy Houses connects children to the natural world and includes crafts, readings of fairy tales, face painting, a whimsical Tea Party in the Pavilion, and, of course, building fairy habitats in the Fairy Village. Children are invited to dress in their finest Fairy or Gnome attire. An ice cream truck will be available onsite. There will also be a special performance by local dancers from Dance Arts Academy. $5-20, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m., John Hay Estate at The Fells, 456 Rt 103A, Newbury; thefells.org
August 14-16
White Mountain Boogie n’ Blues Festival > With two decades of festival sand and a bevy of national blues preservation awards under its belt, this boogiefest is not to be missed. This year’s lineup includes Grammy Award Winner, Ruthie Foster, Albert Cummings, Will Wilde, The Sauce Boss and so many more! To really dive into the festival experience, rent a campsite on the Boogie’s sprawling White Mountains grounds. Prices and times vary, Sugar Shack Campground, 210 NH Route 175, North Thornton. (603) 726-3867; whitemountainboogie.com
August 15
Boot Scootin‘ Boogie 5k and Brewfest> Following the 5k that starts on Sargent Rd., and ends at the Londonderry Athletic Fields, participants and their friends and families can enjoy a brewfest with over 15 participating breweries. At the brewfest, you’ll unwind with a bonfire, and enjoy live music and delicioius food until the night ends. Please bring cash, as credit cards may not be accepted with all vendors. Registration required. 6:30 p.m., 98 Sargent Rd., Londonderry; millenniumrunning.com
August 17-21
The 18th Annual Hampton Beach Children’s Festival > There’s no better place to be a kid than at Hampton Beach! The Hampton Beach Children’s Festival will delight the young (and young at heart) with magic shows, storytelling, a costume parade and more! Free, times vary. Hampton Beach State Park, NH 1-A, Hampton. hamptonbeach.org
August 21-25
The 76th Annual Cornish Fair > Since 1950, the Cornish Fair remains a traditional, family-friendly, educational, agricultural fair offering fruits and vegetable exhibits, horse and oxen pulling, 4-H, crafts, children’s activities, live entertainment, vendors, amusement rides and more. The Cornish Fair is also home to the largest dairy show in all of New Hampshire, and remains committed to the education and sustainability of the agriculture industry. This year’s theme is “Celebrating Red, White and Blue.” Prices and times vary (A reminder that the fair is cash only), 294 Town House Rd., Cornish. (603) 675-5426; cornishfair.org
August 22
Wildflower Festival> For a fourth year in a row, the Wildflower Festival, a non-profit arts, music and ecology festival is back! This year’s festivities will include art vendors, food trucks, live music, a plant sale, educational booths (with the NH Audubon, the Caterpillar Lab) and more! Noon- 9 p.m., $10 suggested donation, Keyes Field Stage, Milton; Instagram/ @wildflowerfest
August 22
12th Annual Gate City Brewfest > As summer starts winding down, head to Nashua for one last beer-fueled hurrah. An extensive beer list, live music, a corn hole tournament and more are on tap. $15-$70. 1 to 5 p.m., Holman Stadium, 67 Amherst St., Nashua. gatecitybrewfestnh.com. New Hampshire Magazine is a proud sponsor of this event.
August 22-23
Fine Arts and Crafts Festival> This beloved summer tradition brings together an exceptional collection of fine artists and skilled craftspeople from across the region, showcasing a stunning variety of handmade works. Stroll through rows of colorful tents filled with handcrafted jewelry, original paintings, distinctive pottery, and one-of-a-kind art pieces, all set against the beauty of the Lakes Region. Enjoy live music from talented local musicians, creating a lively and welcoming atmosphere throughout the weekend. Meredith; meredithareachamber.com
August 22-23
Live Freely Fest> 125 women-owned small businesses will fill Applecrest Farm for a weekend of live music, food, community, and so many incredible people coming together to support local! Discover local makers, wellness brands, artists, and small businesses all in one inspiring space. 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., Applecrest Farm Orchards, 133 Exeter Road (Rt.88), Hampton Falls; @livefreelymarket
August 23
AutoFair NH 10 Miler > Run 10 miles. Attend after-party. Repeat? This event takes runners on a near-half-marathon run around the perimeter of Massabesic Lake, then rewards them with a free post-race beer. Registration Required. 8 a.m., New Boston, (603) 488-1186; millenniumrunning.com
August 28-29
36th Annual North Country Moose Festival> The weekend before Labor Day means it’s time for the North Country Moose Festival! This year’s festivities will include a moose calling contest, parade, live music, artisan and craft vendors, and family favorites such as a dog show, and maple syrup tasting contest – not to mention the classic car show! You can even soak your feet in the Mohawk River! Don’t forget to head down the road to Dixville Notch State Park, where you might spot a moose of your own! On Saturday, head over the border to Canaan, VT for a down-home country fair. Free, times vary. Colebrook, chamberofthenorthcountry.com
