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
July 26- August 3
Sunflower Festival > Coppal House Farm turns into a sea of sunflowers every July during the New Hampshire Sunflower Festival. The farm offers a unique variety of sunflowers that can produce sunflower oil! Unlike ornamental blooms, these sunflowers only bloom for about 10 days, so the window to witness this stunning sight is short. 118 North River Rd. RT 155, Lee. nhsunflower.com New Hampshire Magazine is a proud sponsor of this event.
August 2-10
92nd Annual League of NH Craftsmen’s Fair > Art comes to live at this annual event and runs for nine days each year, featuring the juried work of hundreds of League of NH Craftsmen members with sales booths, interactive demonstrations, kid-friendly activities and curated exhibitions attracting over 20,000 visitors annually. Mount Sunapee Resort, Newbury. nhcrafts.org New Hampshire Magazine is a proud sponsor of this event.
August 3
Outlaw Music Festival> The 2025 tour is the biggest Outlaw tour to date, featuring an unparalleled lineup of legends and superstars, including Willie Nelson & Family, Bob Dylan, Billy Strings, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Sheryl Crow, Turnpike Troubadours, The Avett Brothers, Wilco, The Red Clay Strays, Lake Street Dive, Waxahatchee, Charles Wesley Godwin, Lucinda Williams, Bruce Hornsby & The Noisemakers, Trampled By Turtles, The Mavericks, Sierra Hull, Willow Avalon, Waylon Payne, Madeline Edwards, Lily Meola, Myron Elkins, Tami Neilson, and more. 3:45 p.m., BankNH Pavilion, 72 Meadowbrook Ln, Gilford; banknhpavilion.com
August 1-2
ATV Weekend >With over 1,000 miles of interconnected trails, ATV-friendly towns, great locally owned businesses, tasty restaurants and evening entertainment to get you up and moving, you won’t want to miss the most action-packed weekend of the summer season. This year, you’ll find a variety of offerings from past events, with more time to explore the trails, local businesses and our communities with family and friends. Locations and times vary, Berlin. androscogginvalleychamber.com
August 1-3
43rd Suncook Valley Hot Air Balloon Rally > This event, put on by the Suncook Valley Rotary, has something fun for everyone in your family. There will be a carnival, tethered hot air balloon rides, helicopter rides, craft fair, food, drinks and so much more. Free to attend. Times vary, Drake Field, 17 Fayette St., Pittsfield. pittsfieldnh.gov
August 2-3
Great New England BBQ & 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. $5. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. & 11 a.m.- 4 p.m., Hampshire Dome, 32 Emerson Rd., Milford. gnefoodtruckfest.com
August 9
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 9- 17
Sunfox Farm Sunflower Bloom Festival > Twenty acres of sunflowers awaits you at Sunfox Farm’s 6th Annual Sunflower Bloom Festival! The event will take place at their new 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 11
The 17th 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 15-17
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 Gracie Curran & The High Falutin’ Band, Nick Moss, Blood Brothers 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 15-17
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. Prices and times vary, 294 Town House Rd., Cornish. (603) 675-5426; cornishfair.org
August 16
Wildflower Festival >Enjoy a full day of live music, local art, and community fun—all in support of pollinators and the people who care for them. From 11 a.m.–5 p.m., explore the vibrant Art Market, listen to live music, shop the plant sale, watch live gardening and nature demos, and enter the raffle. Enjoy lunch from local food vendors and check out downtown businesses while you’re here! Then from 6–9 p.m., spread out a blanket or pull up a chair for an evening of music featuring Lazy Trail, Sneaky Miles, and Nova One. Donations Accepted, 11 a.m.- 5 p.m., Keyes Field, Elm Street, Milford; eventbrite.com
August 16
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 16-17
Mt. Washington Valley Summer Craft Fair> Come and join the fun with live music, food, face painting and amazing arts and crafts exhibitors. 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., 1 Norcross Circle, North Conway; joycecraftshows.com
August 22-23
35th 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
August 23
11th 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.
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., Massabesic Lake, 1 Londonderry Tpke., Manchester. (603) 488-1186; millenniumrunning.com
August 26
Massabesic Gardens Tour >Join the NH Audubon for an intimate guided tour of the gardens at the Massabesic Center in Auburn. They will lead you on a fun ramble of the grounds, and dig into the history, upkeep and future of each of their unique garden spaces. You’ll learn about NH Audubon’s partnership with the University of New Hampshire Extension’s Master Gardener Program to create Demonstration Gardens that provide a place for sharing best practices in eco-friendly home and community gardening, for human health and well-being and wildlife habitat. Free, 5:30 p.m.- 7 p.m., Massabesic Center, 26 Audubon Way, Auburn; nhaudubon.org
August 30-31
Labor Day Weekend Craft Fair> With over 110 exhibitors and unique local products, you won’t want to miss this craft fair at scenic Gunstock. 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., 719 Cherry Valley Rd., Rte. 11A, Gilford; joycescraftshows.com
UFO Festival, Exeter, August 30-31
Celebrating the reported Exeter UFO sighting (“The Incident at Exeter”) by Betty and Barney Hill in 1965, the town’s beloved extraterrestrial fest returns for its 13th year this Labor Day Weekend. Welcoming hardcore ufologists and mischief makers alike, the Exeter UFO Festival features accomplished speakers giving talks on the state of extraterrestrial research at town hall, activities for kids of all ages. The festival also offers collectables like tee shirts, hats, sweatshirts and more! exeterufofestival.org.
