The 10 Best Free Events Happening in June
Where you can have fun on (less than) a dime this month
Escape to the White Mountains and enjoy the beautiful lupines. The annual Celebration of Lupines runs from June 1-30.
Keene Art Walk, Keene, May 31-June 9
This Monadnock Region classic has brought art to downtown Keene for nearly three decades, and they’re gearing up for another great year in 2019. Stroll Main Street and the surrounding areas to see local artwork displayed in nearly every window, and enjoy live music, meet-the-artist mixers and more during the festival’s two Saturdays. (603) 533-0478; keeneartwalk.com
Free Fishing Day, Statewide, June 1
Get hooked on the fun sport of fishing at New Hampshire Fish and Game’s annual Free Fishing Day, which occurs annually on the first Saturday in June. For one day only, both Granite State residents and nonresidents alike can fish any inland water — or saltwater — in New Hampshire that day without a fishing license. wildlife.state.nh.us
Celebration of Lupines, Sugar Hill, June 1-30
Another New Hampshire summer classic, this long-running festival celebrates the stunning purple, pink and white flowers that carpet the North Country at this time of year. Free special events are scheduled all month — including a Lupine “Inspirational Walk” and concerts galore — or you can take advantage of daily poetry walks or horse-drawn wagon rides through the lupine fields. Don’t forget to turn in your best snaps of the blooms for a chance at cash prizes in the annual lupine photo contest. franconianotch.org
Pollyanna Day, Littleton, June 8
If Anne of Green Gables can get her own Netflix reboot, maybe our local literary heroine is due for a resurgence soon too. Snag a selfie with the Pollyanna statue (which turns 17 this year) and celebrate the Littleton-born character on Glad Day and all weekend long with events including live music and a production of “Pollyanna the Musical.” (603) 444-5741; golittleton.com
New Hampshire Cemeteries and Gravestones, Kingston, June 8
Rubbings, photographs and slides illustrate the rich variety of gravestones to be found in our own neighborhoods, but they also tell long forgotten stories of such historical events as the American Revolution. Find out more about these deeply personal works of art and the craftsmen who carved them with Glenn Knoblock, and learn how to read the stone “pages” that give insight into the vast genealogical book of New Hampshire. (603) 642-4665; nhhumanities.org
New Hampshire Appreciation Day, Tamworth, June 15
Celebrate your dad and the great state of New Hampshire at the Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm. Since we “live free” in the Granite State, you can visit the museum for free on this day and partake in activities like goat hand-milking and farm chores. You can also walk through the herbal and children’s gardens and enjoy the historic house and barns. remickmuseum.org
New Hampshire’s 231st Birthday, Portsmouth, June 21
Celebrate New Hampshire’s 231st birthday with free admission for all New Hampshire residents at Strawbery Banke Museum. Explore all the buildings, visit with the reenactors and bask in the glory that is downtown Portsmouth in June. strawberybanke.org
Hampton Beach Master Sculpting Classic, Hampton, June 20-22
This annual 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 $15,000 grand prize. Their masterpieces will be illuminated at night for an unforgettable walk down the boardwalk. hamptonbeach.org
Market Days Festival, Concord, June 20-22
With tens of thousands of attendees annually descending to downtown Concord, this three-day free festival is one of the state’s largest. Festivities for the weekend include art vendors, concerts, a downtown beer tent, Irish dancers and so much more. (603) 226-2150; intownconcord.org
Gilsum Rock Swap & Mineral Show, Gilsum, June 22-23
Got some cool rocks sitting at home? Want some new ones? Your moment has arrived. More than 65 dealers and swappers will be on hand, showcasing everything from beryl and quartz crystals to geodes and semi-precious stones. The swap is currently in its 55th year, so, while admission won’t be charged, donations are appreciated to keep things rockin’ for many more years to come. (603) 357-9636; gilsum.org
