The Best Events Happening in July
This July, enjoy a variety of events across New Hampshire, from art classes to concerts to hot sauce festivals
Every second Saturday of the month from May to October, Vernon Family Farm is open for live music from bands like High Range and Superfrog, and delicious local food from their very own farm-to-table restaurant, Vernon Kitchen. Photo by Whitewave Photography
July 5
Family Carnival> Hosted by the Waterville Valley Recreation Department, this carnival offers a full day of fun on Packard’s Field! Rain or shine, bring the whole family for a day of inflatables, music, relay races, dunk tanks, tie dye, mini-golf, food trucks and more! Registration required, 11 a.m.- 3 p.m., Packard’s Rd., Waterville Valley; visitwatervillevalley.com
July 8- 31
73rd New Hampshire Music Festival> Calling all lovers of Classical music! Venues throughout Plymouth and Wolfeboro come alive to celebrate 73 festival years with the sounds of orchestras, choruses and professional soloists on instruments and voice. The fest will feature performances by an exceptional roster of artists from across the United States in Chamber Music concerts on Tuesday nights, Classic Orchestral concerts on Thursday nights and several free Music in the Mountains community concerts throughout our month-long festival. Times and locations vary. Plymouth. (603) 238-9007; nhmf.org
July 8- August 12
6 Week Pottery Class> Looking to get creative this summer? This hands-on 6- week class, is perfect for complete beginners, or if you’re a seasoned pottery pro looking to refine your technique. You’ll receive a 25 lb. bag of clay to use throughout the course, and by the end, you’ll have a beautiful collection of your own handmade pottery pieces to take home. All materials, tools, and firings are included with the registration fee — just bring your creativity (and clothes you don’t mind getting a little muddy)! The Wheel House, 865 Islington St., Portsmouth; thewheelhousenh.com
July 10-13
Hillsboro Summer Festival > From live music and a parade to a fairway full of carnival rides, this legendary festival is packed with activities. With plenty of activities for everyone- including a beer tent, 5K road race, skillet toss, tractor pull and more- your day will be jam packed with fun! For a free spectacle, stick around till dusk on Saturday night. Free. Times vary. Grimes Field, 29 Preston St., Hillsboro. (603) 464-0377; hillsborosummerfest.com
Thursdays, July 10- July 31
Atlantic Grill Music by the Sea Concerts > This summer concert series brings some of New England’s hottest bands to the Seacoast on Thursday nights. Enjoy great tunes and the seaside setting while supporting the Seacoast Science Center and their ocean education mission. Bring a blanket or chair, pack a picnic or purchase freshly grilled dinner and chilled beverages on site. Concertgoers can also enjoy the Center and its exhibits, free with concert admission. $20-320. 5 to 8:30 p.m., 570 Ocean Blvd., Rye. (603) 436-8043; seacoastsciencecenter.org
Fridays from July 11- August 15
39th Annual Cochecho Arts Festival > The Festival began in the summer of 1987, after the Chamber had accepted the challenge of matching an anonymous donation to produce a summer concert series. The summer-long festival showcases regionally recognized acts as well as top local Seacoast entertainers. The Chamber is proud to have taken the lead in promoting the arts and community events in Dover with the belief that everyone benefits from a vibrant, healthy community. All Cochecho Arts Festival events are free to attend and open to the public. Free. Henry Law Park, 1 Washington St., Dover. (603) 742-2218; dovernh.org
July 11-13
On the Green Arts & Crafts Festival> Rain or shine, enjoy over 100 arts & crafts exhibitors on the lawn at Brewster Academy. Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 80 Academy Drive, Rt. 28, Wolfeboro; joycescraftshows.com
July 11- 12
VSCCA White Mountain Grand Prix> Calling all motorsport lovers and racers! The VSCCA White Mountain Grand Prix course has15 turns over 2.5 miles with an elevation change of 250 feet. It’s over 40 feet wide with a mix of long straightaways and left and right turns both uphill and downhill. Fast corners, slowish corners, increasing and decreasing radius – it has it all. Registration required, Club Motorsports, 780 Chocorua Mountain Rd., Tamworth; motorsportreg.com
July 12
5th Annual Piscataqua Riverfest> Piscataqua Riverfest is Portsmouth’s annual celebration of the rivers and bays featuring a traditional boat show, food, music, historical demonstrations, hands-on activities and great local vendors. This free Gundalow Company event has something for all ages! 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., Strawbery Banke, 14 Hancock St., Portsmouth; piscataquariverfest.com
July 12
Human Nature: Back to the Sound of Mowtown> Begun as a boy band in the late nineties at their high school just outside Sydney, Australia, this group quickly became popular throughout the continent. Today, they are one of the world’s greatest pop vocal groups and have played various residencies on the Las Vegas strip for over a decade. Their show “Back to the Sound of Motown” celebrates the greatest songs ever. Castle in the Clouds, 483 Ossipee Rd., Moultonborough; greatwaters.org
July 12
New England Vintage Boat Auction> Join the New Hampshire Boat Museum for their annual auction featuring classic wooden boats, fiberglass boats, sailboats, kayaks, canoes, memorabilia and more. Folks can bid online or in person, and this event is guaranteed to have something for everyone. Boats will be displayed online and at the Nicholas J. Pernokas Recreation Park (The Nick) in Wolfeboro for the general public to view on Thursday, July 10 and Friday, July 11 from noon to 5 p.m. Live bidding begins on Saturday, July 12 at 10 a.m. The Nick, 10 Trotting Track Rd., Wolfeboro; nhbm.org
July 12
The Prouty > If you enjoy outdoor recreation of just about any kind, then you’ll find something to suit your tastes at this annual mega-fundraiser for the Dartmouth Hitchcock Norris Cotton Cancer Center. Cyclists can opt for 20- to 100-mile rides on the road or the 200-mile, two-day Prouty Ultimate; walkers can traverse anything from a 3K stroll through Hanover to an 11K walk in the woods; rowers can hit the Connecticut River for 5 to 15 miles, and cyclers can mountain bike and race on the updated hybrid gravel bike trail! Don’t like any of those? They also need volunteers. Prices, times and locations around Hanover vary. (603) 646-5500; theprouty.org
July 12
American Independence Festival > If you didn’t get all the patriotism out of your system on the Fourth, then try this later homage to America. Activities at this 35-year-old fest include battle reenactments, lawn games, live music and enough kids activities to keep the little ones entertained all day. Free. All day. American Independence Museum, 1 Governors Ln., Exeter. (603) 772-2622; independencemuseum.org
July 19-20
Over the River Craft Fair> It’s Christmas in July in Walpole! Spend your weekend enjoying refreshments while supporting local artisans and small businesses. 9 a.m.- 4 p.m., 618 Cold River Rd., (right off Rte. 123) Walpole; overtherivercraftfair.com
July 23-27
North Haverhill Fair > Described as “Christmas in July,” the North Haverhill Fair features a boatload of free events. Crowd pleasers include concerts on Friday and Saturday nights, horse, pony and oxen stone boat pulling, a demolition derby, tractor and pulling events with transfer sleds, dairy, sheep, goat and dog shows for 4-H, an open horse show and art, photography, arts, crafts and flower shows. This year’s theme is “Blue Jeans and Country Dreams.” Prices and times vary, 1299 Dartmouth College Highway, North Haverhill. (603) 989-3305; nohaverhillfair.com
July 26
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, Smuttynose Brewing Co. beer, 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., Smuttynose Brewing Co., 105 Towle Farm Rd., Hampton. newenglandhotsaucefest.com. New Hampshire Magazine is a proud sponsor of this event.
July 26
Hebron Fair > This fair boasts that it’s the place to be for the last Saturday in July. Festivities include more than 100 craftspeople, pony rides, children’s games, white elephants, delicious foods, baked goods, plants and a silent auction. It’s held on the picturesque Hebron Common at the north end of Newfound Lake and will happen rain or shine. Free. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Hebron Common, 16 Church Ln., Hebron. (603) 409-7143; hebronchurchfair.org
July 26-27
Gallery in the Garden> Enjoy seeing fine, handcrafted works of art in a unique one-of-a-kind location. During this incredible gem of an art fair, you will love strolling through the pondside gardens, sipping on refreshments, and enjoying art in nature. You can even take your favorite pieces home with you, and meet the artists. 148 Sandogardy Pond Rd., Northfield; suzanneconnor.com
July 26
26th Annual Chocolate Fest > Enjoy an evening of chocolate temptations in Town Square accompanied by a free outdoor concert as the sun sets. Pack a picnic and enjoy an indulgent evening in the square, on a blanket or with your toes in the sand. 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Town Square, 33 Village Rd., Waterville Valley. waterville.com
July 31- August 3
Cheshire Fair > This traditional agricultural fair will feature entertainment, crafts, vendors, rides, animals and plenty of live music. This year’s theme is “Farm Fresh Fun.” The whole family will love the recently redone midway, and new rides and games! Prices and times vary, 247 Monadnock Highway, Swanzey. (603) 357-4740; cheshirefair.org
