The Best Events Happening in May
This month has a variety of events held all over the Granite State, from Pow Wows, to expos, festivals and more!
Bedrock Gardens in Lee opens to the public on May 13. Photo by Morgan Karanasios
Seacoast Eat Local Summer Farmers Markets Open, May 1 and 3, Exeter and Portsmouth
Seacoast Eat Local operates summer farmers’ markets in four locations in the Seacoast region of New Hampshire: Portsmouth, Exeter, Dover, and Durham. The markets are made up of a variety of different vendors who sell fruit, vegetables, meat, seafood, eggs, honey, maple syrup, baked goods, value-added foods, hot prepared food, crafts, and body care products. All of the vendors make, grow, harvest, catch, or craft 100% of the products they sell at the market. They also have musicians, nonprofits, and other guests to help make the markets fun, community-oriented, and engaging. seacoasteatlocal.org
NH Farm, Forest and Garden Expo, May 2-3, Deerfield
Discover the best of New Hampshire’s agricultural and forestry industries at this family-friendly event! Enjoy exciting activities, including horse-drawn wagon rides, the Dark Horse Lumberjack Show, and live demonstrations for all ages. From gardeners and hobby farmers to industry professionals and curious homeowners, there’s something for everyone.
$10-$12, Friday, 9 a.m. -5 p.m. & Saturday, 9 a.m. -4 p.m., Deerfield Fairgrounds, 25 Stage Rd, Deerfield; nhfarmandforestexpo.org
Spring Awakening Pow Wow, May 3, Tilton
This event is open to the public, and all are welcome to attend this Native American event. There will be drums, dancers, food, vendors and raffles.
Winnisquam Regional High School, 435 W. Main St., Tilton
Aladdin, May 3, Nashua
Safe Haven Ballet, New England’s premiere ballet company, brings you and your family in to a world of movement and magic with “Aladdin”. Gather the family to be reintroduced to all your old friends, Aladdin, Jasmine, the Genie, and so many more. If you are new to ballet or a ballet enthusiast; Safe Haven’s team of talented dancers, combined with dynamic choreography and straight forward story telling makes this a fun and exciting show for everyone.
Ticket prices vary, 4:30 p.m., Nashua Center for the Arts, 201 Main St. Nashua; safehavenballet.org
Taco Tour Manchester, May 8, Manchester
The world’s largest taco tour returns to Manchester to take Elm Street by the taco. With over 60 restaurants serving tacos for $3 each, a concert in Veteran’s Park and Elm Street completely closed down to traffic, the taco will reign supreme once again in the Queen City. Attendees can vote for their favorite taco, and the winning restaurant will receive the Golden Taco Trophy and $1,000 to donate to the charity of their choice.
4 to 8 p.m. in Downtown Manchester. tacotourmanchester.com
Amherst Garden Club Annual Plant Sale, May 10, Amherst
At the Amherst Garden Club’s flagship event, the organization sells more than 2,000 potted perennials each year, dug by hand from gardens in and around Amherst. This year the org will be highlighting native plants, instructing why they’re so vital to the environment. Vendors will be peddling veggies, herbs, hanging pots, houseplants, garden ornaments, used garden books and magazines, container pots and more — a one-stop kickoff for your gardening season. Kids can pot a flowering plant for their special Moms, along with delicious home-baked items to eat or for gifting. Event runs from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wilkins School. amherstgardenclub.org
May Garden Sale, May 10, Hollis
Join the Garden Club of Hollis for their annual May Garden Sale! More than 2000 plants, trees, shrubs and Mother’s Day Baskets will be for sale. The sale proceeds provide the club’s operating budget and fund for many worthwhile projects in the town of Hollis. The Garden Club is proud to contribute to local scholarships, the Beaver Brooke Association, the Hollis Social Library, civic-improvement projects, and seasonal town plantings.
Free. 9 a.m.- noon, in the field next to the Lawrence Barn, 28 Depot Rd., Hollis; hollisgardenclub.org
Great Bay Food Truck Festival, May 10, Stratham
Head over to Stratham Hill Park for a wonderful day where local flavors meet great company. Our lineup of food trucks has something for everyone. So come hungry, bring your friends and family, and enjoy the simple pleasure of good food in the great outdoors.
$10-15, 12 p.m.- 4 p.m., Stratham Hill Park, 270 Portsmouth Ave., Stratham; greatbayfoodtruckfestival.com
Monster Jam, May 10-11, Manchester
With events full of awesome trucks, amazing stunts, action-packed excitement and big air, you’ll become a fan for life once you experience Monster Jam live. Watch as 12,000lb trucks stand on two wheels and fly through the air. As a spectator on hand, you’ll be in the middle of all the intense action and get to score drivers in real time based on skills, stunts and saves. See the world’s most popular trucks like Grave Digger, El Toro Loco, Sparkle Smash and more only at Monster Jam.
Ticket and times prices vary, SNHU Arena, 555 Elm St., Manchester; snhuarena.com
NH Sheep and Wool Festival, May 10- 11, Deerfield
Now in its 47th year, the NH Sheep and Wool Festival features programming both for producers of sheep and wool and for those of us who are just fans. Don’t miss the long list of workshops and demos on woolen clothes-making, or for a good laugh, the human-and-sheep-partnered costume contest.
Ticket prices vary, Saturday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m.- 4 p.m., Deerfield Fair Grounds, 34 Stage Rd., Deerfield; nhswga.org
Celebrate spring at Strawbery Banke with heritage-breed baby animals, heirloom gardens, and historic landscapes! Meet lambs, calves, and other baby animals—and their moms—while discovering their vital roles in farming history. Explore the connection between animals, horticulture, and the lives of New Englanders past and present.
Enjoy live demonstrations, including oxen at work, traditional sheep shearing, sheepdog trials, and honey extraction. Families can join in hands-on activities like gardening and seed-saving, creating lasting memories together.
Discover how the Museum prepares its nationally recognized gardens for summer through guided tours and demonstrations. Don’t miss the chance to bring a piece of history home from the plant sale, featuring the very plants showcased in the historic gardens! Strawbery Banke Museum, 14 Hancock St., Portsmouth, 11 a.m.0 4 p.m.; strawberybanke.org
NH Renaissance Faire, May 10, 11, 17 & 18, Freemont
The NH Renaissance Faire is a family-friendly, educational, visual, theatrical, and fantastical event held in gorgeous, (and central), Fremont, NH. Noble knights and fair maidens alike will find something to enjoy in this longstanding Granite State fête. Spread across two weekends and a massive fairground venue, this Best of NH award-winning event includes everything from an archery range and knight, pirate and gypsy encampments to a zoo animal area said to contain real dragons. From historical knights to fantastical fairies, NHRF brings together education and fun for the whole family. Our merchants are mainly local artisans with an emphasis on handmade items including costumes, jewelry, pottery, herbals, weaponry, and more. Some will even demonstrate their craft live for your enjoyment.
$15- 20, 80 Martin Rd. Freemont; nhrenfaire.com
Bedrock Gardens 2025 Season Opens, May 13, Lee
This emerging public garden integrates unusual botanical specimens and unique sculpture into an inspiring landscape journey. This 37-acre site is transitioning from a historic farm and private garden to a public oasis of art, horticulture and inspiration. Visit a garden that The Boston Globe described as “one of the most beautiful and intriguing landscapes in New Hampshire.” Plan your spring, summer and fall with some time in this oasis. Bring your family and friends outdoors. Order a box lunch or bring a picnic. $15. High Rd., Lee. (603) 659-2993; bedrockgardens.org
The Thing in the Spring, May 16- 18, Keene
Founded in 2008, The Thing in The Spring is a legendary annual New Hampshire music and arts festival that works to bring the outside world in and connect myriad undergrounds in accessible ways. Originally in Peterborough, The Thing now calls Keene’s Nova Arts home. novaarts.org. Ticket prices vary, 8 Emerald St., Keene; novaarts.com
Exeter Arts & Music Fest, May 17, Exeter
There’s no shortage of Seacoast-area festivals on the calendar this summer, but you can get a head start on the season with this fest from Town.Exeter.Arts.Music. There’s plenty of family programming, but this party is especially impressive with attractions like a rock-climbing wall, an ecovillage and sets from hip local musicians to supplement the standard arts festival fare at Swasey Parkway. Downtown Exeter, teamexeter.com
Spring into Warner Festival and 5k, May 17, Warner
Celebrate spring at this festival in downtown Warner! Enjoy local vendors, running in a color run 5k and so much more!
9 a.m.- 4 p.m., Downtown Warner, Warner; warnerfarmersmarket.org & Facebook.
Memorial Day Weekend Fireworks Show, May 29, Hampton
Bring a blanket and the whole family to kick off summer with this incredible fireworks display. 9:30 p.m., Hampton Beach, 115 Ocean Blvd., Hampton Beach. (603) 926-8717; hamptonbeach.org
Join us in celebrating the 40th Anniversary of our beloved festival! This milestone is a testament to the incredible spirit of the Windham Community, whose unwavering support has kept this event thriving for four decades. A heartfelt thank you to all the volunteers, sponsors, and participants who have contributed their time and effort to make this celebration possible. Together, let’s continue to foster the vibrant community spirit that defines our festival! ,Nesmith Library, 8 Fellows Rd., Windham, 11 a.m.- 5 p.m.; flowwindham.org
