NH & MA Community Events - September 2018

Here's what's happening across New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts this September. We'll be updating this list throughout the month, so check back for more!

Seacoast NH

All month – Shamrock Corn Maze at Coppal House Farm

This Seacoast tradition is open for the season! Wander your way through the shamrock-shaped maze, and when you've found your way out visit the farm stand. $7-$9

9/7-9/9: Hampton Beach Seafood Festival

Sample the Seacoast's best seafood from 60 restaurants at this three-day extravaganza! There's also fireworks and live entertainment.

9/6 – 9/16: Rochester Fair

The Rochester Fair is back! Visit the midway, animal barns, and big top circus. Make sure to see their famous School Bus Derby and enjoy some delicious fair food. Admission is only $9!

9/8 -9/9 Demeritt Hill Farm Family Weekend

Kick off fall at the farm with pony rides, face painting, photo opportunities with the tractors, and more.

9/14-9/16 – Telluride by the Sea

Calling all film buffs - movies from Colorado's famous Telluride Film Festival will make their way to the Music Hall this weekend. Six brand-new movies will be screened! $100/weekend, $20/individual

9/22 - Smuttoberfest

Smuttynose Brewing Company will turn its field into a German Biergarten for the day. Enjoy live music, mustache and stein holding competitions, and of course - beer!

9/22-9/23 - 14th Annual Portsmouth Fairy House Tour

See over 250 fairy houses in historic locations like Strawbery Banke, the Governor John Langdon House, and Prescott Park. All fairy houses are made by professionals, students or community members. $4-25

9/29 - Bedrock Gardens Tours

Visit this 20-acre garden in Lee, which is noted for its design, art, and horticulture. Guided tours can be scheduled, but are limited to 30 people. Suggested donation is $10.

9/29 -9/30 - Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival

Celebrate the area's maritime heritage in downtown Portsmouth. Enjoy sea shanties by a variety of performers and a special concert Saturday night - all for free.

9/30 - Yoga and Beer at Barewolf Brewing

Take a one-hour, all-levels vinyasa flow class at Barewolf Brewing in Amesbury, MA. Bring a mat and your thirst for good beer! $20

Lakes Region and Northern NH

All month – Winnipesaukee Scenic Railroad

Travel through the front yards of scenic homes in Weirs Beach and Meredith on this historic railroad. Rides are available at multiple times throughout the fall.

Sundays, all month – Sunday Brunch Cruise

Take in the stunning views of Lake Winnipesaukee with a side of brunch! The Mount Washington offers this 2 1/2 hour cruise with live entertainment throughout the fall.

9/8 – Raptor Spectacular at Squam Lakes Natural Science Center

Visit the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center in Holderness and see peregrine falcons, hawks, and turkey vultures up close during this all-day celebration of raptors.

9/8 & 9/9 – Mountaintop Yoga at Gunstock

After a relaxing chairlift ride to Gunstock's summit, enjoy soothing views of Lake Winni during this beginner-friendly yoga class. $20

9/13-9/15 – White Mountain Storytelling Festival

Held by the NH Storytelling Alliance, this four-day festival features a story slam, ghost stories, and performances by Featured Teller Sheila Arnold Jones. Tickets $20-25

9/15 – Shaker Harvest Festival

Celebrate the fall harvest with the Enfield Shaker Museum. Take a hay stack ride, try your hand at butter churning or cider making, and learn about Shaker life. Tickets $5-12

9/22 - Moonlight Zip Tour at Gunstock

Take a scenic lift ride to the top of Gunstock and enjoy some lawn games. After the sun sets, ride the zipline and get views of the lake and mountains! Tickets $135

9/22 - Littleton Art Festival

Artists around the region will be selling their artwork on Main Street. Check out the Littleton Public Library Booksale, a pie festival, and car parade while you are there.

9/21-9/23 – NH Highland Games & Festival

Head up to Loon Mountain for one of the largest and most diverse highland games in North America. Watch feats of strength like the caber toss and hammer throw, enjoy whiskey and beer tastings, and even find the perfect kilt to wear home.

9/29 - Wicked FIT Run

This popular fundraising 5K got its start in Concord, and for the first time it's being held in Wolfeboro. All proceeds benefit Families in Transition-New Horizons. $15-25

9/29-9/30 - 20th Annual Autumn Craft Festival on the Lake

Shop over 75 juried artisans from across New England and sample local specialty foods at this free, popular craft festival in Meredith.

9/30 - Foliage Dinner Cruise

End your Sunday Funday this fall with dinner and a cruise on scenic Lake Winnipesaukee. Tickets are $39-49, and cruises run every Sunday through October 14.

Capital Region NH

9/7 – Boos! & Booze Tour

This haunted pub crawl takes you through the State Capital's spooky history, as well as the city's historic relationship with alcohol. $32 gets you the tour and up to 6 samples at two local bars.

9/7 – Friendly Kitchen 5K

Looking to get active this weekend? All proceeds from this 5K at NHTI go to feed people in need in Concord. There's also a kids run option! $25 donation; day-of registrations welcome.

9/8 – Annual Monarch Festival

Celebrate the annual migration of the monarch butterfly at Petals in the Pines in Canterbury. Learn how to create a butterfly garden, and explore 26 themed gardens. $5/adults (suggested donation), kids free.

9/15 – Canterbury Artisan Festival

Spend the day celebrating handcrafted arts. Highlights include a juried craft fair, farmer's market, and historic arts and agriculture demonstrations. $6-12 entry fee

9/21 - 9/22 - Full Throttle Fall Weekend

Spend a weekend at NH Motor Speedway for 475 laps of racing. The main event is NASCAR's Whelen Modified Tour Musket 250!

9/23 – Concord Multicultural Festival

Over 50 different cultures are represented at this annual event, held in front of the Statehouse. Shop cultural crafts, enjoy food from around the world, and watch traditional arts demonstrations and shows.

9/28-9/30 – Capital Arts Fest

Hosted by the League of NH Craftsmen, this free all-weekend festival on Main Street in Concord offers craft demonstrations, local music, and food.

9/29 - Ultimate Yard Sale & Food Truck Fest

Munch on food from a variety of food trucks while you wander the aisles at this giant yard sale. Held at the Hopkinton State Fairgrounds; admission is $5

9/29 - Dining with the Dead

Learn about Concord's haunted past during this dinner at the Centennial Hotel. Take a mini ghost tour of the hotel and get a reading from Psychic/Medium Chrissy Masterson. Tickets are $82. 

Southern NH

9/8 - Art Jam Riverside

This celebration of art and color will feature graffiti artists, drummers, sculptors, live music, and fun for the whole family. $10 ticket, all proceeds support Families in Transition and Hope for NH Recovery

9/9 – Yoga in the Vineyard

Find your zen, then have some zinfandel at LaBelle Winery in Amherst. This all levels class by NH Power Yoga is followed by a wine tasting. $20 - make sure to bring your mat!

9/14-9/16 – Glendi Greek Festival

Every year St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Manchester throws a huge festival with food, dancing, crafts and more to celebrate everything Greek.

9/14 – A Taste of Italy

Unwind with wine! WineNot Boutique in Nashua is pouring 25 different varieties of Italian wine, plus you can sample their selection of cheeses and specialty Italian foods! $20 tasting fee.

9/15 – Pelham Old Home Day

This old home day celebration is marking its 112th year. Enjoy live music, a parade, an auction, and food at this free community event.

9/22 - Joe English Twilight Challenge

This annual evening/night trail run at Freestyle Farm is lit with glow sticks and bonfires. Choose the distance that's right for you! All proceeds benefit the Amherst Land Trust.

9/23 - Detox & Retox: 603 Brewery Yoga

Spend your Sunday morning stretching at 603 Brewery in Londonderry, then reward yourself with 3 5oz samples of local brews.

9/23 – 9/30 – Deerfield Fair

The Deerfield Fair is marking its 142nd year and offers all of the traditional fair events like horse pulls, 4-H shows, a pumpkin weigh-off, sheep shearing, and pig scrambles. Check out the stages for family entertainment and live music, and as always there are rides for all ages.

9/29 - 9/30 - Beaver Brook Fall Festival

Get close to nature and enjoy local art at this 38th annual festival at Beaver Brook in Hollis. Animal shows include Live Birds of Prey and Eyes on Owls, plus there will be a petting farm for the kids.

9/30 - Tango 101

Get a taste of Argentina and learn the tango at this class in Nashua for absolute beginners. No experience needed! Make sure to wear your dancing shoes.

Massachusetts

9/4 – 9/9 Worcester Wine Festival

Enjoy wine dinners, brunches, and events throughout the city. The feature event, the Grand Tasting, takes place at Union Station on Saturday.

9/8 – Lowell Summer Music Series

Catch the last event in this year's Lowell Summer Music Series - the 38th Annual Banjo and Fiddle Contest. Admissions is free, and includes workshops and jam sessions.

9/8 – Boston Night Market

Found in many Asian countries, night markets offer food, art, and entertainment outdoors. Boston is hosting its first one this weekend at City Hall Plaza. Tickets are $10.

9/14 - 9/16 - Notch Mobile Biergarten

Notch Brewing Company will be at Stevens Coolidge Place in North Andover serving up craft beer and fun. Don't miss the Oktoberfest on Sat. and the craft fair on Sun. 

9/15 - Dance Mile Boston

Spend an hour dancing a mile through Boston with a mobile DJ at this high-energy event, which is part of the city's Social Fitness Festival. 

9/16 - Boston Local Food Festival

Check out the nation's largest local and sustainable food festival on the Rose Kennedy Greenway. There is also music, performances, and live chef demos. 

9/14 – 9/30 – The Big E

The E in this fair’s name might as well stand for “everything,” because this two-week fair has every type of event you could hope for. In addition to dairy judging, a creative arts section, and agricultural shows, there are car shows, midway rides, daily parades, and a full concert lineup that includes big-name acts like The Beach Boys, Ice-T, and Hanson. Don’t miss the giant butter sculpture, an annual tradition where sculptors Jim Victor and Marie Pelton transform 600 pounds of butter into a work of art.

9/22 - Chinatown Lantern Festival

Celebrate the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival with games, mooncakes, and festivities! Admission is free.

9/22 - The 5K Foam Fest

Work your way through 22 obstacles and 2.5 million cubic feet of foam at this fun 5K. Enjoy food, vendors, and a beer garden at the end! 

9/28 – 10/8 – Topsfield Fair

This year the Topsfield Fair will be celebrating its 200th anniversary, making it the oldest agricultural fair in the country. Highlights include the monster truck freestyle and demolition derby, pig racing, a giant pumpkin weigh-off, the human cannonball and a hot dog eating contest. There will also be live music, including appearances from country musicians The Charlie Daniels Band, Sara Evans, and Martina McBride.

9/29 - Fall Foliage Paddle

See the local foliage from the water as you paddle along the Charles with members of the Waltham Land Trust. Learn about the river's history and ecology on this 2-3 mile tour. $45

9/29 - Lowell Food Tour

Learn about this mill town's rich history while sampling food from the best local eateries. From pizza to Latin specialties and Asian delicacies, you'll be stuffed after this 3 hour tour. $60