6 can’t-miss events for your calendar

Grab your hat, basket, and pals, and get ready to go apple picking in New Hampshire this fall.(Hermes Rivera/Unsplash)

By Katy Savage

September 23, 2025

A version of this story appeared in the Granite Post’s newsletter. Subscribe here.

Fall is in full swing across New Hampshire, and the weekend is packed with festivals, food, and fun for the whole family. From classic county fairs to chili cook-offs, lumberjack competitions, and maritime music, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Check out these can’t-miss events happening around the state:

🎡 Deerfield Fair
Deerfield, Sept. 25–28
One of New Hampshire’s oldest fairs, featuring agricultural exhibits, rides, competitions, food, and entertainment at the Deerfield Fairgrounds on Route 43.
More info

🎄 Fall FEASTival at Santa’s Village
Jefferson, Sept. 28
A fall celebration with park-favorite foods included in admission—pizza, burgers, cookies, ice cream, hot chocolate, and more. Food service ends at 3:30 p.m.
More info

🪓 Lumberjack Competition
Errol, Sept. 28
Part of Errol Heritage Days, featuring professional lumberjack events.
More info

🌶️ 26th Annual Chili Challenge & Rally in the Valley
Waterville Valley, Sept. 27
Local restaurants compete for the title of best chili in Town Square. Admission includes chili tastings and a ballot. Alongside the contest: the annual Rally in the Valley all-vehicle show, live entertainment, and raffles.
More info

🍎 Fall Festival
North Conway, Sept. 27
Family-friendly activities on The Green from 10 a.m.–2 p.m., including kids’ pumpkin painting, candy guessing contest, free apples & cider, live pumpkin carving, and a kids’ hay maze. Horse-drawn carriage rides return this year, with live music TBA.
More info

⚓ Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival
Portsmouth, Sept. 27–28
Free performances across multiple venues, including Market Square, Prescott Park, Sheafe Warehouse, and Warner House. Saturday features a concert with Steve Turner, Chris Koldewey, and the Ranzo Boys. Sunday closes with a grand finale

Author

Katy Savage

Katy Savage is the Granite Post's newsletter editor. Katy is an award-winning reporter with more than 10 years of experience working in daily, weekly, and digital news organizations as both an editor and reporter. Katy is a New England native and has a passion for telling stories about where she grew up.

Have a story tip? Reach Katy at [email protected]. For local reporting in New Hampshire that connects the dots, from policy to people, sign up for Katy's newsletter.

View all posts

CATEGORIES: THINGS TO DO

Support Our Cause

Thank you for taking the time to read our work. Before you go, we hope you'll consider supporting our values-driven journalism, which has always strived to make clear what's really at stake for New Hampshirites and our future.

Since day one, our goal here at Granite Post has always been to empower people across the state with fact-based news and information. We believe that when people are armed with knowledge about what's happening in their local, state, and federal governments—including who is working on their behalf and who is actively trying to block efforts aimed at improving the daily lives of Granite State families—they will be inspired to become civically engaged.