6 things to do in NH this weekend

From thrilling rides and Scottish games to mac-and-cheese competitions and a peek into the afterlife of pets, there’s no shortage of things to do across New Hampshire. Here are a few highlights:

Katy Savage

September 16, 2025

New Hampshire’s fairs and festivals draw hundreds of thousands of visitors each summer.(Kitreel/Shutterstock)

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From thrilling rides and Scottish games to mac-and-cheese competitions and a peek into the afterlife of pets, there’s no shortage of things to do across New Hampshire. Here are a few highlights:

🎡 Granite State Fair
Rochester, Sept. 17-21
Rides, live entertainment, arena shows, midway games, agricultural exhibits, and classic fair food. Spotlight events include a circus, school bus derby, demolition derby, and car soccer.
More info

🎶 New Hampshire Highland Games
Lincoln, Sept. 19-21
Scottish festival at Loon Mountain featuring traditional music, athletics, and culture.
More info

🎄 Fall FEASTival at Santa’s Village
Jefferson, Sept. 21 and 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

🍁 LebFest
Lebanon, Saturday, Sept. 20
Annual family-centered community event with 80+ booths featuring games, crafts, raffles, local vendors, live music, and food. Includes a Mac & Cheese competition where local restaurants showcase recipes for sampling and voting.
More info

🎨 Fall Arts and Crafts Fair
Tilton, Saturday, Sept. 20-21
Craft fair at Tanger Outlets with over 90 exhibitors. Friendly, leashed pets welcome. Rain or shine. Free admission and parking.
More info

🐾 Pets and the Afterlife
Bedford, Sunday, Sept. 21
Lecture with author Rob Gutro benefiting the Animal Rescue League of NH on how pets communicate after death. Book signing to follow.
More info

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