Blog

The Monadnock Region is full of things to do!

Looking for different ways to Discover Monadnock? Here you can read about things to do in the small towns and villages of the Monadnock Region, check out venues for art, annual festivals, best places for food or shopping or seeing live music. There are things to do here throughout the seasons! Take a look – we know you’ll find something you like.

For a quick look at what’s going on visit our calendar or check out our Arts News page to catch the latest cultural happenings. And to make more than a day trip of it, check out our great campgrounds, bed & breakfasts, and hotels!

All Blog Posts

Four students with backpacks head to a university building

Colleges in the Monadnock Region

October 17, 2023

Boston, Massachusetts is one of the more well-known college towns in the country. However, the Monadnock region of New Hampshire, a couple hours away, has its own education hub to boast about. Three out of four of these institutions are located in one town that’s lovely to visit: Keene! The well-known Keene State College Keene State

Read the complete Colleges in the Monadnock Region blog post.
""

Viva Bach Peterborough Announces 2023 Festival Program

October 10, 2023

Viva Bach Peterborough is pleased to announce its 2023 festival, which will take place at the Peterborough Town House from October 20th – 22nd under the artistic direction of Veronika Schreiber. Building on its highly successful 2022 inaugural season, Viva Bach Peterborough will once again bring renowned musicians from across the country to play a

Read the complete Viva Bach Peterborough Announces 2023 Festival Program blog post.
summer campers pose outdoors on and around a small building

Arts Spotlight: Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music

October 3, 2023

NICOLE S. COLSON Cellist Javier Caballero first came to the Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music as a student 25 years ago. The inclusive environment he found there led him on his life path.  The non-profit arts organization, founded 52 years ago, is situated on 100 acres of fields and woodlands in Nelson. Apple Hill

Read the complete Arts Spotlight: Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music blog post.
a group of middle schoolers smile in front of a mural of a train

Arts Spotlight: Historical Society of Cheshire County

September 26, 2023

NICOLE S. COLSON Dusty objects on museum shelves are relics of the past. In order to become a community resource for tourism statewide, the county historical society’s goal is to bring its collection to life in the 21st century.  Jennifer Carroll is director of education at the Historical Society of Cheshire County, a private educational

Read the complete Arts Spotlight: Historical Society of Cheshire County blog post.
fall foliage trees along a mountain road

FFAST over Columbus Day weekend showcases new artists

September 19, 2023

Bright and bold colors, dashing images, winding back roads…. these are some of the pleasures of the annual art tours over Columbus Day weekend.  Whether you’re on the road or in a new studio talking to artists, it’s an adventure!   Because the Monadnock area is so rich with creative talent – there are actually two

Read the complete FFAST over Columbus Day weekend showcases new artists blog post.
""

5 Fall Festivals in the Monadnock Region

September 12, 2023

As the summer draws to a close, the days remain warm but nights grow colder. Fresh green summer produce makes way for squash, apples, and of course…pumpkins! New England is well-known for its full experience of the four seasons. As locals know especially well, autumn draws in scores of leaf-peepers, Halloween enthusiasts, and festival-goers. The

Read the complete 5 Fall Festivals in the Monadnock Region blog post.
cabaret cast poses on stage in dark blue light

Arts Spotlight: Peterborough Players

September 6, 2023

NICOLE S. COLSON The pandemic gave many arts organizations the time and opportunity to think deeply about their mission and the future. In the case of Peterborough Players, it was a chance to determine the best ways to reach the largest number of theater patrons. Above all, increased access ensures its longevity far past the

Read the complete Arts Spotlight: Peterborough Players blog post.
a circle of kids play a game in a blackbox theater

Arts Spotlight: Andy’s Summer Playhouse

September 1, 2023

NICOLE S. COLSON Andy’s Summer Playhouse board and staff provide full access to programming—but it’s the kids who are running the show. “They are running tech boards during the performance, they are building the set and gathering costumes,” said artistic director Jared Mezzocchi.  As its website explains, Andy’s is a youth theater in Wilton that

Read the complete Arts Spotlight: Andy’s Summer Playhouse blog post.
stage full of kids of all ages in costume

Arts Spotlight: MoCo Arts

August 27, 2023

NICOLE S. COLSON MoCo Arts is empowering the youth of Keene by helping them find themselves through arts education. MoCo Arts is a family-centered nonprofit arts education organization in downtown Keene. They offer classes in dance and theater for students ages 6 months to 18+ years (select classes for adults). During the summer, MoCo runs

Read the complete Arts Spotlight: MoCo Arts blog post.
a stage full of kids dancing in different colored costumes under blue lighting

Arts Spotlight: New Hampshire Dance Institute

August 22, 2023

NICOLE S. COLSON No matter where they come from, their family background or skill level, when NHDI students take the stage at the end of the week and show what they’ve learned to an audience—they are all dancers. The non-profit arts and education organization known as New Hampshire Dance Institute offers year-long, summer and residency

Read the complete Arts Spotlight: New Hampshire Dance Institute blog post.

Free Events on the Arts & Culture Calendar

August 17, 2023

The Discover Monadnock arts and cultural calendar has several broad arts categories. These make your favorite types of events easier to find! Search for dance, music, comedy, theatre, spoken & written word, nature, film, and more. For those who enjoy all the arts but prefer to stay close to home, filtering by town is also

Read the complete Free Events on the Arts & Culture Calendar blog post.

Friends of Public Art/17ROX: Arts Spotlight

August 11, 2023

NICOLE S. COLSON Georgia Cassimatis saw the city of Keene as a blank canvas, the creatives who work here as artistic media, and her organization as the connecting bridge to everyone. Creating access to art for all was her goal when she founded the nonprofit group, Friends of Public Art. Similarly, removing barriers for artists

Read the complete Friends of Public Art/17ROX: Arts Spotlight blog post.