Each year the Monadnock region is proud to host some of the best festivals in New Hampshire and the Monadnock region. As far as things to do in NH, festivals are one of the best ways to get out and celebrate the season and the towns of the festivals. The Monadnock region is home to both culturally significant festivals, quirky festivals, and harvest festivals that celebrate all that New Hampshire has to offer. Check out this list of the top eight festivals in New Hampshire for 2015!
1. Monadnock International Film Festival
Monadnock International Film Festival, better known as MONIFF, is definitely one of the best festivals in New Hampshire to attend. MONIFF was founded in 2013 by a collaboration between local artists, filmmakers and producers, community leaders, universities, colleges, social service agencies, and local businesses. Each of these individuals fought to bring about MONIFF and bring amazing international films to the Monadnock region. Since they began two years ago, MONIFF has continued to grow and inspire people with their festival. The festival is in Keene, New Hampshire in three different locations; The Colonial Theatre, The Putnam Theatre, and finally Centennial Hall. However, MONIFF is more than just one of the best festivals in New Hampshire, they also give back to the younger members of their community. MONIFF is proud to offer a $1,000 scholarship for young and aspiring filmmakers, it is called the Cavelight Scholarship Fund.
Please remember to support MONIFF as they continue to prove their worth among the best festivals in New Hampshire. The Monadnock International Film Festival will take place April 16-18, 2015 in Keene, N.H.
2. Monadnock Summer Music Festival
The Monadnock Summer Music Festival is one of the most prestigious festivals in New Hampshire. The Monadnock Summer Music Festivals prides itself on improving the lives of music lovers, listeners, and player for over half a century. This New Hampshire festival was founded in 1966, and has been going strong for close to 60 years! As one of the oldest festivals in New Hampshire, the Monadnock Summer Music Festival is a must attend event for people and families of all ages and backgrounds.
Their goal is to improve the local community through music and a “diverse classical program” for all of the visitors to the festival. Monadnock Summer Music Festical connects people to the music through both live performances and on site lessons. Join in and support the Monadnock Summer Music Festival to keep the music alive in the Monadnock region. The festival takes place from July 10- August 8, 2015.
3. Pickle Festival
Get ready, because the next festival on this list of the best festivals in New Hampshire is one that you definitely will want to be a part of! The annual Pickle Festival in Winchester New Hampshire is an old fashioned town fair, with live music, a parade, local craftsmen and of course, pickles. To kick of the festival there is a parade through downtown Winchester, which is where the fair grounds are located. During the parade, families march along with the numerous pickle-themed floats, in addition to the plenty of pickle costumes and marching bands. After the parade comes the main events: judging for the best jar of pickles and a pickle eating contest, which are both very serious competitions!
For all pickle lovers, this is the hands down one of the best festivals in New Hampshire to put on your calendar. Who can say no to free pickles?? Make sure to keep the Winchester Pickle Festival on your radar, it takes place on September 26, 2015.
4. Antrim Home and Harvest Festival
The 11th annual Antrim Home and Harvest Festival is one the most beautiful festivals in New Hampshire and takes place in the historic town center of Antrim, N.H. By and large, the Home and Harvest Festival is a traditional New England harvest festival with tons of live music, arts and crafts from local vendors, games for kids, a parade, even a fireworks display, and of course lot of amazing food.
But the Antrim Home and Harvest Festival also has some exciting non traditional elements which earns it a spot among the best Festivals in New Hampshire. At the festival there is a skateboard race, the Antrim Can/Am Slalom Championships, one of the largest of its kind in North America! Check out the Antrim Home and Harvest Festival which takes place the weekend of September 18-20, 2015.
5. Hillsborough Balloon Fest and Fair
The Hillsborough Balloon Fest and Fair is one of the most exciting and high flying festivals in New Hampshire. It was recently been combined with the Hillsborough Firemen’s Weekend, so there is twice the fun to be had at this New Hampshire festival. Sponsored by the Hillsborough Area Artisans, there is a Hometown Parade on Sunday with marching bands, floats, military personnel and a wide assortment of fire equipment from all over New Hampshire. The most exciting event of the weekend is the Hot Air Balloons! The balloons are piloted and crewed by regional balloon enthusiasts and are a beautiful site to see.
The balloons that take flight over New Hampshire’s beautiful Monadnock Region are even available to the general public, along with tethered flights for those who are a bit more cautious. This is truly one of the best festivals in New Hampshire, and it takes the weekend of July 9-12, 2015.
6. Keene Music Festival
While it may not be Pumpkin Fest, the Keene Music Festival is just as amazing and absolutely worth checking out. The Keene Music Festival is in it’s 15th year and is hands down one of the best festivals in New Hampshire’s Monadnock region. What is so amazing about this festival is that it all takes place in the course of one day! This jam packed music festivals features over sixty bands performing at twelve different areas around the town of Keene, N.H. There are so many different styles of music represented at the Keene Music Festival that all music lovers will find high quality bands performing the music that they love.
To top it all off? The Keene Music Festival is one of the largest free music festivals in New Hampshire! There is nothing not to love about this amazing festival, that takes place on Labor Day weekend in 2015.
7. Hillsborough Schnitzelfest
The Hillsborough Schnitzelfest is a classic German Festival, complete with beer and sausages, located much closer to home than say travelling to Berlin for Oktoberfest. In it’s 13th year, Schnitnelfest has successfully brought authentic German food to thousands at this exciting and fun event held each year in late September. Held during the beginning of the beautiful New England fall foliage season, Schnitzelfest is the perfect way to kick-start autumn. During the festival, patrons are encouraged to walk around and visit the historic Hillsborough Center. Or, for history buffs, visit the Franklin Pierce Homestead State Historic Site and learn about the only US President to come from the State of New Hampshire.
Don’t miss out of your chance to experience authentic German music and food at the Hillsborough Schnitzelfest on September 26th, 2015.
8. Children and the Arts Festival
The 22nd annual Children and the Arts Festivals. There are over seven different venues that are jam packed with activities for children of all ages. There are arts and crafts, music classes, dancing classes, puppet show, storytellers and so much more! It all starts with a pancake breakfast at the Unitarian Church in Peterborough. This years theme for the festival is Up, Up, and Away! Peterborough schools, businesses, organizations, and families come together to make this very special day a reality. The Children and the Arts Festival attracts hundreds of children and their families from throughout the Monadnock region and beyond.
The Children and the Arts Festival is a wonderful family event that you do not want to miss! Make sure to put the Children and the Arts Festival on your calendar, because it is coming up soon on Saturday May 16, 2015.
