These 6 New Hampshire Towns Have The Most Unique Festivals

You might not think of New Hampshire as a hub for quirky, colorful celebrations, but spend a few weekends here, and that might change. Across the state, small towns pull off some pretty unforgettable festivals that are packed with heart, creativity, and local flavor. One weekend, you are walking through a glowing sea of jack-o’-lanterns in Keene; the next, you are watching someone paddle a giant pumpkin down a river in Goffstown. Or maybe you are up early in Pittsfield to catch hot air balloons lifting off against the morning mist. These events aren't just fun—they are a window into what makes New Hampshire so special: its people, its traditions, and its love for a good celebration.

Keene

Tucked away in the southwestern corner of New Hampshire, Keene knows how to do fall right. Since 1991, the Keene Pumpkin Festival has lit up October nights with thousands of glowing jack-o’-lanterns and plenty of small-town charm, making it one of the most unique festivals in the state. At its peak, the festival set a Guinness World Record with over 30,000 carved pumpkins on display.

Though the original event eventually moved to Laconia, Keene wasn’t ready to let go. In 2017, the community revived a scaled-down version that feels more local and meaningful. Organized by the nonprofit Let it Shine, Inc., today’s festival brings together students, families, and neighbors to fill the streets with hand-carved pumpkins, along with kids' activities, food trucks, and live music, for one magical night.

Goffstown

Every October, the town of Goffstown hosts the Giant Pumpkin Regatta, a two-day festival organized by the Goffstown Main Street Program. It kicks off on Saturday with a weigh-off that draws farmers from across New England. Several of the largest pumpkins are then hollowed out and transformed into river-ready boats, which are launched along the Piscataquog River the next day in a series of spirited races.

First held in 2000 as a promotional effort by the New Hampshire Giant Pumpkin Growers Association, the festival has since grown into a beloved community tradition. The weekend also features food vendors, live music, a beer and wine garden, and children’s activities like crafts, games, and pumpkin painting.

Pittsfield

Each August, Pittsfield’s Drake Field becomes the setting for one of New Hampshire’s most unique and visually striking festivals: the Suncook Valley Rotary Hot Air Balloon Rally. Now in its fourth decade, the event brings together balloon pilots, families, and festivalgoers from across New England for a weekend of sky-high spectacle and small-town charm. Attendees often arrive before dawn to witness the morning ascensions, where dozens of colorful balloons rise against the backdrop of the Suncook River.

By evening, the balloons return for the “night glow,” lighting up the field like giant lanterns. The festival also packs in fireworks, helicopter and tethered balloon rides, a river raft regatta, live music, cow chip bingo, and a bustling craft fair. Hosted by the Suncook Valley Rotary Club, the event doubles as a major fundraiser and a celebration of Pittsfield’s close-knit spirit.

Portsmouth

Every summer, the banks of the Piscataqua River in downtown Portsmouth come alive with the sounds of music, laughter, and storytelling. Since 1974, the Prescott Park Arts Festival has been a beloved tradition, turning a scenic waterfront park into an open-air stage for Broadway musicals, concerts, movies, and kids’ performances. What makes the festival even more special is its commitment to keeping the arts accessible to everyone. Thanks to a suggested donation model, no one is turned away, and programs like Camp ENCORE! give local kids a chance to get hands-on with theater. There is even a Family-in-Need program that helps ensure all families can enjoy the full season.

Sugar Hill

The small town of Sugar Hill becomes a seasonal destination every June as its open fields burst into color with blooming lupines. Often called New Hampshire’s lupine capital, the town hosts the Sugar Hill Lupine Festival to mark the return of the purple, pink, white, and blue wildflowers. It is a time when visitors come from around the region to walk or drive along scenic roads, take photos with the White Mountains in the background, and enjoy the quiet beauty of early summer. The festival includes an artisan market where local crafters demonstrate and sell their work, and the long-standing fair at the Sugar Hill Meetinghouse, hosted by the Willing Workers Society. Residents offer handmade goods, baked items, and books, with proceeds supporting local causes.

Sandwich

The Sandwich Fair has deep roots in New Hampshire’s farming history. It all started back in the late 1800s, when local farmers decided to host a market day where they could trade livestock and show off their best animals. In 1886, nearly 200 yoke of oxen were on display. By the next year, the fair had grown to include everything from baby contests to brass bands and handmade quilts, drawing thousands of visitors and quickly becoming a highlight of the season.

Today, the Sandwich Fair is still going strong every October over Columbus Day weekend, mixing old traditions with new favorites. For three days, the fairgrounds host parades, 4-H shows, live music, ox and truck pulls, and even a skillet toss.

Discover New Hampshire's Most Unique Festivals

These festivals might look different from one town to the next, but they all have something in common: a deep sense of community and a lot of local pride. Whether it is the quiet charm of Sugar Hill’s lupine bloom, the roar of truck pulls at the Sandwich Fair, or Broadway tunes echoing along Portsmouth’s waterfront, each celebration brings people together in a uniquely New Hampshire way. So if you are looking for a getaway that is full of character (and maybe a little pumpkin-powered adventure), consider planning around one of these hometown festivals.