Start the summer season with these free or nearly free events in New Hampshire.
We all love a Memorial Day parade, and we encourage everyone to attend one in your town. But there’s also plenty of free or inexpensive events to enjoy this kickoff to the summer season in New Hampshire. Here are eight of them, ranging from sampling chowder to scavenger hunts to watching fireworks.
1. Memorial Day Parade and Renaissance on the Riverwalk!
Location: Downtown Nashua and 23 Water St., Nashua
Dates: May 22-25
Admission: Free
Downtown Nashua is celebrating new beginnings this Memorial Day Weekend with a four-day event marking the grand reopening of Le Parc de Notre Renaissance and the extensive redesign of the Nashua River Walk. The celebration will include live musical performances on the park’s newly constructed outdoor theater, lawn games, arts and crafts projects, a downtown Nashua Seen N Find with prizes, food vendors, a kayak parade down the Nashua River, and a drone light show.
Breakfast food trucks will also be open before the May 22 Nashua downtown Memorial Day Parade, which begins at 10:30 a.m.
The weekend will also include the opening of the Nashua Farmers Market at the park, a Rubber Duck Regatta on the river, and the dedication of a new, large mural at the park that pays tribute to Nashua’s history, including its industrial past, Franco-American heritage, and local flora and fauna. Except for buying food and produce from vendors, everything at the event is free.
2. 34th Annual Memorial Day Weekend Craft Festival
Location: Mill Falls Marketplace, Meredith
Dates and Time: May 23-25
Admission: Free
At the three-day 34th Annual Memorial Day Weekend and Craft Festival in Meredith, more than 100 artisans will display and sell their handmade creations, including jewelry, pottery, fine art, woodwork, home décor, and specialty foods. There will also be an agricultural element at the event, including demonstrations, workshops, and livestock events. For more information, go to CastleberryFairs.com.
3. 250th Memorial Day Celebration Festivities and Fireworks
Location: Newfields
Dates and Time: May 24, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Admission: Free
The small seacoast town of Newfields is doing it up big on Memorial Day with events all day, starting with a pancake breakfast, then a firefighter’s muster, food trucks, a beer tent, games and activities, and wrapping up with fireworks.
4. 34th Wildquack Duck Race & Music Festival
Location: Jackson Village Park, Jackson
Dates and Times: May 24, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Admission: Free
In addition to the yellow duck race down the Wildcat River, there will be live music, food vendors, children’s games, and a live auction.
5. Live Music on the Seashell Stage
Location: 180 Ocean Boulevard, Hampton
Dates and Times: May 23 and 24, 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Admission: Free
Hampton Beach’s free concert series on the Seashell Stage kicks off on May 23 with a performance by the Kingston-based polka band, Eastern Sound. Dancing along is highly recommended. The following night, The Continentals, a classic rock band, will perform at the same time on the same stage.
6. 36th Annual Chowderfest
Location: Town Square, Village Rd., Waterville Valley
Dates and Times: May 24, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Admission: $7.50, children 12 and under, $5
Who thought soup could be a spectator sport? Watch and taste as local restaurants battle it out to see who makes the best local chowder at the 36th Annual Chowderfest in Waterville Valley. Admission includes generous samples and a voting ballot. While you’re sipping, you can hear live music at play and enjoy lawn games at the Town Square Gazebo, all without paying admission.
7. NH Alt Market
Location: 55 Main St., Newmarket
Dates and Times: May 23, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: Free
Let your freak flag fly at the first NH Alt Market, which will showcase alternative and 2D arts, ceramics, jewelry, oddities, and alt art businesses in New Hampshire and New England.
8. Waterville Valley Recreation Department Memorial Day Weekend
Location: Waterville Valley Recreation Department, 11 Noon Peak Rd.
Dates and Times: May 22-25, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Admission: Most things are free. The ice cream social is $8.
The town has a calendar full of Memorial Day events, including open pickleball and basketball games, group hikes, and an ice cream social. For detailed dates and times, head to the rec department’s website.
