Seacoast NH Events & Entertainment - There's a Lot Happening Nearby
Enjoy Special Events and Festivals All Summer Long
Hampton Beach has non-stop summer fun but so too does the rest of the Seacoast. Every month is filled with great events that include performances, food and good times.
June, July and August are brimming with exciting events and fine entertainment. Whatever month you decide to visit Hampton Beach, you'll find a celebration or two in its nearby communities.
All through the year, the greyhounds run at Seabrook Greyhound Park. You're not putting money on the ponies, but it's close. Hit the trifecta and you'll count yourself lucky as you count your money. Of course, you always wager at your own risk. The greyhound park also runs Texas Hold'em tournaments, which non-profits and charities utilize as fundraisers. Because some of your "buy-in" goes to charity, it's sort of a way to wager and lose money without guilt.
Portsmouth's Prescott Park, a riverside park with beautifully maintained flower gardens, presents numerous programs throughout the summer, including a Wednesday night concert series and an arts festival that produces a large musical that runs Thursdays through Sundays. South of Portsmouth in Hampton Falls, there is a Thursday evening band concert series.
Old Home Days were celebrated in New England about 100 to 150 years ago. Recently towns have revived this tradition of a town-sponsored festival. You're bound to find a 10K race, plenty of music and food, dancing and arts and crafts if you attend the Old Home Day in North Hampton (June), Seabrook (August) or Newburyport, MA (August). Newburyport calls their event Yankee Homecoming Days.
In June, Portsmouth hosts a similar type of festival that takes over the entire downtown. Known as Market Square Day, this event draws up to 100,000 people. Down the road from Portsmouth, Exeter offers its annual Revolutionary War Festival in July. These people pitch tents, wear the clothes of the time period and perform chores and tasks from the era. Take a step back in time and get a history lesson first-hand.
Between Portsmouth and Exeter sits the town of Stratham. Stratham still holds an authentic town fair, which includes livestock shows, tractor pulls, old-fashioned games, all sorts of food, carnival rides and much more. The Stratham Hill Fair is held in July and runs about a week.
Also in July, Rye hosts its annual horse show in Parsons Field. It's a great community event, featuring a fine equestrian competition. The Antique Auto Show is also held in Rye. This September event includes awards for top antique cars and may also be found in Parsons Field.
These are just a few of the many festivals, celebrations and fairs that you can attend while visiting New Hampshire's coast.
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