The White Mountains are known to have four distinct seasons, and each one offers unique adventures that you can only experience during that time. Most events happen in the fall because the cooler weather and beautiful fall foliage make for the perfect backdrop. However, there are still plenty of events throughout the entire year. Keep reading for the White Mountains events that locals look forward to each year!

Although the events below typically take at least an entire day to fully enjoy, you’re going to need to fill the rest of your trip to the White Mountains! Access our complimentary Bretton Woods Intinerary for a thoughtful list of ideas of how to spend your New Hampshire getaway!

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Annual White Mountains Events You Won’t Want to Miss

From beer festivals to the largest Highland Games in North America, White Mountains events never disappoint! Plan your trip around an event or catch one whenever you happen to be visiting. Because each season is so distinct, you can easily decide the best time for you to take your trip based on your personal interests.

New Hampshire Highland Games & Festival

Travel to Scotland without ever leaving New England! Like we mentioned above, the New Hampshire Highland Games & Festival is the largest Highland Games in North America. The three-day event happens every year at Loon Mountain Resort in September. Much like the exciting games, you’ll find everything Scottish at the festival like bagpipes, traditional dances, and delicious food and drinks.

Highland Games players lined up

 

Remick Country Harvest Festival

Also in September, the annual Harvest Festival in Remick County celebrates agricultural life in the White Mountains and New Hampshire. The Remick Country Doctor Museum & Farm hosts the event at the museum and features all kinds of family fun from corn hole games to a scavenger hunt to fresh produce for sale.

All Things Pumpkin Festival

This is by far one of the most beloved White Mountains events of the year! The All Things Pumpkin Festival includes the infamous Return of the Pumpkin People celebration where businesses in Jackson create Pumpkin People displays for the community and tourists to enjoy during the entire month of October. The actual festival falls on a weekend in the month featuring two days of Halloween fun.

White Mountain Oktoberfest

Every Columbus Day weekend, White Mountain Oktoberfest takes place at Loon Mountain Resort. The two-day event is free to the public and has everything you’d expect from an Oktoberfest celebration including German beer, bratwurst, and lederhosen.

Sandwich Fair

Also held on Columbus Day weekend, the Sandwich Fair is somewhere in between your average fair and a rodeo. The agricultural celebration includes rides, games, riding competitions, animal exhibits, and much more!

RiverFire and Zombie ATV Poker Run

This is truly one of the most unique events on this list and can be hard to explain. The RiverFire and Zombie ATV Poker Run, or just RiverFire Festival, starts with a 5K where participants dress as zombies and run along with decorated ATVs for the poker run. After the race, family fun ensues with hayrides, a Halloween parade, and more! The day ends with the Androscoggin River being lit up with fires that appear to be floating on the water.

White Mountain Bicycle Week: Bike For The Better

If you plan on visiting the White Mountains for some mountain biking, you need to visit during White Mountain Bicycle Week! The event is meant to encourage the community to get outside and exercise as well as raise money for local non-profits. Several rides and events take place across Lincoln, Woodstock, and Franconia Notch.

White Mountains Pride

Celebrate who you are at White Mountains Pride! Throughout June, known as Pride Month, the organization hosts events and celebrations near North Conway and the White Mountains. A large festival and parade are held along with smaller events during the month.

Two friends smile at Pride

 

Vintage Market in the Mountains

Every July, Bethlehem hosts a large market with vintage items and art for sale, live music, live mural painting, food trucks, and beer. The Vintage Market in the Mountains takes place at The Wayside Inn.

Littleton Christmas Parade

This White Mountains event is sure to get you into the Christmas spirit! The Littleton Christmas Parade is your classic holiday parade in the charming town of Littleton.

Santa’s Village

Santa’s Village is an amusement park that celebrates the Christmas spirit year-round! From summer to fall to Christmas time, the park holds several events throughout the year.

Conveniently Stay With Bretton Woods Vacations

Now that you have your eye on some White Mountains events, plan your visit to Bretton Woods! Bretton Woods Vacations has the largest selection of rentals in the area with some as far north as Whitefield and others as far south as Sugar Hill. This makes it easy for you to find a property that meets your needs and is close to the event you wish to attend. We often fill up for big events in the White Mountains so book your stay as soon as you know your plans.

Browse our large selection of rentals and start planning your getaway today!

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