Out & About | Best New England Summer Events for 2018

New Hampshire

AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE FESTIVALJULY 14

View one of the few surviving original-printing copies of the Declaration of Independence at the American Independence Museum, then settle in for a dramatic reading of our nation-defining document and historical reenactments. A fife-and-drum performance will set the tone for a lively afternoon of craft sales, kids’ activities, fireworks, and fine food. Exeter, NH. 603-772-2622; independencemuseum.org

Rhode Island

NEWPORT KITE FESTIVAL JULY 14–15

Bring your own kite and join in the fun, or just kick back and watch a flock of colorful wind riders dance over the coastal landscape of Brenton Point State Park. Some concessions are available, but picnicking is welcome, too. Admission and parking are free. Newport, RI. 401-324-9335; newportkitefestival.com

Connecticut

GREATER HARTFORD FESTIVAL OF JAZZ JULY 20–22

Since its launch in 1992, this free festival has played host to many of the biggest names in jazz (Brubeck, Mann, Tyner), along with up-and-comers from the New England scene, regularly drawing crowds of 50,000-plus to historic Bushnell Park. Check the website for this year’s lineup. Hartford, CT. hartfordjazz.com 

Maine

CAMDEN WINDJAMMER FESTIVAL AUG. 31–SEP. 2

Set sail for picturesque Camden Harbor, where a fleet of eight traditional tall ships are the focal point of a three-day celebration featuring fireworks, music, contests, and a grand “parade of sail” past the mile-long Rockland breakwater. Camden, ME. 207-236-4404; sailmainecoast.com

Massachusetts

ANTIQUE AND CLASSIC BOAT FESTIVAL AUG. 25–26

You don’t get to see rare vintage motor yachts and sailboats like these every day! Set aside plenty of time for gawking in between chatting with captains and crew members, shopping for crafts, and bopping to the music. Among the highlights is a boat parade on Sunday. Salem, MA. 978-448-6757; boatfestival.org

Vermont

VERMONT CHEESEMAKERS FESTIVAL AUG. 12

Follow the curds and whey to this summer highlight, which lets you sample local cheeses and meet the folks who make them. There’s also a generous helping of local beer, wine, cider, and food, along with workshops and cooking demos. Best of all, it takes place at lovely Shelburne Farms, on the shores of Lake Champlain. Shelburne, VT.866-261-8595; vtcheesefest.com

—Compiled by Joe Bills

Connecticut

JULY 14: MIDDLEFIELD,Blueberry Fest. Summer at Lyman Orchards brings this celebration of berry picking, complete with pie eating contests, games, live music, wagon rides, and, of course, an array of delectable treats. 860-266-5472; lymanorchards.com

JULY 14–15: WESTPORT,Fine Arts Festival. In Westport’s inviting downtown you’ll find works from 140-plus juried artisans: paintings, photography, sculpture, jewelry, and more. Live music and street performers provide a backdrop to the browsing. 203-505-8716; westportfineartsfestival.com

JULY 28–29: GOSHEN,Litchfield Jazz Festival. Sway to the music all weekend at the town fairgrounds. Besides talented performers, there will be arts and crafts, kids’ activities, and good food, all benefiting the educational mission of Litchfield Performing Arts. 860-361-6289; litchfieldjazzfest.com

AUG. 9–12: HEBRON,Podunk Music Festival. The Hebron Fairgrounds will be grooving to some of the finest bluegrass music anywhere. The lineup has local, regional, and national groups, plus free workshops, traditional crafts, storytelling, and jam sessions. 860-283-0443; podunkbluegrass.net

AUG. 18: HARTFORD,Riverfront Dragon Boat and Asian Festival. With more than 70 teams racing this year, it’s easy to see that Hartford has become one of the premier dragon boat venues in the country. Between races, there’s a full slate of authentic Asian music, dance, and more. 860-713-3131; riverfront.org

AUG. 18: MILFORD,Milford Oyster Festival. There’s a music bill that showcases nationally known headliners, and rounding out the fun are an artisans fair, kids’ rides and games, and a shucking contest—but the true stars of this show are the oysters. milfordoysterfestival.com

AUG. 23–26: BROOKLYN,Brooklyn Fair. The food, the animals, the midway, the entertainment, the arts and crafts, the contests—everything you want at a county fair, you’ll find right here, at the region’s oldest agricultural festival. 860-779-0012;brooklynfair.org

Maine

JULY 13–15: LISBON FALLS,Moxie Festival. From talent competitions to chugging contests, this weekend celebration of Maine’s quirky soft drink is chock-full of “wicked cool” Moxie fun. Enticements include a fireworks show, a concert in the park, a car show, a petting zoo, and a block party. 207-353-3000;moxiefestival.com

JULY 13–22: WATERVILLE,Maine International Film Festival. Representing the best of both American independent and international cinema, this 10-day festival showcases nearly 100 films and spotlights some of New England’s most innovative filmmakers. 207-861-8138;miff.org

JULY 26–28: AUGUSTA,Maine Quilts. The Pine Tree Quilters Guild presents a quilting bonanza at the Civic Center, with more than 500 quilts on display that range from antique to contemporary. 207-216-7358; mainequilts.org

JULY 28: SKOWHEGAN, Artisan Bread Fair. Visit the Skowhegan State Fairgrounds to sample breads, pastries, and Maine-made foods, including pizza from a wood-fired oven, during this most popular day of the Maine Grain Alliance’s annual Kneading Conference. kneadingconference.com

AUG. 1–5: ROCKLAND,Maine Lobster Festival. Come ready to eat your fill as Harbor Park hosts five days of fun, during which more than 20,000 pounds of lobster will be eaten. In between feasts, check out the “sea goddess” coronation, live entertainment, Navy ship tours, cooking contests, and more. 800-576-7512;mainelobsterfestival.com

AUG. 3–5: UNION,Maine Antiques Festival. Vintage items abound at the state’s largest antiques festival, which draws more than 200 dealers to Union Fairgrounds. Discover jewelry, maps, prints, folk art, furnishings, ceramics, paintings, and more. 207-221-3108; maineantiquesfestival.com

AUG. 17–19: MACHIAS,Wild Blueberry Festival. Celebrate the Down East blueberry harvest on the grounds of the Centre Street Congregational Church, where you’ll find cooking contests, blueberry-themed performances, and the blueberry-pie eating contest that was once featured on ESPN. 207-255-6665; machiasblueberry.com

Massachusetts

JULY 23–29: BARNSTABLE,County Fair. A Cape Cod tradition since 1844, this classic New England fair has animal shows, a petting zoo, 4-H demonstrations, horticulture displays, live music, arts and crafts, and amusement rides. barnstablecountyfair.org

JULY 27–29: LOWELL,Folk Festival. Enjoy authentic world cuisine, crafts, and music as folk artists from across the country and around the world take the stage at Dutton Street Dance Pavilion and Boarding House Park. 978-275-1764; lowellfolkfestival.org

JULY 28–AUG. 4: WOODS HOLE,Woods Hole Film Festival. This eight-day showcase of independent film is packed with daily screenings, workshops, panel discussions, readings, parties, and awards ceremonies. 508-495-3456; woodsholefilmfestival.org

AUG. 3–4: ipswich, Roaring Twenties Lawn Party. Held at the historic Crane Estate, this festive get-together invites you to don your finest Gatsby-esque apparel and come enjoy live music and dancing, performances, lawn games, a vintage fair, and more. 978-884-7690; roaringtwentieslawnparty.org

AUG. 4–5: STURBRIDGE,Redcoats to Rebels. Old Sturbridge Village presents the region’s largest military reenactment, with nearly 1,000 participants. See the village transformed into a military camp from the time of the War for Independence, and learn what it was really like for those who fought to win America’s freedom. 508-347-3362; osv.org

AUG. 17–26: MARSHFIELD,Marshfield Fair. Come to the Marshfield Fairgrounds to experience an agricultural fair that has been a community tradition for a century and a half, with midway rides and games, livestock contests, a vintage car show, and more. 781-834-6629;marshfieldfair.org

AUG. 23–26: BOSTON,Saint Anthony’s Feast. Now in its 99th year, this Italian street festival will keep you entertained with parades, singers, and other diversions as you stroll through the historic North End and sample the offerings of nearly 100 push-cart vendors. 617-723-8669; stanthonysfeast.com

New Hampshire

JULY 19–22: STRATHAM,Stratham Fair. Stratham Hill Park provides the setting for this old-fashioned fair and its lineup of live entertainment, 4-H exhibits, rides and games, and the crowning of Miss Stratham Fair. 603-772-4977; strathamfair.com

JULY 28: WOLFEBORO,New England Antique and Classic Boat Show. Continuing a Lake Winnipesaukee tradition that dates back to the 1920s, the town docks welcome a gathering of more than 80 vintage wooden boats. necacbs.org

AUG. 1–4: THORNTON,Pemi Valley Bluegrass Festival. Enjoy music in the mountains at the Sugar Shack Campground with a bevy of performers, including the award-winning Gibson Brothers. 603-239-2238; pemivalleybluegrass.com

AUG. 4–5: ORFORD,Flea Market. Nearly 200 vendors from at least 10 states converge on the town common for two days of bargain shopping and treasure hunting to benefit the Orford Fire Department. 603-353-4855

AUG. 4–12: NEWBURY,League of NH Craftsmen’s Fair. This Mount Sunapee Resort event offers up arts and crafts at more than 200 exhibit booths, as well as demonstrations, interactive activities, music, and food vendors. 603-224-3375; nhcrafts.org

AUG. 9–11: MANCHESTER,New Hampshire Antiques Show. Explore the finds of more than 60 dealers—including furniture, clocks, folk art, prints, textiles, woodenware, glassware, pottery, and ceramics—all arranged in display “rooms” at the Radisson Hotel. nhada.org

AUG. 19: HENNIKER,Fire on the Mountain Chili Fest. Restaurants and amateur chili makers compete for top prizes at this Rotary fund-raiser held at Pat’s Peak Ski Area. Sample chili while enjoying a car show, live entertainment, and more. chilinewhampshire.org

Rhode Island

JULY 12–15: NEWPORT,Black Ships Festival. Commemorating the 1854 treaty that made Japan and the U.S. trading partners, this festival embraces many aspects of Japanese art and culture, from music and tea ceremonies to origami and martial arts. 401-847-7666; blackshipsfestival.com

JULY 20–22: KINGSTON,South County Hot Air Balloon Fest. Take to the skies as the University of Rhode Island athletic fields host this celebration of community, music, and hot air balloons, with games, rides, barbecue, and more. southcountyballoonfest.com

JULY 28–29: MIDDLETOWN,The Newport Show. More than 40 top dealers converge on St. George’s School, with plenty of paintings, furniture, folk art, and jewelry. 401-846-2669;thenewportshow.com

AUG. 3–5: CHARLESTOWN,Seafood Festival. This gastronomic extravaganza at Ninigret Park highlights the state’s best seafood and includes amusement rides, a car show, a petting zoo, raffles, and music. 401-364-3878;charlestownrichamber.com

AUG. 7–12: STATEWIDE, Rhode Island International Film Festival. Expect gala celebrations, premiere screenings, educational programs, and award ceremonies in addition to a lineup of the year’s most creative films. 401-861-4445;film-festival.org

AUG. 15–19: RICHMOND,Washington County Fair. The state’s largest agricultural fair presents concerts, a giant midway, horse and tractor pulls, a farm museum, delicious foods, and more at the county fairgrounds. 401-539-7042; washingtoncountyfair-ri.com

AUG. 18: JAMESTOWN,Fools’ Rules Regatta. After the cannon fires, participants have two hours to convert “non-marine items” into a sailing vessel capable of transporting them across the finish line. jyc.org

Vermont

JULY 12–15: BRANDON,Basin Bluegrass Festival. Bluegrass pickin’ and the rolling green hills of Vermont combine for a weekend of family fun at the end of Basin Road, featuring such bands as Remington Ryde, Larry Efaw and the Bluegrass Mountaineers, and Moonshine Falls. basinbluegrassfestival.com

JULY 14: CRAFTSBURY,Antiques and Uniques Festival. More than 100 vendors take to the town common, as live folk music and roaming buskers add to the ambience. 802-586-2823; townofcraftsbury.com

JULY 26–29: BURLINGTON,Lake Champlain Maritime Festival. Take part in a final salute to summer at this waterfront celebration featuring live music, paddleboard rides, an antique boat show, and plenty of long boat, canoe, kayak, and dragon boat demonstrations. 802-482-3313; lcmfestival.com

JULY 27–29: WOODSTOCK,Bookstock. Meet an array of writers as they present their work, then stock your shelves at the used and vintage book sale and take in performances on the beautiful town green. bookstockvt.org

AUG. 3–5: BENNINGTON,Southern Vermont Art and Craft Festival. Bennington’s Art Week kicks off with a feast of handmade crafts, original art, live music, and gourmet food offerings, plus a wine and craft beer tent, all at Camelot Village. 802-316-5019; craftproducers.com

AUG. 24–SEP. 2: ESSEX JUNCTION,Champlain Valley Fair. Get in on the fun at the Champlain Valley Exposition fairgrounds with garden exhibits, food competitions, horse shows, and concerts. Performers include the band Old Dominion and comedian Gabriel Iglesias. 802-878-5545; cvexpo.org