Top 20 New Hampshire Events

Call ahead to confirm dates, times, and admission prices. For hundreds of fairs, festivals, exhibits, shows, and other fun activities, go to: YankeeMagazine.com/events

MAY 5: PORTSMOUTH,Writers on a New England Stage. Acclaimed Latin American novelist Isabel Allende joins this celebrated series at The Music Hall to discuss Island Beneath the Sea. 603-436-2400; themusichall.org

MAY 8-9: CONTOOCOOK,New Hampshire Sheep and Wool Festival. At Hopkinton State Fairgrounds, vendors, workshops, and animal demonstrations and shows. See sheep, goats, alpacas, llamas, rabbits, and more. 603-744-3851, 603-747-3869; nhswga.com

MAY 15: MILFORD,Milford Garden Club Annual Plant Sale. Vegetables, annuals, perennials, garden-related items, and educational exhibits, all on the Community House lawn. 603-673-4431; milfordnh.com/clubs/garden.htm

MAY 28-31: DANBURY,Best of the Wurst Festival. This three-course, prix-fixe dinner at the Inn at Danbury’s Alphorn Bistro is a delectable sampling of German fare, including bratwursts and schnitzels, beer, spaetzle, and live music. 866-326-2879, 603-768-3318; innatdanbury.com

MAY 28-31, JUNE 5-6, 12-13, 19-20: NEWBURY,New England Hooked Rugs as Art: 1850-1920. This exhibit at The Fells’ Main House Gallery celebrates handcrafted pieces, with examples from the collection of rug historian Jeff Good. Also, don’t miss “Artist Weekend at The Fells,” JULY 24-25, when New England painters set up their easels within the grounds and gardens of the historic John Hay estate and work en plein air. Demos and kids’ table on Saturday; reception, exhibit, and sale on Sunday. 603-763-4789; thefells.org

MAY 29-30: LISBON,Lilac Festival. This annual event features a parade and carnival, music and live entertainment, kids’ games, local arts and crafts, fireworks, and food vendors, all throughout downtown. 603-838-2200; lisbonmainstreet.org

JUNE 5-6: MOUNT WASHINGTON VALLEY,Inn to Inn Herb Tour. Join 13 premier country inns in the White Mountains, from Fryeburg, Maine, to Chocorua, New Hampshire, as they present an in-depth look at a popular culinary herb at each stop. Take home historical facts, recipes, and seedlings. 800-233-8309, 603-383-9339; countryinnsinthewhitemountains.com

JUNE 11-13: MERRIMACK,Rock’N Ribfest. Professional ribbers cook for this nonprofit event sponsored by Nashua West Rotary at Anheuser-Busch/InBev Brewery. BBQ championship, music and entertainment, kids’ activities, hot-air balloon rides, and more. 603-589-2333; rotaryribfest.org

JUNE 12-20: LACONIA, Motorcycle Week. Grab your favorite leather jacket and head to Weirs Beach for this annual event, a bustling bike showcase. Watch or participate in races, hill climbs, scenic touring, wild contests, shows, and more. 603-366-2000; laconiamcweek.com

JUNE 13: NEW CASTLE,Village Walk and Garden Tour. A self-guided stroll through private gardens. Hop on the trolley at Maude Trefethen School and enjoy light refreshments, too, all to benefit the Pontine Theatre. 603-436-6660; pontine.org

JUNE 18-19: PORTSMOUTH,Pocket Gardens of Portsmouth. Sponsored by South Church, this annual walking/biking tour takes enthusiasts through private gardens in one of the town’s most charming neighborhoods, including the gardens of a selected historic home. Enjoy light refreshments and live music at several stops. 603-436-4762; southchurch-uu.org

JUNE 22-AUG. 24: SULLIVAN, Apple Hill Chamber Music Concerts. World-class guest soloists join Apple Hill’s string quartet in concert during the summer on Tuesday evenings. Bring a blanket and a picnic to enjoy on the grounds before each concert, or reserve a seat for the preconcert dinner each evening. 603-847-3371; applehill.org

JULY 8-11: HILLSBOROUGH,Balloon Festival. Entertainment on the ground and in the sky at Grimes Field: hot-air balloons, midway, music, parade, road race, artists’ fair, and Saturday-night fireworks extravaganza. 603-464-0377; balloonfestival.org

JULY 15-17: CONCORD,Market Days & Summer Music Festival. Sample the offerings of local merchants and restaurants. Listen to local bands and performers on the Homegrown Talent Stage; two bands take to the Main Stage each night. 603-226-2150; mainstreetconcord.com

JULY 17: FITZWILLIAM,Fitzwilliam Historical Society Antiques Show and Sale. Set on the picturesque village common, this annual event features dealers from many states. Refreshments will be available, along with a special exhibit on dolls and miniatures at the Amos J. Blake House Museum. 603-585-7742; fitzhistoricalsociety.org

AUG. 7-15: NEWBURY,League of NH Craftsmen’s Fair. Under white tents at Mount Sunapee Resort, this annual event offers 200 individual booths of traditional and contemporary wares by juried league members. Fiber arts and furniture to jewelry, glass, pottery, and more; plus exhibitions, demonstrations, and workshops. 603-224-3375 (League), 603-763-2416 (fair office); nhcrafts.org

AUG. 15: PETERBOROUGH,Medal Day at MacDowell Colony. Hidden away in the quiet countryside, this well-known artists’ colony welcomes the public for one day each summer to celebrate the presentation of a lifetime achievement award. After the ceremony, meet the artists when the various studios open their doors. 603-924-3886; macdowellcolony.org

AUG. 12-14: MANCHESTER,New Hampshire Antiques Show. Explore antiques from more than 60 dealers, all arranged in room settings at the Center of New Hampshire Radisson hotel. Country and formal antique furniture, clocks, folk art, paintings and prints, textiles, woodenware, metalware, glassware, and more. 603-585-9199; nhada.org

AUG. 21: JAFFREY,Festival of Fireworks. Look to the skies at this family event at Jaffrey Airport/Silver Ranch Airpark. Get comfortable and watch unforgettable fireworks; enjoy live entertainment, a sky-diving spectacle, food, kids’ games, and vendors’ wares. 603-532-4549; jaffreychamber.com

SEPT. 10-12: HAMPTON,Hampton Beach Seafood Festival. Top restaurants serve lobster, fried clams, shrimp, ribs, steak tips, blooming onions, and more. Plus craft vendors, live music, and sand sculpture demo. 603-926-8718; hamptonbeachseafoodfestival.com