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51st Annual New Hampshire Highland Games & Festival for 2026

Events Calendar - 2026

Find a multitude of fun events and great things to do, including weekend events, throughout the year, like music, festivals, comedy, outdoor fun, boat cruises, excursions for families and kids, food, wine and beer tastings.

Check out the listings of year-round Fairs & Festivals throughout New England. Also be sure to read our list of Great Things To Do in New England. Whether you're curious about what to this weekend, this month, or this season, we have you covered.

For events specifically related to the anniversary of the American Revolution, please visit our MA250 Events Calendar.

Find the dates you plan to travel or simply search the full events list below.

-= Featured Events =- Arts & Crafts Shows Dinner Fairs & Festivals Food, Wine, Beer
We welcome the events that are open to the public. Click here to Submit your Event for FREE
2-Hour Guided Tours from Mt. Washington Auto Road - Learn about the unique history, flora and fauna of Mt. Washington - Click here to book your trip now!
Great Glen Trails - Guided Kayaking in the White Mountains - Which is Your Adventure? Click Here for More Info!
Climb NH's Mount Washington by train! The Mt. Washington Cog Railway

-= Featured Events =-

New Hampshire Highland Games & Festival 2026

Sep 18, 2026 - Sep 20, 2026 Loon Mountain Resort, 60 Mountain Road, Lincoln, NH 03251

ID of the event
Join us at the 51st Annual New Hampshire Highland Games & Festival, September 18 – 20, 2026 at Loon Mountain Resort in Lincoln, NH.

This three-day celebration showcases the sights, sounds, and spirit of Scotland through traditional heavy athletics, live music and entertainment, food and drink, cultural activities, and more.

Cheer on your favorite athletes as they compete in The Caledonian Clash. Watch Scotland’s National Chef, Gary Maclean, demonstrate his culinary chops. Salute the pipes and drums as they march into parade square or dance along to the bands performing under the concert tent. Take a stroll down vendor village or participate in a free Try It class. Stop for a photo with the Highland cows, sample Scottish food, beer, and whisky, or trace your roots in Clan Village. You don’t have to be Scottish to enjoy this signature event presented by NHSCOT. Learn more about activities at the Games.

Tickets will be on sale soon! Check back for details.
8AM
See website for pricing details
603-229-1975
2026 Annual NH Highland Games Festival

Arts & Crafts Shows

Florentine Baroque opens to the public

Sep 10, 2026 - Apr 11, 2027 Currier Museum of Art, Manchester, NH 03104

Step into the artistic world of 17th- and 18th-century Florence, Italy at the Currier Museum of Art this fall. Florentine Baroque brings together nearly 40 paintings and sculptures that showcase a period of extraordinary creative and cultural energy, when the rise of opera and public theater transformed the ways artists explored the human experience.

Featuring works from the Currier Museum alongside masterpieces from the collection of Sir Mark Haukohl, the exhibition offers the first opportunity to experience this renowned collection of Florentine Baroque art in New England. Visitors will discover richly detailed works displayed in beautiful period frames, offering a glimpse into the artistic world of Medici-era Florence.

A special section, “Artists, Writers, Academics, and Musicians,” explores Florence's vibrant intellectual and cultural life under the Medici grand dukes. The exhibition highlights the city's flourishing artistic, literary, and scientific societies, as well as the emergence of opera and public theaters. Four striking stucco relief portraits of Michelangelo, Niccolò Machiavelli, Galileo Galilei, and Marsilio Ficino anchor this section.

Don't miss the opportunity to journey back to Florence's Baroque era and experience this exceptional collection at the Currier Museum of Art.
See website for more details.

Florentine Baroque opens to the public

Sep 10, 2026 - Apr 11, 2027 Currier Museum of Art, Manchester, NH 03104

Step into the artistic world of 17th- and 18th-century Florence, Italy at the Currier Museum of Art this fall. Florentine Baroque brings together nearly 40 paintings and sculptures that showcase a period of extraordinary creative and cultural energy, when the rise of opera and public theater transformed the ways artists explored the human experience.

Featuring works from the Currier Museum alongside masterpieces from the collection of Sir Mark Haukohl, the exhibition offers the first opportunity to experience this renowned collection of Florentine Baroque art in New England. Visitors will discover richly detailed works displayed in beautiful period frames, offering a glimpse into the artistic world of Medici-era Florence.

A special section, “Artists, Writers, Academics, and Musicians,” explores Florence's vibrant intellectual and cultural life under the Medici grand dukes. The exhibition highlights the city's flourishing artistic, literary, and scientific societies, as well as the emergence of opera and public theaters. Four striking stucco relief portraits of Michelangelo, Niccolò Machiavelli, Galileo Galilei, and Marsilio Ficino anchor this section.

Don't miss the opportunity to journey back to Florence's Baroque era and experience this exceptional collection at the Currier Museum of Art.
See website for more details.

Community Day: Free admission, artmaking and artist-led tours

Sep 12, 2026 - Sep 12, 2026 Currier Museum of Art, 150 Ash St, Manchester, NH 03104

Celebrate the beauty of nature and creativity at CMA Community Day, a free, welcoming event for all ages and abilities at the Currier Museum of Art. Inspired by the Radical Quiet exhibition, the day features hands-on artmaking, gallery tours with participating artists, and opportunities to connect with the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests.

Whether you're visiting the Currier for the first time or returning for another memorable experience, there's something for everyone to enjoy. Meet artists from Radical Quiet: Contemporary Drawings by Victoria Elbroch, Nancy Friese, and Margot Glass, explore the museum, and discover new ways to connect with art and nature.

Event Highlights:
Create nature-inspired artwork in the classroom studio from 11 AM–3 PM
Join gallery tours with Radical Quiet artists at 1 PM, 2 PM, and 3 PM
Meet the Society for the Protection of NH Forests at their information table throughout the day
Explore the Currier Museum of Art throughout the event
Enjoy a family-friendly, hands-on experience designed for all ages and abilities
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
FREE

Dinner

Barolo to Etna Wine Dinner at Bedford Village Inn

Oct 28, 2026 - Oct 28, 2026 2 Olde Bedford Way, Bedford, NH 03110

Five-Course Italian Wine Dinner
Join us at Trattoria Fondi for an intimate evening celebrating the flavors and wines of Italy. Enjoy a five-course plated dinner, with each course paired with a featured Italian wine showcasing a range of regions and styles.

Featured Wines:
Santa Margherita Prosecco Valdobbiadene • Giovanni Rosso Etna Bianco • Giovanni Rosso Barbera d’Alba Donna Margherita • Giovanni Rosso Barolo DOCG • Santa Margherita Rosé

Details:
• Five-course dining experience | Approximately 3 hours
• Reservations required | Space is limited
• 21+ event

Hosted at Trattoria Fondi at the Grand at Bedford Village Inn.
Menu coming soon. Tax and gratuity will be added at checkout.
6:00 PM
$125++ per person
800-852-1166

Fairs & Festivals

2026 NH Highland Games & Festival

Sep 18, 2026 - Sep 20, 2026 Loon Mountain Resort, Lincoln, NH

Celebrate Scottish heritage, culture, and tradition at the NH Highland Games & Festival, a lively three-day event filled with music, pageantry, athletic competitions, and family-friendly entertainment. Hear the stirring sounds of bagpipes, watch thrilling heavy athletic competitions, enjoy live music and performances, explore cultural activities, and experience the many traditions that make this annual celebration unique. Whether you’re Scottish by heritage or simply looking for a fun weekend in the mountains, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
See website for more details.

Food, Wine, Beer

Dining Collection at the Bedford Village Inn

Aug 7, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026 2 Olde Bedford Way, Bedford, NH 03110

Dining Collection at Bedford Village
Savor exceptional dining at Bedford Village Inn, where every meal is crafted with care. Whether you're joining us for a gourmet dinner, a relaxed lunch, or one of our curated dining events, you'll enjoy an unforgettable culinary experience.

Our AAA Four Diamond-rated restaurant showcases contemporary cuisine made with the finest regionally sourced ingredients. We proudly partner with local farmers and producers across New Hampshire and New England, bringing fresh eggs, pure maple syrup, artisanal cheeses, premium meats, and the freshest North Atlantic seafood to every dish. We also feature Niman Ranch pork and grain-fed Angus beef to create flavorful, high-quality menus that celebrate the best of the region.

To complete the experience, our talented Pastry Chef and in-house bakeshop create all of the fresh breads, pastries, and desserts served throughout the property, ensuring every meal ends on a delicious note.
See website for more details.
See website for pricing details
800-852-1166