New Hampshire Best Food and Drink Festivals 

Renowned for its majestic mountains and awe-inspiring autumn foliage, New Hampshire boasts an equally enthralling culinary scene. From delectable bacon and artisanal brews to mouthwatering ribs and pristine seafood, the Granite State plays host to a multitude of food and beverage festivals set to enchant your palate and leave you craving more.

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NH Bacon & Beer Festival: June

 

The scenic Anheuser-Busch Brewery outdoor fields in Merrimack transform into a celebration of craft beer and smoky delights each summer. Over 60 craft brewers offer more than 150 different beer varieties while local restaurants and food trucks serve creative dishes featuring North Country Smokehouse bacon. The Slakas, a high-energy five-piece cover band from Nashua, entertain crowds with classic and modern rock hits ranging from Led Zeppelin to Pearl Jam.

 

VIP ticket holders gain exclusive access to the Biergarten restrooms and special perks throughout the event. Attendees can vote for their favorite bacon-infused creations as local chefs compete for top honors. Food vendors offer larger portions for purchase after their complimentary samples run out, ensuring guests can fully indulge in their preferred dishes.

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Great American Ribfest: July

 

This annual summertime barbecue festival in southern New Hampshire draws thousands of hungry attendees to the Anheuser-Busch facility in Merrimack. The three-day weekend festival features 12 award-winning pit masters and barbecue teams, including national champions like Desperado's BBQ, Johnson's BBQ, and Texas Outlaws Barbecue, serving up mouth-watering ribs, brisket, pulled pork, and chicken. Beyond barbecue, more than 20 vendors offer classic festival fare like corn on the cob, fresh-cut fries, ice cream, and local craft beers including exclusive Anheuser-Busch brews.

 

Live entertainment keeps the energy high throughout the weekend with regional bands performing country, rock, and blues music across two stages, while kids enjoy face painting and a dedicated play zone with inflatable attractions. The event typically welcomes over 15,000 visitors throughout the weekend, making it one of New England's largest barbecue festivals. The festival stands out for its unique rib-eating competition where contestants race to clean their bones, plus its evening beer garden featuring specialty tastings and brewing demonstrations from the host facility.

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Hampton Beach Seafood Festival: September

 

Located along the scenic New Hampshire coastline, this annual celebration has become one of New England's largest and most anticipated seafood events, drawing over 150,000 attendees during its three-day run. More than 60 of the Seacoast's finest restaurants and vendors gather at Ocean Boulevard, transforming the Hampton Beach strip into a seafood lover's paradise, featuring local favorites like Brown's Lobster Pound, Petey's Seafood, and Al's Seafood Restaurant. Visitors can savor everything from fresh-caught lobster and steamers to fried clams, seafood chowder, and grilled fish tacos, while two beer and wine tents serve local craft brews and coastal-inspired cocktails.

 

Entertainment takes place across multiple stages, with regional bands performing rock, blues, and jazz throughout the festival grounds. The event includes unique touches like a lobster roll eating contest, culinary demonstrations by local chefs, and more than 80 arts and crafts vendors selling ocean-inspired merchandise. The festival features a spectacular fireworks display over the Atlantic Ocean, while the Kiddie Land area offers face painting, balloon artists, and interactive games for younger festival-goers.

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New England Wine Spectacular: January

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The largest wine festival in New Hampshire draws thousands of wine enthusiasts to the grand ballrooms of the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown. Celebrity chef demonstrations and wine seminars feature prominently throughout the weekend, with attendees sampling from more than 1,800 wines poured by 60+ wineries including Caymus Vineyards, Silver Oak, and Justin Vineyards. Local restaurants serve gourmet small plates that perfectly complement the wines, with standouts like Bedford Village Inn and Cotton offering their signature dishes.

 

A selection of artisanal cheeses from Thistle Sage Farm and Brookford Farm pairs beautifully with both domestic and international wine offerings. The Winter Festival's Grand Tasting includes live jazz performances by the David Newsam Trio, while VIP ticket holders gain early access to limited production wines and specialty champagnes in an intimate setting.

 

Whether you're a carnivore with a hankering for smoky ribs, a seafood enthusiast longing for the freshest catch, or simply someone who appreciates good food and camaraderie, New Hampshire's food and drink festivals cater to everyone.