BRETTON WOODS SKYWAY GONDOLA (Bretton Woods, NH)

Looking for live music in the White Mountains? Bretton Woods' welcomes Music in the Mountains to their scenic slopes this season! On Friday, 7/5, Session Americana will make an appearance at this ski resort turned summer haven, and their mix of original songs and tunes from the American songbook will have you toe tapping under the dusk skies. 

Friday, 7/5, 7 - 9pm. This concert is complimentary to Resort Guests, BWC Members, and the General Public. Camp chairs and blankets will be permitted; no coolers will be permitted. Make an evening of it! Join us for a Bretton Woods Community Dinner prior to the concert from 4pm-7pm. (fees apply) Outdoor Venue: Base Area, Bretton Woods. Rain Backup: Slopeside, Bretton Woods

CONWAY SCENIC RAILROAD (North Conway, NH)

On July 4^th, the Conway Scenic Railroad’s annual Firecracker Express trains return! If you’ve taken the Valley Train excursion in the past, picture this: instead of traveling from North Conway to Conway and back again, this fun holiday train does the opposite, giving passengers the excitement of arriving at a historic train depot in the heart of North Conway. Did we mention the Firecracker Express will arrive in plenty of time for the fireworks display at picturesque Schouler Park? We’d count this as one of the best 4^th of July events in North Conway.

Thursday, 7/4. Conway Depot departure times include 4:45pm, 6pm, and 8pm. We recommend booking your tickets online ahead of time for this popular excursion.

If you end up loving your experience aboard the Conway Scenic Railroad, mark your calendar for 8/3 and 8/4, when the railroad is celebrating its 50^th anniversary! Details to be announced soon.

For more information on the fireworks at Schouler Park, keep scrolling.

CRANMORE MOUNTAIN RESORT (North Conway, NH)

It’s an All-American 4^th of July Party at Cranmore Mountain Resort! Details are still rolling out for this fun event, so circle back to Cranmore’s website in the coming weeks.

Wednesday, 7/3, 11am – 3pm.

TOWNS OF LINCOLN AND NORTH WOODSTOCK NH

Are you looking for 4^th of July celebrations in the Lincoln/North Woodstock area? Head to Soldier’s Park for a cookout hosted by the Lin-Wood Rotary Club! After that, there’s a fun parade themed around American Landmarks, and a free concert featuring patriotic music. If you’re sticking around town for another day, head towards the Granite State Scenic Railway on main street for a Lincoln, NH fireworks display at dusk on Friday, 7/5.

Thursday, 7/4. 11am: Cookout at Soldier’s Park. | 2pm: Annual 4^th of July Parade (Route starts at Alpine Village Resort in North Woodstock, heads down Main Street and then takes a left onto Route 112, ending at the Lincoln Town Hall). | 7pm: Free concert at Soldier’s Park.

Friday, 7/5: Fireworks commence at dusk. The best viewing will be along Lincoln’s main street, especially near the Granite State Scenic Railway.

TOWN OF NORTH CONWAY, NH

Will you be in Mount Washington Valley for 4^th of July? Make North Conway, NH your base for festivities! The Town of North Conway is hosting a parade, vendors and entertainment, and fireworks.

Thursday, 7/4. 1:30pm: Parade in Conway Village. | 4:40pm: Vendors & Entertainment in Schouler Park. | 9:30pm: Fireworks.

TOWN OF GORHAM, NH

The Gorham Recreation Department is pulling out all the stops for a festive 4^th! We can’t cover all the details here, so take these exciting tidbits as a start: a midway carnival and open mic night, a parade for the kids, DJ music, Lollipop the clown, and a classic car show. There will also be fireworks at 10pm on Thursday, 7/4, because what kind of celebration would it be without some sparkly nighttime skies?

These exciting events run from Wednesday, 7/3 through Sunday, 7/7. Visit the Town of Gorham's 4th of July Facebook page for more details.

WATERVILLE VALLEY TOWN SQUARE (Waterville Valley, NH)

The beautiful town of Waterville Valley has always been a hub for summer fun, including their outstanding 4^th of July celebrations. This year, the revelry kicks off with an Independence Day Parade where participants are invited to take part via bike, scooter, or strolling (or cheering from the sidelines!). After that, we’d recommend taking a short hike and enjoying shopping in town before the 4^th of July Fireworks glimmer over Corcoran Pond.

Once the weekend arrives, there are even more events! On Saturday, 7/6, enjoy a Family Carnival at Packard’s Field hosted by Waterville Valley Recreation Department. There will be inflatables, music, relay races, and fun activities like tie-dye and mini golf to keep your kiddos entertained. For Sunday, 7/7, the Animal Encounter Series hosted by Squam Lakes Natural Science Center returns to Waterville Valley Town Square.

4^th of July Parade: 7/4, 11am – 12pm. Cost: FREE for spectators, $20 per float entry. Call 603-236-4695 to register your float. 4^th of July Fireworks: 7/4, show starts at 9:30pm sharp. Family Carnival: 7/6, 11am to 3pm. $20 per child (1 year and under free). Animal Encounter Series: 7/7, 10am – 11am. Free.

Photo Courtesy of Waterville Valley Recreation Department Facebook

BRETTON WOODS VACATIONS (Various Locations)

Finding a great place to stay in the White Mountains can be tricky during any summer holiday. Make a plan now for where you’ll set up your proverbial camp with Bretton Woods Vacations! Over the week of 4^th of July, they are offering a great discounted lodging deal at their array of rental properties in the White Mountains region.

Use promo code STARSANDSTRIPES to receive 20% off a stay of 4+ nights.

INDIAN HEAD RESORT (Lincoln, NH)

Make your 4^th of July weekend plan one to remember with a stay at Indian Head Resort. This Lincoln, NH lodging property has great amenities like live music, pools, private fishing, and pedal boats, and it’s also offering a great deal on stays from Thursday, 7/4 to Sunday, 7/7. Find more details on that below, but might we also add that if you’re bringing your family along for the festivities, there’s a fun kids club with live entertainment? That sounds like reason enough to celebrate!  

Stay 7/4 – 7/7 to receive 10% off your entire stay plus a $30 dining credit each day ($90 total).

OMNI MOUNT WASHINGTON RESORT (Bretton Woods, NH)

Join the Omni Mount Washington Resort for a five-day celebration filled with spirted fun for all! Wave your American flag as you enjoy delicious food prepared by their renowned chefs chefs, participate in daily activities, and simply enjoy time with family and friends. And of course, don't forget their fantastic firework display open to registered resort guests and Bretton Woods Club members only. This will be a weekend of memories that you will not forget!

For more information on 4th of July at the Omni Mount Washington Resort, visit their website. 

BARNSTORMERS THEATRE (Tamworth, NH)

One of the few things that can rival the Barnstormers Theatre’s legendary reputation in NH is the legend of King Arthur itself. Storming the stage over 4^th of July week is none other than Camelot, the iconic retelling of King Arthur, Guinevere, and Lancelot. Lerner and Loewe’s Camelot has everything you’d expect from a lauded Broadway show, including a memorable, chart-topping score and a bit of romantic drama. Need we say more? Add a Tamworth trip to your vacation agenda if you will be here all week!

Show dates include 6/27 – 6/30, 7/2 & 7/3, and 7/5 & 7/6. Book your tickets online on the Barnstormers’ website.

BELIEVE IN BOOKS LITERACY FOUNDATION (Intervale, NH)

A Sunset Concert Series sounds swell, and particularly so if it benefits the Believe in Books Literacy Foundation! Your venue is a lovely outdoor amphitheater, and the live music ranges from reggae to rock. This time around, jam out to Studio Two, a Beatles tribute band taking the stage on Friday, 7/5 at 6:30pm.

To view the full summer lineup and see more details, head to the BIBLF’s website. Tickets start at $20.

GUNSTOCK MOUNTAIN RESORT (Gilford, NH)

If you love fine craftsmanship and local New Hampshire artists, the Fourth of July Weekend Craft Fair at Gunstock Mountain Resort is a must. This Lakes Region event is an annual tradition for art adorers, and we can easily see why; the offerings here include everything from cedar wood furniture and hand painted objects to resin arts, gourmet foods, pressed floral art, handcrafted jewelry, quilts, and more! There’s also live music, free admission, and free parking (and friendly, leashed dogs are welcome), plus all of Gunstock Mountain’s fun summer offerings like a mountain coaster, ziplines, and a scenic chairlift ride.

Saturday, 7/6 and Sunday, 7/7, 10am – 5pm. For more information, visit Gunstock’s website.

NORTH COUNTRY CENTER FOR THE ARTS AT JEAN’S PLAYHOUSE (Lincoln, NH)

North Country Center for the Arts at Jean’s Playhouse is hosting something transformative this July: The Secret Garden, in concert and all outdoors! A 7-piece band, professional actors, and the beauty of the North Country will transport you into this magical tale. To complete the experience, we suggest bringing your own blankets or beach chairs and enjoying the onsite concessions. Date night, anyone?

Thursday,  7/4 – Saturday, 7/6, 7:30pm (rain date: Sunday, 7/7). $30 per person. General outdoor seating. Located outdoors on the North Field at Lin-Wood School District.

WEATHERVANE THEATRE (Whitefield, NH)

The Weathervane Theatre in Whitefield is no stranger to great plays. Over the July 4^th week,  this theater in the White Mountains hosts THREE can’t-miss shows: What the Constitution Means to Me (a Pulitzer Prize finalist and Tony Award nominee that imagines how the U.S. Constitution will shape the life of future generations), Skeleton Crew (a dramatic tale of shifting power dynamics at an auto plant), and The Wedding Singer (a musical comedy about a wannabe rockstar set in 1985). See you there, theater enthusiasts!

“What the Constitution Means to Me” dates include 6/26 – 6/28, 7/1, and 7/6. “Skeleton Crew” dates include 7/3, 7/7 & 7/8, 7/12 & 7/13, and 7/18. “The Wedding Singer” dates include 6/30, 7/5, 7/11, 7/14, and more. For additional information on all shows and to purchase tickets, visit the Weathervane’s website.

SCULPTURED SAND (North Woodstock, NH)

Discover Sculptured Sand’s “Tales of the Dark Forest”, a magical exhibit hidden in the woods of North Woodstock, NH. Talented artists from across the world have gathered to create larger-than-life, fairy tale-inspired sand sculptures. To find these ephemeral works of art, you must stroll along winding paths in the forest while atmospheric music guides the way. Concessions, photography, live carving demonstrations, and a children’s sand sculpting area also make this one of the best activities for families in the White Mountains this summer.  

Recurring weekly, Fridays – Sundays, 11am – 8:30pm. Adult: $18.50. Child: $15.

TOWN OF LITTLETON, NH

Celebrate local art at Littleton, NH’s First Friday! On the first Friday of each summer month, this small town on the banks of the Ammonoosuc River becomes an outdoor gallery brimming with artists, food vendors, and live music.

Free and open to the public. July date: Friday, 7/5, 5pm – 10pm.

TOWN OF NORTH WOODSTOCK, NH

Doesn’t live music from Limited Commotion sound like a great way to spend a Saturday evening at Soldier’s Park?

Saturday, 7/6 at 6:30pm.

APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN CLUB

When we say, “Take a hike!”, we mean it in the best way this 4^th of July. If you’re 18+ and after a fun diversion, check out the Appalachian Mountain’s Club’s hosted hike to the Middle and North Sugarloaf. The hike is free and registration has already opened for this fun event, so hightail it over to the AMC’s website for more information.

Thursday, 7/4. Hike begins at 9am. Registration is required for this event.

SETTLERS GREEN (North Conway, NH)

Take your little ones to Bubbles and Beats, Settlers Green’s kid-friendly event! On summer Fridays, parents can take a break from outlet shopping and sit back  while their kiddos beepop and hop amongst thousands of floating bubbles. To get there? Look for The Bears and listen for fun music.

Summer Fridays, 6/28 – 8/23. 11am to 12pm. Free.

GREATER PORTSMOUTH CHAMBER COLLABORATIVE (Portsmouth, NH)

The Greater Portsmouth Chamber Collaborative is no stranger to great events. Right around 4^th of July, New Hampshire’s seacoast will welcome everything from Jason Mraz at The Musical Hall Historic Theatre (Wednesday, 7/3 at 7pm) to a Gundalow Concert series, performances of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”, and 4^th of July fireworks in Portsmouth at South Mill Pond (across from City Hall) on Wednesday, 7/3 at 9:15pm.

For all the information on 4^th of July events in Portsmouth, NH, click here.