What is there to do over Memorial Day weekend in the White Mountains? A lot! Take your pick of adventures at Santa's Village and Story Land, as well as scavenger hunts at historic estates, rubber ducky races, youth fishing derbies, and more.
This round up represents the best of the best Memorial Day events in NH. In between the fun, we also encourage you to remember and honor fallen service members across the country.
Major Attraction Fun
Back to Top of ListMany of our Major Attractions are open over Memorial Day Weekend! For the most current information, view the dates of operation for each Major Attraction. Several Attractions are open on weekends or a limited schedule during late May/early June.
If you have never visited our Major Attractions or would like to learn more, watch our Local Lens series for a glimpse inside each White Mountains Attraction.
LIVING SHORES AQUARIUM (Glen, NH)
Just in time for Memorial Day Weekend, Living Shores Aquarium has welcomed several new exhibits! Enjoy alligators and snapping turtles, as well as Living Shores classics like the stingray touch pool and tropical reef exhibit. The aquarium also will be open for new extended hours, running until 6pm on Saturday & Sunday.
Open Friday – Monday through through 6/9. Daily operations resume 6/13.

MT. WASHINGTON AUTO ROAD (Gorham, NH)
Alton Weagle Day returns to the Mt. Washington Auto Road! This annual event, held Saturday, 5/24, is for the creative spirits after a first ascent up the Auto Road (with past participants using everything from Segways and camels to pogo sticks to conquer the 7.6-mile ascent).* If you'd rather just summit Mount Washington the traditional way, take a guided tour or drive yourself - the Auto Road is open Memorial Day weekend!
*Alton Weagle Day is RSVP only. Send an email with your first ascent idea to marketing@mt-washington.com to be considered.
SANTA'S VILLAGE (Jefferson, NH)
Santa’s Village opens for its 73rd season over Memorial Day Weekend! Ride the thrilling new Midnight Flyer family roller coaster (open for its first Memorial Day ever), and spend the day enjoying all kinds of festive fun.
Saturday, 5/24 & Sunday, 5/25. 9:30am – 5pm. Purchase your tickets online ahead of time. Daily operations resume 6/16.

STORY LAND (Glen, NH)
Story Land opens for the season over Memorial Day weekend! The park will be operating at full capacity from 9:30am - 5pm with family favorite rides, shows, and attractions.
Open weekends only, Memorial Day through Father’s Day. Daily operations resume 6/16.
Memorial Day Events
Back to Top of ListCASTLE IN THE CLOUDS (Moultonborough, NH)
Join the celebration as Castle in the Clouds opens for a brand-new season! 5/24 through 5/29, visitors are welcome to participate in the self-guided "Look Around Lucknow: Scavenger Hunt", available daily from dawn to dusk. This fun, family-friendly program offers an exciting journey through key locations throughout the Castle in the Clouds property. Participants are encouraged to return to the Castle on 5/31 to be awarded prizes for completion and participation during a closing ceremony.
To participate, guests should register via the Castle in the Clouds website. Upon registration, participants will receive access to the scavenger hunt through the PlayTours app. There is no cost to participate.
THE FLYING MONKEY MOVIE HOUSE & PERFORMANCE CENTER (Plymouth, NH)
Enjoy the genre-crossing, raw sounds of Vanna Pacella and YASSiN & Sean Terrio as they take the stage at The Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center over Memorial Day weekend.
Saturday, 5/24. Tickets start at $25. For more information, visit the Flying Monkey's website.
GREAT GLEN TRAILS (Gorham, NH)
Great Glen Trails is the perfect hub for outdoor adventures over Memorial Day weekend. Take your pick of bike rentals and access to miles of trails or a kayaking tour along scenic waterways.
Bike rentals/trail access & kayaking tours available 5/24 & 5/25.
JACKSON AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (Jackson, NH)
Duck, duck, go! The Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce is at it again with their Annual Wildquack Duck Race & Music Festival. Enjoy fair food, kids games, live music, surprises, a silent auction, and rubber duck races. Did we mention there’s also more than $10,000 given out in cash and prizes?
Sunday, 5/25. Events commence at 8am; Duck Race begins at 1:45pm. For more information, please call the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce at (978) 580-0905.

SEVEN BIRCHES WINERY (Lincoln, NH)
Celebrate the Kickoff to Summer at Seven Birches Winery! This Lincoln, NH winery is hosting wine slushies, deals, and free cider samples over Memorial Day Weekend on their outdoor patio.
Saturday, 5/24 & Sunday, 5/25. For full event information, visit Seven Birches' website.
TOWN OF CARROLL
Join the town of Carroll for a Memorial Day Parade followed by a barbecue at the Carroll Fire Station. Friday, 5/24 through Monday, 5/26, the Twin Mountain-Bretton Woods Historical Society will also be setting up displays in the Town Hall Community Room; stop by 10am to 3pm for a glimpse of this region’s rich history!
Memoria Day Parade: Monday, 5/26, 11am. Starts at the Town of Carroll Information Center.
WATERVILLE VALLEY TOWN SQUARE (Waterville Valley, NH)
Escape to the White Mountains this Memorial Day weekend! Waterville Valley Town Square is hosting special events of all kinds over Memorial Day weekend, including live music, a Youth Fishing Derby, Chowderfest, a Beekeeping Seminar, a Live Animal Encounter presented by the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, and more!
- Beekeeping Seminar (Presented by the Rey Cultural Center & Recreation Department): Are you interested in bees, honey, plants, animals, science, carpentry, eating food, or good stories? The Pemi-Baker Beekeepers Association will be at the Waterville Valley Recreation Department, sharing their knowledge! Friday, 5/23, 6pm. Multi-Purpose Room, Waterville Valley Recreation Dept., 14 Noon Peak Road, Waterville Valley NH.
- Live Music (Presented by Waterville Valley Resort): Swing by Town Square to listen to some warm season tunes coming from the Town Square Gazebo. Enjoy music from the beach, courtyard, or while boating on Corcoran Pond! Saturday 5/24 & Sunday, 5/25: 12-3pm and 4-7pm.
- 15th Annual Casting for Kirby Youth Fishing Derby: Join the Waterville Valley Recreation Department and cast for Kirby! Any kid under the age of 15 can participate in the challenge. There will be over $1000 worth of prizes, plus face painting, DIY t-shirts, and more! Age groups will have staggered start times, with 7 & under beginning at 8:30, and ages 8-15 beginning at 8:45. The pond is stocked with trout prior to the event, so there will be no shortage of fish! Saturday, 5/24. 8:30am - 12pm (award ceremony at 11am). $8 registration fee. Held at Corcoran Pond (Town Square).
- 35th Annual Chowder Fest: Head to Town Square just in time for lunch as area restaurants vie for the coveted title of best local chowder! Admission fee covers generous samples of chowder and a voting ballot. Sunday, 5/25.12pm - 2pm. $7.50 for adults; $5 for children 12 and under.
- Animal Encounter Series: New Hampshire Wildlife: Join us in Town Square for the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center Animal Encounter Series! Live animal presentations will be shown by expert naturalists. Native wildlife ambassadors will inform and inspire children, adults, and families alike. Animal Encounter Events take place every Sunday (and select Mondays) this summer, beginning at 10am under the tent. Monday, 5/26, 10am - 11am.

WOODSTOCK INN BREWERY (North Woodstock, NH)
Boogie in a brewery! Live music lights up the Woodstock Inn Brewery every Saturday, 8:30pm – 11:30pm.
WREN - LOCAL WORKS MARKETPLACE & GALLERY (Bethlehem, NH)
"Hear, Here" is gracing the walls of the Gallery at WREN in Bethlehem, NH throughout May and June. Stop in to view artist Ann Steuernagel's captivating approach to photography, sound, and video that captures the rhthyms of the natural world.
"Hear, Here" is on display 5/2 to 6/27 (opening reception 5/2, 5 - 7pm).
Memorial Day Lodging
Back to Top of ListBLACK BEAR LODGE (Waterville Valley, NH)
For lodging deals in Waterville Valley, we’d recommend the Black Bear Lodge. In addition to all the family-friendly activities found in nearby Town Square (more on that above), guests can enjoy bike rentals, chairlift rides, tennis and athletic club access, plus use of the indoor/outdoor pool.
Black Bear Lodge: $499 (inclusive) for two nights; add a 3rd night for only $99. Call the Black Bear Reservation Office at 800-349-BEAR (2327) and mention “Memorial Day”.
BRETTON WOODS VACATIONS (Various Locations)
Let Bretton Woods Vacations brighten up your Memorial Day in the White Mountains with 20% off stays with a 3-night minimum (checking in between Sunday, 5/18 and Monday, 5/26).
Use coupon code MEM25 at checkout on Bretton Woods Vacations’ website.

COMFORT INN & SUITES (North Conway, NH)
If you’re looking for a top-rated place to stay in North Conway as well as a great activity just next door, book your stay at the Comfort Inn & Suites for their proximity to Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf. 5/5 – 5/26, Pirate’s Cove is hosting “Putting for Patriots”, where a percentage of total sales over Memorial Day go towards two nonprofits serving wounded Veterans, their families, and survivors of the fallen: Homes for Our Troops and TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors).
CRANMORE MOUNTAIN LODGE (North Conway, NH)
Looking for Memorial Day lodging deals in North Conway? Check out the Cranmore Mountain Lodge’s excellent Memorial Weekend Summer Kick-Off Promotion.
Promotion runs Thursday, 5/23 through Monday, 5/26. Stay 2 nights and get 10% off. Complimentary cheese board. Use promo code CML-MEMORIAL2025 on the Cranmore Mountain Lodge’s website to access your discount.
INN AT THORN HILL (Jackson, NH)
The Inn at Thorn Hill in Jackson is hosting a casually elegant kickoff to summer over Memorial Day weekend! There will be live music on the Porch from 5–9 PM, fireside lounging, and seasonal tastings, all set against a scenic mountain backdrop. Enjoy a relaxed yet refined evening with sips, bites, and music on the lawn and porch. The restaurant will also be open for regular dinner service. It’s Thorn Hill hospitality at its finest—festive, flavorful, and effortlessly elevated.
For more information, contact the Inn at Thorn Hill at (603) 383-4242.
Peruse our Trip Ideas for additional ways to fill out your Memorial Day weekend plans, and don’t forget to book your lodging ASAP! See you in the mountains.