Garret’s Granite State Weekend Guide: Bagpipes, BBQ & Fall Begins

If you’re looking for something to do in New Hampshire this weekend, apparently we’re throwing telephone poles, racing dragon boats, eating chowder, breaking out the bagpipes and officially accepting that fall has arrived.

I'm thinking that this might be one of the most aggressively New Hampshire weekends of September.

Credit: NHScot via Facebook

NEW HAMPSHIRE WEEKEND EVENTS: September 18–20, 2026

New Hampshire Highland Games & Festival — Lincoln | Friday–Sunday

If you’ve never watched a grown adult pick up something roughly the size of a telephone pole and voluntarily throw it through the air, this is your weekend.

The 51st annual New Hampshire Highland Games & Festival takes over Loon Mountain Resort September 18–20. It's one of the largest Highland Games in the country, with heavy athletics, Highland dancing, sheepdog trials, massed pipe bands, Celtic music, Scottish food, whisky tastings and a Clan Village.

This year's Caledonian Clash brings elite Highland athletes together, and Scotland's National Chef Gary Maclean is also scheduled to appear.

You know, I threw my back out putting on a sock this summer and these people are throwing trees.

Laconia Dragon Boat Festival — Laconia | Saturday

This is the event I'd love to just randomly stumble across.

The sixth annual Laconia Dragon Boat Festival takes over Paugus Bay at the NASWA Resort Saturday, September 19. Teams race long, narrow 40-foot dragon boats, with the event benefiting local charities; this year's primary beneficiary is 603 United, which creates inclusive social opportunities for adults with and without intellectual disabilities.

The Rotary Club confirms the festival for September 19 at the NASWA, with racing and festivities happening during the day.

READ MORE: Here's How to Register for the WOKQ Best Apple Pie in New England Contest

Granite State Fair — Rochester | Thursday–Sunday

The Rochester Fair Association is officially back in action this weekend for the Granite State Fair — or, as a lot of us still call it, the Rochester Fair.

There is so much fun with midway rides, animals, a petting zoo, Circus Hollywood, racing pigs, horse events and plenty of fair food. Saturday gets particularly chaotic with a School Bus Derby at 7 p.m., while Sunday has a lumberjack contest, sheep shearing and truck pulling.

General admission is $12 at the gate, with kids 8 and under free.

They have cow cuddling. Yes. For an additional fee, you can apparently go to the fair and cuddle a cow.

Racing pigs, a circus, a School Bus Derby AND cow cuddling??? This feels less like a fair and more like somebody let New Hampshire plan my weekend after three beers.

Credit: Getty Images

NEW HAMPSHIRE WEEKEND SHOWS: September 18–20, 2026

Dan + Shay — BankNH Pavilion | Friday, Septembe 18, 2026

Friday night is stacked at BankNH Pavilion in Gilford.

Dan + Shay at BankNH Pavilion bring their tour to the Pavilion Friday, September 18 at 7:30 p.m., and they're bringing Tyler Hubbard and Josh Ross with them.

That's three artists where you're going to know way more songs than you thought you did.

Lee Brice — Hampton Beach | Sunday, September 20, 2026

Lee Brice brings his Sunriser Tour Sunday to the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom with Grace Tyler.

The Casino lists doors at 6 p.m. and show at 7 p.m. It's general admission and 18+, unless accompanied by a parent.

This is also a pretty cool chance to see Lee right before his new Sunriser project arrives.

Lee Brice at the Casino Ballroom on a September Sunday night. Monday Garret can deal with the consequences.

Credit: Getty Images

NEW HAMPSHIRE WEEKEND OUTDOOR ADVENTURE: September 18–20, 2026

Explore Odiorne Point — Rye

You don't always need to drive two hours north to have a great New Hampshire outdoor day.

Odiorne Point State Park gives you 135 acres of rocky coastline, beaches, salt marsh, forest, military-history sites and an extensive trail system right on the Seacoast.

One important heads-up: some trails are currently closed for a dune-restoration project, so check the updated trail map before heading out.

“Ocean views, trails and absolutely no requirement that I climb 4,000 feet. Sometimes we're allowed to enjoy nature without suffering.”

Credit: Bbq Shak and Smokehouse via Facebook

Hidden-Gem Restaurant of the Week: September 18-20, 2026

The BBQ Shak & New Hampshire Smokehouse — New Hampton

599 NH-104, New Hampton, NH Phone: 603-236-1600

Now THIS looks like my kind of hidden gem.

This is a small roadside barbecue operation on Route 104 in New Hampton specializing in smoked meats... brisket, ribs and pulled pork with all of their house sauces, cornbread and slaw.

It's exactly what I want from this category: a place you could easily drive past and then somebody tells you, “No. Turn around. Trust me.”

If you know me... you know If smoke is coming out of a tiny roadside building and I can smell brisket from the car, legally I have to stop.

Credit: Getty Images

NEW HAMPSHIRE ROAD TRIP : September 18–20, 2026

Lake Sunapee Scenic Byway

Instead of immediately joining everybody else on the Kanc, I'm going to send give you another option.

The Lake Sunapee Scenic Byway is a 39-mile loop connecting Sunapee, Newbury and New London, with lake views, forests, mountain scenery and stops including Sunapee Harbor, Newbury Harbor, The Fells and Mount Sunapee.

Mid-September is perfect for that first hint of foliage road trip before everybody in New England simultaneously remembers they own a car in October.

This sounds like Fall in New Hampshire for sure. Take your time. Stop in the villages. Get lunch. Find cider donuts.

⭐ If I Only Had One Day This Weekend...

I'm going north Saturday.

Coffee. Car. Lincoln.

Start at the New Hampshire Highland Games at Loon. Watch somebody throw a caber. Listen to the massed bagpipes. Find some Scottish food. Say hello to a Highland cow.

Then instead of racing home, take your time coming back through the White Mountains.

And somewhere along the way, find dinner.

Bonus points if it involves brisket.

This is one of those September weekends when summer and fall are basically sharing custody of New Hampshire.

Use it.