Even though snow is still piled high and stuck to the ground, the weather in Concord is already starting to feel a little warmer. Soon enough, grass will become visible again and bear flowers and colors sorely missed during the wintry months.
What better way to celebrate the emergence of spring than to be among the community and enjoy fun treats and activities? Here are four events to look forward to in the new season.
Capital City Craft Festival — March 28 – March 29
The festival is coming back to Concord for its fifth year, highlighting over 100 vendors in Everett Arena. Castleberry Fairs & Festivals has hosted over a dozen fairs throughout New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Vermont — all dedicated to showcasing local handmade goods.
In the past, the Capital City Craft Festival has featured bags and purses made from recycled materials, jewelry of coins from around the world, Scottish-style fudge and home decor made by metalworkers from repurposed tools.
The events will take place at Everett Arena on both days. Saturday hours are between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., while Sunday also starts at 10 a.m. but ends earlier at 4 p.m. Ticket prices have not been announced yet this year, but in the past have ranged between $8 to $10 for adults with children under 14 getting free admission.
HeARTwork Artisan Market Series — April 11
The Concord Arts Market hosted a two-part market series starting in early March that celebrates “the heart, soul, shine, and life of creative work.” The second and last event of the series takes place in April and is dedicated to “life.” The planned first event in February was canceled due to the snowy weather.
The events are made to not only give crafters a chance to share their work with the community, but also to tell people about the care, intention and spirit that takes place behind the scenes.
The Kimball Jenkins House will host this event from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’s free and will feature local artists and vendors, children’s activities and demonstrations.
First Fridays — Starting May 1
First Fridays will return downtown at the beginning of May and go until November. For the first event in 2026, InTown Concord will bring back Petals and Pedals.
First Fridays encourages businesses to stay open outside of their regular business hours to create a lively downtown atmosphere. The inaugural spring event usually features live music, food trucks and yoga classes. The main attraction is the five-mile group bike ride along the Concord-Lake Sunapee Rail Trail.
The event is free to attend. Check InTown Concord’s Instagram page closer to the event to see the full lineup of events.
Northeast Coffee Festival — May 15 – May 16
For all caffeine lovers, cafe owners, roasters and brewers, this event will surely be your cup of tea (or coffee). The Northeast Coffee Festival will feature coffee vendors from around the region to bring exquisite brews right on Main Street. Live music, food trucks and a beer garden will accompany the event.
For those who purchase passes for the weekend, workshops, panels and conversations will take place and be led by industry professionals. Revelstoke Coffee will host a Latte Art Showdown on Saturday, giving people the chance to show off their skills or watch others demonstrate their craft.
The community market is open to the public and will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday. Passes to access panels and the latte art competition are priced at $99 and are available to purchases starting March 1.