Things to do in the Lakes Region this Independence Day Weekend

Plymouth

Wednesday, July 1

The Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center will host a screening of 'Independence Day' (1996). Doors open at 5 p.m., with the screening at 6 p.m. To reserve tickets or find out more information, visit flyingmonkeynh.com.

Laconia

Thursday, July 2

Downtown

The Belknap Mill will hold an interactive class on making an Independence Day floral centerpiece, in collaboration with Artisan Florals. The class is from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Register at belknapmill.org.

Friday, July 3

Lakeport

The Lakeport Opera House presents Red White & Boots, an Independence Day-themed line dancing night open to all levels. Guests are encouraged to wear their best patriotic gear. Dance from 7 to 10:30 p.m.

Weirs Beach

The summer fireworks show series kicks off for Independence Day weekend at 10 p.m. on Lakeside Avenue.

Saturday, July 4

Downtown

The Laconia Independence Day parade will be at 4:30 p.m., leaving from Laconia High School and continuing to Opechee Park, where there will be a live band, vendors and other activities.

The Laconia Historical & Museum Society invites the community to family-friendly Independence Day observance at 6 p.m., at The Pavilion at Taylor Community. This event will include an evening of patriotic music, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, and a community sing-along of “America the Beautiful.” The event is free and open to the public.

Meredith

Friday and Saturday, July 3-4

The Winnipesaukee Playhouse presents "The Complete History of America (abridged)," a comedy taking audiences through the entire history of America for its 250th anniversary. Performances are at 2 and 7:30 p.m. on Friday, and 2 p.m. on Saturday, at 33 Footlight Circle. Dates continue through July 11. For tickets, visit winnipesaukeeplayhouse.org.

Saturday, July 4

The Meredith Independence Day parade will take place at 10 a.m. at LaValley Middleton Building Supply on Main Street. The parade is put on by the America250 Celebration Committee of Meredith.

Sunday, July 5

Hermit Woods Winery & Eatery presents The Front Porch Project — Live Americana & Folk Music at The Loft, featuring songwriter Son Henry, and bassist and vocalist Elaine Verstraete. The concert will begin at 7 p.m., at 72 Main St.

Alton

Friday, July 3

Fireworks will be set off from the barge in Alton Bay, at 7:20 p.m. The fireworks show can be seen from Lake Winnipesaukee or on land, where community members are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs. Rain date is Sunday.

Ashland

Friday, July 3

The town's Independence Day festivities kicks off at 4 p.m., with a high-energy concert in the park featuring Chris White, Red Daisy Revival, Peter Downing, and Rock the Park, food trucks, a bounce house, rock-climbing wall, bungee jumping, games, and a fireworks display. The celebration will be at L.W. Packard Ball Field on Main Street.

Saturday, July 4

The annual Ashland Common Man Pancake Breakfast will begin at 7:30 a.m. The breakfast is cash only. Fuel up on fluffy pancakes, then step outside to claim your parade-viewing spot.

The parade steps off at 10 a.m. from the fire station and ends at L.W. Packard Ball Field. The parade features the New Hampshire National Guard as their Color Guard, and Grand Marshal Phylliss Reitsma, recipient of the Ashland Woman’s Club Mary Ruell Award. There are also many floats, cars, and of course, the fire trucks.

After the parade, the Booster Club is offering tours of the town’s historical exhibit and a community kickball game at L.W. Packard Ball Field, free to the public.

Sunday, July 5

The town will host several competitive events, including a 5K at 8 a.m. Then, the If It Floats Race, where attendees bring a homemade seaworthy vessel and compete, will be at 11 a.m., followed by swim races. All events take place at Edward N. Doggett Beach. Registration for the 5K opens at 8 a.m. Visit bit.ly/Ashland250 for event registration.

Bristol

Saturday, July 4

The 13th Annual Newfound Firecracker 5K will begin at 8:30 a.m. at Kelley Park. The race will be put on rain or shine, by the Newfound Region High School’s Cross Country Program, at 41 N. Main St.

The town's parade will begin at 10 a.m., themed America's 250th Anniversary. The parade will begin at 450 Pleasant St., across from Hannaford, and end in the middle school parking lot. 

Center Harbor

Saturday, July 4

The Center Harbor Town Band will perform their concert at Center Harbor Bandstand from 7 to 9:45 p.m. The concert will include patriotic tunes, marches, popular music, and special surprise guests. This event will take place at 36 Main St.

Gilford

Saturday and Sunday, July 4-5

The annual Fourth of July Weekend Gunstock Craft Fair will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Guests can purchase American-made arts and crafts.

Gilmanton

Saturday, July 4

The town of Gilmanton’s Independence Day parade will commence at 10 a.m., beginning at the Town Offices at 503 Province Road. Following the parade, there will be vendors serving food and drinks at the Town Hall.

Sanbornton

Saturday, July 4

The Sanbornton Bay Association again hosts the annual Independence Day Boat Parade on Lake Winnisquam. The parade will begin at 2 p.m. at Post Island. Anyone is welcome to participate in the parade or watch from the shoreline.