American Independence Festival
Join us in downtown Exeter, NH to celebrate American Independence.
Celebrate the anniversary of the arrival of the Declaration of Independence to New Hampshire in 1776 at the 36th American Independence Festival on Saturday July 11th, 2026 10 am to 4 pm in downtown Exeter, NH. This year, admission is again FREE!
Festival Highlights
- Witness the arrival of the Declaration & a live reading.
- View the original that was brought here in 1776.
- Explore historic trades from 18th Century Artisans practicing traditional skills and crafts.
- Learn about life as a colonial soldier from the First NH Regiment and other reenacting groups.
- Play colonial games, dance and music.
- Visit the American Independence Museum galleries and historic tavern
- Talk with George Washington, Jack Staines, and other historical interpreters.
- Drink a local brew in the beer garden.
Check back for full schedule and event details.
Volunteer at the Independence Festival
Get involved in the festival and become a volunteer. A variety of different volunteer opportunities are available for festival day as well as the week prior. Email us for more information.