American Independence Festival

Welcome to the 35th American Independence Festival!

Celebrate the anniversary of the arrival of the Declaration of Independence to New Hampshire in 1776 at the 34th American Independence Festival on Saturday July 12th, 10 am to 4 pm in downtown Exeter, NH. This year, admission is again FREE, courtesy of our friends at Service Credit Union!

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.

2025 Festival Countdown

Day(s)

:

Hour(s)

:

Minute(s)

:

Second(s)

Schedule

Festival Map

Ongoing Events

Volunteer at the Independence Festival

Get involved in the festival and become a volunteer. A variety of different volunteer opportunities are available for Saturday, July 13 as well as the week prior. Email us for more information.

Volunteer at the Festival

Afterward, you can enjoy shopping, food, live music, and more in downtown Exeter!