Every summer, the rolling fields of New London's Mount Sunapee come alive, not with birdsong, but with the twang of banjos, the pulse of fiddles, and the steady rhythm of upright basses at the Sunapee Bluegrass Festival. This event offers more than a music festival; it’s an open-air adventure where the forest and open sky challenge you to stay engaged, whether tapping your foot or hiking nearby trails between sets. Held in early August at the Mount Sunapee Resort village, the festival blends sound and nature, offering a practical escape with rich entertainment.

The festival spans three days, featuring top-tier bluegrass bands, workshops, and jam sessions that invite all skill levels—from curious listeners to seasoned pickers. The open grassy areas and shaded groves serve as natural amphitheaters, where the music travels freely, daring the forest canopy to hold it back. Attendees often combine their trip with hikes on nearby trails like the Lake Solitude hike (a 4.5-mile loop with 1,100 feet elevation gain), making the outing a full-bodied engagement with the outdoors.

Camping options on site, from tent spaces to cabin rentals, allow visitors to immerse themselves in the rhythmic pulse of the festival day and night. Practical advice: come prepared with sturdy footwear for uneven terrain, hydration gear to battle August’s warmth, and earplugs if you prefer control over your soundscape.

Locals and visitors alike recommend timing the festival’s late afternoon hikes to catch the cool forest breezes sweeping across Sunapee’s ridges and catch glimpses of nesting hawks or playful chipmunks daring each other along stone walls. As fading light softens the horizon, the festival stage bursts back to life, pulling you back in – the forest, like the music, never stops moving. Whether you arrive as a music lover, nature enthusiast, or both, the Sunapee Bluegrass Festival offers an adventure that’s grounded, engaging, and fiercely alive.