What does it look like to build a world rooted in peace, justice, and nonviolence? The NH Nonviolence Festival brings people together to explore that question, share ideas, and discover practical ways to create change in their communities.
On September 19, 2026, NH Peace Action hosted New Hampshire’s first Nonviolence Festival on the State House lawn in Concord. Held in recognition of the United Nations International Day of Peace and Pace e Bene’s Campaign Nonviolence National Days of Action, the festival brought together 28 cosponsoring organizations and community members from across the state.
The afternoon was filled with live music, singalongs, speeches, discussion circles, noncompetitive games, and an educational treasure hunt. But some of the most meaningful moments happened between activities: people stopping at tables, striking up conversations, discovering organizations they hadn’t heard of before, and finding new ways to get involved. The nonviolence treasure hunt encouraged attendees to ask questions and learn directly from people doing the work and turning education into an opportunity for connection.
Watch a video of the speeches here!
https://youtu.be/JeX91nKhYYQ?si=L4TqhffgyqOaWXyd
Nonviolent action has deep roots in New Hampshire, from the Clamshell Alliance’s anti-nuclear campaigns to the Save Our Shores NH campaign, which successfully opposed a proposed oil refinery on Great Bay in the 1970s. The legacy lives on through initiatives such as the NH Peacekeeper Project and now, the Nonviolence Festival! The festival also introduced attendees to practical approaches to creating change, including unarmed civilian protection, boycotts and divestment, restorative justice, and community-based conflict resolution.
The response from the festival showed just how much can happen when people come together around a shared vision – NH Peace Action hopes to build on that momentum by creating more opportunities for people to connect, learn from one another, and find meaningful ways to take action. A more peaceful world starts in our communities, in our relationships, and in the ways we choose to respond to conflict and create change.
Stay tuned for the 2027 NH Nonviolence Festival!
2026 Participating Organizations: 50501 NH, 350NH, American Friends Service Committee – NH, Clamshell Alliance, Granite State Organizing Project, NH Center for Justice & Equity, NH Council of Churches, NH Peace Action, NH Youth Movement, No Coal, No Gas, Not in My Name – NH, Occupy Seacoast, Peace with Justice Advocates NHCUCC, RAW Gaza (Ride Against War), Southern NH DSA, Southern NH Indivisible, Strategy for Disability Equity LLC, Third Act NH, UU Action New Hampshire, Veterans For Peace – NH Chapter, World Fellowship Center, Piece of Pizza for Peace, Kent Street Coalition, NH Community Bail Fund, Guns to Garden NH, First Unitarian Universalist Society of Exeter (FUUSE), SAPL, Rights & Democracy, and Palestine Education Network.