Jackson Wildquack Duck Race & Music Festival

Each May, the Jackson Wildquack Duck Race and Music Festival turns Jackson Village Park into a low-key mountain Sunday with a clear focus: live music, local bites, and a rubber-duck dash down the Wildcat River. You spend the morning moving between the stage, food vendors, and kids games, with New Hampshire’s granite peaks as your backdrop.

The main spectacle arrives when thousands of rubber ducks hit the water and the village lines the banks to watch the current do the work. Between the launch and the finish, you can post up near the river or browse booths for fair-style snacks and artisan goods, then circle back for regional performers on the park stage.

Entry to the park and music is free, but you will need a duck ticket to race and compete for prizes. Events often include the main race plus a corporate duck competition. Parking in Jackson is limited, so we suggest arriving by 10:00 AM for walkable options. Bring a folding chair or waterproof blanket, wear sturdy shoes if you plan to follow the riverbank, and pack sunscreen and a light jacket since late-May weather can swing from sun to cool breeze.

For a convenient base, stay in Jackson village or nearby Bartlett and North Conway, where you will find historic inns and modern mountain rentals. If you prefer more space, look at vacation homes and cabins near the White Mountain National Forest through Lake.com. Light rain usually does not stop the event, but severe weather can shift music indoors or delay the race; leashed, well-behaved dogs are generally welcome. For the best viewing, be at the river at least 30 minutes before the scheduled early-afternoon launch.