Just as warm weather finally arrives in Concord, more than flowers will be blooming downtown this week: outdoor dining has returned, the Concord Farmers’ Market will officially launch for the season and this month’s First Friday will bring a boom to Main Street.

Tables and chairs from at least 10 downtown restaurants began to sprout up on city squares and sidewalks when the city’s outdoor dining window opened Wednesday.

After restaurants leaned on outdoor seating to comply with pandemic restrictions, which at the time often included expanding into parking spots, the city created a set of rules for restaurants hoping to use those spaces as well as sidewalks and public squares in the spring of 2022. Through October, restaurants pay a fee based on how many square feet of space they want to use, and must leave a path for passersby. 

Many downtown restaurants have had seating outside for years.

“It’s always been a huge part of our business,” said Greg Tandy, owner of Tandy’s Pub and Grille in Eagle Square, the space and seclusion of which, he added, is a big draw. “We definitely have people come down here just to sit outside.” 

Dining en plein air is not just a way to take a leisurely evening dinner but is a lunch-break favorite for many, according to Dos Amigos Burritos owner Joel Harris. 

“For people who work in offices, it’s nice to be able to enjoy that, even if just on your half-hour lunch break,” he said.

Saturday morning will see the Concord Farmers’ Market’s 2024 debut, bringing a cornucopia of produce, cheese, canned preserves, meat, baked goods and other nosh to Capitol Street. The farmers’ market runs every Saturday morning from 8:30 a.m. to noon through the end of October. 

“We’ve dodged a few bullets recently,” Farmers’ Market President Wayne Hall said. When the frost warned in recent weather forecasts held off, farmers breathed a collective sigh of relief. “It’s been a long, interesting winter. … But we’re looking really great this year for fruits and vegetables.”

The market has a full bill of vendors this year, with notable new additions including everything from an ostrich farm to a distillery to microgreen growers. Old favorites, from donuts, to berries and local beef, will return too, Hall said. 

A “Petals and Pedals,” theme will bring bikes and botanicals to Intown Concord’s “First Friday” on May 3. During the evening, the Coalition for Bikes will lead a group ride around the city touring cycle repair shops. A bike cart from The SHED will hand out free bouquets and Granite State Roller derby will host a meet and greet in front of the Statehouse. Attendees can also decorate pots and plant sunflowers with Intown Concord on the Statehouse lawn. Live music and food trucks will also add to the festivities, alongside a slew of businesses staying open late and offering deals and giveaways in the floral theme. 

Milder temperatures and longer daylight hours often bring an added energy to First Fridays in the spring and summer months, said Barit Brown, events and marketing manager with Intown Concord. 

“There’s more of an event feeling,” Brown said, highlighting the number of free offerings organized this month. 

Other downtown happenings are right around the corner: Next weekend’s Northeast Coffee Festival will make its Concord debut, kicking off the downtown summer festival season.