Grab your lawn chairs and picnic blankets. The first official day of summer is approaching, and evenings of barbeque, campfires, and live music await. What better way to spend a mild summer night than at an outdoor concert?
Whether you’re hoping to enjoy some local music with food hot off the grill, or catch a nationally touring act in an intimate setting, or top off your concert-going experience with fireworks over the ocean, the Seacoast has an outdoor summer concert series for you.
Here’s a roundup of some local concert series taking place in the open air. Did we forget one? Let us know at news@soundnh.com.
DOVER
Cochecho Arts Festival
This summer-long arts festival brings music, theater, art, and entertainment to the Garrison City. The Friday Night Headliner series takes place on Friday nights beginning July 8, and the Shark in the Park concert series takes place Wednesday nights beginning July 13. Both series present local and regional bands at the Rotary Arts Pavilion in Henry Law Park at 6 p.m. Admission is free. Festival information and concert schedules can be found at cochechoartsfestival.org/.
EXETER
Summer Concerts in the Park
Exeter Parks and Recreation invites all to Swasey Parkway for their annual Summer Concerts in the Park series. New England-based acts hit the bandstand at 6 p.m. on Thursday nights throughout June and July. Admission is free. Full summer lineup can be found at exeternh.gov/recreation
GREENLAND
Concerts at the Bandstand
The ninth annual summer concert series kicks off on June 23 and continues every other Thursday through Aug. 18. Shows take place at the bandstand on Route 151; the July concerts take place from 6-8 p.m., with the August shows going from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Check out the lineup at greenlandwomensclub.org.
HAMPTON BEACH
Concerts on the Seashell
The Sea Shell Stage on Hampton Beach hosts two live shows every night of the summer. The first show each night runs from 7-8 p.m. and the second from 8:30-9:30 p.m. Admission is free. Full summer lineup can be found at hamptonbeach.org/
HAMPTON FALLS
Concerts on the Common
The Friends of the Hampton Falls Bandstand hosts a new weekly concert series in the Hampton Falls Common on Thursdays throughout the summer. The concerts feature a diverse assortment of local and international bands, with shows beginning at 6:30 p.m. The first show on June 9 featured West African drum band Theo Martey & The Akwaaba Ensemble. Refreshments are available through the Village Market. Admission is free. Full lineup can be found at hamptonfalls.org/
KITTERY, MAINE
Summer Concerts on the Common
The weekly series kicks off July 12 and continues every Tuesday night through Aug. 30, presenting regional rock, jazz, and pop acts. All the shows are free, taking place from 6:30-8 p.m. on the Frisbee Common in front of the Kittery Community Center at 120 Rogers Road. Guests are invited to bring blankets and chairs, and food is available for purchase. More information at kitterycommunitycenter.org/
NEWMARKET
Arts in the Park
The Newmarket Recreation Department hosts weekly summer concerts featuring regional bands on Tuesday nights. Beginning July 5, the concerts run from 6-8 p.m. and will take place at either Schanda Park or Leo Landroche Field. Admission is free. Full lineup can be found at newmarketrec.org/
NORTH HAMPTON
Bandstand Summer Concert Series
The North Hampton Bandstand series presents New England bands at weekly concerts throughout the summer. The concerts run from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday nights during June, July, and August. An additional Labor Day concert will be held on Monday, Sept. 5, from 2-4 p.m. Admission is free. For a full lineup, go to northhampton-nh.gov and find the Bandstand Committee page.
PORTSMOUTH
Loading Dock Concert Series 2.0
This brand new series at 3S Artspace begins July 1 and continues every other Friday night through August, and possibly beyond. Area bands will perform for suggested donations, and wine and beer will be available from Block Six restaurant. The lineup is not fully fleshed out yet but will be available soon at 3sarts.org.
Prescott Park Arts Festival
The Prescott Park Arts Festival features music, theater, movies, and other special events. The River House Restaurant Concert Series brings free concerts to the park every Wednesday night and select other evenings. There are also other music festivals and events held throughout the summer. There is an $8-$10 suggested donation for most events. Festival information and a full schedule can be found at prescottpark.org/
ROCHESTER
Concerts on the Common
This long-standing tradition in Rochester brings weekly concerts to the bandstand on Tuesday nights throughout July and August. Shows begin at 7 p.m., but audience members are encouraged to come early to grab a good spot with their lawn chairs or blankets. Admission is free. Full lineup can be found at rochesternh.net/
RYE
Seacoast Science Center Summer Concert Series
The Seacoast Science Center hosts summer concerts under their seaside tent every Thursday evening in July. Guests are invited to bring a picnic or purchase food hot off the grill, and are encouraged to bring beach chairs or blankets. Gates open at 5 p.m. for dining and concerts begin at 6 p.m. Tickets are $4-$8 for adults and $1-$2 for children 12 and under. Kids under 3 get in for free. Full lineup and ticket information can be found at seacoastsciencecenter.org/events/
SALISBURY BEACH, Mass.
Bands on the Beach + Fireworks
Weekly Saturday concerts at Salisbury Beach are accompanied by fireworks displays throughout July and August. Shows start at 7:30 p.m. with fireworks following at 10:15. An additional concert and fireworks display will be held on Monday, July 4. Admission is free. Full lineup can be found at beachfests.org/bandsonthebeach/
SOUTH BERWICK, Maine
Hot Summer Nights Concert Series
The annual series kicks off July 14 and continues every Thursday night through Aug. 18 at 6:30 p.m. The series is dedicated to cultivating, nurturing, and promoting local musical talent in our area and to provide free music to the people of South Berwick and nearby communities. Shows take place on the Central School lawn at 197 Main St. More info at facebook.com/HotSummerNightsConcerts/
Sundays in the Garden Concert Series
The 25th annual series unfolds in the gardens outside the histoic Hamilton House, overlooking the Salmon Falls River. Local acts perform on four consecutive Sundays, beginning July 3 with Harvey Reid, who has participated all 25 years. All shows begin at 5 p.m. at 40 Vaughan Lane. Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, and $4 for children over 12. For more info, go to historicnewengland.org.
WELLS, Maine
Wells Harbor Park Summer Concerts
The Wells Harbor Park concerts hit the stage every Saturday night in July and August. Acts ranging from tr