Have you decided what you’re doing with mom this weekend? Here are some top options.
Music and comedy at STAR Theatre
Enjoy the artistry of Gershwin, Paul Simon, Henry Mancini, Smokey Robinson, and others when the 17-piece Deep Blue C Orchestra takes the stage at STAR Theatre in Kittery on Friday at 6 p.m. ($25). Then, on Saturday, local improv troupe Stranger Than Fiction presents a 1 Day Comedy Festival beginning at 7 p.m. ($15). Learn more here.
Tribute shows at The Press Room
Hear the music of some of your favorite classic acts performed live at The Press Room in Portsmouth this weekend. Touring band Little Lies, a tribute to Fleetwood Mac, performs on Friday at 7 p.m. Northampton, Mass.-based band Big Yellow Taxi, a tribute to Joni Mitchell, follows on Sunday at 7 p.m. Tickets to each concert are $20-$25.
Live shows at The Word Barn
Get ready for another weekend of world-class acts at The Word Barn. Boston-area bluegrass supergroup Barnstar!, which released its third album last year, returns to the Exeter venue on Friday from 7-9 p.m. ($38). Sunday brings the energetic bagpipe-fiddle-guitar combo of Cantrip from 7-9 p.m. ($25). Learn more here.
Music and film at The Dance Hall
Local indie-folk quintet Foxglove kicks off The Dance Hall’s weekend with a concert featuring bassist and singer-songwriter Cilla Bonnie in Kittery on Friday at 7:30 p.m. ($10-$22). The Portsmouth Music & Arts Center’s Spring 2025 Jazz Institute Show follows on Saturday from 1-3 p.m. ($10). That night at 7 p.m., the Hall hosts a screening of Havana Libre, about a group of passionate Cuban surfers, followed by a filmmaker Q&A ($15). Learn more here.
Concerts at The Stone Church
As per usual, The Stone Church is hosting lots of live music in Newmarket this weekend. First up is Magic Bus, a tribute to The Who, on Friday at 8 p.m. ($15-$20). Sneaky Miles, Jon Nolan, and Kate Possi will perform at Turtlefest 2025, a benefit for the Newmarket Conservation Commission and NH Turtle Rescue, on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ($10-$15). A psychedelic triple-bill featuring The Trichomes, Dysfunktone, and Mono Means One follows on Saturday at 8 p.m. ($15-$20). Learn more here.
Live from the Button Factory Stage
The Button Factory Stage will be rocking this weekend at WSCA Radio in Portsmouth. Indie-rock act Isaac Raven headlines with Alma June and the Persian Cats and Dad Doxxer on Friday at 8 p.m. ($10-$15). Teen-driven jazz, rock, and hip-hop act Lightheaded Collective follows on Saturday from 8-10 p.m. ($10-$15). Learn more here.
Springfest at Strawbery Banke Museum
Strawbery Banke Museum’s annual spring event has evolved into Springfest: A Celebration of Gardens and Baby Animals. The weekend-long program takes place on the museum’s 10-acre campus in Portsmouth on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. There will be heritage-breed animals, animal demonstrations, traditional crafts, hands-on activities, and an heirloom plant sale. Tickets are $12-$24. Learn more here.
Vermilion at Newmarket Millspace
Raymond-based band Vermilion is known to bring passion, power, and pure magic to every stage it steps on. The self-proclaimed “basement freaks” will demonstrate their blend of soul, rock, and high-energy grooves at Newmarket Millspace with openers Rock Bottom and Bigfüt on Saturday at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10. Learn more here.
Eugene Mirman at 3S Artspace
Boston-bred comedian and actor Eugene Mirman has a history with Portsmouth. He once took out a full-page ad in a local magazine, just to humorously express his displeasure over a parking ticket he’d received. And yet he’ll return to the city for a stand-up performance at 3S Artspace on Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35-$40. Learn more here.
Chestnut Street Party in Portsmouth
The Music Hall’s Emerging Artist Benefit Concert is sold out, but you can still join the festivities at the free Chestnut Street Party that precedes it on Sunday from 5-7 p.m. The family-friendly Mother’s Day street party in Portsmouth will feature live performances by up-and-coming acts who just won Emerging Artist Grants. Learn more here.
BONUS: Three Mother’s Day brunches
Judging by upcoming events, there’s nothing local moms like more than a delicious brunch with live entertainment. There are at least three special brunches on Sunday: Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club in Portsmouth hosts a Mother’s Day Brunch featuring the Brad Myrick Trio from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. ($35-$95). The Kittery Community Center presents an Easy Like Sunday Morning Jazz Brunch featuring Hunter McKay and Emily Dunbar from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. ($20). The Press Room in Portsmouth offers a special Mother’s Day Jazz Brunch with Sharon Jones at 12 p.m. ($15-$20).
See the full calendar for more local events.