Juneteenth, the summer solstice, Portsmouth Pride, Father’s Day — boy, there’s a lot to take in this weekend. Here’s a roundup of some of the top local highlights.
Juneteenth Celebration in Portsmouth
The Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire’s Juneteenth Celebration features a series of events spanning the next two weekends, beginning with a Juneteenth Freedom Walk leaving from John Paul Jones Memorial Park in Kittery at 9 a.m. on Friday, and concluding at the African Burying Ground in Portsmouth, where there will be a cross-cultural ceremony starting at 10 a.m. Learn more here.
Pocket Gardens of Portsmouth Tour
Explore 10 private gardens in the historic South End neighborhood, as well as the Goodwin Garden at Strawbery Banke Museum and the garden at South Church, during the 37th Pocket Gardens of Portsmouth tour. The self-guided tour takes place on Friday from 5-8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tickets are $30. Learn more here.
“Together” at Green Acre
Green Acre in Eliot is hosting a special evening-length dance performance by UnEarths on Friday at 8 p.m. Presented by Theater for the People, “Together” blends live performance with dance film to explore the various ways humans connect and disconnect with each other. Tickets are on a sliding scale from $5-$30. Learn more here.
Mill After Dark: A Night of Drag
Following medium Lauren Rainbow‘s visit on Thursday at 7 p.m. ($35), Newmarket Millspace will present another installment of Mill After Dark on Friday at 7 p.m. ($20). The night of drag will be hosted by Gem Fatale and Saison, with dazzling performances from Bianca York and special guest Victicia Lee Genshin. Learn more here.
Sunset Lighthouse Cruise
See local lighthouses up close, at sunset, near the summer solstice. Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses will present the first of its two weekly Sunset Lighthouse Cruises on Friday evening, departing from Rye Harbor at 7 p.m. aboard the M/V Granite State and returning around 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $40. Learn more here.
“Cinderella” at Prescott Park
A sure sign of summer in Portsmouth is when the Prescott Park Arts Festival’s annual musical gets underway. This year the park presents Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Broadway adaptation of “Cinderella.” It’s on stage through Aug. 9; show times for opening weekend are Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 7 p.m. There is a $12 suggested donation; table and blanket reservations are available. Learn more here.
John Zevos & Friends at WSCA
John Zevos & Friends share a passion for The Grateful Dead, and they’ll play acoustic versions of Dead songs on the Button Factory Stage at WSCA Portsmouth Community Radio on Friday night. Divergent Strings/Restoration will open the show at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10-$15. Learn more here.
Music & pride at The Press Room
The Press Room in Portsmouth is hosting a triple-bill of alt-country and indie-folk featuring headliner Regals with Old Tom & The Lookouts and Jarrett Villeneuve on Friday at 8 p.m. ($15-$18). On Saturday, the Seacoast Jazz Society presents two performances by the OnWeGo Jazz Collective (pictured) at 5 p.m. and 7:20 p.m. ($23-$32). Later that night, DJ Vers Queen presents a Pride Night dance party at 10 p.m. ($10). Sunday starts with a punk-rock matinee featuring Adult Magic, Faulty Cognitions, Ezra Cohen & The Big City Band, and Grub Lord at 12:30 p.m. ($15), followed by folk, punk, and blues act Sunny War with opener Cursed on Earth at 7 p.m. ($20-$25). Learn more here.
Pride Party at the Gas Light
Head to the Portsmouth Gas Light Co.’s Third Floor Nightclub on Friday at 9 p.m. for a high-energy Pride Party with host DJ Koko P. There will be a music video mix, dancing, and prizes for the best Pride attire. Tickets are $20, or $30 for the VIP treaatment. Learn more here.
Fill the Hall at The Music Hall
Portsmouth’s annual summer food drive to support local kids returns to The Music Hall on Saturday from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. A collaboration among NH Outright, The Music Hall, Gather, and the Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth, the event encourages the public to donate food for needy families. Learn more here.
Kittery Block Party 2026
There will be fun for all ages in Wallingford Square during the annual Kittery Block Party on Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The free festival will feature more than 100 vendors, live music and entertainment, and a variety of food options available for purchase. Learn more here.
Portsmouth Pride 2026
The 12th annual Portsmouth Pride festival kicks off with a parade to the grounds of Strawbery Banke Museum, where there will be a celebration featuring mainstage performances and speakers, more than 100 vendors, a KidZone, a beer tent with Throwback Brewery, and more on Saturday from 12-5 p.m. Learn more here.
Birthday Bash at Newburyport Brewing
Newburyport Brewing Co. is throwing a party for its 14th anniversary on Saturday from 1-9 p.m. The Birthday Bash will feature live performances from Charlie and the Hustle, Holiday Ramblers, and Ward Hayden Band, plus food trucks, beverages, and games for the kids. Tickets are $10. Learn more here.
Swing Into Summer at The Rockingham Ballroom
Swing into summer with a DJ Dance Party in Newmarket featuring a lively mix of Lindy Hop, East Coast Swing, and West Coast Swing. It takes place on Saturday at 8 p.m. at The Rockingham Ballroom, where the dance floor will be open and World Cup action will be on the big screen. Tickets are $10. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.
