Summer keeps rolling like a slow, cool wave this weekend. Here are some of the top happenings.
Sail Portsmouth Maritime Festival
The main attraction of the 2026 Sail Portsmouth Maritime Festival is the Oosterschelde, a Dutch three-masted topsail schooner. The festival begins with the Parade of Sail in Portsmouth Harbor on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and continues through the weekend with dockside ship tours at the Portsmouth Commercial Fish Pier. Learn more here.
Music and cabaret at The Press Room
Bluegrass trio Lily of the Valley plays an LP release show at The Press Room in Portsmouth on Friday at 6 p.m. ($20-$25). Afterward, DJ Chad Banks and Jay Sync team up for Disco Damage at 10 p.m. ($10). On Sunday at 6 p.m., nearly 20 performers unite for the fourth annual Tim Goss on the Keys cabaret event ($25). Learn more here.
Music and art at The Word Barn
The Word Barn is hosting outdoor concerts each of the next four nights in Exeter. First up is The Bow Tides on Thursday from 7-9 p.m. ($25). Then, Michaela Anne shares the stage with special guest Toby McAllister on Friday from 7-9 p.m. ($25). David Ramirez brings his full band to town on Saturday from 7-9 p.m. ($25). Local band Lost River Fleet performs with guest Jarrett V Band on Sunday from 7-9 p.m. ($15). Also on Sunday, Molly C. Meng leads a Cyanotype Workshop from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. ($100). Learn more here.
Two concerts at The Music Hall
The Music Hall in Portsmouth is hosting two big concerts this weekend. Mike Campbell, the cofounder and longtime lead guitarist of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, performs with his band The Dirty Knobs on Friday from 7-10 p.m. ($56.50-$80). Then, Cat Power celebrates the 20th anniversary of her 2006 milestone “The Greatest” with a full performance of the album on Sunday from 7-10 p.m. ($59-$99).
Two triple-bills at WSCA Radio
Peter Squires & Friends will celebrate their new album (and Peter’s birthday) with a gig alongside Yeah Everything and The Keels at WSCA Radio in Portsmouth on Friday at 8 p.m. ($10-$15). A night later, rock band 3rd Shelf Kava headlines with support from Montalto and Thoughtsick on Saturday at 8 p.m. ($10-$15). Learn more here.
Sunflower Festival at Coppal House Farm
Stroll through acres of blooming sunflowers, enjoy local food vendors, and visit farm animals during the annual Sunflower Festival at Coppal House Farm in Lee. The festival opens on Saturday and continues daily from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. through Aug. 2. Tickets are $10-$16 (free for kids 4 and under). Learn more here.
Family fun at Prescott Park
The Prescott Park Arts Festival’s summer production of “Cinderella” continues on Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 1 p.m. ($12 suggested donation), with a Magical Cast Meet and Greet following the matinee from 3:30-4:30 p.m. ($10 per family). On Sunday, Miss Alli presents an interactive performance for all ages from 4-5 p.m. ($8 suggested donation). Table and blanket reservations are available for all performances. Learn more here.
Scott Spradling Band at The Rockingham Ballroom
Fans of Billy Joel, Earth Wind & Fire, Chicago, Michael Bublé, and Frank Sinatra will feel at home when The Scott Spradling Band hits The Rockingham Ballroom in Newmarket on Saturday. The award-winning, 10-piece ensemble will perform at 8:30 p.m., following a dance lesson at 7:45 p.m. Tickets are $20-$25. Learn more here.
Improv and drag at the Millspace
Local troupe Stranger Than Fiction returns to the Millspace in Newmarket for its fifth annual Summer Sham improv competition on Saturday at 8 p.m. ($15). Then, Gem Fatale and Saison return to host the next installment of Mill After Dark: A Night of Drag on Sunday at 7 p.m. ($20). Learn more here.
Everclear at The Rochester Opera House
Iconic rock band Everclear, one of the leading alt-rock acts to emerge from the 1990s, will select from hits like “Santa Monica,” “Father of Mine,” “I Will Buy You A New Life,” “Wonderful,” and “Everything To Everyone,” during a concert at the Rochester Opera House with guest Brad Marino on Sunday at 7 p.m. Tickets are $50-$60. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.
