You can celebrate summer and kick-start Halloween season all at once this weekend. Here are some of the top events coming up around town.
Final weekend of “Disney’s Freaky Friday”
The Prescott Park Arts Festival’s 2025 summer musical is on stage for one more weekend! The family-friendly comedy “Disney’s Freaky Friday” will be performed at the waterfront park in Portsmouth every night Thursday through Sunday at 7 p.m. There’s an $8 suggested donation; table and blanket reservations are available. Learn more here.
Nuclear Eternity at Newmarket Millspace
If you’re looking for a metal experience that transcends the ordinary, head on down to the Millspace Center in Newmarket on Friday night. Nuclear Eternity will headline a night of heavy music with Nugrest, Bambino, Coughdrop, Primal Devour, Fabrichoir, and a surprise guest beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10. Learn more here.
Chris Botti at Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club
One of the world’s most popular instrumentalists of the last three decades will be in Portsmouth on Friday night for a pair of back-to-back concerts at Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club. Grammy Award-winning jazz trumpet player Chris Botti will perform sets at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $88-$269. Learn more here.
Celebrate music (and Jerry) at The Stone Church
The Stone Church in Newmarket is hosting triple-bill shows on two straight nights: Dave Hillyard and the Rocksteady 7, Supernothing, and Donaher on Thursday at 8 p.m. ($15-$20), followed by Sneaky Miles, Night Hawk, and Tiberius on Friday at 8 p.m. ($15-$20). On Saturday, mark the 30th anniversary of Jerry Garcia’s death with Counting Stars by Candlelight, featuring music by Sans Souci and Not Fade Away Band at 6:30 p.m. ($25-$35). Learn more here.
Coyote Smoke on the Button Factory Stage
Six-piece powerhouse Coyote Smoke will present a night of soul-stirring sounds live from the Button Factory Stage at WSCA Portsmouth Community Radio on Saturday night. The New Hampshire band will weave together blues-rock, Americana, outlaw country, and Southern grit beginning at 8 p.m. Tickets are $10-$15. Learn more here.
A Night of Stand-Up at The Dance Hall
The Dance Hall in Kittery is diversifying its entertainment offerings this weekend with A Night of Stand-Up. Headliner Rachel Feinstein, the star of two Netflix specials, will perform following an opening set from host Rebecca Donohue on Saturday from 7:30-9 p.m. Tickets are $20-$30 (sold out, but you can get on the waitlist). Learn more here.
Dance and boogie at The Rockingham Ballroom
A festive weekend at The Rockingham Ballroom in Newmarket begins with lessons and DJ music with 603 Line Dance on Friday at 8 p.m. ($15). On Saturday at 8 p.m., let your friend dress you up in secondhand style for the Thrift Witch Boogie, a night of music and dancing to benefit the Portsmouth Halloween Parade ($25). Learn more here.
Wild and Weedy Wellness at Tuckaway Farm
Join herbalist Alison Magill on a foraging walk and workshop at Tuckaway Farm in Lee on Sunday from 1-5 p.m. The Wild and Weedy Wellness event will focus on bee balm, goldenrod, jewelweed, black cherry, sumac, and boneset. Tickets are $30 for the walk ($50 per family), or $65 for the walk + workshop ($110 per family). Learn more here.
Kate Prascher at Crows’ Feat Farm
A big highlight of Crows’ Feat Farm’s summer concert series is coming up this Sunday. After a community picnic from 1-2:30 p.m., singer-songwriter Kate Prascher will perform out on the lawn in Kensington from 3-5 p.m. (she’ll move inside if it rains). Tickets are $10-$20 for the show, $30 for the picnic, or $40 for both. Learn more here.
Bonnie Prince Billy at The Press Room
Bonnie Prince Billy (the stage name of actor and musician Will Oldham) put out one of his best albums earlier this year, and he’ll bring it along to a concert in Portsmouth this weekend. Just a few months after the release of “The Purple Bird,” he’ll perform at The Press Room on Sunday at 7 p.m. Tickets are $35-$40. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.