The heat wave breaks just in time for a fun-filled weekend on the Seacoast.
Fairy and Hobbit House Festival
The grounds of Bedrock Gardens in Lee will become a world of wonder this weekend during the 10th annual Fairy and Hobbit House Festival. Local artists, families, and groups have crafted an array of creations to explore along the trails. Tickets are $45 per vehicle (no matter how many people are in the vehicle). Learn more here.
Musical theater at Prescott Park
The Prescott Park Arts Festival’s summer production of “Cinderella” continues this weekend in Portsmouth, with performances on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 7 p.m. Also, Camp ENCORE! presents “Willy Wonka KIDS” on Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Learn more here.
Upside Arts presents ‘Treasure Island’
Upside Arts is presenting a swashbuckling tale of buccaneers and buried gold at The Rockingham Ballroom in Newmarket on Saturday. Performances of the original musical “Treasure Island,” based on the novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, take place at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Tickets are $13-$16. Learn more here.
Music and hilarity at WSCA Radio
Seacoast Improv Incubator presents a live script reading of an “Unidentified Hilarious Film” at WSCA Radio in Portsmouth on Friday at 7:30 p.m. — we can’t name the film, but there are some clues above ($25). Rock bands Rot on the Vine and Ghostbird share the Button Factory Stage on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ($10-$15). Learn more here.
Comedic chaos at The Players Ring
The Players Ring’s summer programming continues with some comical shenanigans in Portsmouth. Stranger Than Fiction presents the second summer edition of A Splash of Improv on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ($16-$18). Jack Neary’s original comedy “Almost Almost Famous” will be staged on Sunday at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. ($28-$31).
“Grease” at the Seacoast Rep
Sing along with the T-Birds and Pink Ladies at the Seacoast Repertory Theatre in Portsmouth. The timeless musical “Grease” is on stage through Aug. 16. Upcoming show times include Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $47-$87. Learn more here.
Concerts at The Word Barn Meadow
The Word Barn Meadow in Exeter will host four concerts over the next four nights. Local favorites Soggy Po’ Boys perform on Thursday from 7-9 p.m. ($25). Quebec-based folk group Le Vent du Nord follows on Friday from 8-10 p.m. ($35). Choctaw-American singer-songwriter Samantha Crain takes the stage with Eliza Edens on Saturday from 7-9 p.m. ($25). And Satsang returns on Sunday from 7-9 p.m. ($30). Learn more here.
John Waite at The Music Hall
During a 40-year career as a solo artist and a member of The Babys and Bad English, singer John Waite has amassed many hits, such as “Missing You,” “Isn’t It Time,” and “When I See You Smile.” He’ll play some of his top crowd-pleasers at The Music Hall in Portsmouth on Friday from 8-11 p.m. Tickets are $45-$71. Learn more here.
Live music at The Press Room
Another hopping weekend at The Press Room begins with regional rockers the Rigometrics, whose summer tour hits Portsmouth on Friday at 9 p.m. ($18-$22). Cover band Highway Kind will play alternative and outlaw country classics during Guitar Town(es) on Saturday at 7 p.m. ($22-$25). The Seacoast Jazz Society presents a Jazz Brunch with the Joe Pino Quintet on Sunday at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. ($20-$28). That night at 7 p.m., Brazilian guitarist and composer Fabiano do Nascimento takes the stage following a DJ set by Muku ($20-$25). Learn more here.
Stratham Summerfest 2026
This year’s Stratham Summerfest has an America 250 theme. Stratham Hill Park will be filled with live music, food, 4-H animals, displays, demonstrations, and family-fun activities on Saturday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.
