Show the old man a good time over Father’s Day weekend. Here are some happenings.
Pocket Gardens of Portsmouth Tour
Take a tour of private and museum gardens in Portsmouth’s historic district during the 36th Pocket Gardens of Portsmouth Tour this weekend. Presented by South Church, the annual self-guided tour takes place on Friday from 5-8 p.m. and Saturday from 3-8 p.m. Tickets are $30 for adults or $5 for children. Learn more here.
Writers in the Round Performance & Fundraiser
Award-winning songwriters and poets from around the Seacoast will take part in this year’s Writers in the Round Performance and Fundraiser. Taking place at the Kittery Art Association on Friday from 5-7 p.m., the annual event raises funds for Star Island and the Writers in the Round program. Tickets are $20. Learn more here.
Two concerts at The Stone Church
Newmarket will be rocking this weekend at The Stone Church. Bluesy, soulful, rock ‘n’ roll bands The Reckoners and The Gravel Project will share the outdoor stage on Friday from 7-10 p.m. ($20-$25). And New England tribute band Little Lies will play the music of Fleetwood Mac on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. ($20-$25). Learn more here.
Line Dancing at The Rockingham Ballroom
The Rockingham Ballroom’s monthly line dance party with 603 Line Dance has some special features this time around. Instructor Kathleen Cocker returns with special guest teacher Conrad Farnham on Friday at 8 p.m. There will be dance lessons followed by DJ music and song requests for open dancing. Tickets are $15. Learn more here.
Two concerts at The Dance Hall
Local string quartet The Hazel Project pays tribute to bluegrass pioneers Hazel Dickens and Alice Gerrard with a show at The Dance Hall in Kittery on Friday from 7:30-9 p.m. ($10-$22). Then, on Saturday night, The Dance Hall teams up with Breakaway Cafe to present a night of heavy music from 6-9 p.m. ($15). Learn more here.
Live music on the Button Factory Stage
WSCA Radio in Portsmouth hosts two multi-act shows this weekend. Punk and metal bands Miracle Blood (pictured), Deranged Youth, and Abel Blood share the Button Factory Stage on Friday from 8-10 p.m. ($10-$15). Power-pop group Bellwire joins Dan Blakeslee and Jonee Earthquake on Saturday at 8 p.m. ($10-$15). Learn more here.
Market Square Day in Portsmouth
Tens of thousands of people will enjoy live entertainment, products, and food provided by area artists, crafters, and merchants in downtown Portsmouth on Saturday. Presented by Pro Portsmouth, the annual Market Square Day festival takes place from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., with the Market Square Day 10K starting at 9 a.m. Learn more here.
Newburyport Brewing Birthday Bash
Newburyport Brewing Co. is officially a teenager (they grow up so fast). The brewery will celebrate its 13th anniversary with a big Birthday Bash on Saturday from 12-9 p.m. There will be food trucks, face painting, corn hole, and live music from Dwayne Haggins Band, Swanky Bank Fancy Pants, and Fiesta Mellon. Tickets are $10. Learn more here.
Newport Nano Brewfest 2025
Get your summer started by celebrating locally crafted and brewed beers at the 11th Newport Nano Brewfest. There will be loads of breweries, beer geeks, and live bands sprawled across the Newport Town Common on Saturday from 12-3 p.m. Tickets are $40-$45, or $225 for a table of six ($7 for designated drivers). Learn more here.
Celebrating jazz piano greats at The Press Room
An all-star trio will celebrate three jazz piano greats at The Press Room in Portsmouth on Saturday. Violinist Jason Anick (pictured), pianist Matt DeChamplain, and bassist Gregory Toro will perform music by Duke Ellington, Oscar Peterson, and Art Tatum, with an Early Set at 6 p.m. and a Late Set at 8 p.m. Tickets are $18-$25 per set.
See the full calendar for more local events.