It’s the last official weekend of summer. Make it count!
Loaded weekend at The Stone Church
Get your weekend started early with a killer triple-bill featuring The Glimmering Stars, Replaced by Robots, and Coyote Smoke at The Stone Church in Newmarket on Thursday at 8 p.m. ($20-$25). On Friday, guitar innovator Senie Hunt headlines an outdoor show with opener Dave Gerard at 6 p.m. ($15-$20). Then, iconic metal band Scissorfight plays its FINAL SEACOAST SHOW with openers Tree and Proelium at 10 p.m. ($20-$25). On Saturday, Boston ska legends Bim Skala Bim headline with Cuidado and Nick and the Adversaries at 5:30 p.m. ($20-$25). Learn more here.
Final Word Barn Meadow show of the season
There’s just one more outdoor show at The Word Barn Meadow in Exeter this year before the music moves indoors for fall. Multi-instrumentalist Matt Heckler will play his Appalachian mountain music on Friday from 7-9 p.m. ($28). Another installment of Owls of New England follows on Sunday from 3-4 p.m. ($25). Learn more here.
Three concerts at The Dance Hall
The Dance Hall in Kittery is hosting three concerts in three nights. Annie & the Fur Trappers return for a swing dance on Friday from 7:30-9:30 p.m. ($12-$22). Rootsy Boston-area octet New Grownups share the stage with Dearest Dear on Saturday from 7:30-9:30 p.m. ($12-$23). And Clifford Cameron’s Vinyl Quartet takes its turn in the Jazz Casual series on Sunday from 5-6:30 p.m. ($10-$18). Learn more here.
“Andew Lippa’s Wild Party” at the Seacoast Rep
Dive into the roaring 1920s at the Seacoast Repertory Theatre. Based on the 1928 narrative poem by Joseph Moncure March, “Andrew Lippa’s Wild Party” is on stage in Portsmouth Sept. 18-Oct. 18. Show times are Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $42.50-$73. Learn more here.
Two shows on the Button Factory Stage
Not Yer Mama’s Drag Co. returns to WSCA Portsmouth Community Radio for another high-energy performance on the Button Factory Stage on Friday at 8 p.m. ($10-$15). The Skip Band featuring Skipper, a one-man act that combines electronic dance music and live guitar, follows on Saturday at 8 p.m. ($20-$25). Learn more here.
Music, stories, and cabaret at Millspace
Coyote Smoke gets the weekend started at Newmarket Millspace with a performance that blends music, comedy, and storytelling on Friday at 9 p.m. ($15). Then local authors unite with experimental music trio Ghost Emoji for a night of Spooky Scary Storytelling on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ($15-$17). Upbeat energy meets not-so-upbeat themes in the ironic cabaret Positively Negative on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ($15). Learn more here.
Gelli plate workshop at the Kittery Art Association
Learn a fun and easy way to create a Funky Floral piece of artwork at the Kittery Art Association. Artist and children’s book illustrator Mary Preble will lead the class on Saturday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., teaching attendees the amazing art of gelli plate printing, which involves collaging painted paper. Tickets are $65. Learn more here.
TEAM Fall Equinox Fest in Exeter
Head to Swasey Parkway in Exeter on Saturday to get your fill of local art. Presented by TEAM (Town Exeter Arts Music), the annual Fall Equinox Fest will feature live music, food trucks, art vendors, cultural exhibits, kids’ activities, and more in the scenic riverside park. The outdoor, rain-or-shine event takes place from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Learn more here.
Portsmouth PorchFest 2025
Stroll through the residential neighborhoods of downtown Portsmouth on Saturday and enjoy free live music in unconventional outdoor spaces, such as porches, backyards, and driveways. Presented by a group of grassroots advocates, the second annual Portsmouth PorchFest takes place from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Learn more here.
5th Annual Taste of Kittery
Kittery’s vibrant restaurant community will once again come together for the fifth annual Taste of Kittery event on Saturday from 12-3 p.m. Live music will fill Post Office Square (outside the Blue Mermaid Island Grill and Tributary Brewing Co.) as vendors serve up a delicious mix of sips and bites. Tickets are $10-$45. Learn more here.
“Tell it Slant” at Pontine Theatre
Pontine Theatre in Portsmouth kicks off its 49th season with three performances by guest artist John Perrault. The local musician and poet will perform “Tell It Slant: Leaning Toward the Light in a Dark Time,” featuring old-time ballads and new tunes, on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $29-$32. Learn more here.
Latin Dance Party at The Rockingham Ballroom
The Rockingham Ballroom is hosting a sizzling night of Latin rhythms in Newmarket on Saturday. The Latin Dance Party begins at 7 p.m. with beginner salsa and bachata lessons from Rae Lambert and Nina El Badry of Fluere Dance Studio. Then, DJ Javier spins a mix of salsa, bachata, merengue, and more. Tickets are $15. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.