Man, the Seacoast really steps up for holiday season. There’s so much going on this weekend, it’s hard to narrow it down. Here are some of the highlights.
12 Nights of Christmas at The Orchard Chapel
The Word Barn’s 12 Nights of Christmas series is underway at the lovely Orchard Chapel in Hampton Falls. The Jordan TW Trio’s Celtic Christmas is sold out, but you can still catch the Heather Pierson Jazz Trio’s performances of Vince Guaraldi’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas” on Saturday from 3:30-5 p.m. and 7-8:30 p.m. ($20). Learn more here.
Two concerts at The Dance Hall
The Dance Hall in Kittery will host two special shows this weekend. Grammy-winning cellist Mike Block and progressive hip-hop artist Christylez Bacon will showcase their new duo project on Friday from 7:30-9 p.m. ($20). Local band Elroy will play an acoustic show with some special guests on Saturday from 7:30-9 p.m. ($15). Learn more here.
Portsmouth Pro Musica Holiday Concert
The Portsmouth Pro Musica chorus will present two holiday concerts this weekend, both featuring a performance of J.S. Bach’s Cantata #140, “Sleepers, Wake!” The first is on Friday from 7:30-9 p.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Dover. The second is Saturday from 7:30-9 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church in Portsmouth. Tickets are $13-$20.
Firehouse presents ‘Miracle on 34th Street’
A department store Santa claims to be the real deal in “Miracle on 34th Street,” which the Firehouse Center for the Arts is presenting at the Andover Center for History & Culture. The live musical radio play runs Dec. 9-18; show times are this Friday at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 7 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $35-$40. Learn more here.
‘A Christmas Carol’ at the NHTP
Jennifer Munro’s vibrant, dramatic, and thoroughly English interpretation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” is on stage at New Hampshire Theatre Project in Portsmouth for one weekend only. Show times are Friday and Saturday from 8-10 p.m. and Sunday from 2-4 p.m., with a livestream option on Sunday. Tickets are $20. Learn more here.
Karen Morgan at McCue’s Comedy Club
Maine-based comic Karen Morgan was a finalist on Nickelodeon’s “Search for the Funniest Mom in America,” and her Dry Bar Comedy Special has 7 million views on Facebook. She’ll be at McCue’s Comedy Club in Portsmouth with host Liam Hales (and maybe some surprise guests) on Friday from 8-9 p.m. Tickets are $20. Learn more here.
Holidaze Bizaare at the Newmarket Millspace
The Wrong Brain artist collective will present its 11th annual Holidaze Bizaare at the Millspace in Newmarket on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you’re looking for some strange, unconventional, underground art by fledgling and under-represented artists, this alternative craft fair has got you covered. Entry is $1. Learn more here.
The Snow Ball with Ripe at Cisco Brewers Portsmouth
Red-hot Boston rock band Ripe headlines The Snow Ball at Cisco Brewers Portsmouth on Saturday from 1-4 p.m. The outdoor concert immediately follows the Jingle All The Way 5K, but you don’t have to compete in the race to attend. Tickets are $40 (free for kids 12 and under); proceeds support The Greg Hill Foundation. Learn more here.
Holiday Swing Dance at the Ballroom
The 19-piece Compaq Big Band will lift your spirits with a Holiday Swing Dance at The Rockingham Ballroom in Newmarket on Saturday from 6:30-10 p.m. With Katie Oberholtzer on vocals, they’ll play swing standards and seasonal favorites as heard by Ella Fitzgerald, Mariah Carey, Diana Krall, and others. Tickets are $25. Learn more here.
‘Creative Power of Unity’ at Green Acre
The theme of the new exhibit at the Green Acre Baha’i Center of Learning is the “Creative Power of Unity.” Close to 30 artists submitted work to the show, many of whom will be on hand for the opening reception in Eliot on Saturday from 7-9:30 p.m. The free event will offer meaningful conversation and some light refreshments. Learn more here.
Hardcore show at the Button Factory Stage
Manchester-based hardcore band Trepination will makes its first Port City appearance with a gig on the Button Factory Stage at WSCA Portsmouth Community Radio on Saturday from 7-11 p.m. Also, Vermont’s Voidbearer makes its live debut. Local hardcore acts GOMP! and Sauce on the Side round out the bill. Tickets are $10. Learn more here.
Holiday festivities at STAR Theatre
TTTom Clark brings his uniquely Maine brand of humor to STAR Theatre at the Kittery Community Center with “The Holidaze Season of C.L. Thomas” on Saturday from 8-9:30 p.m. ($15). The New Legacy Swing Band follows with a swinging holiday concert on Sunday from 1-3 p.m. ($20, or $150 for a table of eight). Learn more here.
Thanks to Gravity at The Music Hall Lounge
Thanks to Gravity is a local band that has achieved “legendary” status. In a career spanning more than 30 years, they’ve toured with the likes of Dave Matthews Band, Train, and Matchbox 20. The eclectic rock band will play two rare shows at The Music Hall Lounge in Portsmouth on Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m. Tickets are $28-$38.
The A-Beez and friends at The Stone Church
The Stone Church will be hosting a doozy of a show in Newmarket on Saturday from 8-11 p.m. Boston-based funk and soul band The A-Beez will feature vocalist Debo Ray and a lineup that incluces Mike “Maz” Maher (Snarky Puppy), Peter Maclean (Maceo Parker), and Jason Yost, plus special guest The Bulkheads. Tickets are $17. Learn more here.
Rock My Soul Rockin’ Holiday Concert
The Rock My Soul choir and band is set to kick off a slate of Rockin’ Holiday Concerts. They’ll play R&B, pop, soul, and doo-wop flavored arrangements of holiday classics at St. John’s United Methodist Church in Dover on Sunday from 5-7 p.m. Tickets are $5-$25. (Concerts follow in Hampton Falls Dec. 16 and Portsmouth Dec. 17.) Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.