There are almost too many holiday happenings to handle this weekend. Here’s a quick sampling of highlights.
Holiday reverie at The Rockingham Ballroom
Dance your way into the holidays at The Rockingham Ballroom in Newmarket. Instructors from 603 Line Dance will lead Holiday Line Dancing on Friday at 7 p.m. ($15). R&B powerhouse The Rockingham Groove will lead Yule Be Groovin’ on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. ($20-$25). Learn more here.
Jingle Bell Jubilee at The Dance Hall
Young performers from the Prescott Park Arts Festival’s Camp ENCORE! program will present the first ever Jingle Bell Jubilee this weekend at The Dance Hall in Kittery. Showtimes for the holiday concert are Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are $12-$20, with proceeds supporting Camp ENCORE! Learn more here.
Family holiday shows at Upside Arts
Upside Arts is bringing two fun holiday shows to Newington. “VHS Christmas Carol,” a hilarious adaptation of the Dickens classic, is on stage through Dec. 21; showtimes are Fridays and Saturdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. ($19-$25). “Saving Santa Claus,” an original musical by Miles Burns, also runs through Dec. 21; showtimes are Saturdays and Sundays at 11 a.m. ($16-$20). Learn more here.
Holiday concerts at The Orchard Chapel
The Word Barn’s 12 Nights of Christmas series continues on its merry way this weekend with three concerts at The Orchard Chapel in Hampton Falls. Cassie and Maggie present A Nova Scotia Christmas on Friday from 7-9 p.m. ($26). Ben Garnett’s Holiday Show follows on Saturday from 7-9 p.m. ($28). And Scottish Fish perform their own Holiday Show on Sunday from 7-9 p.m. ($26). Learn more here.
3S Artspace 10th Anniversary Celebration
Celebrate 3S Artspace’s 10th anniversary at a special birthday bash in Portsmouth on Friday night. The free event from 7-10 p.m. will feature DJ sets, dancing, a cash bar, and light snacks, plus a sneak peak at the 2026 gallery exhibit season. Also, guests can peruse the “Third Space” exhibit currently on display. Learn more here.
Comedy and a cause at Newmarket Millspace
The writers and performers behind local troupe Darwin’s Waiting Room are bringing an original sketch comedy show to the Newmarket Millspace this weekend. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $22. Also, Mrs. Claus presents Dancing Through the Snow – A Sleighful of Magic at the Millspace on Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets are free, but donations support the Newmarket Food Pantries. Learn more here.
“A Christmas Carol” at the Rochester Opera House
In addition to The Players’ Ring’s production of “A Christmas Carol” in Portsmouth, the Rochester Opera House is staging its own musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ holiday favorite from Dec. 12-23. Showtimes this weekend are Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 5 p.m. Tickets are $32-$40. Learn more here.
Portsmouth Pro Musica December Concert
The theme of Portsmouth Pro Musica’s December concert is “Christmas Music from Northern Europe.” The local chorus will take the stage at St. Mary’s Church in Dover on Friday from 7:30-9 p.m., and at Immaculate Conception Church in Portsmouth on Saturday from 7:30-9 p.m. Tickets are $15-$25. Learn more here.
Kings, queens, and crooners at WSCA Radio
The kings and queens of Not Yer Mama’s Drag Co. return to WSCA Radio in Portsmouth for a performance on Friday at 8 p.m. ($10-$15). Then, on Saturday at 8 p.m., three standout voices from the regional folk and Americana scenes take the Button Factory Stage: Dylan Patrick Ward, Scott Heron, and Emily Butler ($10-$15). Learn more here.
Jamming at The Press Room
Following a split-bill show with The Jarred Garneau Group and The Tercet at The Press Room in Portsmouth on Thursday at 7 p.m. ($15-$20), party-rock band Jamsterdam makes its Press Room debut on Friday at 8 p.m. ($15). The jams continue on Saturday at 10 p.m. with Apres Jams: DJ Jojo x DJ Chad Banks ($10). Learn more here.
Holiday Open Studios at The Art Center
More than 50 artists will showcase their work during the two-day Holiday Open Studios event at The Art Center in Dover on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Holiday shopping options will include painting, printmaking, sculpture, jewelry, pottery, fiber arts, photography, fine art prints, books, and more. There will also be live music, artist demos, and custom framing. Learn more here.
Wrong Brain Holidaze Bizaare
The Wrong Brain artist collective’s Holidaze Bizaare moves to a new location this year, but it will be as strange and beautiful as ever. The 14th annual multimedia arts open market and creative celebration takes place at the Community Campus in Portsmouth on Saturday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Learn more here.
“Miracle on 34th Street” at N.H. Theatre Project
New Hampshire Theatre Project’s all-new Play Readings for Grown-Ups series will present a special holiday performance this weekend. Adapted from the novel by Valentine Davies, “Miracle on 34th Street” will be on stage on Saturday from 4-6 p.m. and Sunday from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Tickets are $15. Learn more here.
Holly Jolly Cabaret at the Regatta
Sounds of the Seacoast will present its annual holiday concert at The Regatta Banquet & Conference Center in Eliot on Sunday from 3-5 p.m. The local a cappella chorus’ Holly Jolly Cabaret will feature standards, pop tunes, gospel songs, and holiday selections, all performed in the barbershop style. Tickets are $10-$20. Learn more here.
Messiah Sing at The Dance Hall
The Dance Hall’s annual Messiah Sing returns to Kittery on Sunday from 4-7 p.m. Portsmouth Pro Musica director Priscilla French will lead the community performance, featuring Handel’s triumphant Christmas oratorio, accompanied by professional soloists and instrumentalists. Tickets are $20-$25. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.