There’s all kinds of music and art happening this weekend — so you better start planning your schedule. Here are a dozen options.
JUST BREATHE at N.H. Theatre Project
Join Lesley Ann Smith for the musical comedy “Just Breathe: the quest for a little peace of mind… and chocolate!” The one-woman show, which blends theater, music, storytelling, and comedy, is on stage at New Hampshire Theatre Project in Portsmouth on Thursday and Friday from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Tickets are $25. Learn more here.
Live music in Prescott Park
Following Andrew Duhon‘s concert with Ava Valianti in Portsmouth on Thursday at 7 p.m., the Prescott Park Arts Festival will present soulful singer-songwriter Goldford with Reckoners on Friday at 7 p.m. Then, on Saturday, get ready for the 42nd annual Seacoast Jazz Festival, featuring headliner Matt Wilson’s Good Trouble, beginning at 12 p.m. There’s a $15 suggested donation; table and blanket reservations are available. Learn more here.
Music and art at The Word Barn
Get your weekend started early with Kissing Other PPL (featuring Nashville-based singer-songwriter Rachel Baiman and folk duo Viv & Riley) at The Word Barn Meadow on Thursday from 7-9 p.m. ($25). Come back to Exeter on Friday for a night of acoustic tunes with local favorite Old Hat Stringband from 7-9 p.m. ($25). Learn more here.
Summer Nights Dance Party at the Ballroom
Soak up the last golden glow of summer at The Rockingham Ballroom on Friday night. DJ Johnny B Groovy will spin a feel-good mix of summer dance hits at the Newmarket venue during the Summer Nights Dance Party. Prizes will be awarded for best-dressed in the summer theme. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10-$15. Learn more here.
World-class music at The Dance Hall
On the eve of the Seacoast Jazz Festival, The Dance Hall in Kittery hosts the first ever Kickoff Concert with the Jesse Taitt Trio and Band of Primates on Friday from 7:30-9 p.m. ($10-$25). On Sunday, the Portsmouth Athenaeum Chamber Music program presents the Grammy-nominated Neave Trio from 3-5 p.m. ($10-$30). Learn more here.
Ghosts of Jupiter at The Stone Church
One night after a funk-soul party with local band Trade on Thursday at 8 p.m. ($10-$15), The Stone Church in Newmarket will host a psych-rock double-bill with legendary local jam band Ghosts of Jupiter (featuring keyboardist Nate Wilson of moe.) and special guest Leon Trout on Friday at 8 p.m. ($20-$25). Learn more here.
Heavy rock on the Button Factory Stage
It’ll be a sonic onslaught all weekend at WSCA Radio in Portsmouth, with two noisy rock shows. First up on Friday at 8 p.m. is progressive rock band The Big Sun with Kucktus and Rock Bottom ($10-$15). Saturday brings a night of heavy metal featuring When the Dead Won’t Die with Nugreth and Noises at 8 p.m. ($10-$15). Learn more here.
Seacoast Food Truck Festival in Kittery
Tantalize your taste buds at the 2025 Seacoast Food Truck Festival. Food trucks and drink vendors offering an array of cuisines and beverages will set up in the Old Navy lot at the Kittery Premium Outlets on Saturday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is $5 (free for kids age 14 and under). Learn more here.
Stand Up & Chill at The Players’ Ring
One event remains in the Stand Up & Chill summer series at The Players’ Ring in Portsmouth. Presented by Mike’d Up Comedy Productions, the comic triple-bill of Steve Bjork (pictured), Mitch Stinson, and Anthony Eugenio will each perform sets of standup on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20-$22. Learn more here.
Youth Theatre Workshop at Millspace
The Newmarket Millspace held its first theater workshop in the spring, and they’re bringing it back for a late-summer sequel. Local actor and theater educator Katherine Cusack will lead a Youth Theatre Workshop for kids ages 9-14 on Saturday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., ending with a short improv showcase. Tickets are $55. Learn more here.
Taylor O’Donnell Trio at Crows’ Feat Farm
Fresh off a sold-out performance at 3S Artspace, local jazz vocalist Taylor O’Donnell is bringing her trio to Crows’ Feat Farm in Kensington for a lawn concert on Sunday from 3-5 p.m. The music will be preceded by a Community Picnic from 1-2:30 p.m. Tickets are $10-$20 for the concert, $30 for the picnic, or $40 for both. Learn more here.
Pete Holmes at The Music Hall
Pete Holmes has risen the ranks to become one of the hottest stars in comedy, and he’s headed to Portsmouth. The creator of HBO’s “The Crashing” and TBS’s “The Pete Holmes Show,” and star of CBS’s “How We Roll” and two HBO standup specials, will perform at The Music Hall on Sunday at 7 p.m. Tickets are $35-$60. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local music.