It’s gonna be a hot summer weekend filled with hot music, hot comedy, hot films, and hot sauce.
Trampled by Turtles at Prescott Park
The Prescott Park Arts Festival keeps on rolling in Portsmouth. Minnesota-based folk and bluegrass band Trampled by Turtles headlines with local opener Sneaky Miles on Friday at 7 p.m. The musical Disney’s Freaky Friday continues on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday at 7 p.m. Award-winning children’s performer Mr. Aaron plays on Sunday at 4 p.m. Tickets are by suggested donation; table and blanket reservations are available. Learn more here.
Music and storytelling in the Meadow
A lively weekend at The Word Barn Meadow in Exeter begins with a special fundraiser on Friday from 7-9 p.m.: Indie-folk act The Midnight Wrens will perform in support of Oscar Grossman, who suffered a devastating fall in February ($49). Americana band Whiskey Treaty Roadshow returns on Saturday from 7-9 p.m. ($30). Then, gather ’round the fire for an evening of storytelling with Jake Lewis on Sunday from 7-8:30 p.m. ($20). Learn more here.
Celebrate summer at The Stone Church
Following An Evening with Shadowgrass on Thursday at 8 p.m. ($15-$20), The Stone Church in Newmarket hosts a double-tribute show featuring Foo! (Foo Fighters) and Whatshername (Green Day) on Friday at 8 p.m. ($15-$20). Then, on Saturday at 6 p.m., the second annual Summer Cooker presents the Kenny Brothers Band, Jon Nolan & Good Company, Todd Hearon, and The Riverbeds, plus a pig roast and family games ($25-$50). Learn more here.
Live shows on the Button Factory Stage
Two of the Seacoast’s top teen rock bands — Spectre Moose and Magic Mobile — share the stage at WSCA Radio in Portsmouth on Friday at 8 p.m. ($10-$15). Paul Hodes and The Blue Buddha Band — featuring a former congressman, two mad scientists, and a jazz drummer — follows on Saturday at 8 p.m. ($10-$15). Learn more here.
New England Hot Sauce Festival
Hot sauce lovers will congregate on the grounds of Smuttynose Brewing Co. in Hampton for the fourth annual New England Hot Sauce Festival on Saturday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Presented by The Spicy Shark, the event features craft hot sauce samples, music, food trucks, beer, contests, bouncy houses, and more. Tickets are $15-$20; proceeds support the Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation and the Seacoast Science Center. Learn more here.
NHFF Short Films at The Music Hall
Some of the top highlights from the 2024 New Hampshire Film Festival will return to the screen of The Music Hall in Portsmouth this weekend. The annual presentation of NHFF Short Films — Best of the Fest, Part 1, featuring award winners and highly rated titles, takes place Saturday at 1 p.m. Tickets are $14-$16. Learn more here.
A World of Music in Kittery
Classical guitarist and composer Aaron Larget-Caplan will perform tangos and Spanish dances, songs and dreams of America, and the music of Bach at the Kittery Art Association on Saturday evening. The program, titled Dance-Dream-Fugue, A World of Music in Kittery, begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 (free for kids under 17). Learn more here.
Stand Up & Chill at The Players’ Ring
The Cool Down continues at The Players’ Ring this weekend with Stand-Up & Chill, a night of stand-up comedy in Portsmouth. Presented with Mike’d Up Comedy Productions, the event features headliner Michael Koutrobis with a lineup of talented local comics on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20-$22. Learn more here.
Darwin’s Waiting Room at The Dance Hall
Local troupe Darwin’s Waiting Room returns to the Seacoast on Saturday for another epic night of sketch comedy, this time at The Dance Hall in Kittery. A collection of veteran actors and comedians will perform original scripted comedy for general audiences on Saturday from 7:30-9 p.m. Tickets are $10-$20. Learn more here.
Summer Sham at Newmarket Millspace
If you prefer your comedy unscripted, head down to the Millspace Center in Newmarket this weekend. Improvisers from local troupe Stranger Than Fiction will offer a unique theater experience as they compete for the championship belt at the fourth installment of Summer Sham on Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $14. Learn more here.
Reed Foehl at Crows’ Feat Farm
Grammy-nominated Americana songwriter Reed Foehl will play out on the lawn at Crows’ Feat Farm in Kensington on Sunday from 3-5 p.m. A Community Picnic featuring the freshest produce of the season precedes the music from 1-2:30 p.m. Tickets are $10-$20 for the concert, $30 for the picnic, or $40 for both. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.