Summer concerts, Festivals & happenings
Celebrate Summer on the Seacoast!
Save these dates for seaside concert series, on going museum exhibits and so much more happening all summer long in Portsmouth & the Seacoast.
MAY
Pro Portsmouth - Children's Day
May 1, 2022
An estimated 10,000+ “children” visit Portsmouth to take part in an afternoon of fun on the Seacoast.
This Festival combines family-friendly activities, entertainment and usually, an ice cream sundae – all sponsored, hosted and supported by the Downtown Merchants, area companies, civic organizations and volunteers of the Seacoast. From a cruise aboard the M/V Thomas Laighton to a hoola-hoop contest, the day is filled with something for everyone.
JUNE
Prescott Park Arts Festival - 36TH Annual WOKQ Chowder Festival
June 4, 2022
The WOKQ Chowder Festival is back to kick off summer season at Prescott Park Arts Festival. Dozens of restaurants join in the fun with piping hot chowder recipes to enjoy, live music, and refreshing drinks. We will be having fun until the chowder runs out!
Free for season pass holders.
2nd Annual Piscataqua Riverfest
June 4, 2022
A 1- day celebration of the maritime heritage and environment of the Piscataqua Region with activities, vendors, a boat show, and more.
This event is part festival, part boat show, and part celebration. The emphasis is on highlighting our maritime heritage and environment.
45th Annual Market Square Day
June 4, 2022
Two performance stages feature local and regional musicians. The day ‘kicks off’ with the Market Square Day 10K Road Race. Most of Downtown Portsmouth is vehicle-free and pedestrian-friendly from 9am ’til 4pm.
The first Market Square Day took place in 1978; Pro Portsmouth marks its’ anniversary each year on Market Square Day.
Black Heritage Trail - Juneteenth Festival
June 11, 17, 18, 19, 20, 2022
For the 2022 Juneteenth Celebration, the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire celebrates this collective endeavor and the Black artists creating the most compelling art of our time. These programs offer a provocative intersection of history, media, performance, and ideas that deepen our understanding of our nation’s history and centers the Black experience.
The Gundalow Concert Series
Thursdays & Sundays 6 - 8 pm
The Gundalow Company presents our relaxing sunset sail accompanied by multiple musicians all summer long playing a mix of music genres.
Thursday, June 16 – Kent Allyn & David Graf
Sunday, June 19 – Carol Coronis & Bob Halperin
Thursday, June 23 – The Short Brothers
Sunday, June 26 – The York River Ramblers
Tickets: $44 per person
Location: Prescott Park Dock, next to the historic Sheafe Warehouse
JULY & AUGUST
The Atlantic Grill Music By The Sea at The Seacoast Science Center
Thursdays, 6-8:30 pm
Thursday, July 7 – Rhythm Method
This popular local band serves up only the funkiest of tunes. Their commitment to the music shines in their top-notch performance that will transport you to a fun-lovin’, groovy era gone by.
Thursday, July 14 – Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree, the nation’s top tribute to U2, will take the stage on July 14th. You’ll won’t be able to resist singing along and dancing the night away to your favorite songs and sunset by the sea.
Thursday, July 21 – Jumbo Circus Peanuts!
Jumbo Circus Peanuts is one of the most fun-loving, local party bands! The big bands’ swinging pop-jazz-funk-soul tunes, crazy costumes, and tossed-into-the-crowd beaded necklaces make for a fantastic evening of family fun.
Thursday, July 28 – The TonyMack Band
If you’re a The TonyMack Band fan, you know how this classic rock and R&B band always delivers a great time, making you feel part of the party as you sing and dance along.
Tall Ships Festival - August 11 - 14, 2022
Parade of Sail - August 11, 2022
Three tall ships are coming to Portsmouth Harbor on Thursday, August 11 and staying through the weekend!
They will arrive as part of the Parade of Sail up the Piscataqua River on Thursday morning. Two of the ships will be open for tours at the Portsmouth Fish Pier Friday through Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM. They are Kalmar Nickel and Spirit of Bermuda.
The topsail schooner Lynx will be giving day sails from the UNH Pier, New Castle starting with the Parade of Sail ride-ins on the 11th and ending with a sail to Gloucester on Tuesday, August 16. Everyone is invited to come to the river and have fun, Tickets for the tours and day sails are available on this site.
ALL SUMMER LONG
Footloose - Prescott Park Arts Festival
Based on the popular 1984 film starring Kevin Bacon, the crowd-pleasing movie musical delivers dynamic new songs and the powerhouse hits from its bestselling Oscar-nominated score. Footloose celebrates the exhilaration of youth, the wisdom of listening to one another, and the power of forgiveness. The Festival is excited to bring the rockin’ rhythm of its Top Forty score to Prescott Park this summer.
Running most Thursdays through Sundays from June 24 – August 14. Dates and times subject to change.
Thursday and Sunday: 7:00pm
Friday and Saturday: 8:00pm
Live Under The Arch - The Music Hall
Enjoy live performances on Chestnut Street! The Music Hall is bringing in local and regional artists and authors, so these shows are more like your home away from home, just like The Music Hall is!
Sunday, May 29 – Alex Cuba
Friday, June 3 – Cold Engines
Friday, June 10 – Heather Maloney
Saturday, July 2 – Eric Baker
Imagine That! The Power of Picture Books - Portsmouth Historical Society
Portsmouth Historical Society has assembled a collection of extraordinary illustrations for children’s picture books by a “who’s who” of New England illustrators, from Maxfield Parrish and N.C. Wyeth, to Robert McCloskey (Make Way for Ducklings), Hans and Margret Rey (Curious George), and Dr. Seuss (aka Theodor Geisel); to contemporary artists Chris Van Dusen, Mo Willems, Tomie dePaola, and Ashley Bryan.
Strawbery Banke Museum - Tuesdays on the Terrace
Enjoy acoustic music amid the summer splendor of Puddle Dock with Strawbery Banke’s popular annual outdoor concert series. Each Tuesday evening from 5:30 to 7 PM, a variety of local musicians perform on the open-air stage.
MONA - Broken Open Exhibit
BROKEN OPEN, a group show curated by Hilary Schaffner. Featuring Bianca Beck, Joy Curtis, Jennie Jieun Lee, Brie Ruais and Aparna Sarkar, this exhibit explores the body as a resource for creation. The works in the exhibition take root in each artist’s personal history and touch on themes of gender, identity and sexuality.
