Festivals, performances and other events offering big fun for the school-free season
Compiled by Amy Diaz
adiaz@hippopress.com
Looking for excitement and entertainment for the kids this summer? Here are some of the events and attractions to help you fill the next dozen or so school-less weeks.
Events
• The Concord Spring Fair is slated to run Wednesday, June 11, through Sunday, June 15 — opening at 6 p.m. on weekdays, 1 p.m. on weekends — at the Douglas N. Everett Arena (15 Loudon Road in Concord), according to the event organizers. Admission costs $3 and children under 6 get in for free. Unlimited ride wrist bands as well as individual ride credits are available for purchase. See fiestashows.com.
• Check out the professional sand castle builders at the 25th Annual Hampton Beach Master Sand Sculpting Classic, which will run Thursday, June 12, through Saturday, June 14, with the sculptures, lit up at night, on view through Monday, June 23. There will be a fireworks display on Saturday, June 14, at 9:30 p.m. See hamptonbeach.org.
• YMCA Downtown Manchester (30 Mechanic St. in Manchester) and YMCA of Concord (15 N. State St. in Concord) will each hold a Block Party on Saturday, June 14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. These free community celebrations will feature a bounce house, music, games and crafts, food and drink and more. See graniteymca.org.
• The Aviation Museum of New Hampshire will hold its annual Father’s Day Weekend Fly In Barbecue on Saturday, June 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Nashua’s Boire Field, with the event taking place at Nashua Jet Aviation (Nashua Airport, 83 Perimeter Road). The public can come to check out the planes and enjoy the meal. Tickets to the barbecue cost $30 for adults and $10 for ages 6 to 12; kids 5 and under are free, the website said. Check out the planes without the food for $10 per person, kids 5 and under are free, the website said. Purchase tickets at the website or by calling 669-4877.
• SEE Science Center (200 Bedford St. in Manchester; see-sciencecenter.org) will hold its Kick Off to Summer, Dinosaur Edition running Saturday, June 21, through Friday, June 27. Throughout the week the center will offer special dinosaur activities and displays, which are included with the admission price. The museum is open daily at 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on weekdays and 5 p.m. on weekends. Admission costs $14 per person ages 3 and up.
• Plaistow’s Old Home Day returns on Saturday, June 21, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a parade and activities on the Town Hall green (145 Main St., Plaistow). See plaistow.com for updates.
• St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church (1160 Bridge St. in Manchester; stnicholasgreekchurch.com) will celebrate on Saturday, June 21, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a lamb barbecue and food festival and on Sunday, June 22, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. with gyros.
• Wilton Main Street Association will hold its annual Summerfest on Saturday, June 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring live music on two stages, food, street vendors, a pancake breakfast, a duck drop and a fireworks display in the evening on Carnival Hill. See visitwilton.com/summerfest.
• The Somersworth International Children’s Festival will take place on Main Street and in Noble Pines Park on Saturday, June 21, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with Wildlife Encounters, roaming entertainers, a petting zoo, World Cultures Passport Center, a play area and other activities for kids as well as food and craft vendors, according to the Somersworth Festival Association at nhfestivals.org. The Association will also hold a Celebration Night on Friday, June 27, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Somersworth High School (11 Memorial Drive) with live music, magic, kids’ activities and fireworks, according to the website, where you can also find the Association’s series of kids concerts in July and August.
• Miss Alli’s Kids Concert will take place Saturday, June 21, at 1 p.m. in Stark Park (550 River Road in Manchester; starkpark.com). Find Miss Alli Music on Instagram.
• The Nest Cafe (25 Orchard View in Londonderry; thenestfamilycafe.com) is holding the free community festival NestFest on Sunday, June 22, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The day will include live music (including Miss Alli), a bounce house, face painting, lawn games, touch a truck and more.
• The Hollis Strawberry Festival, presented by the Hollis Woman’s Club, will bring strawberry shortcake and other strawberry treats to the Town Common (7 Monument Square, Hollis) on Sunday, June 22, from 2 to 4 p.m. Visit holliswomansclub.org.
• The New Hampshire Audubon Nature Challenge will run Sunday, June 22, through Saturday, June 28, when participants can help to “document the birds, mammals, insects, reptiles, amphibians, flowers, trees, mosses, mushrooms, and everything that either stops at our sanctuaries or calls [the NH Audubon’s wildlife sanctuaries] home!” according to nhaudubon.org, where you can see the list of sanctuaries and get more information about how to participate.
• Concord’s annual Market Days Festival runs from Thursday, June 26, to Saturday, June 28, in downtown Concord from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. with local vendors, live entertainment, family-friendly activities and more. Visit marketdaysfestival.com.
• The next New England Reptile Expo is scheduled for Sunday, June 29, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown (700 Elm St., Manchester). The show features more than 200 vendor tables full of reptiles, pet supplies and more. Tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for kids ages 7 to 12 and free for kids ages 6 and under. Visit reptileexpo.com.
• Joppa Hill Educational Farm (174 Joppa Hill Road in Bedford; jhef.org) will hold its KidsFest on Sunday, June 29, from 3 to 6 p.m. The afternoon will feature kid-friendly performers including Mr. Aaron, Miss Alli and Magic Fred as well as food trucks, face painting, crafts, balloons and more, the website said. Tickets cost $44.52 per family; register in advance via the website.
• The Hillsborough Summer Festival at Grimes Field (29 Preston St., Hillsborough) takes place Thursday, July 10, to Sunday, July 13, with live entertainment, carnival rides, a fireworks show on Saturday night, a 5K road race on Friday and a parade on Sunday. Festival hours are 6 to 10 p.m. on Thursday; 5 to 11 p.m. on Friday; noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free. Visit hillsborosummerfest.com.
• The Raymond Town Fair, its 50th according to the group’s Facebook page, will take place Friday, July 11, through Sunday, July 13, at the Raymond Town Common (Epping and Main streets, Raymond). It will feature live music, children’s activities, a fireworks display, games, vendors and more. See “Raymond Town Fair” on Facebook.
• The American Independence Museum (1 Governors Lane, Exeter) will hold its American Independence Festival on Saturday, July 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown Exeter. The day will feature the arrival and live reading of the Declaration of Independence, historical reenactments and colonial-era artisan demonstrations as well as colonial-era games, music and dances. Visit independencemuseum.org.
• The 9th annual Fairy and Hobbit House Festival will take place at Bedrock Gardens (19 High Road, Lee; bedrockgardens.org) on Friday, July 18, through Sunday, July 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Compete in the Fairy House and Hobbit House showcase (see the website in advance) or just come in costume to enjoy the day, which includes craft activities, story time and more. Tickets cost $49.87 per carload.
• The Stratham 4-H Summerfest returns on Saturday, July 19, at the Stratham Hill Park Fairgrounds (270 Portsmouth Ave., Stratham) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will feature animal shows, agriculture exhibits, competitions and more. See extension.unh.edu/event/2025/07/2025-stratham-4-h-summerfest.
• Nashua will hold its Fairytale Festival in Greeley Park (100 Concord St., Nashua) Saturday, July 19, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The day will feature performances, princess characters and more. Visit nashua.gov.
• The Canterbury Fair is, as always, the last Saturday in July — Saturday, July 26, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Canterbury Center (Baptist and Center roads) with live music, demonstrations from local artisan and antique vendors, children’s activities and more. See canterburyfair.com.
• Pizzastock 9, a family community music event featuring 13 music acts on two stages as well as information on mental health, physical health and suicide prevention, will take place on Saturday, July 26, from noon to 6 p.m. at Pinkerton Academy in Derry next to the football field, according to a post on the Jason R. Flood Memorial Facebook page. The event will also feature kid activities, a teen/young adult “tailgate” game area, food trucks and of course pizza from Kendall Pond Pizza, the post said. Entrance to the event is free. See pizzastock.org or find them on Facebook.
• Find music, art, food, kids’ activities and more at the Nashua Summer Stroll on Saturday, July 26, from 3 to 8 p.m. in downtown Nashua. Find details and updates on the event’s Facebook page.
• Coppal House Farm (118 N. River Road in Lee; nhsunflower.com) will hold its Sunflower Festival Saturday, July 26, through Sunday, Aug. 3, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily plus sunrise hours on Sunday, July 27, from 5:30 to 7 a.m. The festival also features kid events, a craft fair, music, food and more. See the website for information on tickets and happenings on specific days.
• The Suncook Valley Rotary’s Hot Air Balloon Rally on Friday, Aug. 1, through Sunday, Aug. 3, at Drake Field, Barnstead Road in Pittsfield. See nhballoonrally.org for updates on this year’s schedule.
• The Belknap County Fair is set to return Saturday, Aug. 2, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 3, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 174 Mile Hill Road in Belmont. Admission at the gate is $10 for adults, $5 for senior citizens 65 and older, police, fire and EMS personnel, and free for kids under 10 and for military service members. Visit bcfairnh.org.
More summer fun
Find more summer happenings in our Summer Guide 2025, which ran in the May 22 issue of the Hippo. Find the issue in the digital library at hippopress.com.
• Friends of Aine will hold its annual Kids Try-athlon on Sunday, Aug. 3, starting at 8 a.m. at Bedford High School and the Bedford Town Pool. The event is a swim, bike, run race for kids grouped by age — 4- to 10-year-olds and 11- to 15-year-olds, according to friendsofaine.com. The event is open to kids regardless of athletic ability and features a post-race festival, and registration currently costs $35 per kid, the website said.
• Tuesday, Aug. 5, is the National Night Out when many area first responder departments hold outreach events, such as fairs and touch-a-truck events. For example, in Concord, a National Night Out event featuring food, prizes, K-9 demonstrations, a climbing wall and more will take place in Rollins Park from 5 to 8 p.m.
• Hudson’s Old Home Days will take place Thursday, Aug. 7, to Sunday, Aug. 10, on the grounds of the Hill House (211 Derry Road, Hudson). There will be carnival games, live music, food, vendors, a craft fair, kids’ activities and more. Event times are Thursday from 5 to 10 p.m., Friday from 5 to 11 p.m., Saturday from noon to 11 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. See hudsonoldhomedays.com.
• The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (6 Washington St. in Dover; childrens-museum.org) will hold its annual Teddy Bear Clinic on Friday, Aug. 8, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Kids can bring stuffed animals in for a checkup and learn more about what happens at the doctor’s office, according to the website. Admission costs $14.50 for everyone over 12 months, $12.50 for 65+ and free for kids under 12 months, the website said.
• The Sunflower Bloom Festival will take place Saturday, Aug. 9, through Sunday, Aug. 17, at Sunfox Farm on Gully Hill Road in Concord, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m daily. Visit the farm (admission costs $12 per person, ages 10 and under are free). Also at the farm find artisan and craft vendors, live music and food trucks, according to sunfoxfarm.org/sunflowerfestival.
• Salembration!, a celebration of the 275th birthday of Salem, New Hampshire, will take place on Geremonty Drive on Saturday, Aug. 9, from noon to 5 p.m. The event will feature food trucks, craft vendors and more, according to salemnh.gov/1096/salembration, and will take place in conjunction with Field of Dreams’ annual Family Fun Day.
• The Hampton Beach Children’s Festival, Monday, Aug. 11, through Friday, Aug. 15. The event includes ice cream, dancing, balloons, storytelling, a magic show and a costume parade on Friday. All activities are free and open to the public. Visit hamptonbeach.org/events/ childrens-events.
• Londonderry’s Old Home Days are scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 13, to Saturday, Aug. 16. See londonderrynh.gov for updates on details.
• The Mahrajan Middle Eastern Food Festival (bestfestnh.com) will take place Friday, Aug. 15, to Sunday, Aug. 17, at Our Lady of the Cedars Church (140 Mitchell St., Manchester, 623-8944, olocnh.org). Lebanese foods such as shawarma, falafel, lamb, grilled chicken and many types of pastries will be served. The fest will be open from 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday, noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
• The Aviation Museum of New Hampshire (27 Navigator Road, Londonderry; aviationmuseumofnh.org) will hold Planefest on Saturday, Aug. 16, featuring an exhibit about the Tuskegee Airman and the World War II-era Woman’s Army Service Pilots, known as the WASPs.
• History Alive 2025 will present a weekend of reenactments on Saturday, Aug. 16, and Sunday, Aug. 17, at Jones Road in Hillsborough. The weekend will feature reenactments of historical battles across the centuries — including Roman and Viking battles, the French and Indian War, the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, World War I and World War II, according to historyalivenh.org. The event will also feature other historical demonstrations as well as drawing and cartooning workshops with Marek Bennett, whose works include the Freeman Colby graphic novels about a real-life New Hampshire teacher in the Civil War. See the website for details and a schedule. Tickets cost $10 per adult, $8 for seniors and are free for kids 16 and under, the website said.
• Assumption Greek Orthodox Church (111 Island Pond Road, Manchester, 623- 2045, assumptionnh.org) will hold its 2025 Greekfest on Saturday, Aug. 23, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 24, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Visit the Church’s website for more information.
• Candia’s Old Home Day will take place on Saturday, Aug. 23, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Moore Park (74 High St., Candia). The day will feature local crafters and artisans, town community booths, games, a wildlife exhibit, food and music. See candiaoldhomeday.com.
• Pembroke and Allenstown’s Old Home Day returns on Saturday, Aug. 23, starting with a parade down Main Street in Allenstown to Memorial Field (Exchange Street) in Pembroke. A fun-filled day is planned at the field, featuring two stages of live entertainment, antique cars, children’s games, a craft area, bounce houses and a fireworks display at dusk. Admission and parking are free. See pembrokeallenstownoldhomeday.org.
• The Hopkinton State Fair bills itself as a Labor Day weekend tradition happening this year from Thursday, Aug. 28, to Monday, Sept. 1, at the fairgrounds (392 Kearsarge Ave., Contoocook). There will be livestock shows, a demolition derby, carnival rides, monster trucks, live entertainment, food and more. The fair hours are 5 to 10 p.m. on Thursday; 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday. See hsfair.org.
• The Exeter UFO Festival returns to downtown Exeter on Saturday, Aug. 30, and Sunday, Aug. 31 — the event commemorates the anniversary of the “Incident at Exeter” (the report of a UFO sighting on Sept. 3, 1965, in nearby Kingston) with speakers, kids’ events and more. See exeterufofestival.org.
Live performances
• Hot Peas N Butter, a family music band, will play at the BNH Stage (16 S. Main St. in Concord, ccanh.com) on Sunday, June 22, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $25 per person.
• Palace Theatre’s (80 Hanover St., Manchester, palacetheatre.org) Bank of New Hampshire Children’s Summer Series runs July 8 through Aug. 28, with new shows each week and shows on most Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. as well as Fridays. Tickets cost $10. The show schedule is A Winnie-the-Pooh Birthday Tail (July 8-11), Peter Pan Jr. (July 15-18), Annie Jr. (July 22-25), Madagascar Jr. (July 28-Aug. 1), Berenstain Bears On Stage (Aug. 5-8), Willy Wonka Jr. (Aug. 12-15), Shrek The Musical Jr. (Aug. 19-22) and Magician BJ Hickman (Aug. 26-28).Tickets for these shows are $10.
The Palace also has productions from its various youth companies on the schedule.
The Palace Teen Company will present Urinetown The Musical on Tuesday, June 17, and Wednesday, June 18, at 7 p.m. The Palace Youth Theatre camp, featuring performances in grades 2 through 12, will present shows including James & the Giant Peach Jr. on July 2 and July 3; A Year With Frog & Toad Kids July 11; Junie B. Jones Jr. July 25 and July 26; Annie Kids Aug. 1; Mean Girls Jr. Aug. 15 and Aug. 16, and a youth version of The Addams Family Aug. 22.
• Teen Actorsingers will perform Teen Anastasia on Friday, July 11, and Saturday, July 12, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, July 13, 2 p.m. at the Janice B. Streeter Theatre, 14 Court St., Nashua, actorsingers.org. Tickets cost $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and students.
• The Majestic Theatre (majestictheatre.net) will present Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoaton Friday, July 11, through Sunday, July 13, at the Derry Opera House (29 W. Broadway in Derry) at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets cost $15 to $22.
• RB Productions Theatre Company (PO Box 67, Concord, rb-productions.com) will perform The Wedding Singer (July 11 and July 12), Wizard of Oz Youth Edition (July 18 and July 19), Aladdin Kids (July 19), Alice In Wonderland Jr. (July 25 and July 26) and Beetlejuice Jr. (Aug. 1 and Aug. 2). Shows are slated for Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord according to RB Production’s website; see ccanh.com.
• Epping Community Theatre (Epping Playhouse, 38 Ladds Lane, Epping, eppingtheater.org) will present Seussical the Musical on Friday, July 18, through Sunday, July 20.
• Ovation Theatre Company (61 Harvey Road, Londonderry, ovationtc.com) will present The Hunchback of Notre Dame Thursday, July 24, through Saturday, July 26, at 7 p.m. at Derry Opera House (25 Main St., Derry; derryoperahouse.org).
• Kids Coop Theatre (232 N. Broadway, Salem, kctnh.org) will present Hadestown Teen Edition Friday, Aug. 1, and Saturday, Aug. 2, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 3, at 2 p.m. at Derry Opera House (25 Broadway, Derry). See derryoperahouse.org for tickets.
Summer day camp
Looking for some full-day fun for the kids? Check out our Feb. 22 issue featuring area day camps. Even though many camps start registering campers early in the year, some organizations don’t release camp schedules or programming until spring and many camps aren’t yet full or have waitlist opportunities that can lead to a camp spot.
• The end product of the Children’s Theatre Project Summer Camp, run by the Community Players of Concord (communityplayersofconcord.org), will be a performance of Moana Jr. on Saturday, Aug. 8. Check back with the website for details.
• Peacock Players (Janice B. Streeter Theatre, 14 Court St., Nashua, peacockplayers.org) will present a cast of 6- to 15-year-olds in Beetlejuice Jr. Friday, July 25, through Sunday, July 27. A cast of teens will performHadestown Teen Edition Friday, Aug. 15, through Sunday, Aug. 17.
Popcorn summer
• The Summer Movie Clubhouse, a lineup of kid-friendly films running Wednesdays at 10 a.m. at Cinemark Rockingham Park (15 Mall Road in Salem; cinemark.com/theatres/nh-salem/cinemark-rockingham-park-and-xd), started June 4 and continues through Aug. 6 with discounted ticket-and-snack combo prices. The lineup includes Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (June 18), Shrek 2 (June 25), Despicable Me 4 (July 2), Kung-Fu Panda 4 (July 9), The Wild Robot (July 16), Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (July 23), The Garfield Movie (July 30) and The LEGO Batman Movie (Aug. 6).
• The Milford Drive-In Theater (531 Elm St., Milford; milforddrivein.com) has two screens for movie screenings, each mostly offering double features, Fridays through Sundays. The box office opens at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 7:15 p.m. on Sunday. Admission costs $35 per car (for up to six people; $6 per additional person). See the website for each week’s offerings.
• Red River Theatres (redrivertheatres.org) and Concord Parks & Recreation (concordnh.gov) will hold outdoor movie nights during the summer. Check back for updates on days, locations and films.
• Fathom Events (fathomevents.com) has anniversary screenings on the schedule for movies that might be of interest to teens and tweens at theaters including Apple Cinemas in Merrimack and Hooksett, Cinemark Rockingham Park in Salem, O’Neil Cinemas in Epping and Regal Fox Run in Newington. Films include Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (PG-13, 1989) on Saturday, June 14, and Sunday, June 15, and Wednesday, June 18, and Clueless (PG-13, 1995) on Sunday, June 29, and Monday, June 30. Fathom Events is also continuing its Studio Ghibli Fest 2025 with films including The Secret World of Arrietty (G, 2010) Sunday, June 22, through Tuesday, June 24; My Neighbor Totoro(G, 1988) Saturday, July 19, through Wednesday, July 23; Grave of the Fireflies (1988) Sunday, Aug. 10, through Tuesday, Aug. 12, and Ponyo (G, 2008) Saturday, Aug. 23, through Wednesday, Aug. 27.
• Movies in the Park takes place in Riverfront Park in Tilton, hosted by the Hall Memorial Library (hallmemoriallibrary.org), on Fridays throughout the summer, with the park opening at 6 p.m. and the movie starting at dusk. According to the website, the upcoming schedule is The Little Mermaid on June 20; Garfield on July 25; Moana 2 on Aug. 29, and Minecraft on Sept. 26.
• Chunky’s Cinema Pub (707 Huse Road, Manchester; chunkys.com) will be hosting “Little Lunch Dates” (usually at 11:30 a.m. on some Tuesdays) and “Sensory-Friendly Showings,” when house lights are left up and volume is lower than usual, throughout the summer. The next scheduled sensory-friendly screening is the new How To Train Your Dragon (PG) on Tuesday, June 24, 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
• Your kids can practice Elphaba’s high notes in “Defying Gravity” along with the film at a sing-along screening of Wicked (PG, 2024) on Sunday, June 29, at 2 p.m. at BNH Stage (16 S. Main St. in Concord, ccanh.com). Tickets cost $15 in advance, $20 at the door.
• O’Neil Cinemas Brickyard Square (24 Calef Highway in Epping; oneilcinemas.com) will offer a Summer Kid Series with shows Monday and Wednesdays at 11 a.m. and special ticket and snack deals (tickets cost $2; popcorn and soda combo is $5), according to an email from O’Neil. The film schedule is Despicable Me (PG, 2010) on July 7 & 9; Kung Fu Panda 4 (PG, 2024) on July 14 & 16; Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (PG, 2022) July 21 & 23; Sing 2 (PG, 2021) July 28 & 30, and Trolls Band Together (PG, 2023) Aug. 4 & 6.
Visit the museum
• Amoskeag Fishways Learning & Visitor Center (4 Fletcher St. in Manchester; find them on Facebook) was slated to open for the fish migration season. See fish on the move Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free.
• The Aviation Museum of New Hampshire (27 Navigator Road, Londonderry, 669-4820, aviationmuseumofnh.org) offers exhibits related to the aviation history of the state — as well as a cockpit kids can get inside of, featuring real audio from traffic control at neighboring Manchester Boston Regional Airport. The museum is open Wednesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. Admission costs $10 for ages 13+ and $5 for ages 6 to 12 and ages 65+ (as well as veterans and active military) and is free for kids 5 and under.
• The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (6 Washington St., Dover, 742- 2002, childrens-museum.org) is a family museum featuring interactive exhibits with a focus on art, science and culture. It is open for morning (9 a.m. to noon) and afternoon (1 to 4 p.m.) play sessions Wednesdays through Saturdays and for morning sessions only on Tuesdays and Sundays. Admission costs $14.50 for everyone over 12 months, $12.50 for 65+; advance admission purchase is recommended. See the website for special programming, such as Toddler Tinker Time on Tuesdays, Wacky Art Wednesdays, Cultural Crafts on Thursdays and Science Fridays.
• The Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester; currier.org) is open Wednesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and admission costs $20 for regular admission, $15 for 65+ and students and $5 for ages 13 to 17 and is free for ages 12 and under. The museum also offers free admission for New Hampshire residents on the second Saturday of each month and offers free/donation-based admission during Art Off the Walls evenings, 5 to 8 p.m., on Thursdays June 19, July 17 and Aug. 21.
• The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center (2 Institute Drive in Concord; starhop.com), a celebration of space, science, engineering and aviation, is open daily, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., June 16 though Aug. 21 (before and after those dates the center is open Wednesdays through Sundays). The outdoor Science Playground is open when the center is open, weather permitting. Admission costs $13 for adults, $10 for ages 3 to 12, $12 for ages 62+ and ages 13 through college. Planetarium tickets cost an additional $7 for ages 3 and up. See the website for the current line-up of planetarium films.
• The Millyard Museum (200 Bedford St., Manchester; manchesterhistoric.org) is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and college students, $5 for ages 12 to 18, and free for children under 12. Print out the gallery games Mystery Objects and Millyard Museum Fun Book to help kids explore the exhibits.
Summer theater
Find information about summer theater in our May 15 issue. Go to hippopress.com and look for the issue in our digital library. The guide to summer theater starts on page 10.
• New Hampshire Historical Society (30 Park St., Concord; nhhistory.org) offers exhibits related to the state’s history. The exhibition space is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission costs $10 for adults and is free for kids ages 18 and under, full-time students and active military.
• SEE Science Center (200 Bedford St., Manchester; see-sciencecenter.org) is open daily at 10 a.m. — until 4 p.m. on weekdays and 5 p.m. on weekends. This hands-on science center offers exhibits on a variety of subjects. Admission (which is recommended to be purchased in advance via the website) costs $14 per person ages 3 and up.
• The New Hampshire Telephone Museum (1 Depot St., Warner; nhtelephonemuseum.org) features nearly 1,000 telephones, switchboards and other telecommunication memorabilia and history and has an interactive kids’ room. The museum is open Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission costs $9 for ages 18 to 64, 7 for 65+ and $6 for students in grades K-12.
Attractions
• Andres Institute of Art (106 Route 13, Brookline; andresinstitute.org) has a network of trails decorated with sculptures. Find printable trail maps as well as a gallery of the sculptures online.
• Beaver Brook (117 Ridge Road in Hollis; beaverbrook.org) offers camps, regular walks and hikes and other programs as well as trails and gardens that are open daily. Maps for the trails are available on the website.
• Bedrock Gardens (19 High Road, Lee) is a 30-acre public garden that integrates unusual botanical specimens and unique sculpture into an inspiring landscape journey, with fun programming for the whole family, according to their website. It is open Tuesday through Friday and the first and third weekends of the month from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to the website. Visit bedrockgardens.org.
• Canobie Lake Park (85 N. Policy St., Salem; canobie.com), an amusement park with rides and water attractions, is open daily (opening 9 a.m. on some days during June and 10:30 a.m. in July and August) with tickets sold in advance only via the website. Prices vary by day. After-5 p.m. tickets are available Friday through Sunday nights.
• Charmingfare Farm (774 High St. in Candia, 483-5623, visitthefarm.com) is a working farm with wildlife exhibits featuring animals such as black bears, coyotes and more. Charmingfare is currently open Thursdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A Scouting for Bigfoot event will be held Saturday, June 21 and Sunday, June 22, featuring live music, food available for purchase, Bigfoot related activities and more. Reptile Day is slated for Saturday, July 19, with a reptile show scheduled for 1 p.m.
• Chuckster’s Family Fun Park (Route 4 in Chichester; chuckstersnh.com) is open daily, hours vary by day (and weather). This year a new zipline is slated to open; the park also features minigolf, batting cages, bumper boats, a climbing wall, go karts and more. Admission varies based on attraction packages. Chuckster’s also has a minigolf-only location at 53 Hackett Hill Road in Hooksett.
• Funspot (579 Endicott Lane in Laconia; funspotnh.com) bills itself as the largest arcade in the world, including classic arcade games, and also offers bowling, indoor minigolf, on-site eateries and more. Open daily, Funspot’s hours starting June 23 will be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (11 p.m. on Saturdays).
• Joppa Hill Educational Farm (174 Joppa Hill Road in Bedford; jhef.org) is open daily, dawn to dusk, with a suggested donation of $5 per family. Visit the animals or check out the hiking trails, maps for which are on the farm’s website.
• Mel’s Funway Park (454 Charles Bancroft Highway in Litchfield; melsfunwaypark.com) offers minigolf, go karts, laser tag, arcade, batting cages, bumper boats, bounce houses and more. The park is open daily, with hours varying by day and attraction.
Playground road trip
Looking for low-cost summer fun? Check out the Live Free & Play Southern NH Playground Challenge, available at salemnh.myrec.com. The printout features a list of playgrounds in Salem, Auburn, Londonderry, Pelham, Milford, Merrimack and Danville.
• New Hampshire Audubon (nhaudubon.org) has two nearby centers — Massabesic Center (26 Audubon Way in Auburn) and McLane Center (84 Silk Farm Road in Concord). Both centers are open to visitors Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Trails near the centers and in the Audubon’s 40 wildlife sanctuaries throughout the state are open daily, free of charge (though donations are welcome), the website said. Find maps and other information about the trails on the website, as well as a calendar of events.
• Prescott Farm Environmental Education Center (928 White Oaks Road in Laconia; prescottfarm.org) offers 160 acres of field, forest and gardens on 3+ miles of nature trails and a Natural Playscape, according to the website. The outdoor amenities are open daily from dawn to dusk; the Samuel P. Pardoe Building featuring visitor information, conservation displays and restrooms, is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to the website, where you can find a calender of special events and programs.
• Seacoast Science Center (in Ordiorne Point State Park, 570 Ocean Blvd in Rye; seacoastsciencecenter.org) offers exhibits, live animal displays and touch tanks featuring the nature of the New Hampshire coast and the Gulf of Maine. The center is open Tuesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Advance purchase of tickets is recommended, according to the website where you can purchase both admission to the center and to Ordiorne Point State Park.
• Squam Lakes Natural Science Center (23 Science Center Road in Holderness; nhnature.org) offers animal exhibit trails featuring native animals as well as hiking trails, according to the website. The trails are currently open daily, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last admission is 3:30 p.m.). See the calendar for information on special tours, events and the narrated lake cruises. Admission to the trails costs $28 for adults, $26 for 65+ and $22 for ages 3 to 15. The 2025 Family Picnic “Friends of the Forest” will be held on Saturday, July 12, 5 to 8 p.m. and feature food, live music, lawn games, kids activities and more (see the website for tickets).
• Strawbery Banke Museum (14 Hancock St. in Portsmouth; strawberybanke.org) is open Wednesdays through Mondays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (and until 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays in July and August). The museum’s historic houses and exhibits look at 350 years of Portsmouth history “from Indigenous history to the present day,” according to the website where you can find the calendar of special tours and events. Admission costs $24 for adults, $22 for 65+ and students, $12 for ages 5 to 17 and $60 for a family, the website said. Kids under 5 get in for free.
In a town near you
’Tis the season of reading programs at area libraries and live music in town green spaces. Some town and city events are meant just for residents and others don’t specify. Your location’s library and parks and recreation department will have the most up to date information about summer happenings. Here are some of the family-friendly highlights.
• Amherst: At the Amherst Town Library (amherstlibrary.org), Mondays are “Chalk the Walk” days, when chalk will be provided to draw on the sidewalk outside. The library is also kicking off its summer reading program with a concert featuring Steve Blunt Monday, June 16, at 6 p.m. (registration required).
The town’s big summer happening is the Amherst Fourth of July Celebration, which includes a parade (stepping off at 9:45 a.m.) and activities on the town green. See facebook.com/AmherstNHJuly4thCommittee.
• Auburn: The Griffin Free Public Library (griffinfree.org) is hosting its annual book sale Saturday, July 26, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m, and Sunday, July 27, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Auburn Village School in the gym.
Auburn Parks and Recreation will offer a concert series with monthly concerts at Circle of Fun Playground, 5 Bunker Hill Road, at 6 p.m. on the third Thursdays: Jennifer Mitchell Band on June 19, and Ukeladies on July 17; Bob Pratte Band on Aug. 21, according to the department’s newsletter.
Movies will also be screened at the Safety Complex (99 Raymond Road): Paddington in Peru on Friday, Aug. 8, at 8 p.m.; IF on Friday, Sept. 5, at 8 p.m., and Mufasa: The Lion King on Friday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m., the newsletter said. See auburnnh.gov.
• Bedford: The Bedford Public Library ( bedfordnhlibrary.org) is also doing a summer reading kickoff concert with Steve Blunt — Tuesday, June 17, at 6:30 p.m. (registration required). A Wildlife Encounters event is scheduled for Monday, July 14, at 11 a.m. or 1 p.m. (registration required) for ages 6 to 12.
The Bedford Concerts in the Parks at the Gazebo in Bedford Village Common Park will run Wednesdays, June 25 through July 30, with a 6 p.m. start time, according to bedfordnh.myrec.com. To celebrate National Night Out, Bedford’s Police Department will play a softball game against Bedford Fire Department on Tuesday, Aug. 5, at 7 p.m., the website said.
• Bow: At the Baker Free Library (bowbakerfreelibrary.org), the summer reading kickoff party for kids is from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, June 20, with a show featuring Magic Fred from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. A comics workshop for ages 8 to 14 is slated for Monday, June 23, at 3:30 p.m. with author Mat Heagarty (registration required). The library is also staging a production of The Wizard of Oz (register to participate) with a performance on Thursday, Aug. 7, at 5:30 p.m.
• Boscawen: The Boscawen Public Library (boscawenpubliclibrary.org) will hold its summer reading kickoff party Monday, June 23, from noon to 4 p.m. It will host Mr. Aaron on Tuesday, July 22, at 6:30 p.m.
See the performers
Some family-friendly performers make the rounds of libraries and other venues during the summer. Here are a few of the family performance favorites.
Miss Alli — Alli Beaudry has long been a regular on the local music scene and her family-friendly Miss Alli performances reach a whole new audience. Find updates at instagram.com/missallimusic
Mr. Aaron — Mr. Aaron offers classes as well as concerts. See a list of his upcoming engagements at area libraries at mraaronmusic.com/calendar.
Steve Blunt — Watch videos of Blunt’s performances at steveblunt.com, where you can also check back for updates on his scheduled appearances. He can sometimes be found at appearances with author Marty Kelley — the two have some upcoming library events scheduled, according to martykelley.com.
BJ Hickman — This family-friendly magician already has appearances booked at festivals this summer as well as a stretch of shows in August at the Palace. See bjhickman.com.
Magic Fred the Magician — Several library events are already on the summer schedule with Magic Fred; see magicfredshow.com.
Judy Pancoast — The singer/songwriter has a few New Hampshire library events on her schedule so far. See judypancoast.com.
Marek Bennett — A comics creator and musician, Bennett has some in-person library events on his upcoming schedule at marekbennett.com.
• Brookline: The Brookline Public Library (brooklinelibrarynh.org) will hold its summer reading kickoff party on Friday, June 20, at 11 a.m. with ice cream, bubbles, lawn games and more. A petting farm will come to the library on Thursday, June 26, at 2 p.m. (registration required). On Wednesday, July 2, at 10:30 a.m. visit the trucks of the Department of Public Works (registration required). Science gets tasty at STEM and Scoops with Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream on Tuesday, July 22, at 3 p.m. (registration required). An arthropod petting zoo will be held Thursday, Aug. 7, at 6 p.m. (registration required).
• Concord: The Concord Public Library (concordnh.gov) will hold storytimes in the park on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m.; see the website for a schedule of city parks.
Find Concord Parks and Recreation’s summer brochure online at concordnh.gov, where it lists programs as well as drop-in events like Saturday summer futsal. Find free concerts on Tuesday evenings (at parks across the city) and Sunday at 10 a.m. (White Park); check back with the department’s Facebook page for updates on Thursday concerts.
• Derry: The Derry Public Library (derrypl.org) has a packed schedule of summer events for kids. Register for fun such as Level Up Glow Dance Party on Tuesday, June 17, at 1:30 p.m.; FanCon on Saturday, June 21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Library Field Day on Thursday, June 26, at 11 a.m.; and the end of the summer party with Steve Blunt on Thursday, Aug. 7, at 1 p.m. Game Day on Thursday, July 31, needs no registration.
Get live music in MacGregor Park (12 Boyd Road) on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. through Aug. 19. Next up on the schedule is The Reminisants, according to derrynh.gov.
• Dunbarton: The Dunbarton Public Library (dunbartonlibrary.org) will kick off its summer reading program with a concert featuring Steve Blunt and Marty Kelley on Wednesday, June 18, at 11 a.m. on the band stand. Additional summer fun includes a touch a truck on Wednesday, June 25, at 10:30 a.m.; a family concert with Mr. Aaron on Wednesday, July 23, at 10:30 a.m.; Raptor Rapture Outreach with Audubon on Tuesday, July 29, at 1 p.m. and more.
• Goffstown: The Goffstown Public Library ( goffstownlibrary.com) will hold its summer kickoff on Saturday, June 21, with art programs that day for kids, teens and adults (registration required). The library offers a full slate of workshops and programs for kids and teens throughout the summer, including, on Thursday, Aug. 14, the Great Cake Off for kids in grades 5 to 12 (registration required). The library will also offer regular opportunities for kids to read to Candy, the reading therapy dog (see the website to sign up).
• Hollis: Hollis Social Library (hollislibrary.org) will host the one-person Silver Circus on Monday, June 23, at 2 p.m. at the Lawrence Barn (registration recommended). Mr Aaron will play the barn on Friday, July 11, at 1 p.m. (registration required). The barn will also host a touch-a-truck on Wednesday, July 16, at 2 p.m. (registration required). Magic Fred will perform Friday, July 18, at the barn at 1 p.m. (registration required). The Pirate Guild the Brethren Order of the Northeast Sea will bring pirate fun to the barn on Saturday, Aug. 2, at 2 p.m. (registration required).
• Hooksett: The Hooksett Public Library ( hooksettlibrary.org) will hold a touch-a-truck event on Saturday, June 28, at 10 a.m.
• Hopkinton: Hopkinton Recreation Committee hosts the July 4th Family Fun Day in Riverway Park — a kids’ parade starts at 11 a.m. followed by the Independence Day parade at 11:30 a.m.; the Fun Day kicks off at noon in the park with live music by Brad Myrick, face painting, bounce houses, burgers and hot dogs, contests and more, according to hopkintonnh.myrec.com.
• Hudson: The George H. and Ella M. Rodgers Memorial Library (rodgerslibrary.org) will hold a Cupcake Caper & Birthday Party on Saturday, July 14, at 10 a.m. (registration required) and a Tie Dye for Everyone project on Wednesday, June 18 (register for specific time). Magician Mike Bent’s AbraKIDabra! Magic show is scheduled for Wednesday, June 25, at 2 p.m. (registration required). Other events to register for this summer include Wildlife Encounters on Wednesday, July 9, at 6 p.m., a Teddy Bear Picnic on Friday, July 11, at 10 a.m., Mr. Aaron on Wednesday, July 23, at 2 p.m. and multiple Storytime Safari outings in Benson Park.
• Litchfield: At the Aaron Cutler Memorial Library (litchfieldnh.gov/222/Aaron-Cutler-Memorial-Library) events include a family summer reading Kick-Off Concert with Mr. Aaron on Wednesday, June 25, at 10:30 a.m. (registration required), Tuesday scavenger hunts on the library lawn, Tween Summer Cupcake Wars on Thursday, July 10, at 4 p.m. (registration required), and a concert on the lawn with the Granite Statesmen Barbershop Chorus on Wednesday, July 16, at 6:30 p.m. (registration required).
• Londonderry: Get some new-to-you summer reads at the book sale at the Leach Library (londonderrynh.gov/371/Leach-Library) on Saturday, June 14, 10 a.m. to noon; Tuesday, June 17, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., and Saturday, June 21, from 10 a.m. to noon. Register for events including Pete the Cat’s visit to the library (Tuesday, June 24, at 11 a.m.; Wednesday, June 25, at 4 p.m., and Thursday, June 26, at 4 p.m.) and Children’s Cookie Decorating on Wednesday, June 18, at 4 p.m. No registration is required for a screening of Dog Man on Friday, June 27, at 1 p.m.
Outdoor adventures
Looking for minigolf or a state park? Check out our Best of 2025 readers’ poll results issue, which ran April 10 and features reader recommendations for all sorts of outdoor excitement.
• Loudon: At the Maxfield Public Library (maxfieldlibrary.com), kid-friendly offerings include a Summer Reading Kick Off with Jason Purdy Magic Show on Saturday, June 21, at 11 a.m. and a wrap-up event featuring Steve Blunt and Marty Kelley on Tuesday, Aug. 5, at 11 a.m., both at Charlie’s Barn/Loudon Community Building (29 South Village Road).
Summer Fun nights on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. in Loudon include Touch a Truck on July 9; Ice Cream Social on July 16; Freese Brothers Big Band on July 23 (6:30 p.m.); Wildlife Encounters on July 30; Mr. Aaron Band on Aug. 13 and a Pickleball Tournament on Aug. 20, according to loudonnh.org.
• Manchester: Manchester City Library (manchesterlibrary.org) offers programs for teens and kids throughout the summer — and the city, with bookmobile events (see the calendar for locations). Find community art projects on Mondays 10 to 11:30 a.m. at We Create Mornings, a drop-in event. Happenings to register for include Beach Party on Thursday, July 3, at 10 a.m. for ages 1 to 5; Escape Room on Wednesday, July 9, at 10 a.m. (grades 3 through 12); Captain Underpants Party on Wednesday, July 16, at 3 p.m. (grades preschool through 6), and more.
Check with manchesternh.gov/Departments/Parks-and-Recreation and with the department’s Facebook page for updates on the city’s pools.
• Merrimack: At the Merrimack Public Library (merrimack.aspendiscovery.org), the Friends of the Library will hold a book sale on Saturday, June 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The summer reading program will kick off with a Minecraft Party on Thursday, June 26, noon to 2 p.m. followed by a concert with Mr. Aaron at 6 p.m. in Abbie Griffin Park (registration required for both). Other events to register for include Old McDonny’s Friendly Petting Zoo in the park on Monday, July 21, at 11:30 a.m. and a Teddy Bear Picnic on Thursday, July 31, at noon.
Enjoy live music on Thursdays, June 26 through Aug. 21, at 6 p.m. in Abbie Griffin Park; the program kicks off with Mr. Aaron on June 26, according to merrimackparksandrec.org. The Town of Merrimack also hosts Fourth of July celebrations including a patriotic concert in the park on Thursday, July 3, at 6:30 p.m.; the Sparkler 5K Road Race and Pancake Breakfast, both on July 4 starting at 8 a.m.; the Fourth of July parade at 1 p.m. and fireworks display at Merrimack High School at 9:15 p.m. (the evening starts at 7 p.m. with music and food vendors), according to merrimackparksandrec.org/4th-of-july.
• Milford: At the Wadleigh Memorial Library (wadleighlibrary.org), the teen summer reading kickoff is Friday, June 13, at 3 p.m. and a children’s Level Up at Your Library party with yard games and a hot dog dinner is at 6 p.m. (no registration needed for either). Other events include the Silver Circus on Wednesday, June 18, at 1 p.m. at the Amato Center; a Red, White & Bluey party on Thursday, July 3, at 10 a.m. and Cookie Wars on Wednesday, July 30, at 2 p.m.
Milford Recreation will hold its 4th Annual Keyes Summer Bash on Saturday, June 21, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring touch a truck, food trucks, kid activities, music and more in Keyes Memorial Park, according to milfordnh.recdesk.com
• Nashua: The Nashua Public Library (nashualibrary.org) will hold its summer reading kickoff on Friday, June 20, from 6 to 8 p.m. featuring a life-size Hungry Hippo game, Mario Kart Live!, popcorn, snow cones and more, the website said. See the website for a rundown of programs for children, tweens and teens each week.
The city also offers a full calendar of SummerFun programming including Tuesday concerts in the park at 7 p.m.; a Tree Street Block Party on Ash Street on Saturday, June 14, from 2 to 6 p.m.; July 4 event that includes a Silver Knights Game, a free concert and more events leading up to a fireworks show; the Nashua Community Music School’s Musical Playgroup; the National Police Night out on Aug. 5, a Nashua Goes Back to School event at the library on Thursday, Aug. 21, at 5 p.m. and more. See nashuanh.gov.
• New Boston: Whipple Free Library (whipplefreelibrary.org) will hold its summer kickoff with Wildlife Encounters on Monday, June 23, at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Common. In addition to story times, movie nights, teen events and more, the library will hold craft events, such as Build Your Own Pokemon Terrarium on Monday, July 14, at 6 p.m. (registration required).
Catch Concerts on the Common every other Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. at the New Boston Common starting June 24 with the Freese Brothers Big Band, according to newbostonnh.gov/recreation, where you can find the lineup.
• Salem: At the Kelley Library (kelleylibrary.org), the summer reading fun starts Monday, June 23. Check back for updates.
Salem is celebrating its 275th anniversary with a series of events all year, including a reenactment of the return of Lafayette on Saturday, June 21, at 2 p.m.; Salem Nights at Hedgehog Park starting Tuesday, July 8; Salembration on Saturday, Aug. 9, and more, according to salemnh.gov/1097/Anniversary-Events-Info.
• Windham: Nesmith Library (nesmithlibrary.org) starts the summer celebrations with a Tween School End Celebration on Thursday, June 12, at 6:30 p.m. for grades 5-8. The official Summer Reading Kick-Off featuring mini\golf will be Tuesday, June 24, starting at 4 p.m. (register for a time slot). Other events include Fun Cart Friday (find STEAM-related projects and play from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., June 27 through Aug. 1), a Summer Scavenger Hunt (Monday, June 30, through Saturday, July 5), Wildlife Encounters (Wednesday, July 9, at 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.; registration required); Meet the Town Vehicles (Wednesday, July 30, 10:30 a.m. to noon), and Magician Mike Bent’s AbraKIDabra (Wednesday, Aug. 6, at 10:30 a.m. or 1:30 p.m.; registration required), as well as a variety of children, tween and teen events.
Windham will hold Concerts on the Common (Emerson Carracedo on Saturday, June 14, at 2 p.m.; Windham Swing Band on Saturday, Aug. 23, at 1 p.m.) and Concerts at Griffin Park (PopRoks on Tuesday, July 15, at 6:30 p.m.; Relative Soul on Thursday, July 24, at 6:30 p.m.) and a Bubble Dance Party in Griffin Park on Thursday, Aug. 7, with the Fire Department, Police Department and Recreation Department followed by a movie (Moana 2) at 8 p.m., according to windham.recdesk.com. Catch an early Independence Day celebration on Wednesday, June 25, at Windham High School with a band, food vendors and fireworks; parking lot opens at 5:30 p.m.
More fun this weekend
This week, we made the whole cover story Kiddie Pool! The Kiddie Pool is our weekly column of kid and family fun. Other events happening this weekend:
On Friday, June 13, at 11:30 a.m., Gibson’s Bookstore (45 S. Main St. in Concord; gibsonsbookstore.com) offers a supersized story time. Four New Hampshire authors will attend with their picture books: David Preece and Jim Webber with Mr. Higgins to the Rescue, Katy Hunt with There’s a Wub in the Tub and Heidi Solomon-Orlick with I Have a Voice: A Book of Listening, according to the website.
At Bookery Manchester (844 Elm St.; bookerymht.com), there are three kid events on the schedule this week. On Thursday, June 12, at 11:30 a.m., the storytime will feature Mickey Davis and her book Noy, The Little Laotian Ambassador, according to the website, where you can reserve your spot. The event is free and geared at kids ages 2 to 10.
On Friday, June 13, from 5 to 7 p.m., the bookstore celebrates the spooky day with a Halfway to Halloween Party for kids (recommended ages 6 to 12). The event will feature games, prizes, a costume contest and more, according to the website, where you can reserve a spot.
And on Saturday, June 14, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. the story will host Scholastic’s nationwide Fire Fanwing Fest for readers of the Wings of Fire series. The event will feature games, activities and giveaways, the website said.
As the “Second Saturday” in June, Saturday, June 14, features free admission for New Hampshire residents to the Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St. in Manchester; currier.org). The museum is open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Celebrate Father’s Day — Sunday, June 15 — at Charmingfare Farm (774 High St. in Candia; visitthefarm.com) with free admission, a ride wristband and a meal for dads, according to the website. Fathers accompanied by kids 12 and under can have a complimentary meal at the barbecue party (loaded hamburger or two hot dogs with chips and a drink), the website said. General tickets cost $23 or $29 with a ride wristband, which includes pony ride, horse-drawn ride and a tractor train ride, according to the website, where you can purchase advance admission (required for free father admission).
The Nashua Silver Knights will celebrate Father’s Day after their Sunday, June 15, 3 p.m. game at Holman Stadium (67 Amherst St., Nashua) with post-game catch on the field. See nashuasilverknights.com.
