Category: Cover Stories

Enjoy fresh flavors and community at area farmers markets

Change is a constant at farmers markets.

Whether it’s the seasonal change in the produce offerings — blueberries today, tomatoes in a month — or changes in the market itself, the markets are never quite the same.

Nashua’s farmers market has been growing and expanding over the past several years, said Elaina Bedio of the Downtown Nashua Association.

“For a long time the Farmers Market was managed by the City,” she said. “And then the Great American Downtown — which is what our group used to be known as — took it over. It was still over by the library, but this year we moved it to the new Riverwalk, so we’re excited about that. We’ve got lots of new vendors that people are excited about. And that has led to a lot of interest from people who want to be vendors next year. People seem to like the changes; we’re pretty excited about it.”

Bedio said the Nashua Farmers Market has about 30 vendors.

“They’re not all there every week, but some of them are seasonal vendors who are there every week. We make a priority of having farms — I would say the most represented groups would be the farms. And agricultural vendors — that would include people who are selling flowers and plants and things like that. And then we have craft beer vendors and craftspeople who are making things like jewelry and soap and fidgets and all sorts of things, art, photography. And then we have a significant number of bakeries as well.”

One of those bakeries is Crumbs on Cambridge. Amy Casella is the owner of the home-based bakery and sells her all-natural treats at three different area farmers markets: Nashua’s, Bedford’s and the Merrimack Valley Farmers Market in Milford. She said meeting her customers face to face is what she likes most about selling at market.

“I love talking to the people,” Casella said. “And every town has different types of people who come, different conversations. The flavors are different depending upon each town I go to and each market I go to.”

One of the main benefits of selling directly to customers, Casella said, is being able to answer their questions. Many food vendors have found a growing interest from customers who are curious about where their food comes from, said Amy Fecteau, who specializes in raising animals for meat at Cedartree Farm. She has found that in recent years customers have wanted to know more about where their food comes from, and that is especially true about the animals they eat.

“We raise pork, goat, chicken and lamb,” Fecteau said.

Her goat meat has gained a following, she said, but for many customers it’s been a new experience.

“I did some research [when I started my farm] and found out that there weren’t a lot of people producing meat goats and that a market was there,” she said “It took a while for me to find it. I’m still finding people that are like, ‘Oh my goodness, you have goat! I didn’t know.’ But now there are more people receptive to it and want to try it.”

“It’s a wonderful meat,” Fecteau said. “It’s very versatile. A lot of people probably think of like a curry, like goat curry, but you can do pretty much anything. I have the goat legs cut into steaks and you can cook it just like you would do a beef steak. And they’re very tender and very flavorful. And it’s grown in popularity.”

She said most of the questions she gets asked at farmers markets are about what life is like for the animals. “They live pretty good, stress-free lives,” she said.

Diane Souther of Apple Hill Farm, who sells at the Concord Farmers Market on Saturday mornings, agrees that teaching customers can be gratifying.

“If they have questions, we can answer them, and vice versa,” Souther said. “They can ask us what variety of tomatoes we have this week, and they know that they came fresh from the farm within a day or two, so that they’re the freshest possible.”

A farmers market gives Souther and her staff a chance to educate customers about the seasonality of their food, and when it is at its best, she said.

“You know, they’ll walk in now, in the middle of July, and go, ‘So where are the apples today?’ Well, it’s only July. They won’t be here till September. And then, you know, different varieties of apples as well. … And that’s part of the fun of coming to the farmers market, because you never know what you’re going to see that day that you’re there. Something that you might have got two weeks ago that was in season, like strawberries, are now done.”

That seasonality extends to what customers will find throughout a given market at different times over the season. Even though the public refers to these seasonal markets as “farmers markets,” there are times — especially early in the season — when fresh fruit and vegetables take a back seat to other locally produced foods and crafts.

“We always try to strike a balance of about 60 percent food-based vendors — that includes local farmers, fish mongers, and bakers who work with local ingredients — and about 40 percent other vendors — crafters and other people who provide services,” said Craig Cunningham of the Derry farmers market. That can even extend to businesses you might not expect.

“That includes Mr. Joe,” Cunningham said. “He’s a balloon artist from Silly Solutions. He can make a balloon version of any animal. I haven’t seen him stumped yet. He’s always swamped with kids.”

While many farmers markets are set up in parking lots, there is a lot of variety in where in a town they might be.

“We’re lucky,” Craig Cunningham said about the location of the Derry market, “in that Benson Lumber and Hardware on Broadway has a big grass lot in front of the store that they let us use, so we’re right there and easy to find.”

In Concord — at least during the summer — Capitol Street, a small side street next to the Statehouse, is blocked off for foot traffic during market hours. Selling at the market can be a very different experience than her everyday sales at her farm, said Diane Souther.

“We have a farm stand,” she said. “We also do pick-your-own at the farm. So with the farm, you can get the full farming experience. It’s quiet, it’s nice, you’re out in nature, you can sit down and watch the clouds blow over. When you go to the farmers market, it’s a different story, because it’s busy, it’s active. Last week we had the 250th celebration, so we had a cannon shooting off and muzzle loaders shooting off. We had a parade. The weekend before that, they had another event at the Statehouse. So it’s a little bit different. It’s noisy, but it’s great.”

Find your market

The New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food has a list of New Hampshire farmers markets at agriculture.nh.gov (click on “Find NH Agriculture” under “Consumers,” where you can also find farm stands and CSAs), which lists markets (as reported by their managers) throughout the state.

Here are some area farmers markets, with information according to the markets’ own websites and social media.

Tuesdays

• The Bedford Farmers Market is located in the parking lot of Murphy’s Taproom, 393 Route 101 in Bedford, Tuesdays from 3 to 6 p.m. through Oct. 13. This year’s vendors include Arbor Grove Scents (small-batch soy candles, goat milk soaps and clean skin care), Bee the Buzz (ecological planting and design services as well as organic program services ), Berkshire Gold (maple syrup), Cedartree Farm, Crumbs on Cambridge, Delicious Alternatives, DJ’s Pure Natural Honey, Familia Baking Co. (Latin bakery), Flour Garden Bakery, Fresh Start Farms, Galomine Farm Too, Granite State Flower Farm, Holy Moly Snacks, Jack’s Crackers, Jajabelles Coffee and Bakeshop, Junie Bee Designs (pottery, jewelry and wearables), Rich Bro Salmon, Lakonian Olive Oil, Ledge Top Farms, Live Free and Bark, Mind Body Snack, My Country Mushrooms, New England Wagyu, Pet Education Technologies, Pup’s Cider, Real Soap, Spiczka Farm, Stoykovich Designs, The Potting Shed and Woodman Artisan Bakery, according to bedfordnhfarmersmarket.org.

• The Tilton Farmers Market takes place Tuesdays from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. through Sept. 29 at the 321 Ballfield/Tilton Police Department at 45 Sanborn Road (Route 132) in Tilton, according to tiltonfarmersmarketnh.com, where you can find a list of each week’s vendors. July 14, for example, included vendors offering chicken, pork, eggs, baked goods, flowers, photography, seedlings, gluten-free baked goods and bread, chocolate-dipped sweets as well as cookies and cupcakes, pet treats, tarot readings and decks, vegetables, bread, maple syrup, nut-free baked goods, produce, plants, pickles, salsa, veggies, herbs, fruit, berries, honey, woodworking and Taylor’s Sizzle and Serve with burgers, tenders, hot dogs, fries and more, the website said.

Wednesdays

• The Derry Homegrown Farm & Artisan Market takes place Wednesdays from 3 to 7 p.m. through Sept. 30 at 1 West Broadway, according to derryhomegrown.org. Find a list of the coming week’s vendors and musical performer on the market’s Facebook page. The 2026 vendors include Country Dreams (veggies and fruits), Food & Blooms Farm (cut flowers an plants), Forest Fed Farmstead (vegetables), Fresh Start Farms (veggies), Meta Microgreens, DJ’s Pure Natural Honey, New England Wagyu, New England Fish Mongers, Pepper & Row Co. (hot pepper products and seasonal harvests), Singing Pond Farm (produce, pottery), The Laurels Farm, 603 Perfect Blend (loose leaf tea), Debbie D’s (jams, jellies, pickles, relishes), Holy Moly Snacks (similar to beef jerky), Cucina Aurora (cooking products), Ken’s Corn (popcorn), KRM Chocolates, La’Peony Desserts (baked goods, French-inspired desserts), Lush Confections, Mimi Rae’s Gluten Free Bakery, Nomad Bakery (bread), The Stand “Shaken Not Stirred” (Lemonade), Sweet Dreams Confection (sourdough), Roy’s Empanadas, Kerry’s Katering, Wood Shack Juices of New England, 603 Candle, Burnham Woods (wood, fiber arts, houseplants), Sheila’s Essentials (goats milk soap, salves, balms, sprays), Royal Tallow (tallow items, soap trays), Live Free and Bark (dog chews), Yellow Shed Pottery, On a Roll Blankets, Full Sun Ceramics, Cathedral Ledge Distillery, Doire Distilling/Daydreaming Brewery/ Meadow Vineyards and Rockingham Brewery Co., the website said.

• The Canterbury Community Farmers Market runs Wednesdays from 4 to 6:30 p.m. through Sept. 30 next to the Elkins Public Library with special programing each week of the month: a kids’ activity the first Wednesday, NH Master Gardeners the second Wednesday, “Fruit & Jam SLAMS” the third Wednesday and “Fill Mary Ellen’s Basket” (a charitable giving program) on the fourth Wednesday of each month, according to canterburyfarmersmarket.com, where you can also find the lineup of live music (scheduled for July 22 is 2nd Time Around). Vendors for 2026 include Auntie B’s Greek Pastries, Big Trees Bread Co., Brookford Farm (cheeses, dairy, cured meats, eggs, veggies), Cathedral Ledge Distillery, Crock & Scythe Farm (greens, veggies, root crops, eggs, coffee), Fen Ridge Farm (wine-based jams and jellies), Fresh Start Farms (vegetables and flowers), Just Like Lydia’s (sweets and baked goods), Lakonian Olive Oil, North Family Farm (maple syrup and maple products, honey, cut flowers) Peace Ledge Baking Co. (baked goods, bagels, bialys), Roy’s Empanadas (empanadas and medialunas), Schrock Farm (lamb, yarn and wool, wool items), Someday Farm (animal fiber products, baked and preserved items, eggs, cheese), Sugar Bones Farm (maple syrup & products, ground beef), Terra Basics (culinary and medicinal herbs and edible flowers, seasoning blends, teas), The Blossom Shed (veggies, herbs, cut flowers), The Burstin’ Kernel (kettle corn), The Late Bird Baked Goods (gluten-free and organic, with some dairy-free options), Warner River Produce (greens, herbs, apples, fruit, tomatoes, honey, mushrooms, chicken and more), Zulip Farms (mushrooms, berries, jam, honey), Dragonfly West Design (seasoning blends, note cards, paper flower earrings), Miss Catherine’s Threads (wool yard and knitted items), Old Ways Traditions and Petals in the Pines (flowers, bird baths, planters, Swedish almond cakes, eggs, and more), the website said.

• Sandown Farmers Market takes place Wednesdays from 4 to 7 p.m. through Sept. 23 at Zorvino Vineyards, 226 Main St. in Sandown, according to sandown.us/1342/Sandown-Farmers-Market and the Sandown Recreation Commission’s Facebook page, where you can find updates about vendors coming to the upcoming market. For example Bookish Bliss (a mobile bookstore) and Scattergood Farmstand (baked goods and sourdough bread) were listed as attending in a July 7 post.

• The Manchester Farmers and Makers Market describes itself on its Facebook page as ”a vibrant, face-to-face community that fosters health, wealth, and a strong sense of belonging through providing high-quality, locally produced goods, engaging performances, & a network of tangible value trade.” Another post said the market features “live music, activities, hot food, and performances, too! We believe in freedom, free trade, and great, local food and products.” The market runs Wednesdays, 4 to 7, until September in Arms Park, according to the Facebook page, where you can find upcoming vendors and performers.

• The Lee Farmers’ and Artisans Market is located at Little River Park, 28 North River Road, Lee, and will run on upcoming Wednesdays (July 22, Aug. 12, Aug. 26, Sept. 9 and Sept. 23) from 3 to 6:30 p.m., according to facebook.com/LeeFarmersMarket. “Fresh fruits and veggies, baked goodies, handcrafted candles, jewelry, wooden kitchenware, plus live local music sponsored by the Rotary Club of Durham-Great Bay,” according to a post on the page.

Thursdays

• The Merrimack Valley Farmers Market runs Thursdays from 3 to 7 p.m. through Nov. 5 in the parking lot of the St. John Neumann Parish Catholic Church at 708 Milford Road in Merrimack, according to merrimackvalleymarket.com and the market’s Facebook page, where you can find a map and parking information as well as information about upcoming markets. Vendors at the June 25 market, for example, included The Sunflower Bakery & Cafe, Rich Bro Salmon Co., On a Roll Handmade Chunky Knit Blankets, DJ’s Pure Natural Honey, Fresh Start Farms, MolaFoods, Crumbs on Cambridge, Pup’s Cider, Real Soap and Blackeyed Susan Sheep Dairy.

Fridays

• Fried Fridays Community Market held weekly at the Tractor Supply Co. at 307 Dover Road, Chichester, Fridays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.-ish, according to a post on the Facebook page for Normans FoodTruck, which is one of the regular vendors at the event, based on their posts. See the page for upcoming vendors.

• The 2nd Annual Dunbarton Farmers Market will run at Stark Farm, 30 Stark Lane in Dunbarton, Fridays from 3 to 7 p.m. through Aug. 28, according to starkfarmblueberries.com/farmers-market. See the farm’s Facebook page for updates. According to the farm’s website, vendors will include Bela Brook Farm (beef and chicken), Bizzy Bee Books, Blakeney’s Bread, Bunny Bee Cotton Candy, Clapp Family Farm (veggies, fruit, eggs), Clayton Soaps, Four Legged World, Generation Farm (salad greens), Jacqui’s Glassicles, Log Home Herbs and Crafts, Maeve + Enya LaMarque (crocheted items, bracelets), Matt Forrest Esenwine (children’s books), Niamh Stevin with a lemonade stand, Southern Charm Cheese, Nature’s Dreamscape (isopods and plants), Trusted Essential Services and Stark Farm itself, which offers blueberries, honey, jams, doughnuts, whoopie pies, maple syrup and Amish popcorn.

Saturdays

• The Concord Farmers Market runs Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to noon through Oct. 31, on Capitol Street next to the New Hampshire Statehouse in downtown Concord and “is one of the oldest markets in … New Hampshire. During the peak season we have 40+ vendors at the market,” according to concordfarmersmarket.com, where you can find a map of vendor spots as well as parking in the area. Vendors include Abbot Creamery (cheese), Auntie B’s Greek Pastry, Apple Hill Farm, Bardo Farm (dried meats), Blakeney’s Bakery, Blasdell Body Care, Birch Rise Farm (chicken, pork, turkeys, eggs), Bread Peddler, Celeste Oliva (oils, balsamic vinegars, spices), Chichester Country Store (doughnuts, baked goods), Clayton’s Way Farm (soaps), Coffin Cellars Winery, Concord Bee Co. (honey, bee products), Community Supported Cold Brew, Down Home with Dee (mushrooms), East Coast Sales (dog chews and bones), Fresh Start Farms, Garrison City Nut Co., Grand View Farm (cut flowers), Granite Ledge Coffee, Hickory Nut Farm (goat milk products), Hop N Hen Farm (vegetables, fruits, eggs, poultry), Kearsarge Gore Farm (vegetables, flowers, lamb, beef, pork), KYS Food For Dogs, Lindon Garlic Farm, Live Free and Bark, Meadowview Farm (lamb, chicken, beef, honey, maple, pickles, jellies & jams, eggs, fruit), Meta Micro Greens, Morrill Farm Dairy (beef, flours), Mt. Dearborn Farm (pork, chicken lamb, eggs, soaps and shampoo, alpaca yard and balls), New England Fish Mongers, NOK Vino, Potter Beef Farm, Potter’s Farm (maple, vegetables, berries), Prodigal Brewing, Rocky Ole Farm (vegetables, berries, farm crafts, eggs), Sun Fox Farm (sunflower oils, herbs, spices), Twisted Mallow Co., Savvy Sweets & Treats, Sayde & Georges (Middle Eastern dips), Southern Charm Farm (cheese), Swallow Ridge Farm (cheese), Sound Roots Farm (vegetables, mushrooms, flowers), Tamworth Distillery, TerraBasics (herbs and herbal items, seasonings, edible flowers), Tilton Hill Goat Farm, Wiggle Butt Bites (pet treats), Wild Berry Farm (maple syrup and products, fiber products), Woodman’s Bakery and Yakum Hill Farm (soy products), according to the website.

• The Contoocook Farmers Market is open in summer on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon through October at the Riverway Park Gazebo, 896 Main St. in Contoocook, according to facebook.com/ContoocookFarmersMarket, where you can find updates on vendors and events.

• The Warner Area Farmers Market is located at 5 E. Main St. in Warner and runs Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Oct. 3, according to facebook.com/warnerareafarmersmarket, where you can find updates on vendors and special events, such as Kid’s Day featuring a kids’ craft fair on Aug. 8, and musical performers. Vendors include KGF, Kate’s Wicked Bakes, Alyssa Kreilick, Liberty Bakes, Bella Wilson, Good Rhubarb Soap, Lesvia de King, Horner Hollows Homestead and Blaisdell Hill Farm, according to warnerfarmersmarket.org.

• The Milford NH Farmers Market takes place Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., through Oct. 31, at Blue Seal, 351 Elm St. in Milford, according to milfordnhfarmersmarket.com. Vendors include Fresh Start Farm, Hungry Bear Farm (vegetables, herbs, berries, salsa), Begin Family Farm, Ledge Top Farm (vegetables, fruits, eggs), Liberty Fish, G3 Bakery, Hulda’s Swedish Baked Goods, Les Bonnes Miches, Sunflower Bakery & Cafe, Berkshire Gold, Highland Apiaries, Lone Wolf Cheese, Maple Lane Farm (pies, nut brittles, cookies, whoopie pies, jams, pickles), Old Ivy Farm (cut flowers, preserves, pies), Mola Foods, Joyberry Farms (mushrooms and mushroom products), Lakonian Olive Oil, Miss Judy’s Salsa, Nonnies Bolognese, Lux Lifestyle (skin care products), Bubble Factory (goats milk soaps and lotions), Lavender FIelds, Kawa Roasters, Pup’s Cider, 603 Perfect Blends (loose leaf teas), Averill House Vineyard, Cooper & Sophie’s Kitchen (pet treats), Lissa Malloy Art, Everything Alpaca, Grammy’s Needles & Threats, TH Custom Woodwork, The Pearl Shop and Claudia’s Jewelry, the website said. See the market’s Facebook page for updates on vendors and musicians for a specific week.

• New Boston Farmers Market is open Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., on the Town Common in New Boston through Oct. 10, according to facebook.com/NewBostonFarmersMarket, which says that “All products are made/grown in NH by local farmers and artisans.” Vendors listed for the July 11 market included Charmed, Fresh Start Farms, Wildflour Breads & Bakes, Clearly Balance Days, Caleb’s Cookies, Sweet Pumpkins Farm, DJ’s Pure Natural Honey, 2 Good 2 Be Baked, Juniper & Joy Collective, The Cupcake Porium, Karen’s Touch, Meadowgate Farm, C. Paige Creations, La Brioche Gourmande, Little Dumpling House, Bunny Bee Cotton Candy, KC’s Enchanted and Joe English Grange No. 53, according to a post.

• Pelham NH Farmers Market is located at 3 Main St. in Pelham and runs Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. into October, according to facebook.com/PelhamNHFarmersMarket. Saturday, July 18, is the market’s blueberry festival: “Come enjoy farm fresh blueberries and other blueberry goodies from our vendors,” a post said. Other upcoming events include a Children’s Day Aug. 22 and Apple Pie Day on Oct. 3, according to posts. See the Facebook page for updates on vendors each week; the July 4 vendors included Darlene’s Dinners, Doherty Farm, Kahn Landscaping, CT Jitters, Black Sheed Craft Ice Cream, Breaking Bread, Sewing by Jessica, Motherland Olive Oil, Spring Pepper Design and Nassamat, the post said.

• The Market at the Weirs takes place in Weirs Community Park, 49 Lucerne Ave. in Laconia, Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Oct. 3, according to themarketatweirs.com, where you can find the upcoming week’s vendor list. The Saturday, July 18, vendor list includes Arándano Farm (chicken, pork, eggs), Canterbury Soapworks, Gluten Free or Die Bakery, Goodies 4 Good (cupcakes and cookies, chocolate tipped treats, pet treats), Little Moose Crafts, Maggi’s Menu (sourdough, baked goods), Mel’s Sweet Treats (coffee, boba drinks, cupcakes), Papa’s Kitchen (hamburgers, hotdogs, tenders, fries and more), Still Seeking Farm (vegetables, bread, maple syrup, jam), Stockla’s Farm (produce, plants, maple products, pickles, salsa, baked goods), Warner River Produce and WildLore Studio (herbal products, jewelry, prints and photos), the website said.

• Blooms Market takes place at Deerfield Community Church, 15 Church St. in Deerfield, from 8 to 10:30 a.m. on upcoming Saturdays including July 25, Aug. 8, Aug. 22, Sept. 12, Sept. 26, Oct. 10 and Oct. 24, according to bloomsandbrewscafe.com/bloomsmarket. Vendors include Baked by Elizabeth, Batchelder Farm (beef, chicken, pork), Bee Thankful Farm (vegetables, fruits), Crook and Scythe (greens, vegetables, flowers, coffee), Dill Family Farm (maple syrup and maple products, eggs), Epoch Prints, K Taylor Co (cookies, brownies, lemonade), Kind Goat Soap, The Late Bird Baked Goods (gluten free), North Road Bread Box, Patten Hill Wild (honey, honey products, herbs), Stay Golden Tallow, Sunfox Farm and Sweet Escape Doughnuts and Bakery, the website said.

• The Candia Farmers Market runs on the third Saturday of each month through October from 9 a.m. to noon, at 55 High St. in Candia, according to candiafarmersmarket.org, where you can see the dates for upcoming fairs and special events planned. The July 18 fair is a July Farmers Market and Artisan Fair, the website said. According to the market’s Facebook page, the July market will be “our biggest market of the summer! With 60+ local vendors, you’ll discover everything from farm-fresh foods and handmade artisan goods to delicious prepared foods, local wine, beer, spirits, and so much more.” July attractions will include “living history with the Royal Irish Artillery, featuring historical reenactments and exciting cannon demonstrations”; the music and stories of Papa Joe, “Kids can plant and take home their own microgreens at our free Young Farmers Club, plus enjoy our monthly scavenger hunt and a visit with our animal guests (as long as they cooperate!),” and more, according to a post for the event.

• The Francestown Community Market is located at the Francestown Recreation Fields on Old Country Road in Francestown and is open every other Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to facebook.com/francestowncommunitymarket, where you can find updates on market dates. “Experience a convergence of artisanal vendors, our new REC sponsored food tent, and live music,” a post said about the market.

Sundays

• The Nashua Farmers Market runs Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. until Oct. 18 at the Nashua Riverwalk in Renaissance Park, according to downtownnashua.org/nashua-farmers-market. Find updates about each week’s vendors and musical performances on the Downtown Nashua Association Facebook page. Seasonal vendors include Bee Wild Flowers, Casa Arreyto, Crumbs on Cambridge, DJ’s Purnatural Honey, Donna Issa, Fresh Start Farms, Jajabelles Coffee & Bake Show, Nestxpressions, Real Soap, Realm of Media Possibilities, Spiczka Farm, Sunfox Farm and Wildpower Botanical, according to the website.

• Salem NH Summer Farmers Market is located next to The Field near Dick’s House of Sport at the Mall at Rockingham Park, 77 Rockingham Park Blvd. in Salem, and is open every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to salemnhfarmersmarket.org, where you can sign up for a newsletter to get updates on what vendors will be at the market each week. Year-round and summer market vendors include Abbott Hill Creamery (cheese), Farmer Dave’s (fruits, vegetables, flowers), New England Fish Mongers, Anderson Mini Maples, Fresh Start Farms, Orazio’s Family Dinners (frozen pot pies), Baked Bliss Cookies, Flying M Farm (poultry, rabbit, eggs), Root & Bloom Flower Farm, Big Rich’s Gourmet Hot Sauce & Marinade, Graze and Go NH, Roy’s Empanadas, Bookworms Bakery, Holy Moly Snacks, Sayde & Georges, Brookford Farm (veggies, meats, dairy, kraut and kimchi), September Farm (baked goods, including gluten free and dairy free), Cathedral Ledge Distillery, Hurd Farm (beef, turkey, chicken, pork), Slipper Soap Co., Coffin Cellars Winery, Coffee and Biscotti, Joyberry Farm (mushrooms), Sweets by Shannon (gluten-free), Cosmic Happiness (jewelry), Terra d’Amuri (Sicilian arancine and desserts), Cucina Aurora (olive oils), Kirasole Studio (jewelry, wearables, home decor), Tewksbury Honey, Curtis Fontaine and Ali Cafaro Ceramics, KRM Chocolates, The Good Llama Co. (soy candles), Live Free & Bark, The Lemon Babe (Lemonade), Earth Cut Pottery, Meatball King, The Prodigal Brewing Co., Meta Microgreens, Tummy Full (Indian food), F-Word Farm (vinegars), Middle Sister Candle Co., Twisted Mallow Co. and Woodman’s Artisan Bakery, according to the website.

A look at the creations that take ice cream to another level

There is, of course, no single surefire guaranteed way to put somebody in a good mood. But ice cream comes close and an ice cream sundae adds even more deliciousness.

Perhaps a sundae even helps sell the idea that ice cream is a meal unto itself? Karissa Grey, a scooper at Cremeland Drive In in Manchester said that while scooped ice cream and sundaes sell about equally well, as the day gets later customers are more likely to order sundaes. “Some days it’s just scoops, other days I get a lot of orders for sundaes, but we definitely sell more sundaes in the afternoon than we do in the morning.”

How to sundae? Here are some ideas from some area sundae purveyors.

• Rhubarb Sundae

$4.35 from Richardson’s Farm (170 Water St., Boscawen, 796-2788, richardsonsfarmnh.com)

“It’s a standard sundae,” owner Jim Richardson said, “two scoops of ice cream, whatever kind of sauce, whipped cream, nuts, and cherry. But in this case the sauce is our homemade rhubarb. Several years ago a woman came running up to the front door, pointing at our rhubarb, going, ‘Is that rhubarb?’ I wondered what was wrong with her — it’s obviously rhubarb, but she said she’d never seen it before. I asked her where the heck she came from, and she said, Maryland. I just shook my head.”

Richardson admitted that rhubarb is a bit old-fashioned.

“When I was a little kid,” he said, “my grandmother always had a rhubarb sauce on the stove in the springtime. And you had to have it to thin your blood. If you didn’t thin your blood in the springtime, you’d overheat in the summertime. So anyway, after the Maryland lady left, I thought, ‘Geez, I haven’t done that in years,’ so I made a big pot of rhubarb sauce.”

The rhubarb sauce was popular enough that Richardson added strawberry-rhubarb and blueberry-rhubarb ice creams into his rotation. “It sells better than plain strawberry does,” he said. “We have a constant demand for it.”

• Strawberry sundae

$6.75 for a small at King Kone (366 DW Highway in Merrimack, kingkonenh.com)

Known for their massive soft-serve ice cream cone, which you can get dipped or with toppings, King Kone also offers banana splits and sundaes, which are equally generous in size. Sundae offerings include hot fudge, peanut butter, pineapple, hot butterscotch, brownie and, for your berry cravings, a Strawberry Sundae, which you can get with your choice of soft-serve. At a recent visit, options included vanilla, chocolate, peanut butter, blueberry and, for maximum flavor, strawberry. The strawberry soft-serve was topped with syrupy strawberries, whipped cream, nuts and cherry.

• The Dudley Special

$7.98 at Dudley’s Ice Cream (846 Route 106, Loudon, 783-4800, facebook.com/dudleysicecreamshop)

“It’s like a banana split, without the banana,” said scooper Damaris Gilbert. “There’s three scoops of ice cream, and three — all of the toppings match up to the flavors, so there are strawberries on the strawberry [ice cream] and hot fudge on the chocolate ice cream, but what kind of topping matches up to vanilla? Well, pineapples are kind of the same color.”

Gilbert said that in her professional opinion the Dudley’s Special should be split between two or more people. “If I was going to eat a banana split or a Dudley’s Special or either of them, I would bring a team, personally,” she said, “but loads of people eat it by themselves. The Dudley’s Special is one of those mysterious types of things with aura where you remember when someone orders one. You remember the specific person who ordered it.”

• Ice Cream Sundae (bespoke)

A small for $6.50 at Granite State Candy Shoppe (13 Warren St., Concord, 225-2591; 832 Elm St., Manchester, 218-3885, granitestatecandyshoppe.com)

“I wanted to make you happy today,” said scooper Tasha Ross, “so I made you a lovely small sundae which consists of two scoops. I added one scoop of fudge brownie and another scoop of our peanut butter cup ice cream. On top, I put a little bit of chocolate fudge, and peanut butter sauce. The toppings I added were mini peanut butter cups and I also added some almonds since how can you have fudge brownies without almonds? And then I finished it off with some rainbow sprinkles and topped it with whipped cream and cherries.”

Granite State Candy sells more than 25 flavors of hard ice cream at any given time, Ross said. “If you order a large [sundae], you can add an extra flavor. We have four vegan flavors that are available in kinder, small, large, pint, or quart-sized. And our sundaes come in micro, small, and large sizes.”

“Because,” she repeated, “we want you to be happy.”

• Medium Three-Topping Sundae

$9.76 at Social Club Creamery (138 N. Main St., Concord, 333-2111, socialclubcreamery.com)

At the Social Club Creamery there are two ice cream menus. One menu is permanent, featuring always-there, familiar flavors, like double chocolate, maple latte, honeycomb or gooey butter cake. Additionally there is a second, smaller menu of seasonal flavors that changes each month. In July, for instance, it’s possible to order black raspberry chip, blueberry cheesecake, raspberry-brownie batter, or strawberry lemonade sorbet, which is vegan.

Asked to make a “very good sundae,” scoopers Maddie Dwyer and Chloe MacNevin consulted briefly and made a medium sundae with three toppings — a scoop each of Patty’s peppermint and double chocolate ice cream, with hot fudge, whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles. This particular sundae has not been named yet, they said, but if it were, it would be a staff favorite.

• Happy Cake Bowl

$6.51 from Sweet Bel’s Ice Cream & Dessert Creations (608 DW Highway, Merrimack, 670-2161, sweetbels.com)

A Happy Cake Bowl is a sort of hybrid sundae, said Sweet Bel’s owner Jennifer Belmore.

“We cut cake up into cubes, and we put it in the bottom of a bowl and then you get to pick your ice cream. You get to pick your hot topping and then it’s covered in whipped cream and sprinkles and a cherry. It’s kind of like a throwback to your younger days when you had a birthday and you had your cake and ice cream. We’ve got away from that for some reason. And who doesn’t love cake and ice cream?”

• Fried Dough Sundae

$10.95 at Cremeland Drive In (250 Valley St., Manchester, 669-4430, see page on Facebook)

“The Fried Dough Sundae is pretty popular,” said Cremeland scooper Karissa Grey, “but not as much as the banana split, which is the favorite, especially in the afternoon. But the Fried Dough Sundae is literally just exactly what it says. It’s a piece of fried dough with ice cream, liquid topping, with cream and a cherry.”

The number of flavors of ice cream Cremeland carries depends on the time of year, Grey said. “It really depends on the time of the season, because we’re seasonal. So sometimes we have just our bare-bones flavors, like at the beginning of the season, at the end of the season. And other times, like right now, I think there’s 27 on the board.”

The secret to making a good sundae, Grey said, is attention to details.

“It’s my favorite thing to do,” she said, “making them look nice. It’s important not to rush, honestly. A lot of people, when it gets busy, will just rush to get things out. But you eat with your eyes first, not your mouth, and that plays a big part in — I feel like, that’s one of the things that make people want to come here or not.”

• Large Hot Fudge Sundae

$9.95 at The Big 1 (185 Concord St., Nashua, thebig1icecream.com)

Jeanne Marquis, the owner of The Big 1, said a traditional hot fudge sundae is far and away the most popular of her treats.

“The classic vanilla hard ice cream with hot fudge is the most popular,” she said. “Our parfaits run second to that. We have hot caramel and hot butterscotch sauces as well. They all sell extremely well. And they’re all kind of classics, really.”

• Brownie Sundae

$7.83 at The Inside Scoop (260 Wallace Road, Bedford, 471-7009, theinsidescoopnh.com)

According to scooper Courtney Winands, the brownie sundae is the most popular enhanced ice cream dish at the Inside Scoop.

“It’s a fudge brownie on the bottom, with ice cream and a topping,” she said. While you can get any flavor ice cream, she recommends Maine blackberry: “It’s a red raspberry base, with chocolate raspberry truffles. That goes really well with hot fudge, whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles.” She said that when ordering for themselves most customers order a single scoop of ice cream or a kid’s size ice cream. Full-sized sundaes are generally a team effort, she observed.

• Classic Banana Split

$11.94 at Moo’s Place Homemade Ice Cream (27 Crystal Ave., Derry, 425-0100, moosplace.com)

Moo’s has more than 30 flavors of ice cream — not counting soft-serve, frozen yogurt, sorbets and other frozen treats — all made on the premises. One of its most popular sundaes is a classic banana split, with three scoops of ice cream, a banana, three toppings, whipped cream, chopped walnuts and a cherry, according to its website.

• Small Banana Boat

$12 at Hayward’s Ice Cream (364 DW Highway, Merrimack, 424-5915; 7 DW Highway in Nashua, 888-4663; haywardsicecream.com)

You are pretty much spoiled for choice with ice cream flavors at Hayward’s in Merrimack and Nashua. There are always at least 45 flavors of hard ice cream, which is made in house. A small banana boat has two scoops of ice cream, two types of sauce, a banana, whipped cream, chopped walnuts and a cherry. Like the ice cream, the sauces can be customized. The choices include strawberry, hot fudge, marshmallow and pineapple.

• Banana Float Sundae

$10 at Trombly Gardens (150 N. River Road, Milford, 673-0647, tromblygardens.net)

Trombly Gardens is better known as a farm stand and garden nursery but has a steady stream of ice cream customers, said scooper Mackenzie Burke. One of the most popular sundaes is Trobley’s Banana Float Sundae.

“It has three scoops of strawberry ice cream,” she said, “hot fudge, caramel, and butterscotch toppings, with walnuts on it, whipped cream and cherries. Strawberry is our most popular flavor for our banana float sundaes, especially now, during strawberry season.”

Burke said her personal favorite is “chocolate with chocolate on chocolate.”

• Cookie Monster Sundae

$9.75 at Hayward’s Family Ice Cream of Milford (383 Elm St., Milford, 672-8383, haywardsfamilyicecream.com)

A Cookie Monster Sundae is made with bright blue Cookie Monster ice cream, marshmallow sauce, and frozen nuggets of cookie dough, topped with more Cookie Monster ice cream, more marshmallow, and even more frozen cookie dough.

• King Shake

$12.95 at Lickee’s & Chewy’s Candy and Creamery (53 Washington St., Dover, 343-1799, lickeesnchewys.com)

Meaka Cruz is one of the managers at Lickee’s & Chewy’s. She said the store focuses on King Shakes, though the two are very similar.

“We offer a lot of creative sundaes, I suppose,” she said, “but we’re probably more about the King Shakes, which can be made as sundaes. They have chocolate rims on the side and fun toppings to mix with the ice cream, like Nutella, hot fudge, and then nuts and sprinkles. They all have kind of intricate toppings and themes that we typically strive for. A new one that we have right now … [has] Nutella and strawberries. Our chocolatiers decorate the cups with hard chocolate syrup on the side [and] top it with frozen strawberries and a Kinder Bueno bar.”

Cruz has a theory about why ice cream places develop such elaborate desserts with their ice creams.

“I think it’s to be creative and draw people in,” she said. “Everywhere else does something cool and unique, so I feel like each store wants to express themselves and tries to put something great out.”

SUNDAE PANEL
The Big 1 185 Concord St., Nashua, thebig1icecream.com
Cremeland Drive In 250 Valley St., Manchester, 669-4430, see page on Facebook
Dudley’s Ice Cream 846 Route 106, Loudon, 783-4800, facebook.com/dudleysicecreamshop
Granite State Candy Shoppe 13 Warren St., Concord, 225-2591; 832 Elm St., Manchester, 218-3885, granitestatecandyshoppe.com
Hayward’s Ice Cream 364 DW Highway, Merrimack, 424-5915; 7 DW Highway, Nashua, 888-4663; haywardsicecream.com
Hayward’s Family Ice Cream of Milford 383 Elm St., Milford, 672-8383, haywardsfamilyicecream.com
The Inside Scoop 260 Wallace Road, Bedford, 471-7009, theinsidescoopnh.com
King Kone 366 DW Highway in Merrimack, kingkonenh.com
Lickee’s & Chewy’s Candy and Creamery 53 Washington St., Dover, 343-1799, lickeesnchewys.com
Moo’s Place Homemade Ice Cream 27 Crystal Ave., Derry, 425-0100, moosplace.com
Richardson’s Farm 170 Water St., Boscawen, 796-2788, richardsonsfarmnh.com
Social Club Creamery 138 N. Main St., Concord, 333-2111, socialclubcreamery.com
Sweet Bel’s Ice Cream & Dessert Creations 608 DW Highway, Merrimack, 670-2161, sweetbels.com
Trombly Gardens 150 N. River Road, Milford, 673-0647, tromblygardens.net

Book recommendations for your lazy summer days

We asked local booksellers, librarians and others to recommend some good reads for this summer. They offered mysteries, thrillers, romances and romantasies, science fiction and historical fiction and literary fiction and nonfiction.

Fiction

Loops by Jashar Awan “is a humorous and relatable picture book about a child who is learning to tie his shoes. Readers of all ages will enjoy this charmingly illustrated and narrated story, as the trials and triumphs of this new ‘big kid’ responsibility unfold,” said Children’s Librarian Katie S. at Manchester City Library.

Contrapposto by Dave Eggers “I have such enormous affection for these characters, and for the world of this novel,” said Michael Herrmann, owner of Gibson’s Bookstore in Concord. “It’s a story about Art with a capital A, vividly told. It would be too much to say that Contrapposto reveals the mysteries of creation, but I’ve only rarely seen a novel capture so well the temperament of the artist, and the history of American art over the last 50 years. People don’t always mention Dave Eggers when the conversation turns to ‘the best novelists working today,’ but they should.”

The Searcher by Tana French “I recommend this book to all my fiction readers at the library,” said Lara B., Director at Langdon Public Library in Newington. “The Searcher and its sequels, The Hunter and The Keeper, are set in rural Ireland, centering on an expatriate American cop who reluctantly gets roped into investigating the disappearance of a local teen. These books appeal to murder mystery fans as well as those who prefer character-driven narratives. Everyone who read the first got hooked and eagerly awaited the second and third!”

Elizabeth W. of Seabrook Library also recommends this trilogy: “The characters and personalities who populate the novels will be recognizable to any person who lives in a small town, and French’s prose is rich and inimitable.”

Heartwood by Amity Gaige “Beautiful prose and building suspense make this a great read,” said Janet A., Head of Circulation at Hampstead Public Library. “The story is set largely in Maine, where an Appalachian Trail hiker disappears. Alternating perspectives between the lost woman, the Maine State Game Warden in charge of the search, and a 76-year-old bird watcher in Connecticut come together to build the tension. Will the hiker be found in time?”

Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman “For anyone looking for an easy read that’s funny, crude, and overall just ridiculous this is your summer read,” said Ryan O’Hora, Director of Pembroke Library. “Imagine aliens hosting a reality game show with Earth and the humans being the test dummies for their game show. I’ve read the first in the series and am looking to read more this summer.”

“If you haven’t fallen into this series yet, summer is your excuse. It’s wildly funny, action-packed, and genuinely hard to put down. Perfect for readers who want something completely different,” said Brianna at Bookish Bliss mobile bookshop.

“When the Earth is conquered by aliens, humans are invited into a video-game-like dungeon, which is also an intergalactic reality show. Carl, who entered the dungeon with his ex-girlfriend’s cat, had no idea what he was in for, especially when she — award-winning show-cat Princess Donut — took a magic pet biscuit and gained the ability to speak. The premise is silly, but the books are well-written, funny, and action-packed. I couldn’t put this series down; I read all eight of them in the last few months!,” said Katrina L. of Concord Public Library

Phoebe Berman’s Gonna Lose It by Brooke Averick “While I’m not normally a romance reader, this is not your typical romance. The main character is awkward, insecure, and very relatable. It’s the perfect summer beach read that will make you laugh out loud,” said Jaime at Bookery Manchester

“For those of us who are eagerly awaiting the movie The Summer I Turned Pretty, rewatching the XO, Kitty series, or reading all things from the Jenny Han book universe, there is a teen graphic novel I can’t wait to get a hold of (as soon as it is returned). To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before has been turned into a graphic novel adapted by Barbara Perez Marquez and illustrated by Akimaro and Li Lu and is available at a library or bookstore near you!” said librarian Jennifer T. at Goffstown Public Library.

“If you are looking for a swoon-worthy sports romance, Lynn Painter’s Fake Skating is at the top of my list for teens and adults. Painter excels at the fake dating trope through her flawed, multi-dimensional characters and her smart, seamless mix of humor, hope and heart in this young adult hockey romance,” said Goffstown Public Library’s Jennifer T.

The Shopkeeper of Alsace by Laura Knoy “Based on a true story, Knoy’s novel follows a remarkable woman and her family through two World Wars. A gripping and important read,” said Mathew B., Assistant Director of Concord Public Library.

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore “is the perfect combination of mystery, family drama, and nostalgia to add to your summer reading list,” said Faithe L. of Concord Public Library. “When teenager Barbara Van Laar goes missing from a summer camp in the Adirondacks in 1975, all is not as it appears. Is this related to the disappearance of Barbara’s brother, Bear, 14 years earlier? Everyone is a suspect, as the plot unravels over decades.”

“I am eager to read Green City Wars by sci-fi maestro Adrian Tchaikovsky, about a raccoon living in a solarpunk city investigating the disappearance of a mouse. That’s right, genetically engineered pests solving crimes – how could I pass this up?” said Lex H., library tech at Manchester City Library.

Janet A. of Hampstead Public Library is looking forward to reading Down with the Shipmans by Meg Mitchell Moore.“Massachusetts author Meg Mitchell Moore’s 2025 suspenseful drama Mansion Beach was a great summer read, so I look forward to her new novel,” she said. In Down with the Shipmans, the Shipman sisters are heading to a family reunion at their New Hampshire summer home and drama ensues.

Odyssey by Homer, translated by Emily Wilson “If you missed this in high school literature, have no fear, you can start today on the best journey ever written,” said Ryan O. of Pembroke Library. “I wanted to read this before the movie came out this summer. It was such an easy read and sure to enthuse any adventure seeker.”

“Those of you anticipating Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster film of the Odyssey hitting theaters this summer can prepare by reading the celebrated 2023 Emily Wilson translation of the Iliad, ‘that other epic poem by Homer.’ Wilson’s language and use of a rhyme scheme more friendly to English speakers makes her translation approachable for those new to the classic tale of war, gods, and wrath. Those familiar with earlier translations will appreciate Wilson’s version for its immediacy and propulsive style,” said Michael Haley Goldman of NH Humanities.

Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint by singNsong “This is both a novel and a webtoon (and maybe an animation soon?) and can best be described as Percy Jackson for adults. A lot of the historical legends and figures that bestow powers are Korean, as the main story takes place in Seoul, but the apocalypse is world-spanning and so are the players,” said Yvonne F., Teen Librarian at Manchester City Library.

Lore of the Wilds by Analeigh Sbrana “It can be challenging to find romantasy that features people of color, so finding this cottage-core duology was like finding a personal goldmine. If you love the idea of being trapped in a library, running a small business in a quaint village, magic, or romance you’d love this book,” said Adanna at Bookery Manchester.

When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzén “This heartfelt book [is] one I have been thinking about ever since finishing earlier this year. Simply put, it is about a man, his beloved dog, and the people and relationships surrounding the two. A must-read for its dialogue on the complexity of aging, dignity, dying, and grief. Truly beautifully written, and a book that feels like it could be about any of us or a parent,” said Leah M. at Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire.

Colson Whitehead’s Harlem Trilogy, consisting of Harlem Shuffle, Crook Manifesto and Cool Machine, is recommended by Elizabeth W., Director of Seabrook Library. “These books explore the adventures of Ray Carney, a furniture store owner who moonlights as a fence. Each book is set in a different decade, the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s. This trilogy puts its readers in the center of a criminal underworld wrapped in wry humor, with characters whose voices are so unique and real that they will reverberate in your head long after you’ve finished the book,” she said.

The Fetishist by Katherine Min is recommended by Lara B. of Langdon Public Library in Newington: “I encountered this book because its brilliant author was a professor of mine at Plymouth State University, before her passing in 2019. This novel … is part thriller, part farce, part cultural commentary, and, as one would expect from the winner of the Pushcart Prize, always masterfully and elegantly written. The Fetishist is loosely inspired by Lolita but focuses on the traumatic effects and intergenerational impact of predation, its title a skewering indictment of white men who fetishize Asian women. I enjoyed Min’s first novel, Secondhand World, while feeling it appealed more to young adult audiences — this one speaks to all ages….”

The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow “It would have been enough for me that this thrilling, thought-provoking fantasy is a time-looping re-imagining of the Arthurian legend featuring a woman knight … and the scholarly historian chronicling her story. What struck me most about this book, though, is its focus on the role of stories in society, particularly who has the power to tell the stories, who benefits from these stories, and whose stories get left out,” said Tricia R., librarian at Wiggin Memorial Library in Stratham. “This book kept me on the edge of my seat straight through….”

The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros “Rebecca Yarros never misses, and this one wrecked me in the best way. It’s emotional, it’s romantic, and it’s the kind of book you’ll want to read in one sitting with a box of tissues nearby,” said Brianna at Bookish Bliss.

Beartown by Fredrik Backman “I really could mention any book by Backman as I love his writing style and his story telling ability,” said Denise of Book Bound. “He has the beautiful ability to make the reader care about his characters so deeply even when they are flawed. … Beartown focuses on a small town … junior ice hockey team (you don’t have to be a hockey fan to enjoy this) competing and winning the national semi-finals. These young boys greatly feel the pressure and a violent act … throws the town into turmoil … and we see secrets, hope and courage come into play.”

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin “is, at its heart, a story about love — but not about romance,” said Faithe L. of Concord Public Library. “Sam Masur and Sadie Green strike up a childhood friendship in a hospital waiting room, never imagining how their relationship will bloom and be threatened throughout their lives. As Sam and Sadie become business partners, video game designers, and best friends, they navigate challenges of the heart, mind, and body.”

Gibson’s Bookstore staffer Fal recommends The Dragon Has Some Complaints by John Wiswell, out July 14. “Garrodigh has three heads and a stump, but we don’t talk about Lefty. Never mind him, the rest of the heads can enact a grand scheme of their own, thank you very much!” Fal said. “Stitches-in-your-side hilarious, this book will have you on the floor, cackling at the many woes of a dragon who yearns for revenge but gets head scritches instead.”

What Came West by Josh Weil “Set in 1849, before the gold rush, Silas is traveling west in a propulsive thriller. I’m excited to read this book because I’ve not read many westerns and the author’s writing is amazing. On my initial read I couldn’t put it down because the story was intriguing and mysterious. Adventure awaits!” said Ryan O. of Pembroke Library

Wreck by Catherine Newman “Like her book Sandwich, Newman’s Wreck is beautifully written. It’s a slice-of-life story with both heartbreak and humor. … You’ll enjoy the wit and wisdom of Rocky as her family comes together for a holiday … and a local tragedy raises questions that affect them all. (Sandwich is also a fantastic summer read with Rocky and her family on vacation on Cape Cod.),” said Janet A. of Hampstead Public Library.

Dorothy H., Head of Adult Services at Seabrook Library, recommends Big Little Truths by Liane Moriarty (releasing Aug. 25) “With their kids now in high school, the women of Big Little Lies again are joining forces to figure out why a mysterious package was sent to the school’s principal,” she said. “And who is the stranger asking questions at the school?”

Scandal of the Summer by Alexandra Vasti “This is Vasti’s latest regency romance romp and to convince you to read it, I have just one word. Pirates. This one release[d] on June 23,” said Brooke K., library technician at Manchester City Library.

This Book Made Me Think of You by Libby Page “Tilly Nightingale, a young widow, gets a call from a local bookstore. There’s a book waiting there for her, chosen by her recently deceased husband, Joe. There are 12 carefully chosen books for her, one for each month of the year, to help her through the first year without him. A little bit of romance and a lot of great books – a charming read!” said Robbin B. of Concord Public Library.

Anatomy of an Alibi by Ashley Elston is “a gripping mystery that keeps you guessing — perfect for a beach bag or a rainy summer afternoon,” said Brianna at Bookish Bliss.

The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow “A lovely, engaging book told from the perspective of Mary Bennet, the much maligned middle sisterin Pride & Prejudice. In Jane Austen’s book, Mary is considered the unattractive, bookish, and socially awkward sister who either annoys or embarrasses the rest of her family. In this book we learn of the toll that her family’s dim view of her has taken on Mary…. The book traces Mary’s attempts to gain some control over her life and her happiness…. If you enjoy this book, check out the wonderful new BBC TV adaptation,” said Tricia R. of Wiggin Memorial Library.

“Platform Decay by Martha Wells is the latest of the Murderbot books and as a fan of the series it’s a joy to read. This entry echoes a previous book, Exit Strategy, in the plot of SecUnit (aka Murderbot, but that’s private) rescuing its clients from corporate hell — but this time, we see how much SecUnit has grown and flourished in freedom,” said Lex H. of Manchester City Library.

The Bookbinder’s Secret by A.D. Bellis “binge-worthy historical fiction,” said Erin R. of Derry Public Library. “When Lily Delaney (apprentice bookbinder) finds a love note in the binding of a partially burned book, she doesn’t anticipate that it will push her headlong into uncovering a mysterious and forbidden love story from 50 years earlier — or that her life will be in danger if she digs too deep.”

Seabrook Library’s Elizabeth W. recommends the Essex Dogs Trilogy by Dan Jones, consisting of Essex Dogs, Wolves of Winter and Lion Hearts, saying, “These books, set in 14th-century England, explore the experience of a group of ordinary foot soldiers in the 100 Years’ War. Not for those who abhor rough language, but endlessly fascinating to students of military history.”

The Last Gifts of the Universe by Riley August “Two siblings and their cat on a quest through space, scavenging dead planets to learn about an entity that has been destroying civilizations throughout the Universe before their home planet faces a similar fate. I haven’t stopped talking about this book since I read it two years ago!” said Alex of Bookery Manchester. “Plus the author has a new book coming out this July called A Planet Called Happy that I’m really looking forward to reading!”

Trad Wife by Saratoga Schaefer “I know everyone is reading Yesteryear (including me!), but Trad Wife might be my favorite book of the year so far. It’s a horror twist on the burgeoning ‘trad wife realizes her life isn’t so perfect’ genre, and has a great ‘good for her’ ending,” said Liz R., reference librarian at Derry Public Library.

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke “was a wonderfully wild ride,” said Jaime at Bookery Manchester. “I chose to read it since it’s so hot in fiction right now and I’m SO glad I did. It’s punchy, unique, and very fitting for the world we live in right now.”

Yesteryear“is thought provoking and helps you to appreciate the freedoms we women have these days versus the way things were in the 1800s,” said Michelle at Bound Together used book store in Nashua.

And Denise of Book Bound, the wandering bookshop in the Seacoast area, said, “Yesteryear … was a hands-down favorite of mine … because of the author’s talent for crafting a story. It centers on Natalie, a ‘trad wife’ influencer. We quickly learn she is no traditional wife at all, however. She has nannies taking care of her children and helping with the house and makes a lot of money off of her ‘brand.’ … Until one day, Natalie wakes up in the harsh reality of the year 1855…. What the author does after this is a wild ride and I won’t spoil it.”

“Angel Down by Daniel Kraus was awarded the 2026 Pulitzer Prize in Fiction. It’s also a real page-turner! Five World War I soldiers rescue an angel from No Man’s Land. This fast-paced story is told in a single sentence using beautiful vocabulary paired with vivid descriptions and tense moral dilemmas. It’s the best book I’ve read in a very long time. Even if you don’t read historical fiction, this one is worth seeking out!” said librarian Sarah F. at Laconia Public Library.

The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett is 656 pages of historical fiction from the author of 2009’s The Help. “Although we haven’t read this one yet, we are interested in the theme of loyalty, community and courage that the book promises to offer,” said Michelle at Bound Together in Nashua.

“And for our fantasy friends we would recommend Wolf King by Lauren Palphreyman for the high-stakes fantasy of friends to lovers and strong female roles, said Michelle at Bound Together. “It is full of twists and turns that will have you waiting for the next book, Night Prince.”

The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson was a finalist for several fantasy awards and was recommended by Katrina L. of Concord Public Library: “Neema Kraa never intended to be part of the trials to pick the new emperor of Orrun. But when one of the eight contestants dies mysteriously, she has no choice — she’s in, as the representative of the Raven god. And now, she’ll either become emperor or die trying.”

Kin by Tayari Jones “Beautifully written historical fiction that follows … two young Black women coming of age in a small town in Louisiana in the 1950s … on their separate paths as they struggle to find security and connection, while navigating the restrictive roles and expectations placed upon … Black women specifically, in the Jim Crow South,” said Tricia R. of Wiggin Memorial Library.

We Burned So Bright by T.J. Klune “is a heart-wrenching novella reckoning with every kind of grief imaginable. Reading it was hard but cleansing and left me feeling weepy, triumphant, and determined to enjoy my life as it comes,” said Lex H. of Manchester City Library.

You Won’t Forget Me by Mazey Eddings “This wonderfully sweet and angsty sapphic romance about two bandmembers who happen to be childhood friends is a perfect way to start the summer. With a viral fake triangle and road trip chaos, what’s not to love?” said Brooke K. of Manchester City Library.

The Ferryman and His Wife by Frode Grytten “A short story about a dying ferryman revisiting moments of his life through the different passengers he’s connected with. I’d recommend this book to anyone that loved I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman or Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar,” said Adanna of Bookery Manchester.

“If summer makes you SAD, cozy up with The Pelican Child by Joy Williams (longlisted for the National Book Award). Williams is darkly funny and this collection of short stories introduces you to misfits and dreamers navigating the minefields of living in a caustic world that wears you away. These stories are strange, haunting, and wonderful!,” said Larissa Striga of NH Humanities.

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir “is another fantastic, highly engaging book from Andy Weir that brings the reader on a science-focused journey through multiple solar systems. Not only does it solve big problems with science, it changes the way we see life, the universe and everything,” said Melissa Edwards of McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center.

Dear Monica Lewinsky by Julia Langbein “I AM FILLED WITH MEDIEVAL LEVELS OF FIRE RAGE AND BLOOD AND NOTHING BUT SAINT MONICA LEWINSKI CAN SOOTHE THIS SAVAGE BEAST,” said Cait of Gibson’s Bookstore.

“I plan to read this before summer is over. The concept of processing trauma through praying to a living person as if they were a saint sounds right up my alley for weirdly enjoyable fiction,” said Jaime of Bookery Manchester.

Good Luck, Babe! by Erin Baldwin “Coming out June 23, the author has described this young adult romance as Heated Rivalry meets the The Amazing Race. Need I say more?” said Brooke K. of Manchester City Library.

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver “A southern Appalachian retelling of Dickens’ David Copperfield, this fast-paced story is nuanced, clever, hilarious, and heartbreaking. A favorite of the Goffstown Library’s Evening Book Discussion group this year,” said Jen W., Adult Services Librarian at Goffstown Public Library

The Entanglement of Rival Wizards by Sara Raasch “This is the book I recommend to anyone who’s chasing the high they got from reading/watching Heated Rivalry. I stumbled upon this author while visiting a small bookstore on vacation, and have read and loved many of her stories since,” said Adanna of Bookery Manchester.

No One Leaves the Castle by Christopher Healy “A book I cannot recommend enough. This story reads like a game of Dungeons and Dragons where the player keeps rolling really low numbers. It is funny, mysterious, and fantastical, all of my favorite things in a novel,” said Sammy Davis, Teen Services Librarian at Nashua Public Library.

Twelve Months by Jim Butcher “is the 18th (!) book in the Dresden Files urban fantasy series, and it really proves that Butcher has yet to run out of steam,” said librarian Christopher L. of Hooksett Library. “Wizard Harry Dresden is picking up the pieces from the events that took place in the previous book, but anyone can jump in here and appreciate Dresden’s unflagging perseverance against his ever-growing list of threats.”

Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo “In San Francisco in 1954, there are many reasons Lily has to be concerned about her identity, the first being she is Chinese American and this takes place during the height of the second Red Scare in America, and the second being that she starts to realize she is attracted to women. This is a journey of self-discovery that is beautifully told,” said Sammy D. of Nashua Public Library.

The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré, a debut novel told in the voice of a young Nigerian servant woman determined to get an education, was recommended by Jen W. of Goffstown Public Library, who said, “I came away from reading this with a sense of hope for the future. There were moments of levity, moments of heartbreak, and ultimately, she triumphs.”

Timeline by Michael Crichton features a time-traveling history professor who gets stuck in 15th-century France. “If you enjoy time travel and fast-paced ’90s adventure stories, this is for you. … I couldn’t put it down,” said Jen W. of Goffstown Public Library

I See You’ve Called in Dead by John Kenney is recommended by Shane P. of Concord Public Library, who summarized it this way: “A jaded obituary writer pens his own obituary, then accidentally publishes it in the newspaper. In the aftermath, he and a friend attend strangers’ funerals, giving him an oddly new lease on life.”

The book also got a shoutout from Heather W. at Derry Public Library, who called it “a witty dark comedy that had me laughing out loud, nearly crying at times, and reflecting on what it means to be truly alive. One of my favorite reads so far this year!”

Theo of Golden by Allen Levi “Word-of-mouth has made this title a recent ‘it’ book, despite being published three years ago,” said Heather W. of Derry Public Library. “Mysterious Theo seems to be a polarizing character among readers, but I happened to love him and the overarching themes of kindness, empathy, and forgiveness that permeate the novel. I enjoy hearing others’ take on the book, too,”

When You Loved Me by Beatriz Williams “A young widow returns to her father’s New England estate determined to discover the truth about the rumor of pirate treasure buried on the property,” said Dorothy H. of Seabrook Library.

Seascraper by Benjamin Wood “If you’re looking for a moody book that makes you feel like you are actually on the shores of the foggy English coast as you root for a young man’s hunger to become a musician and escape his occupation as a shrimper, this one is for you. You’ll feel all the feels,” said Concord Public Library’s Jennifer N.

The Mark of the Dragonfly by Jaleigh Johnson is one of my all-time favorite books,” said Arianna L. of Concord Public Library. “Filled with adventure, friendship, and a steampunk twist, this young adult book was an amazing first installment of the World of Solace series.”

Nine Goblins by T. Kingfisher “Absolutely delightful, surprisingly heartfelt, and as offbeat as the title suggests, this is a wonderful little romp of a book,” said Sarah of Gibson’s.

I fell in love with Nessilka and her misfit band of goblins immediately,” Sarah said.

Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild “A debut novel that hooked me from the very beginning, this love story with a twist leaves you thinking about what happens when things don’t go according to plan, how our past can haunt us, and the value of second chances,” said Heather W. of Derry Public Library.

The Great Houses of Pill Hill by Diane Josefowicz “I just love ‘Cookie’ Cook, art school grad who runs her own interior design business and builds crime dioramas on the side! Subtle wit abounds — New Hampshire settings a bonus!” said Jan L. of Balin Books.

The Botanist’s Assistant by Peggy Townsend “Big-boned, eccentric Margaret Finch has never really fit in at the lab where she works, or anywhere, really. But when she finds her beloved Professor Deaver dead in his office, her world is turned upside down and she’s certain that it’s murder! Margaret must turn detective and discover the killer. Full of interesting tidbits about flowers, plants and poisons, this is a delightful, unusual mystery with terrific characters,” said Robbin B. of Concord Public Library.

The Dentist by Tim Sullivan is the “first in a new series featuring a neurodivergent detective — he has a 97% conviction rate because of his extraordinary attention to detail! New titles in this series are being released each month, so get hooked!” said Jan L. of Balin Books in Nashua.

The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler is “a fascinating exploration of marine life, intelligence, and humanity’s connection to the ocean,” said Breanna B., Marine Educator and Project Assistant at Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation. “I appreciate how The Mountain in the Sea inspires deeper curiosity and respect for the creatures that share our ocean.”

Villains Are Destined to Die by Gyeoeul Gwon “This series follows in the now well-established tradition of an isekaied (transported from another world) main character stuck in a dating simulator/video game that they used to play. But I really enjoyed how the backstory of both the original villainess and our ‘real world’ protagonist mirror each other and provide context that is sometimes glossed over in this genre. … Just be warned that the series is ongoing, so you will have to wait for the conclusion!” said Yvonne F. of Manchester City Library.

Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson “When Jet is bludgeoned nearly to death on Halloween night the doctors tell her she will be lucky to survive through the next week. Jet is determined that with the time she has left she will solve her own murder. Warning: Happy ending not guaranteed,” said Sammy D. of Nashua Public Library.

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher is “a retelling of Edgar Allen Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher that brings a new and unique perspective,” said Arianna L. of Concord Public Library. “Fascinating worldbuilding enhances Poe’s classic gothic stage while also adding Kingfisher’s distinctive wit.”

The Night Hunter by Natalie Moss is “due July 28, but I read the advanced copy!” said Jan L. of Balin Books. “Lions and tigers but no bears, oh my! This South African family tale is both breathtaking and terrifying — you are there, running from bush predators both animal and human. Visceral!”

The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett “A genetically enhanced Sherlock-and-Watson type duo solve a murder mystery — and discover the larger, disastrous machinations lurking in the Empire’s periphery. A great book for lovers of eco-horror and fantasy, with a third installment on the way,” said Shane P., Concord Public Library.

The Unmagical Life of Briar Jones by Lex Croucher “This book is marvelous. Messy, atmospheric, and vividly written — at points it made my stomach turn. The characters are young and imperfect and so so real. Thaumaturgy is a brilliant way to explore how far we’re willing to go for power (and what we lose in the process), and Croucher does a fantastic job walking the line between exposing the toxicity of elitism and acknowledging the poisonous allure of being one of the elites. I loved it,” said bookseller Sarah at Gibson’s.

Headlights by CJ Leede “Gorgeous. Wild. Heartbreaking. Grotesque. A meditation on pain, grief, death, nature, and the beyond, all wrapped up in a thrilling narrative of serial murder investigation and horrors of humanity. This book is stunning,” said Ryan of Gibson’s Bookstore. “I never knew what was coming next, and I loved every second.”

The Duke by Anna Cowan “Sapphic regency where a duke infamous for their cold demeanor is reduced to a pathetic yearning mess when faced with the wiles of a beautiful courtesan? Excellent, give me more. A fantastic read,” said bookseller Fal at Gibson’s.

I Know A Place by Nat Cassidy “All of Nat Cassidy’s stories simmer with a quiet brilliance. Some are a slow burn, some strike immediately, all of them slither under your skin and leave you feeling twitchy and unsettled. I still hate going into gas station rest stops, and not just because they’re usually gross, but because of Nat Cassidy’s story ‘Rest Stop.’ This collection is brilliant and scary and you need it, you need it, you need it,” said bookseller Ryan at Gibson’s.

The Body by Bethany C. Morrow “The Body seethes with rage and religious trauma. It is haunting and sinister and deeply horrific. I loved it, as I love all of Bethany C. Morrow’s books,” said Ryan of Gibson’s.

The Bone Door by Frances White “AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. That’s it. That’s the review. Read it,” said Fal of Gibson’s.

This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews “Romantic tension, high stakes, a world on the brink of war, this book will have you gripping your book until your knuckles turn white, and you won’t realize you stopped breathing until you’re gasping for breath, whether from relief or something else entirely,” said Fal of Gibson’s Bookstore.

Endless Blue Beneath by Shannon English “Outcast for daring to have feelings for a girl on land, yet encouraged to love as she wants below the surface — this book explores the complex feelings of wanting to be accepted as you are, and the sacrifices some are forced to choose, just to have a chance at a happy ending. Dark, haunting, and addicting, this book will leave you desperately hungering for the next one,” said Fal of Gibson’s.

The Children by Melissa Albert “If you were one of those kids who spent hours reading fantasy series, wishing desperately for your own chance to fall into a magical world, this book is for you,” said bookseller Kat of Gibson’s Bookstore. “This is a story that looms over you as you read. It is layer upon layer of meaning and language and images so vibrant you can taste them. It’s a fairy tale, a family drama, a gothic horror, and so much more. … I think it’s one I’ll be thinking about for many, many years.”

Milkteeth by Caitlin Starling “What if vampires had wet nurses, and what if one of those wet nurses was undergoing her own rebirth into something … other? Milkteeth takes us from the dark, wet walls of the womb out into a violent, gory afterbirth,” said Kat of Gibson’s.

“I recommend The Mad Wife by Meagan Church,” said Shana Hawrylchak, Executive Director of SEE Science Center in Manchester. “It is a fascinating look into 1950s domestic culture, mental health and medical misdiagnoses so common for many women even today. While the narrative is compelling, I definitely recommend that readers spend the time to read the author’s note, which provides some important historical context with modern relevance.”

Nonfiction

The Captain’s Dinner: A Shipwreck, An Act of Cannibalism and a Murder Trial That Changed Legal History by Adam Cohen “This look at a murder/survival story in Victorian-era England will have you on the edge of your seat. You just might finish it in one swallow,” said Erin R. of Derry Public Library.

Total Garbage by Edward Humes “highlights the environmental costs of our throwaway culture and challenges readers to think more critically about consumption, waste, and sustainability,” said Breanna B. of the Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation. “Total Garbage reinforces the connection between everyday choices and the health of our oceans….”

Sarah Chaffee, Director of Development at New Hampshire Humanities, recommended The Banker Who Made America: Thomas Willing and the Rise of the American Financial Aristocracy, 1731-1821, by William Vague. “As a confirmed reader of nonfiction, I have gone all in on the American Revolution this year,” said Chaffee, “and this book presents a unique perspective. It shines a light on … Thomas Willing, whose firm financed Caribbean trade, and legal but unethical privateering. The author underscores deep class divisions that predicted which side of the rebellion one might fall on, but also how class divisions shaped differing solutions to post-war government debt. These are divisions that still reverberate in our country — who should benefit from the wealth built through a system supported by all?”

Ocean Outbreak by Drew Harvell offers “a look at how disease outbreaks are affecting marine ecosystems worldwide, highlighting the importance of ocean research and conservation. Ocean Outbreak helps readers better understand the challenges facing the species and habitats we work to protect,” said Breanna B. of the Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation.

Vagabond by Tim Curry The English actor and singer known for his stage work and many voice acting roles “explores his vagabond spirit in this memoir that looks back on decades of entertaining,” said Erin R. of Derry Public Library, calling it “an open-hearted delight.”

The Common Uncommon by Bernd Heinrich “A renowned scientist elegantly shares his observations and knowledge of nature from having lived in a cabin in the northern forest (Maine) for the past 40 years. I immediately added Heinrich’s other books to my TBR list!,” said Mathew B. of Concord Public Library.

The Hardest, Longest Race: Henry Ford and the Cross-Country Contest That Changed America by Eric Moskowitz is “the riveting true story of the first coast-to-coast automobile race in U.S. history. This Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist sets the record straight,” said Seabrook Library’s Dorothy H.

The Stranger in the Woods by Michael Finkel “is the fascinating, true story of Christopher Knight, who they call ‘the last true hermit.’ At age 20, he walked into the Maine woods and disappeared for 27 years, not having a conversation with another human being for 3 decades. He lived in a tent and broke into local camps/cabins when no one was around and took food, clothing and books but only what he really needed. He hurt no one and just wanted to be alone living his own life and bothering no one. I am fascinated by human nature and psychology and why people do what they do and live how they live. This was very moving,” said Denise of Book Bound.

“If you’re curious about the competition between China and the United States, read Breakneck: China’s Quest to Engineer the Future by Dan Wang,” said Larissa S. of NH Humanities. “It’s a riveting book that blends technology, politics, philosophy, and economics with excellent storytelling. You’ll walk away with a better understanding of China’s meteoric rise, the United States’ building stagnation, and the implications for both countries.”

Rebugging the Planet by Vicki Hird “Insects, mollusks, and more feed other wildlife, support and defend our food crops, and work to clean our water systems. Vicki’s passion for the little creatures all around us comes through in these pages, marveling at their beauty and championing us to make changes and help them,” said Anita F. of NH Audubon, where this book will be the focus of an online discussion in November.

A Short History of Nearly Everything 2.0 by Bill Bryson is “not short in page length,” but “Bill shares information about science topics you have heard of (the big bang) [and] multiple topics you never learned in school with humor and insightful connections to today,” said Melissa Edwards of McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center.

Super Nintendo: the Game-Changing Company that Unlocked the Power of Play by Keza MacDonald is “a really fun history of a really fun company,” said Christopher L., librarian at Hooksett Library. “MacDonald … enhances the storytelling by also making sure to include some of her own experiences.”

The Amazing Generation by Jonathan Haidt and Catherine Price “is a great tool for kids to use to become aware of what’s going on behind the scenes with technology companies and social media,” said Christopher L. of Hooksett Library. “It builds off the ideas Haidt expressed to an adult audience in The Anxious Generation, but the angle here skews more positive.”

“For our tween and teen baseball fans and history buffs, check out Baseball’s Shining Season: America’s Pastime on the Brink of War by Martin W. Sandler and Craig Sandler. This nonfiction title, rich with photographs, recounts America’s love of baseball and need for a diversion during World War II,” said Goffstown Public Library’s Jennifer T.

“Oh Say Can You Say Di-no-saur? by Bonnie Worth, illustrated by Steve Haefele, is a fun way to learn about dinosaurs. Kids get excited to follow along and learn how to pronounce tricky dinosaur names!” said Amanda G., Educator at SEE Science Center.

Summer of Music

A look at the bands coming to big venues this concert season

There are two kinds of music fans in the world: those who’ve been fooled by Google when searching for concert tickets, and everyone who’s lying about being duped. The search engine’s algorithm groups third-party resellers at the top of search results, with at least one Page Down keystroke needed to get an official venue link.

Even then, there’s no guarantee of finding face value ducats. At BankNH Pavilion in Gilford, now a LiveNation property, “Verified Resale” tickets are built into the site, and for some summer shows, they’re the only seats available. Ticketmaster double dips — after collecting a face value service charge, it pockets a piece of every resale transaction.

An official site scalping its own tickets — what can a poor fan do? It’s the sort of thing that drives Scott Hayward, owner of Tupelo Music Hall, absolutely bonkers. He’s written many emails warning patrons of his Derry listening room about the dangers of going anywhere but tupelomusichall.com for tickets.

“Tupelo Music Hall does not release tickets to third-party ticketing vendors,” a note on the website reads, “and does not guarantee the validity or authenticity of any website, person, or business that claims to be selling tickets to our shows. In other words, if you are not buying your tickets directly from us, you could be purchasing tickets that are not valid.”

Despite such clear guidelines, fans still go to sketchy sites, then blame Tupelo when things go awry. Customers call to say tickets never arrived, only to learn a reference number was bogus and seats weren’t purchased from Tupelo. Fans fork over $100 for $30 seats and “get super pissed” when they realize the venue has nothing to do with the price they paid.

The core injury for an acoustically perfect paradise with the words “It’s All About the Music” written in giant letters above the snack bar is the idea of fans priced out of shows by performers they love, and those fans then blaming the venue for inflated costs it never set and doesn’t profit from.

Even someone as savvy as Hayward can fall for the Google ruse.

“We decided to go to a boat show in Rhode Island, and I almost bought tickets for three times the cost,” he said by phone recently. “I really thought I was on the event website, and I’m in the ticketing business! It’s really difficult sometimes.”

Accordingly, the following list of summer concerts is grouped by venue, and ticket buyers should always go to the website listed to begin the process. For Ticketmaster shows, options exist to filter out resale seats, but don’t be surprised if clicking on that box results in a blank page. Also, though infrequently, third-party seats are sometimes sold below face value.

With that in mind, enjoy the shows!

BankNH Pavilion

72 Meadowbrook Lane, Gilford, banknhpavilion.com

The former Meadowbrook is New Hampshire’s al fresco go-to venue for arena-sized acts. It’s now run by Live Nation, with food and merch sold in a carnival-themed midway, tailgate-ready parking lots, and plenty of rustic charm.

Hot Pick: Dierks Bentley, Thursday, July 9 – When he was starting out, Bentley opened for Brad Paisley at Meadowbrook. Now he’s atop the bill, joined by bluegrass legend Ricky Skaggs and newcomer Kaitlin Butts. The show spans country’s spectrum, from Skaggs’s well-honed mastery to the headliner’s road-tested arena sound and Butts’s emerging songwriting voice — a crowd-pleasing gathering that builds toward a rousing finish.

Upcoming Shows:

• Hardy with Muscadine Bloodline – Thursday, June 25
• TobyMac with Zach Williams – Saturday, June 27
• Paul Simon – Tuesday, June 30
• Lil Wayne with 2 Chainz – Friday, July 3
• The Guess Who with Don Felder – Wednesday, July 8
• Dierks Bentley with Ricky Skaggs & Kaitlin Butts – Thursday, July 9
• Sarah McLachlan with Allison Russell – Sunday, July 12
• Dave Matthews Band (also 7/15) – Tuesday, July 14
• Motionless In White with Lorna Shore & Fit for a King – Thursday, July 16
• Thomas Rhett with Kashus Culpepper – Friday, July 17
• Bob Dylan – Saturday, July 18
• Train with Barenaked Ladies & Matt Nathanson – Monday, July 20
• “Weird Al” Yankovic with Puddles Pity Party – Wednesday, July 22
• Mötley Crüe with Tesla & Extreme – Friday, July 24
• Chicago with Styx – Saturday, July 25
• Five Finger Death Punch with Cody Jinks – Tuesday, July 28
• Ella Langley with Kameron Marlowe – Thursday, July 30
• Hank Williams Jr. with Joe Nichols – Friday, July 31
• Joe Bonamassa with Gov’t Mule – Saturday, Aug. 1
• Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer Band – Friday, Aug. 7
• Koe Wetzel with Shane Smith and the Saints – Friday, Aug. 14
• Mumford & Sons with Medium Build – Saturday, Aug. 15
• Billy Idol – Tuesday, Aug. 18
• The Fray with Dashboard Confessional & Colony House – Thursday, Aug. 20
• Zach Top with Marcus King – Friday, Aug. 28
• Parker McCollum with Vincent Mason – Friday, Sept. 4
• ZZ Top with George Thorogood & The Destroyers – Saturday, Sept. 5
• Tedeschi Trucks Band with Lukas Nelson – Sunday, Sept. 6

BNH Stage

16 S. Main St., Concord, ccanh.com

The sleek multipurpose listening room, part of Concord’s Capitol Center for the Arts, offers great sound to enjoy eclectic performers, local favorites, a wide array of tribute acts, and up and coming performers.

Hot Pick: Opiate: The Tool Tribute, Saturday, Aug. 8 – This Rhode Island-based tribute act is known for recreating Tool’s intricate, immersive sound and elaborate musicianship in faithful detail. Tool’s meticulous songscapes aren’t easy to replicate live, making this band a worthy stand-in for fans who’ve never caught the notoriously infrequent touring originals, with an intense show calibrated to match Tool’s hypnotic concerts.

Upcoming Shows:

• Martin Toe, B. Snair & Vincent Tesoro, Marxo Phenix – Saturday, June 27
• Stewart Copeland: Have I Said Too Much? – Saturday, July 11
• April Cushman & Shelly Fairchild (Cantin Room) – Thursday, July 16
• Kevin Horan and The Whole Loaf – Thursday, July 30
• Opiate: The Tool Tribute – Saturday, Aug. 8
• Dueling Pianos – Friday, Aug. 14
• Slipbizkit: A Tribute to Nu Metal – Saturday, Aug. 15
• The Hot Sardines – Thursday, Aug. 27
• Tom DiMenna – Thursday, Sept. 10
• Pete Yorn: 25th Anniversary of musicforthemorningafter – Saturday, Sept. 12
• Also this summer, at Chubb Theatre 44 S. Main St., Concord, ccanh.com, catch Home Free on Sunday, Aug. 16

Casino Ballroom

169 Ocean Blvd., Hampton Beach, casinoballroom.com

Perched on Hampton Beach’s main drag, this spot pairs live music with an oceanfront atmosphere. Originally built in 1927, the historic 2,200-seat venue will be torn down and rebuilt after its centennial season next year.

Hot Pick: Badfish, Friday, July 3 – The regular Fourth of July weekend beach stop for this Sublime tribute act, which also has its own original music, with reggae-rock, ska-tinged energy evoking the Long Beach stalwarts. The band built a solid following faithfully recreating Sublime’s loose, sun-soaked sound, later branching out to its own songs. Their return has become one of the Ballroom’s most anticipated annual concerts.

Upcoming Shows:

• Little River Band – Friday, June 26
• Voyage – Celebrating the Music of Journey – Saturday, June 27
• Badfish – A Tribute to Sublime – Friday, July 3
• Stephen Marley – Friday, July 10
• Gimme Gimme Disco – Saturday, July 11
• The Elovaters with John Brown’s Body – Thursday, July 16
• The Elovaters with Surfer Girl – Friday, July 17
• Aaron Lewis & The Stateliners – Saturday, July 18
• Kip Moore – Thursday, July 23
• The Fab Four – Ultimate Beatles Tribute – Friday, July 24
• Lauren Alaina – Sunday, July 26
• Dave Matthews Tribute Band w/ Joshua Tree – Friday, July 31
• 12/OC – Saturday, Aug. 1
• Happy Together Tour – Sunday, Aug. 2
• Brit Floyd (also 8/5) – Tuesday, Aug. 4
• Pure Prairie League w/ Atlanta Rhythm Section, Orleans & Firefall – Thursday, Aug. 6
• The String Cheese Incident (also 8/8) – Friday, Aug. 7
• Brett Young – Sunday, Aug. 9
• KC & The Sunshine Band – Thursday, Aug. 13
• Carly Pearce – Friday, Aug. 14
• Face 2 Face – Elton John/Billy Joel Tribute – Saturday, Aug. 15
• Yacht Rock Revue (also 8/20) – Wednesday, Aug. 19
• Get The Led Out – Friday, Aug. 21
• Dirty Deeds AC/DC Experience – Saturday, Aug. 22
• Air Supply – Wednesday, Aug. 26
• Sevendust / Theory of a Deadman (Also 8/28) – Thursday, Aug. 27
• Chris Janson – Saturday, Aug. 29
• One Night of Queen – Sunday, Aug. 30

Colonial Theatre

609 Main St., Laconia, colonialtheatrelaconia.org

Built in 1914 and carefully restored to its original Venetian grandeur via a $14.4 million, five-year renovation effort completed in 2021, Laconia’s 761-seat Main Street jewel now welcomes a wide range of touring talent.

Hot Pick: Tab Benoit, Thursday, July 2 – Benoit brings his Soul of the Swamp tour to the Lakes Region with guests The Cold Stares. Benoit’s Louisiana roots fuel fiery, authentic guitar work steeped in bayou tradition, an emotionally direct style that’s earned him respect throughout the blues world. With the Cold Stares’ gritty, stripped-down sound, it will be a night of no-nonsense, deep and real blues-rock in a historic venue.

• Tab Benoit Soul of the Swamp Tour w/ The Cold Stares – Thursday, July 2
• So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience Starring Robert Neary – Sunday, July 12
• JUMP – America’s Van Halen Tribute – Sunday, July 26
• EagleMania – Eagles Tribute Band – Thursday, July 30
• An Evening With Joanne Shaw Taylor – Sunday, Aug. 16
• Boat House Row – Wednesday, Aug. 19
• An Evening with Emerson, Lake & Palmer – Sunday, Sept. 13

The Flying Monkey

39 Main St., Plymouth flyingmonkeynh.com

A restored 1920s theater in the heart of downtown Plymouth since the Common Man family revived it in 2010, The Flying Monkey was recently donated to Pemi-Valley Habitat for Humanity. The new owners will continue hosting commercial acts as well as new community-focused events in the 450 seats space.

Hot Pick: YellowHouse Blues Band, Saturday, Aug. 15 – High-energy nine piece Seacoast band with a wide-ranging setlist spanning foundational blues artists like Howlin’ Wolf and Freddie King, Motown icons such as Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder, and modern acts including Tedeschi Trucks Band and Larkin Poe. Their LIVE from Jimmy’s! LP, recorded in Portsmouth, dropped last year. They’re also at Concord’s Market Days June 27.

Upcoming Shows:

• The Wire Jays – Thursday, July 23
• Classic Stones Live – Friday, July 24
• CJ Solar & The Old Souls Featuring Rick Huckaby – Saturday, July 25
• Blue Collar Men – The Music of Styx – Friday, July 31
• Emanuel Casablanca with Special Guest Lee & Dr. G – Thursday, Aug. 06
• The Music of the Beach Boys By Pet Sounds LIVE – Sunday, Aug. 9
• YellowHouse Blues Band – Saturday, Aug. 15
• RDMTION Roots. Rock. Reggae. – Thursday, Aug. 20
• Ghosts of Jupiter & Caylin Costello Band – Friday, Aug. 28
• The Weight Band Featuring Former Members of The Band & The Levon Helm Band – Saturday, Aug. 29
• Skerryvore – Friday, Sept. 4
• Chris Knight Featuring Chance Stanley – Saturday, Sept. 12
• Draw the Line The Ultimate Aerosmith Tribute – Friday, Sept. 18

Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club

135 Congress St., Portsmouth jimmysoncongress.com

An upscale, supper-club-style space that began drawing world-class musical talent into its intimate listening room from the moment it opened in 2021. Van Morrison did two shows there, and Chris Botti headlines often. A restored 1905 YMCA building, it offers art, food and craft cocktails along with music.

Hot Pick: Marc Cohn & Shawn Colvin, Thursday, July 16 – Two acclaimed singer-songwriters share a stage for an evening billed as Together in Concert, a song swap built around decades of celebrated work. Cohn and Colvin share a lot of history, including Grammy-winning debut albums produced by John Leventhal. Each is known for performances that favor intimacy and narrative depth over spectacle.

Upcoming Shows:

• Victor Wooten & The Wooten Brothers – Thursday, June 25
• Eddie 9V – Friday, June 26
• Ana Popovic – Sunday, June 28
• Local Artist Series: Tim Theriault – Monday, June 29
• Kamasi Washington – Tuesday, June 30
• Eric Johanson – Thursday, July 2
• Alex Minasian Trio – Friday, July 3
• Billy Childs Trio – Sunday, July 5
• Local Artist Series: Captain Fantastic – Monday, July 6
• I Am In Love: Jane Monheit Sings Cole Porter – Wednesday, July 8
• Yonder Mountain String Band – Thursday, July 9
• An Evening With Alejandro Escovedo – Friday, July 10
• Parker Barrow – Sunday, July 12
• Local Artist Series: The Blues Express – Monday, July 13
• Hejira: Celebrating Joni Mitchell – Wednesday, July 15
• An Evening with Marc Cohn & Shawn Colvin: Together in Concert – Thursday, July 16
• Masters of the Telecaster – Friday, July 17
• Local Artist Series: Jen Kearney – Monday, July 20
• Jimmy Carpenter – Wednesday, July 22
• The Brothers Comatose – Thursday, July 23
• A Band of Brothers – Friday, July 24
• Gunhild Carling – Sunday, July 26
• Mohini Dey – Saturday, Aug. 1
• Grenadier & Kweku Sumbry – Sunday, Aug. 2
• Charles Lloyd Sky Quartet: Jason Moran, Larry Grenadier & Kweku Sumbry – Sunday, Aug. 2
• Local Artist Series: Mica’s Groove Train – Monday, Aug. 3
• Chris Botti (also 8/7) – Thursday, Aug. 6
• Larry McCray – Sunday, Aug. 9
• Local Artist Series: Sharon Jones – Monday, Aug. 10
• James Hunter Six – Tuesday, Aug. 11
• Matteo Mancuso – Wednesday, Aug. 12
• Jon Cleary & the Absolute Monster Gentlemen – Sunday, Aug. 16
• Rick Estrin & the Nightcats – Friday, Aug. 21
• Dream Horizon: Jeff Coffin, Nir Felder, James Genus – Sunday, Aug. 23
• Thurston Howell – A Premier Yacht Rock Spectacular! – Wednesday, Aug. 26
• Bria Skonberg – Thursday, Aug. 27
• Mike Zito – Friday, Aug. 28
• Benny Green – Sunday, Aug. 30
• Local Artist Series: YellowHouse Blues Band – Monday, Aug. 31
• Jackie Greene – Wednesday, Sept. 2

Music Hall

28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth themusichall.org

Portsmouth’s grand, beautifully preserved 1878 vaudeville theater is the Seacoast’s premier listening room for top-tier touring artists. In the 1990s it came close to demolition, but a community campaign saved it, and the 900-seat venue’s restoration helped cement Portsmouth as a cultural hub.

Hot Pick: Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Thursday, July 23 – This acclaimed Americana duo brings spare, haunting harmonies and deep folk roots to this fine acoustic space. Few rooms suit their hushed, exacting sound better than the Music Hall’s wood and plaster; every note and vocal nuance carries cleanly. Welch and Rawlings have spent decades refining a stripped-down sound that rewards reverent attention.

Upcoming Shows:

• Fitz and The Tantrums – Saturday, June 27
• Béla Fleck with Edmar Castañeda & Antonio Sánchez – Sunday, June 28
• OK Go – Friday, July 10
• Alison Krauss & Union Station with Jerry Douglas – Sunday, July 12
• John Waite – Friday, July 17
• Gillian Welch & David Rawlings – Thursday, July 23
• Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs – Friday, July 24
• Cat Power – Sunday, July 26
• Richard Marx – Wednesday, Aug. 5
• I’m With Her – Friday, Aug. 14
• Whole Lotta Heart (Music of Heart & Led Zeppelin) – Saturday, Aug. 15
• Big Bad Voodoo Daddy – Sunday, Sept. 6
• Here Come The Mummies – Friday, Sept. 18
• Also this summer, the Music Hall Presents at Whittemore Center Arena (128 Main St., Durham, NH) will feature Men At Work w/ Toad The Wet Sprocket on Tuesday, July 28

Music Hall Lounge

131 Congress St., Portsmouth, themusichall.org

A cozy, club-style annex to its grander sibling and built for up-close, intimate shows. Accommodating up to 100 audience members, the former Music Hall Loft re-opened in 2022 after a complete renovation. It offers cabaret seating along with a big focus on emerging and niche performers.

Hot Pick: Haley Reinhart, Monday, Aug. 3 – The American Idol alum brings smoky, soulful vocals to a room where every seat feels close to the stage. Since her 2011 breakout, Reinhart has carved out a genre-spanning career rooted in jazz and blues influences, moving well beyond her beginnings. The room’s clubby footprint suits her sultry delivery perfectly, turning a stadium-scale voice into something intimate and immediate.

Upcoming Shows:

• Peter Mulvey and Jenna Nicholls – Friday, June 26
• KB Whirly – Sunday, June 28
• Scott Kirby & Noah Robertson – Monday, June 29
• Eric Hutchinson – Wednesday, July 15
• Naturally 7 – Thursday, July 16
• Dwayne Haggins – Saturday, July 18
• Certainly So – Monday, July 20
• Caroline Cotter – Friday, July 24
• Maia Sharp – Saturday, Aug. 1
• Haley Reinhart – Monday, Aug. 3
• Mary Fahl (October Project) – Friday, Aug. 7
• Tano Jones Revelry – Saturday, Aug. 15
• Connor Garvey – Friday, Aug. 21
• Tim Easton & Alice Peacock – Wednesday, Aug. 26
• Aldous Collins Band – Saturday, Aug. 29
• Brendan Cleary (also 9/11) – Thursday, Sept. 10

Nashua Center for the Arts

201 Main St., Nashua, nashuacenterforthearts.com

Continuing the success of midsized rooms like BNH Stage and the Rex, this downtown Nashua venue opened in 2023 and draws a broad mix of acclaimed touring musicians and tribute acts. Seating capacity is 750, with a standing room layout increasing that to 1,000. Their state-of-the-art sound is among the best in the region.

Hot Pick: Oteil & Friends, Friday, Aug. 7 – The longtime Allman Brothers Band and Dead & Company bassist is joined by a band that includes Melvin Seals, Steve Kimock, Jason Crosby, Johnny Kimock, Lamar Williams, Jr. and Tom Guarna. The rhythm king’s “& Friends” billing hints at loose, exploratory sets built around chemistry rather than a fixed setlist, so expect a lot of surprises.

Upcoming Shows:

• So Good! The Neil Diamond Experience – Friday, July 10
• The High Kings – Friday, July 11
• Marc Cohn & Shawn Colvin: Together in Concert – Sunday, July 12
• JUMP – America’s Van Halen Tribute – Thursday, July 23
• EagleMania – Eagles Tribute – Friday, July 31
• Oteil Burbridge & Friends – Friday, Aug 7
• Noam Pikelny & Stuart Duncan – Sunday, Aug. 9
• BoDeans w/s/g Ari Hest – Sunday, Aug 16
• Tuba Skinny – Sunday, Aug 30
• An Evening with Kenny G – Wednesday, Sep 16

Palace Theatre

80 Hanover St., Manchester, palacetheatre.org

Listed in the National Registry of Historic Places, this charming 111-year-old theater anchors Manchester’s arts district. Most of the summer events at the 834-seat venue are tribute acts, great for escaping to the classic rock era, locking in a beach vibe or finding a “Rocky Mountain High.”

Hot Pick: NH Irish Festival, Saturday, Aug. 22 – Now in its fourth year, this annual celebration fills the historic space with traditional music, dance and a festive tribute to Irish heritage. The 2026 lineup includes County Donegal, Ireland’s Screaming Orphans, The Spain Brothers (Liam Spain organizes the show), local treasures the Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki Trio, and Rory Makem of the storied Makem Brothers.

Upcoming Shows:

• Tribute to Queen: Somebody to Love (also 6/28) – Saturday, June 27
• Beatlemania Again: The Beatles Experience Live on Stage! – Saturday, July 11
• Music of the Beach Boys – Saturday, Aug. 8
• Changes in Latitudes (Jimmy Buffet tribute) – Saturday, Aug. 15
• NH Irish Festival – Saturday, Aug. 22
• Remembering John Denver feat. Ted Vigil – Thursday, Sept. 17

Prescott Park Arts Festival

105 Marcy St., Portsmouth, prescottpark.org

This community-supported summer series is held on a scenic waterfront location. There are no tickets, and anyone can walk in, though don’t be gauche — a $10 donation is recommended, and collected at the gate. BYO chair and a blanket; Adirondack chairs and VIP tables can also be rented.

Hot Pick: Patty Griffin & Kathleen Edwards, Monday, July 20 – These two acclaimed singer-songwriters co-headline, each bringing a catalog full of lyrical depth befitting the intimate, open-air feel. Griffin’s haunting, soul-inflected songcraft and Edwards’s wry, incisive storytelling make for a complementary double bill. With a Piscataqua River and lush garden backdrop, it promises to be a lovely night of outdoor listening.

Upcoming Shows:

• An Evening of Beatles Music with The Walrus – Monday, June 29
• The Dip with Tre. Charles – Wednesday, July 1
• Infinity Song – Monday, July 6
• Kashus Culpepper – Wednesday, July 15
• Patty Griffin & Kathleen Edwards – Monday, July 20
• Tiny Habits – Thursday, July 23
• The Lone Bellow – Wednesday, July 29
• Josh Ritter – Monday, Aug. 3
• Devon Gilfillian – Wednesday, Aug. 5
• Maggie Rose – Thursday, Aug. 6
• Ryan Montbleau Band – Wednesday, Aug. 12
• Allen Stone – Thursday, Aug. 13
• Caiola – Saturday, Aug. 15
• Madi Diaz – Wednesday, Aug. 19
• Fantastic Cat – Friday, Aug. 21
• Seacoast Jazz Festival – Saturday, Aug. 22
• Langhorne Slim – Friday, Aug. 28
• The Devil Makes Three – Saturday, Aug. 29

Rex Theatre

23 Amherst St., Manchester, palacetheatre.org

This 300-seat listening room began as a mid-1800s print shop, then a movie house, and later became a nightclub, then sat in disrepair until a grassroots effort led to a takeover by the Palace Theatre Trust, which revived and reopened it in 2019. It’s become an anchor to Manchester’s local arts scene.

Hot Pick: Traveling Wilburys Revue, Saturday, July 11 – This tribute act honors the Dylan, Harrison, Orbison, Petty and Lynne supergroup, who never toured, with conviction. Celebrating the loose, ego-free joie de vivre that made the musical Mount Rushmore seem disarming, they collaboratively capture the easy camaraderie that defined the band.’s two brilliant albums.

Upcoming Shows:

• Traveller: A Chris Stapleton Tribute – Friday, June 26
• Yacht Rock with a Twist (Scott Spradling Band) – Saturday, June 27
• Traveling Wilburys Revue – Saturday, July 11
• Whammer Jammer (J. Geils tribute) – Saturday, July 18
• Roomful of Blues – Saturday, July 25
• Silver Springs (Fleetwood Mac tribute) – Friday, July 31
• Crossfire Hurricane (Stones tribute) – Saturday, Aug. 1
• The Rush Experience – Saturday, Aug. 22
• Evening With John Gorka – Saturday, Aug. 29
• Seconds Out (Genesis Tribute) – Saturday, Sept. 19
• Panorama (Cars Tribute) – Saturday, Sept. 26

Rochester Opera House

31 Wakefield St., Rochester, rochesteroperahouse.com

This lovely opera house has dodged a few bullets in its history, including almost becoming office space in the 1940s. Built in 1908 and restored in 1998 following a 24-year closure, it gives touring rock and pop acts an unusually ornate backdrop.

Hot Pick: Everclear, Sunday, July 26 – Enjoy the ’90s alt-rock staples “Santa Monica” and “Wonderful,” along with newer songs like “Sing Away,” which addresses the issue of teenage bullying. With frontman Art Alexakis the band’s sole constant, Everclear continues touring strong, despite Alexakis being diagnosed with MS a few years ago. Its setlist is built around radio favorites that fans still know by heart.

Upcoming Shows:

• Are You Ready For It? A Taylor Experience – Friday, June 26
• Last Child NYC – A Tribute to the Music of Aerosmith – Saturday, June 27
• Everclear – Sunday, July 26
• Seven Wonders – Fleetwood Mac Tribute – Thursday, July 30
• Kanin Wren’s Pop Girl Summer Tour – Friday, Aug. 7
• Pet Sounds LIVE! – Friday, Aug. 14
• Noise Pollution – The AC/DC Experience – Friday, Aug. 21
• Hey Nineteen – A Tribute to Steely Dan – Friday, Aug. 28
• Whitesnake Experience w/ ZeppHalen – Tuesday, Sept. 1
• Reverend Horton Heat w/ Messer Chups – Monday, Sept. 7

The Range

96 Old Turnpike Road, Mason, therangemason.com

A family business that ventured into live music with a one-off Roots of Creation show in 2011, this Mason driving range has grown into a much beloved outdoor venue. It offers an eclectic mix of jam-band and roots music, cool tribute acts and regional favorites in a relaxed, communal setting.

Hot Pick: Leftover Salmon and Toubab Krewe, Saturday, July 11 – Rootsy jamming and an instrumental “sonic Pangaea” combine for this double bill. Leftover Salmon pioneered “slamgrass,” fusing traditional bluegrass, rock, country and zydeco, while Toubab Krewe layers in kora, djembe and other African instruments. The two promise genuinely unpredictable, boundary-crossing sets.

Upcoming Shows:

• G. Love & Special Sauce w/ Moon Taxi & Donavon Frankenreiter – Friday, June 26
• The Breakers – Tom Petty Tribute – Saturday, June 27
• Brother Seamus 3^rd of July Picnic – Friday, July 3
• Leftover Salmon with Toubab Krewe – Saturday, July 11
• Hearts & Bones – Paul Simon Tribute – Saturday, July 18
• Granite Lion Presents Algorhythm – Friday, July 24
• Range Full of Blues feat. Jeff Pitchell and the Texas Flood – Saturday, July 25
• Almost Queen + Elton vs. Billy – Friday, Aug. 7
• Max Creek – Saturday, Aug. 8
• The Wallflowers (30th Anniversary Tour) – Friday, Aug. 14
• The Mountain Grass Unit – Saturday, Aug. 15
• Parmalee – Saturday, Aug. 29
• The Machine (Pink Floyd Tribute) – Friday, Sept. 18
• Town Meeting – Saturday, Sept. 19

SNHU Arena

555 Elm St., Manchester, snhuarena.com

Manchester’s arena will have one concert this summer: Shinedown with Coheed & Cambria and From Ashes to New on Monday, July 20.

Tupelo Music Hall

10 A St., Derry, tupelomusichall.com

Named after Elvis’s birthplace, the region’s gold standard for listening rooms has a strict no-talking policy to focus the concert experience. Originally opened in 2004 in a repurposed Londonderry farmhouse with seating for 200, it moved to Derry in 2017 and more than tripled in capacity.

Hot Pick: Spyro Gyra, Thursday, Aug. 13 – Jazz fusion leaders marking five decades of smooth, genre-crossing instrumentals. Formed in the late 1970s, the band built a devoted following on melodic, accessible compositions bridging jazz, funk, and pop without sacrificing musicianship. The band’s classic tracks include “Summer Strut,” a perfect August banger.

Upcoming Shows:

• Dio Rules – Tribute to Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and Dio – Friday, July 10
• Beginnings (Chicago tribute) – Saturday, July 11
• Howie Day – Thursday, July 16
• Metal Church – Friday, July 17
• YellowHouse Blues Band – Saturday, July 18
• Direct From Sweden (ABBA tribute) also 7/22 – Tuesday, July 21
• Dwight + Nicole and Friends Celebrate Our Musical Kings & Queens – Friday, July 24
• Harvest & Rust (Neil Young Tribute) – Saturday, July 25
• Dokken – Sunday, July 26
• The Broken Hearts – Friday, July 31
• Sister Hazel – Wednesday, Aug. 5
• Stanley Jordan plays Jimi – Friday, Aug. 7
• Vandenberg “My Whitesnake Years” w/ co-headliners Marco Mendoza & Vinnie Moore – Saturday, Aug. 8
• Cherry Cherry (Neil Diamond tribute) – Sunday, Aug. 9
• Spyro Gyra 50^th Anniversary Tour – Thursday, Aug. 13
• Bostyx – Saturday, Aug. 15
• Revisiting Creedence – Friday, Aug. 21
• Ugly Kid Joe – Saturday, Aug. 22
• Collective Soul – Tuesday, Aug. 25
• Start Making Sense (Talking Heads tribute) – Friday, Aug. 28
• John Violinist – Saturday, Aug. 29
• An Evening with Emerson, Lake & Palmer – Thursday, Sept. 10
• Matthew & Gunnar Nelson – Thursday, Sept. 17
• Hammerfall w/ Evergrey and Elvenking – Friday, Sept. 18

Tupelo is all about the music

Scott Hayward talks about upcoming shows

Tupelo Music Hall owner Scott Hayward says this summer’s lineup is one of the strongest he can remember, even as the venue’s schedule of roughly 150 to 160 shows a year leans more into tribute acts than in the past.

“Definitely a part of the game nowadays,” Hayward said. “If you want a full schedule, you have to do tributes.”

Among his personal favorites this July are Beginnings, a Chicago tribute Hayward praises for its horn section, and ABBA Direct from Sweden, which performs at Tupelo twice a year. On the original side, he’s looking forward to two hard rock acts, Metal Church and Dokken.

The latter is part of a broader push into heavier music for an audience that Hayward believes craves the energy but not the chaos.

“A lot of it is of an era where people our age are like, ‘Oh, I kind of want to go see them, I want to get up and down a little bit, but I don’t want to have to deal with crowd surfing,’” he noted.

Other summer highlights include Stanley Jordan’s tribute to Jimi Hendrix, the return of jazz veterans Spyro Gyra for their 50th anniversary tour, and Revisiting Creedence, a quasi-tribute act that includes the original CCR rhythm section, drummer Doug “Cosmo” Clifford and bass player Stu Cook.

Sister Hazel and a nearly sold-out Collective Soul round out the season’s bigger draws. In September, Tupelo will host a just booked triple bill with 1980s rockers The Fixx, Colin Blunstone of the Zombies and the Peter Asher Band. Hayward says the bill surprised him. “When the agent first presented that to me, I was kind of like, are you trolling me?” he recalled.

Not everything is nostalgia-driven. Dwight and Nicole, a local soul and R&B act with a stack of regional award wins, are performing a show celebrating the artists who’ve inspired them.

“These guys are real musicians. They’ve got good vocals,” Hayward said. “It’s nice to have regional people in the room once in a while.”

Asked how the season compares to past years, Hayward said Tupelo’s numbers are holding strong relative to the rest of the industry.

“I think our shows are really good, and I think our schedule’s strong,” he said, crediting affordable pricing and a loyal, older crowd for keeping seats filled even as national ticket sales soften.

Changes coming

Casino Ballroom nears centennial eyeing rebirth

Two months into his new role as marketing and sales director at Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom, Freddy Schaake is juggling a packed summer concert calendar with the weight of a century of family history, as well as a redevelopment plan that will ultimately reshape the venue entirely.

Schaake succeeded longtime director Andrew Herrick after his 22-year tenure ended. In a recent phone interview, he said the season’s lineup speaks for itself. There are two nights with The Elovators in July (one already a sellout), a Yacht Rock celebration, reggae legacy act Stephen Marley, and a heavy August bill pairing Sevendust with Theory of a Deadman.

But the bigger story is what comes after the venue celebrates its centennial next year.

The Casino Ballroom is a family business. Schaake’s grandfather worked there in the 1930s and ’40s, followed by his father and aunt. But the wooden structure is coming down, to be replaced by a 4,000-person-capacity performance space — more than doubling the existing room — and extending operations year-round.

“It’s really cool to see how much the business has sustained success over the years,” Schaake marveled, calling his recent elevation in the family business “kind of a full circle moment.”

The redevelopment timeline is fluid, though published reports have pointed to a start date when the 2027 season ends.

“We have a great team that is going to make this project the best it possibly can be,” Schaake said. “With this scope and size, it could be at the end of 2027 … we don’t really know yet.”

He’s also hesitant to predict exactly how a larger venue might change the talent the Ballroom attracts, citing his short time in the role. However, year-round programming is a clear priority. Schaake pointed to a November Mitchell Tenpenny show that sold out six months in advance as proof that a bigger, longer season could open doors for many acts.

Schaake admits the old building’s quirks — the floor rumbling underfoot as a metal band plays, or side doors thrown open to let in ocean air on a sweaty summer night — are part of what makes the place special.

“There’s something about a live show when it’s 80 degrees in July and there’s no AC,” he said. “That really encapsulates some of the best nights at the Casino.”

When the wrecking ball eventually comes, he expects to feel “bittersweet” but optimistic about changes that will improve nightmarish beach parking, add new apartment housing and open up possibilities for new retail businesses and dining.

“I also think,” he said finally, “that the future is bright, too.”

Featured photo: YellowHouse Blues Band, which you can catch this weekend at Market Days in Concord on Saturday, June 27, on the main stage from 6 to 8 p.m. Courtesy photo by Chris Cote Photography.

Iced coffee offers a refreshing way to get your caffeine in the hot season and year-round

Chip George gets a unique, ground-level view on just how much local coffee drinkers love iced coffee. His company, AAA Ice Cube Delivery, specializes in making large deliveries to businesses whose ice makers have broken down temporarily.

“I’m an emergency service,” George said. “I have personal relationships with a lot of the [restaurant] managers, and basically, if they call me, I’m there.” He used Dunkin’ as an example: “They have hundreds of [ice] machines, and they break all the time. People pull into Dunkin’ expecting to get an iced coffee, and if they don’t have ice, you know, it’s a real horror show. In a day, one location can easily go through a thousand pounds [of ice] — most of them more.’

Angelica Basile is the hospitality manager at Sunny Cafe in Manchester. She has worked in coffee for her entire career. (“I love, love coffee so much!” she said.) Her theory is that New Englanders’ love of iced coffee is tied to a sense of comfort and predictability.

“I think a big part of it is that it’s easier to get a consistent cup of coffee when it’s iced,” she said, “because you don’t have to worry about temperature. You don’t have to worry about the texture of your milk and everything. It’s dependable. I know that if I go to Dunkin’ today, I can get the vanilla iced coffee that I got when I was 16, and it’s going to taste exactly the same. And that means something to somebody. To get your drink and to not have to question whether or not you’re going to enjoy it by the time you get to your office when you’re able to take your first sip, that matters. It’s dependable. I think it’s a ritual. I’m the same way. Anything with a straw, you sign me up. So I have to have it in my hand. It also might have to do with the fact that New Englanders, in the last 20 years, all decided to quit smoking at the same time. So the straw plays a big part, too.”

The coffee

Basile said that another factor with commercial takeout iced coffee is the size of the company selling it and the quality of the coffee beans they use. Huge coffee chains have to balance the quality of the ingredients with the price a customer is willing to pay. Iced coffee, she said, lends itself to extras that tend to mask subtle tasting notes of the base coffee.

Some coffee drinkers have started “to change their drinks to be more coffee-focused, and then there’s people that love what they love, with 12 pumps of caramel,” she said, “and there’s no shame on either way. When a place has a poor-quality bean or the extraction method is not up to par, then the flavor’s not there just on its own and so that’s when we add the sugar and everything.”

Meg Wright, the owner and operator of Two Moons Cafe in Manchester, said she serves a lot of iced coffee. “Probably 150 cups a day on average.” She and her staff might serve several cold coffee drinks at a given time, she said, but they are all built around the same base coffee.

“We’ve always used a medium roast,” she said. “That usually goes well with whatever flavors customers ask for. But for the last couple of weeks I’ve been trying to switch it to a blend called Blackcraft’s Salem 1692, which is more of a dark-medium. People seem to enjoy that more with ice. We use nugget ice, so it tends to be more drink, less ice.” Wright said her customers are encouraged to experiment with different flavors in their iced coffees. “On average, we have about 15 different flavors. We can make our house specials with that. But customers can make any variation. We love making potions here, we love to just create things and make customers happy.”

The Iced Shaken Muskov
Brothers Cortado in Concord has a reputation among area iced coffee drinkers for making one of the best cold coffee drinks around. According to Chuck Nemiccolo, it’s called an Iced Shaken Muskov.

“The idea behind this drink,” Nemiccolo said, “is that we like to use this really dark, unrefined sugar, which gives it a real earthiness but also some caramelization when it heats up. That’s where the name came from; ‘muscavado sugar’ is a mouthful to say, so we changed it to ‘Muskov.’”

“What we do is we use a shaker, like you’d find at like a bar or anything like that, and we muddle bourbon vanilla, which we make in house. It’s vanilla syrup that we’re famous for as well, along with the unrefined dark sugar and espresso. We muddle those together, then we add ice, shake them up, put them in a cup, and then top it off with oat milk. It’s a layered beverage, so when the customer typically gets it, it’s going to be dark brown on the bottom, and then it turns to a light color at the top. It’s creamy. The oats actually provide a lot of the flavor since we use full-fat oat milk. It has a very distinct flavor that it also adds to the drink’s profile, along with that dark sugar and the vanilla to round it out to give it a three-tiered tasting. It’s like drinking in three dimensions.”

The add-ons

For Wright and her staff, syrups and flavorings for iced coffee are not afterthoughts.

“We make half of our syrups in-house,” she said. “Sometimes getting a syrup is harder than we’ve counted on — our boysenberry syrup, for instance. That one turned out to be very involved and time-consuming. Basically, a boysenberry is a mix between a blackberry and a raspberry, and you have to boil those down. You have to strain out the seeds, and then you can start making the syrups. But you have to strain the seeds like five different times. It can take hours before I’m able to add the sugars, the cinnamon, and all the other things I need to to create that thick syrup.” And some flavors just aren’t team players. “We made a blueberry-lemon latte at the beginning of the year and the lemon sang through the whole thing. It was good, but you could not taste the blueberry. I was like, ‘OK, that’s not great….’”

In spite of the dozens of flavors available at Two Moons, and the hundreds of possible combinations of flavors, Wright said many of her customers consistently make the same two choices.

“A lot of people just come in and get black iced coffee; they’re mostly mill workers. And they’ll just come in, get their coffee, and walk out. They’re just looking for the caffeine hit; sometimes they’ll ask for a splash of milk, but no syrups, no sugars, just straight up. Nothing fancy, We offer them sugars and milks, but they tend to opt out. The other iced coffee we get a lot of is vanilla, because our house-made vanilla is really, really good. People with the specialties are people with a little more time on their hands and a little quirkier. Some people are really into the sweet stuff, but a lot of our house syrups are not super-sweet. That’s on purpose, because we want the coffee to shine. That’s kind of why we’re here.”

The grind

Smithers Lafferty is the owner of Mill City Roasting Co., an industrial coffee roasting company in Londonderry.

“It’s important to get the name right,” he said. “Mill City Roasters is actually a company that builds [coffee roasting machines] in Michigan, and we get their phone calls all the time.”

Mill City Roasting roasts raw coffee beans and custom blends them for a variety of customers. Because the vast majority of the beans are ultimately used to make traditional hot coffees (including espresso-based drinks), iced coffees and cold brewed coffee, Lafferty puts a great deal of thought into coffee brewing, as well as roasting. He said that to make good coffee of any kind it’s important to think about everything it goes through before it touches your lips.

“Originally,” he said, “someone would take hot coffee and actually pour it over ice.” That would melt most of the ice and water the coffee down. Then, he said, kitchens would compensate by making the coffee stronger. “You’d take a finer grind and a heavier drop-weight to make a more intense base coffee.”

In coffee parlance, “grind” refers to how tiny the pieces of roasted coffee beans have been processed to. The same weight of coffee with a finer grind will have much more surface area that comes in contact with the brewing water and will have a more intense flavor. Beans for espresso, for instance, are ground almost to a powder. “Drop-weight” refers to how much of the ground coffee — measured by weight — goes into the basket of the coffee maker. Thus, a finer grind and a heavier drop-weight results in a stronger pot of coffee.

“Now,” Lafferty said, “typically, people will brew the coffee and set it out, let it come to room temperature, and then refrigerate it. The coffee we sell to be used in iced coffee is usually a slightly darker roast, which has a fuller taste. We recommend that the users grind it finer [than for hot coffee] and use a heavier drop-weight. Typical drop weights [for a standard 64-ounce pot of coffee] are two ounces to three ounces. For iced coffee we recommend a three-and-a-half-ounce drop weight.” This is the brewed coffee that is left to cool to room temperature, then refrigerated.

Cold brew

Then there is cold brew.

“Cold brew is coffee extraction without hot water,” Lafferty said. “Hot water is what pulls the oils, the tannins, the essence out of coffee grounds during a typical three to three and a half minute brew cycle. Cold brew alleviates the heat, so the coffee grounds steep in room temperature or cold water for 12 to 24 hours, depending on what strength you want. Caffeine extracts differently, so cold brew is a much more caffeinated product. There’s a deepness and a richness to it. We do it for our customers in filter bags to make it easy for them. And with cold brew, you grind it the opposite of iced coffee — you grind it coarser because it’s in contact with the water for so long. If you were to grind it finer It would just be far too overextracted.” Additionally, he said, there are some chemical compounds in ground coffee that are only released with heat, so cold brew will actually have a different chemical composition than traditionally brewed coffee.

Not surprisingly, Emeran Langmaid, the vice president of operations of Rare Breed Coffee in Nashua, has strong feelings about iced coffee.

“I am somewhat opinionated on this,” she said. “I think the best way to have iced coffee in the summer is actually to make a cold brew concentrate. It is basically a one-to-five up to one-to-eight ratio of coffee to water. That’s by weight. I make it in a French press, with a coarse grind. I let it steep for 24 hours, and the benefit is that you end up with a concentrate that you can dilute with whatever liquid you want to dilute it with. So my preference is diluting it with an alternative milk and it resembles a quick and easy iced latte. You can dilute it with water. You can dilute it with seltzer. You can dilute it with ice cream. So there’s a lot of different ways that you can serve that beverage. And that concentrate is shelf-stable for 20 days in the refrigerator.”

“In terms of like the actual dispensing of it,” Langmaid said, “because it is refrigerated, ideally it would be in a pitcher. So if you are hosting an event, then you would take that concentrate and dilute it with whatever beverage you want to, and that would be in a pitcher, which you would then pour out into glasses with ice.”

Langmaid suggested using standard-sized ice cubes for iced coffee.

“I wouldn’t use shaved ice or chips,” she said. “This is not a sipping drink that you’re going to linger over for a while. You wouldn’t want to use some of those oversized ice cubes that are used for cocktails sometimes.”

Straw or no straw? “I think that kind of depends on the glass that you put it in,” Langmaid said. If it’s like a rocks glass, if it’s like a smaller drink, then I would say no straw. But if it’s in a tumbler, like a 12- or 16-ounce tumbler, then I’d put a straw in it.”

The Iced Coffee Klatch
Brothers Cortado (3-5 Bicentennial Square, Concord, 856-7924, brotherscortado.com), Open Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Mill City Roasting Co. (669-7625, millcityroasting.com)
Rare Breed Coffee (2 Pittsburgh Ave., Nashua, 578-3338, rarebreedcoffee.com)
Sunny Cafe (50 S. Willow St., Manchester, 935-8658, sunnycafenh.com), open Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Two Moons Coffee & Curiosities (155 Dow St., Suite 102, Manchester, twomoonscafenh.com), open Tuesday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Iced coffee at home

According to our experts, there are some general principles you should stick to when making iced coffee.

Start with whole beans. This will allow you to have more control over how fresh the coffee is and how fine the grind is. Most supermarkets have grinding machines in the coffee aisle that will allow you to grind your beans to whatever degree of fineness suits you. Most of them will also calculate and measure the weight of your ground coffee for you. “They use a timer for a custom drop-weight,” Smithers Lafferty from Mill City Roasting said. “You set it for a particular weight, and the timer turns the grinder off at the right time for that amount.”

Grind the right amount of coffee for the type of coffee you want. Lafferty suggested a three-and-a-half-ounce drop-weight for traditionally brewed iced coffee.

Don’t dilute the coffee more than you have to. “We put our coffee in an immediate bath,” Meg Wright of Two Moons Cafe said. “We put it in a secondary container, we let it sit in there. We don’t want to water it down with more ice, so we don’t add ice to it.”

There are rumors of area restaurants that make ice cubes from frozen coffee, which will not water down iced coffee, but they are difficult to verify. There seems to be a word-of-mouth network of area coffee enthusiasts who keep track of such things. Lafferty endorsed this idea but cautioned, “Take the time to make ice cubes — it’s worth it — but buy yourself a coffee-only ice tray because you’ll find there’s going to be a sticky frozen residue. You’ll never make clean water ice in the same tray again.”

Pay attention to the details when you make cold brew. Meg Wright from Two Moons Cafe suggested a 10-hour soak for cold brew. “You want to make sure you’re submerging all of your beans,” she said.” Make sure you stir it up every once in a while.”

For large batches of cold-brew, Smithers Lafferty recommended suspending 5 pounds of coarse-ground coffee in 5 gallons of water for 10 to 14 hours. He uses large reusable nylon bags to hold the cold brew grounds, much like a giant tea bag. These can be purchased online and fit easily across the rim of a standard (food-safe) 5-gallon bucket.

Emeran Langmaid uses a ratio of water to coarse grounds (by weight) to make a concentrate, which she said gives the drinker a lot of flexibility.

Shake it like a Polaroid picture. When Smithers Lafferty serves iced coffee — either traditionally brewed or cold brewed — he shakes it with ice and a small amount of whole milk in a cocktail shaker. “That gives it a little bit of body,” explained his wife, Sarah. After shaking, the coffee will have a thick head of foam. “Typically, cafes will serve it with a foam topper,” Smithers said, “which they just make out of a little whipper. Again, it’s an add-on for them to be able to maximize some form of marginality in it. Any little thing that you can differentiate yourself to seem unique.”

Recipes

Easy Iced Coffee

• 3 ounces cold-brew coffee concentrate, homemade or premade
• 6 ounces half & half – With iced coffee, the richness is part of the point. In theory, you could use any dairy or dairy substitute, but try to use something with about a 15 percent milkfat content.
• 1 ounce simple syrup – Sugar is resistant to dissolving into cold liquids. Take a tip from southern sweet tea enthusiasts and use syrup instead. Simple syrup made from sugar and water will keep the flavor straightforward, but any flavored syrup will work well here.
• Frozen coffee (optional) – Ice cubes made from frozen black coffee will keep your iced coffee from getting watery if your conversation runs long.
• Garnish – shaved dark chocolate. Freeze a few squares of your favorite dark chocolate or a handful of chocolate chips. To garnish your iced coffee, use a vegetable peeler to sprinkle chocolate shavings over your iced coffee. Alternatively, bash a small handful of frozen chocolate chips with a hammer.

Combine coffee concentrate, half & half, and simple syrup with ice (preferably frozen coffee cubes) in a cocktail shaker and shake enthusiastically for 10 to 15 seconds, then pour into a tall glass.

Iced Irish Coffee

• 3½ ounces freshly ground coffee
• 6 Tablespoons (about ⅓ cup) brown sugar
• 1¼ cups (10 ounces) Irish whiskey
• Garnish – gloppy whipped cream

Fill the basket of your coffee maker with 3½ ounces of your favorite coffee. Brew a standard 64-ounce pot of coffee with it.

While it is still hot, stir in the brown sugar. Stir it more than you think you need to. Because the coffee is hot, the sugar will dissolve, but it might take a little convincing.

Leave the coffee to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate.

When it has cooled to your satisfaction, stir in the Irish whiskey, and pour into individual glasses over ice; frozen coffee cubes would be very good in this application. Top with a healthy glob of whipped cream.

A season of festivals, theater, concerts, movies and more family fun

School’s Out! For! Summer! School’s! Out! For— wait, for how long?

In this year’s kid’s guide to summer we offer a rundown of events and attractions for kids and families in the forthcoming school-free weeks. Got a kid-friendly event not mentioned here? Let us know at adiaz@hippopress.com.

Events

• The Make It Fest!, a “gathering of makers, doers, DIYers, crafters, tinkerers, self-proclaimed engineers and aspiring mad-scientists!” according to makeitfest.com, will take place Saturday, June 13, from noon to 4 p.m. at Make It Labs, 25 Crown St. in Nashua. The event will feature demonstrations, exhibits, workshops, a sumo robot competition, vendor sales and more, according to the website, where you can register to attend.

• Applecrest Farm Orchards, 133 Exeter Road in Hampton Falls, has a series of festivals throughout the summer and into the fall on select weekends, starting with a Strawberry Festival on Saturdays, June 13 and June 20, and Sundays, June 14 and June 21, according to applecrest.com. Other festivals include a Blueberry Celebration July 12, a Blueberry Festival July 25-26, Blueberry & Peach Celebration Aug. 2, Peach Festival Aug. 15-16, Fall Harvest Kick-Off Aug. 29-30 and Labor Day weekend Sept. 5-7.

• The Seacoast LitFest will take place Thursday, June 11, through Sunday, June 14, at the Music Hall in Portsmouth, according to a press release. Young readers may enjoy the Book Fair and Free Kids Book Giveaway slated for Sunday, June 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 28 Chestnut St. in Portsmouth. It will be “a lively book fair with local vendors and authors, featuring live music and poetry readings, free book swap and free children’s books for young readers,” according to themusichall.org, where you can find the LitFest’s complete schedule.

• Nashua kicks off its SummerFun program with Superheroes in the Park at Greeley Park on Saturday, June 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. featuring trucks to explore, vendors, games, Jedi training, a superhero show and giveaways, including free superhero capes, masks and light sabers to the first 250 kids, according to Nashuanh.gov/546/SummerFun.

• Golden: A K-Pop Kids’ Party, an all-ages family dance party (kids must be accompanied by an adult), will be held by The Kawaii Rave and VNK Entertainment on Sunday, June 14, at 1 p.m. at the BNH Stage, 16 S. Main St. in Concord, according to ccanh.com, where you can purchase tickets.

• Joppa Hill Educational Farm, 174 Joppa Hill Road in Bedford, is holding weekly animal storytimes on Tuesdays (June 16 is the third in the series) through Aug. 11 at 10:15 a.m. “Listen to a short story about farms and animals and then visit with one of the farm residents,” according to jhef.org, where you can purchase tickets.

• The 26th Annual Hampton Beach Master Sand Sculpting Classic runs Thursday, June 18, through Saturday, June 20, with the illuminated sculptures on display through June 28, according to hamptonbeach.org/events/sand-sculpture-event. A group carve takes place Wednesday, June 17, according to the website, where you can find a schedule of events and a look at this year’s contributors.

• SEE Science Center (200 Bedford St. in Manchester) will hold its Kick Off to Summer Saturday, June 20, through Friday, June 26, “featuring activities using LEGO® Bricks and celebrating the 20th anniversary of the completion of our LEGO® Millyard Project,” according to see-sciencecenter.org, where you can find admission prices and pre-purchase admission. Through Labor Day, the Center is open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the website said.

• The New London Parks and Recreation Department will hold its ninth annual Strawberry Fest on Saturday, June 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the town green, featuring strawberries and strawberry shortcake for sale (cash or check only) as well as other food and vendors and entertainment, according to newlondon.nh.gov/recreation and a post on the department’s Facebook page.

• St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 1160 Bridge St. in Manchester, will hold its Lamb BBQ and Food Festival on Saturday, June 20, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday, June 21, from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to a church email. Check back on the church’s socials or at stnicholasgreekchurch.com for updates.

• The Aviation Museum of New Hampshire will hold its annual Father’s Day Weekend Fly-In BBQ at Boire Field in Nashua on Saturday, June 20, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to aviationmuseumofnh.org, where you can check back for details.

• The Wilton NH Main Street Association’s SummerFest will be held Saturday, June 20, according to facebook.com/wiltonmainstreetnh. “Main Street will be closed to traffic and full of vendors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. We have live music on two stages during that entire time. The Lions will also have their annual Duck Drop fundraiser in the afternoon,” according to an email from organizers. “Activities move up to Carnival Hill in the evening from 6 to 10 p.m. That will include music provided by a DJ, kids’ games, a pie-eating contest and an amazing fireworks display by JPI Pyrotechnics, enhanced this year for the 250th birthday of America,” the email said.

• The Seacoast Science Center in Rye will celebrate World Ocean Celebration Day on Saturday, June 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring games, educational activities, tide pool sessions, food trucks and more, according to seacoastsciencecenter.org, where you can purchase tickets.

• The 44th Somersworth International Children’s Festival will take place Saturday, June 20, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Noble Pines Park and on Main Street and feature activities for kids, food vendors, craft vendors, a World Cultures Passport Center, a kids’ play area, Wildlife Encounters, roaming entertainers, a petting zoo and more, according to nhfestivals.org.

• The Second Annual Audubon Nature Challenge will run Sunday, June 21, through Saturday, June 27, according to nhaudubon.org. “Join people all over New Hampshire documenting birds, mammals, insects, reptiles, amphibians, flowers, trees, mosses, mushrooms, and everything else during this weeklong conservation event. There is at least one location in every county and three that meet ADA accessibility guidelines,” according to the website. Participants can explore on their own or join a guided tour in locations listed on the website, where you can register to participate in the challenge.

• Concord’s Market Days Festival will run Thursday, June 25, through Saturday, June 27, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, according to marketdaysfestival.com. Each day features music and performances on three stages, food trucks and food vendors, vendors selling other goods and more, the website said.

• Dartmouth Health Children’s NH East-West All Star Football Game featuring “the state’s best graduating high school football players together” will take place Friday, June 26, at 6 p.m. at the Grappone Stadium at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, according to childrens.dartmouth-health.org/events, where you can purchase tickets.

• The next New England Reptile Expo is Sunday, June 28, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown, 700 Elm St. in Manchester, featuring more than 200 vendor tables, according to reptileexpo.com/all-shows/newhampshire.

• The Strawberry Festival held by the Hollis Town Band and Congregational Church of Hollis will be held Sunday, June 28, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Monument Square in Hollis featuring strawberry shortcake for purchase with locally sourced strawberries as well as a concert by the Hollis Town Band, according to hollistownband.info.

• Merrimack’s Independence Day celebrations begin with a concert on Friday, July 3, at 6:30 p.m. featuring the Merrimack Concert Association (which will be performing and selling root beer floats) at Abbie Griffin Park behind the Merrimack Town Hall, according to merrimackparksandrec.org. A parade will take place Saturday, July 4, at 1 p.m. and fireworks at Kollsman Athletic Fields around 9:15 p.m., with music and food trucks from 5 to 9 p.m., the website said.

• Go to nashua.gov now to reserve tickets for the Fourth of July Fireworks and Baseball Game on Saturday, July 4 — tickets to the Silver Knights Game are free for the first 500 adults and children under 13, according to the city’s website. Tickets must be reserved in advance. The game, which starts at 10:30 a.m., will feature an expanded kids’ zone and on-field activities, the website said. That evening the program starts with a performance by the band The Slakas at 6 p.m., Nashua Hall of Fame inductions at 8 p.m., the Spartans Drum & Bugle Corps at 8:30 p.m. and a fireworks show at dusk, the website said.

• Concord’s July Fourth Celebration will take place Saturday, July 4, starting at 6 p.m. in Memorial Field with food vendors and music, with fireworks at 9:20 p.m., according to the Concord Parks & Rec Summer and Fall guide at concordnh.gov.

• The Hillsboro Summerfest will run Thursday, July 9, through Sunday, July 12, at 29 Preston St. in Hillsborough, featuring carnival rides and midway games, live entertainment, a 5K on July 10, a town parade, a women’s skillet toss, fireworks on Saturday evening and more, according to hillsborosummerfest.com.

• The Raymond Town Fair will be held Friday, July 10, through Sunday, July 12, featuring “live music, fireworks, children’s activities, educational exhibitions, games & vendors,” according to facebook.com/RaymondTownFair, where you can check for schedule updates.

• The American Independence Center will hold the American Independence Festival in downtown Exeter on Saturday, July 11, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring a live reading of the Declaration of Independence, demonstrations of historic 18th-century trades, reenactment groups, colonial games and music and more, according to aicnh.org/american-independence-festival.

• The 10th annual Fairy and Hobbit House Festival will take place at Bedrock Gardens, 19 High Road in Lee, on Friday, July 17, through Sunday, July 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, according to bedrockgardens.org. Come in costume to compete in the Designer Fairy and Hobbit House Competition (see the website for details), vote in the competition, take part in fairy and gnome-related activities and more, according to the website, where you can purchase tickets and reserve parking.

• Stratham Summerfest 2026 will take place Saturday, July 18, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Stratham Hill Park and feature 4-H animal barns, exhibits and more; magic shows, live music, kids’ activities, helicopter exhibits weather permitting, a pie-eating contest and more, according to strathamnh.gov.

• The Second Congregational Church, 25 Gregg St. in Wilton, will hold their annual Summer Fair on Saturday, July 18, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring crafts, food, music, kids’ activities, plant sales, book sales, a food auction at 1 p.m. and more, according to an email from the church. See 2ccwilton.org.

• The Nashua Fairytale Festival will take place Saturday, July 18, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Greeley Park in Nashua featuring stage acts, fairytale characters, character meet and greets and “over 30 community vendors with activities, caricaturists, games, books, and more for the whole family,” according tonashuanh.gov/546/SummerFun.

• The Canterbury Fair is, as always, the last Saturday in July — Saturday, July 25, starting at 9 a.m. with a 5K at Canterbury Center, according to canterburyfair.com. The fair, which runs until 4 p.m., in Center Canterbury will also include children’s games, a used book sale, live music including from Mr. Aaron and The Ragged Mountain Band, demonstrations of handicrafts, a “whatnot” tag sale, a barbecue and more, the website said.

• The Downtown Nashua Association will present the Summer Stroll on Saturday, July 25, on Main Street in Nashua, according to downtownnashua.org, where you can check for updates on the event. “This event turns Main Street into a pedestrian-only festival of food, art, music and kids’ activities, featuring dozens of vendor tents and local makers,” the website said.

• The Coppal House Farm in Lee will hold its annual Sunflower Festival Saturday, July 25, through Aug. 2, open daily with food vendors and special events on the weekend including children’s storytimes, music and a craft fair, according to nhsunflower.com, where you can find daily times and admission prices, purchase admission and find tickets to special events.

• The Suncook Valley Rotary 44th Hot Air Ballroom Rotary will run Friday, July 31, through Sunday, Aug. 2, at Drake Field on Barnstead Road in Pittsfield, featuring daily night glow displays of the balloons and flights (weather permitting) as well as touch-a-truck, a 5K, a regatta and more, according to nhballoonrally.org.

• The Belknap County Fair will run Saturday, Aug. 1, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 2, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 174 Mile Hill Road in Belmont, according to bcfairnh.org.

• Pizzastock 10, a fundraiser put on by the Jason R Flood Memorial featuring 12 bands on two stages, will take place Saturday, Aug. 1, from noon to 6 p.m., according to a post on the Jason R Flood Memorial Facebook page. The event is geared toward all ages with games including wiffleball and cornhole, activities for little kids, community organizations with information available, pizza slices from Kendall Pond Pizza as well as other food vendors, raffles and merch, the post said. See pizzastock.org for more on the event and organization.

• Friends of Aine will hold its annual Kids Try-athlon on Sunday, Aug. 2, 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, according to the website, where you can register to participate.

• Tuesday, Aug. 4, is the National Night Out, when many first responder departments hold outreach events, such as fairs and touch-a-truck events. Brentwood’s Police Department, for example, will hold an event from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Brentwood Recreation Department featuring food, a K-9 demonstration, touch a truck, face painting and more, according to a post on its Facebook page.

• Hudson Old Home Days are Thursday, Aug. 6, through Sunday, Aug. 9, according to hudsonoldhomedays.com, where you can check for updates for this year’s events. Last year’s events and activities included carnival rides, food trucks and other vendors, live music, midway games, a craft fair and more, the website said.

• Sunfox Farm in Concord presents its annual Sunflower Bloom Festival Saturday, Aug. 8, through Sunday, Aug. 16, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., featuring live music, food trucks and other vendors, according to sunfoxfarm.org/sunflowerfestival, where you can find details on pricing, parking and more.

• The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire, 6 Washington St. in Dover, will hold its annual Teddy Bear Clinic on Friday, Aug. 8, from 9 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 a press release. See childrens-museum.org.

• Londonderry Old Home Day includes a day-long event Saturday, Aug. 15, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a parade as well as, at the Town of Londonderry Historical Society, colonial crafts, music, cannon and musket firing and more, according to londonderryhistory.org. See facebook.com/TownofLondonderryOldHomeDay for more events and updates.

• History Alive 2026 in Hillsborough on Jones Road will feature historical reenactments of famous battles as well as daily village life (from Viking and medieval demonstrations to World War II) on Saturday, Aug. 15, and Sunday, Aug. 16. See historyalivenh.org for a schedule.

• The Concord Model Railroad Show, sponsored by the Concord Model Railroad Club, will take place Sunday, Aug. 16, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Everett Arena in Concord, according to a flyer from the club. Admission costs $2 for adults, free for kids under 15 with an adult, the flyer said. The day will feature more than 20 dealers, a food stand, raffles and more, the flyer said. See trainweb.org/cmrc.

• The Annual Hampton Beach Children’s Festival will run Monday, Aug. 17, through Friday, Aug. 21, with a lineup of performances and events each day leading up to a giant costume parade on Aug. 21, according to hamptonbeach.org/events/childrens-events.

• CelebratEd welcomes Manchester students back to school with an event on Thursday, Aug. 20, from 4 to 7 p.m. in Victory Park in Manchester offering backpacks and school supplies, haircuts and clothing support, a family resource fair and school registration assistance, according to manchesterproud.org/celebrated.

• Candia Old Home Day starts on Saturday, Aug. 22, at 11 a.m. with a parade, followed by a celebration featuring a dunk tank, food vendors, music and more, according to candiaoldhomeday.com.

• The 8th Annual Family Fun Day at Field of Dreams in Salem will take place Saturday, Aug. 22, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to fieldofdreamsnh.org.

• Dog Friendly NH will host Bark in the Park: Wag Around the World Festival on Saturday, Aug 22, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Rollins Park in Concord, according to a post on the Dog Friendly NH Facebook page. “Come wander through country and region themed areas, [and] enjoy international food trucks, live music, vendors, and a park full of fun and discovery” according to the post, which said the event would also feature a Kids Zone, shopping and more. The event is open to dogs who are “vaccinated, healthy, well-behaved with people and dogs, and comfortable on a leash,” the post said.

• Pembroke and Allenstown’s Old Home Day returns on Saturday, Aug. 22, with homemade crafts, merchants, information booths and more, according to pembrokeallenstownoldhomeday.org, where you can check for updates on this year’s events.

• Greekfest, a celebration of Greek food and culture, will take place at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 111 Island Pond Road in Manchester, on Saturday, Aug. 29, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 30, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., according to an email from the church. The event, held underneath a tent rain or shine, will feature Greek food and pastries, raffles, kids activities and vendors, the email said. See assumptionnh.org.

• The Hopkinton State Fair bills itself as a Labor Day weekend tradition happening this year from Thursday, Sept. 3, to Monday, Sept. 7, 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, according to hsfair.org.

• The 2026 Exeter UFO Festival will take place Saturday, Sept. 5, and Sunday, Sept. 6, with a lineup of speakers as well as family-friendly festival activities (costume contests for people and pets, a parade, a dance party and more), according toexeterufofestival.org.

Live performances

• Nashua’s Summer Fun program has a series of Tuesday summer concerts running through Aug. 25 at 7 p.m. at the Greeley Park Bandshell, 100 Concord St., according to nashuanh.gov/546/SummerFun. Next week, Tuesday, June 16, catch North River Music Band, playing music “from the Eagles and Dylan to the Indigo Girls and Grateful Dead,” the website said. Tuesdays, July 7 through Aug. 25, Nashua Community Music School will hold a musical playgroup from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in Greeley Park, the website said.

• The Concord City Auditorium, 2 Prince St. in Concord, will feature several dance schools’ recitals and showcases in the coming weeks, according to theaudi.org, which explains where to find tickets for each event. On Saturday, June 13, at 2 p.m., Turning Pointe Center of Dance presents Mary Poppins, as its annual recital, the website said. On Saturday, June 20, at 10 a.m. Dance Inspirations presents 27th annual dance recital for dancers ages 2 to adult, the website said.

• The Martin School of Dance will present its Enchanted Forest school show on Sunday, June 14, at 4 p.m. as well as a Minis show featuring twirl and tap, tumbling and petite ballet students, at 10:30 a.m. at the Chubb Theatre at the Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord, according to ccanh.com, where you can purchase tickets to either show.

• Nice Work If You Can Get It Teen Edition, a musical featuring the music of George and Ira Gershwin, will be presented by the Palace Teen Company (featuring actors ages 12 to 18) at the Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St. in Manchester, on Tuesday, June 16, and Wednesday, June 17, at 7 p.m., according to the palacetheatre.org, where you can purchase tickets.

• Children’s musical performer Mr. Aaron has several performances slated for the summer, according to mraaronmusic.com. Upcoming dates include Friday, June 19, at 6:30 p.m. at Riverfront Park in Northfield; Saturday, June 20, at noon at the Seacoast Science Center in Rye for World Ocean Day; Friday, June 26, at 11 a.m. for Market Days in downtown Concord; Wednesday, July 15, at 10:30 a.m. at the band stand at the Dunbarton Public Library; Wednesday, July 22, at 10:30 a.m. at the Nesmith Library in Windham; Saturday, July 25, at 11 a.m. at the Canterbury Fair; and Mr. Aaron Band on Thursday, July 30, at 4 p.m.in Prescott Park in Portsmouth, according to mraaronmusic.com/calendar.

• The Prescott Park Arts Festival’s outdoor production in Portsmouth this summer is Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, which will run June 19 through Aug. 9, with performances most Thursdays through Sundays at 7 p.m., with some matinee performances, according to prescottpark.org, where you can reserve blanket or table space.

• The Palace Academy’s Spring 2026 Dance Showcase featuring dancers ages 3 to adult will take place Sunday, June 21, at 10 a.m., according to palacetheatre.org, where you can purchase tickets.

• The Somersworth Festival Association will hold Celebration Night Friday, June 26, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Somersworth High School, 11 Memorial Drive in Somersworth, featuring entertainment such as “Lightheaded Collective (featuring members of the Somersworth Student Jazz Ensemble), Tricky Dick’s Magic Show and ​Bad Breath Microphone,” according to nhfestivals.org. The evening will also offer food, kids’ activities and fireworks, the website said.

• Andy’s Summer Playhouse, 582 Isaac Frye Highway in Wilton, features productions and workshops for kid and teen performers, according to andyssummerplayhouse.org, where you can find the schedule of productions to which audiences can purchase tickets. First up is Welcome to the Hilltop, a night of plays by young artists on Saturday, June 27, at 7 p.m., followed by A Staged Reading Through the Greenhouse Initiative: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd on Friday, July 3, at 7 p.m., the website said.

• NH School of Ballet presents Snow White and The Wizard of Oz, the themes of its year-end dance celebration, Saturday, June 20, at 11 a.m. at the Dance Center at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, according to tickets.anselm.edu, where you can purchase tickets.

• School of Rock, a teen Actorsingers production of the stage musical, will take place Friday, June 26, and Saturday, June 27, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, June 28, at 2 p.m. at the Janice B. Streeter Theater, 14 Court St. in Nashua, according to actorsingers.org, where you can purchase tickets.

• The Palace Youth Theatre Summer Camp, featuring performers in grades 2 through 12, will present productions throughout the summer at the Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St. in Manchester, according to palacetheatre.org, where you can purchase tickets. Performances include Diary of a Wimpy Kid (July 2-3, 7 p.m.); The Music Man Kids (July 10, 7 p.m.); The SpongeBob Musical Youth Edition (July 24, 7 p.m., and July 25, 11 a.m.); Miss Nelson Is Missing The Musical (July 31, 7 p.m.); Madagascar Jr. (Aug. 14, 7 p.m., and Aug. 15, 11 a.m.) and Shrek The Musical Kids (Aug. 21, 7 p.m.).

• The Palace Theatre’s 2026 Bank of New Hampshire Children’s Summer Series runs July 7 through Aug. 27, with a new show each week and showtimes Tuesday through Thursdays at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. and Fridays at 10 a.m., all at the Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St. in Manchester, according to palacetheatre.org, where you can purchase tickets. This season’s shows include Peter Pan Jr. (July 7-10); Willy Wonka Jr. (July 14-17); The Wizard of Oz Youth Edition (July 21-24); How To Train Your Dragon Jr. (July 28-31); Madagascar Jr. (Aug. 4-7); Shrek Jr. (Aug. 11-14); Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr. (Aug. 18-21), and magician BJ Hickman (Aug. 25-27).

• The Somersworth Festival Association will offer Kid Concerts at the Pavilion at Somersworth High School on Wednesdays, July 8 through Aug. 12, at 6 p.m., according to nhfestivals.org. The show schedule includes Wildlife Encounters (July 8), Miss Julian (July 15), Mr. Aaron (July 22), Philip Alexander (July 29), Rockin’ Ron the Friendly Pirate (Aug. 5) and Tricky Dick’s Magic Show (Aug. 12), the website said.

• The Secret Garden, based on Frances Hodgson Burnett’s novel, will be presented by Majestic Productions at the Derry Opera House, 29 W Broadway in Derry, on Friday, July 10, and Saturday, July 11, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, July 12, at 2 p.m., according to majestictheatre.net, where you can purchase tickets.

• RB Productions, which is a “non-profit community theatre organization founded in 2003 by Ryan Brown to provide experiential and educationl theatre opportunities for youth and young theatre professionals throughout greater Concord and the state of New Hampshire,” will present several shows via the Capitol Center of the Arts throughout the summer, according to ccanh.com. At the Chubb Theatre, shows include Footloose Youth Edition (Friday, July 10, and Saturday, July 11, at 7 p.m.); Disney’s Frozen Jr. (Friday, July 17, and Saturday, July 18, at 7 p.m.); Disney’s The Lion King Jr. (Friday, July 24, and Saturday, July 25, at 7 p.m.), and 13 Jr.(Friday, July 31, and Saturday, Aug. 1, at 7 p.m.) . At the BNH Stage, shows include Seussical Kids (Saturday, July 18, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.) and Shrek The Musical Kids (Saturday, Aug. 1, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.).

• Disney’s Frozen will be presented Friday, July 17, through Sunday, July 19, by the Windham Actors Guild at Windham High School, according to windhamactorsguild.com, where you can purchase tickets.

• Children’s musician Judy Pancoast celebrates 30 years of performing with a show at the Goffstown Public Library on Monday, July 27, at 11:30 a.m., according to a press release. Find more summer dates at judypancoast.com.

• The Prescott Park Arts Festival’s Camp Encore student performers will present Mean Girls Jr. Saturday, Aug. 1, and Sunday, Aug. 2, at 1 p.m. and Willy Wonka Kids on Saturday, Aug. 8, and Sunday, Aug. 9, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., according to prescottpark.org, where you can reserve blanket or table space.

• Seussical will be presented by the child and young adult performers of Peacock Players on Friday, Aug. 7, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 8, at 2 & 7 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 9, at 2 p.m., according to peacockplayers.org, where you can purchase tickets.

• Shrek the Musical, presented by the Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative, will be on stage at the Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St. in Laconia, on Friday, Aug. 7, through Sunday, Aug. 9, with shows at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday, according to powerhousenh.org, where you can purchase tickets.

• Willy Wonka Kids will be presented by The Prescott Park Arts Festival’s Camp Encore student performers on Saturday, Aug. 8, and Sunday, Aug. 9, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., according to prescottpark.org, where you can reserve blanket or table space.

Movie time

• The Summer Movie Clubhouse, a lineup of kid-friendly films running Wednesday and Thursday mornings (with a start time usually around 10:30 to 11 a.m.) at Cinemark Rockingham Park (15 Mall Road in Salem; cinemark. com/theatres/nh-salem/cinemark-rockingham-park-and-xd), began the first week of June. Upcoming screenings include Sonic the Hedgehog (June 10-11); K-Pop Demon Hunters Sing Along (June 17-18); Shrek Forever After (June 24-25); The SpongeBob Movie: Search for Squarepants (July 1-2); A Minecraft Movie (July 8-9); Dog Man (July 15-16); How to Train Your Dragon (July 22-23); The Bad Guys 2 (July 29-30) and Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie (Aug. 5-6), according to the website.

• 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.

• Fathom Entertainment (fathomentertainment.com) features specialty screenings of live events as well as anniversary screenings at area theaters including the Apple Cinemas in Merrimack and Hooksett, Cinemark Rockingham Park and Regal Fox Run in Newington. Upcoming kid-friendly screenings include the 55th anniversary screening of Willy Wonka starring Gene Wilder on Sunday, Aug. 2, and Wednesday Aug. 5; see the website for times and locations.

• Studio Ghibli Fest 2026 screenings via Fathom include Ponyo (June 13-17); My Neighbor Totoro (July 11-15); Tales from EarthSea (Aug. 8 and Aug. 10); Only Yesterday (Aug. 9 and Aug. 11) and Castle in the Sky (Aug. 22-26). See the website for times, locations and which screenings are subtitled versus dubbed.

• Red River Theatres (11 S. Main St. in Concord, redrivetheatres.org) screens kid- and family-friendly first run movies among its offerings — Toy Story 5 is slated to start screening on Thursday, June 18. The theater also has an outdoor movie scheduled in partnership with Intown Concord at the August Friday Friday event on Aug. 7, according to an email from Red River.

• 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 Soul (June 19); 2025’s Lilo & Stitch (July 31); Road to El Dorado (Aug. 28) and Hercules (Sept. 25).

• Chunky’s, 707 Huse Road in Manchester, has Sensory Friendly Screenings, when theater lights are up and the sound is down, and Little Lunch Date screenings, also with lights slightly dimmed, according to chunkys.com. Coming up: Toy Story 5 will be screened in a Sensory Friendly Screening on Tuesday, June 23, at 11:30 a.m., 2:45 and 6 p.m. and then at a Little Lunch Date on Tuesday, June 30, at 11:30 a.m., according to the website, where you can pick seats and purchase tickets.

• O’Neil Cinemas, 16 Orchard View Drive in Londonderry, will hold a Summer Kid’s Series of screenings of kid-friendly movies on Mondays and Wednesdays at 11 a.m., according to oneilcinemas.com. Screenings on the schedule include The Bad Guys 2 (July 6 & 8); Dog Man (July 13 & 15); How To Train Your Dragon (July 20 & 22); The Wild Robot (July 27 & 29); Kung Fu Panda (Aug. 3 & 5) and Despicable Me 4 (Aug. 10 & 12).

Attractions

Find more local museums in our May 14 issue in the story “Granite State Curiosities.” The issue is in our digital library at hippopress.com; the story starts on page 8.

• Andres Institute of Art (106 Route 13, Brookline, andresinstitute.org) has a network of trails featuring sculptures including pieces created during the annual International Bridges and Connections, according to the website. Find printable trail maps as well as a gallery of the sculptures online.

• 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. See the website for admission prices.

• 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.

• Canobie Lake Park (85 N. Policy St., Salem, canobie.com), an amusement park with rides and water attractions, is, in summer, open daily 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., 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. Reptile Day is slated for Saturday, July 18, with a reptile show scheduled for 1 p.m.

• 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. See the website for special programming, such as Toddler Tinker Time on Tuesdays, Wacky Art Wednesdays, Cultural Crafts on Thursdays and Science Fridays. New at the museum: the Kids Cafe is being transformed into a pretend pizzeria, and later in the summer the museum will reveal a “Calling All Superheroes!” exhibit “featuring capes, accessories, and green-screen superpowers,” according to a press release.

• Chuckster’s Family Fun Park (Route 4, 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.

• 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 (with ID) and $5 for ages 13 to 17, according to the website. The museum also offers free admission for New Hampshire residents on the second Saturday of each month.

• Funspot (579 Endicott Lane, 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 22 will be 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (11 p.m. on Saturdays).

• Joppa Hill Educational Farm (174 Joppa Hill Road, 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.

• The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center (2 Institute Drive, Concord, starhop.com), a celebration of space, science, engineering and aviation, is open daily, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. The outdoor Jeanne Gerulskis Science Playground is open when the center is open, weather permitting. Purchase admission to the center and extra tickets to see planetarium shows. See the website for the current line-up of planetarium films.

• Mel’s Funway Park (454 Charles Bancroft Highway, 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.

• 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.

• The New Hampshire Fisher Cats at Delta Dental Stadium in downtown Manchester play their next home games Tuesday, June 23, through Sunday, June 28, with games at 6:03 p.m. (except Sunday, when game time is 1:05 p.m.) against the Somerset Patriots. Regular season games continue through Sunday, Sept. 13. See milb.com/new-hampshire for tickets.

• The Nashua Silver Knights, members of the Futures Collegiate Baseball League, will next play at Holman Stadium (67 Amherst St., Nashua) on Monday, June 15, at 6:03 p.m. against the Worcester Bravehearts. Their last home game of the regular season will be on Friday, Aug. 7, at 6:03 p.m. against the Norwich Sea Unicorns. See nashuasilverknights.com.

• 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 is recommended to be purchased in advance via the website.

Your town

Libraries have reading programs and town gazebos have music — at least, that is the schedule you’ll find in many area towns and cities. 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; registration is often required. Here are some of the family-friendly highlights.

• Allenstown: At the Allenstown Public Library, the summer reading program, with the theme “Unleash a Story,” began in June, according to allenstownlibrary.org.

• Amherst: The Amherst Town Library (amherstlibrary.org) is kicking off its summer reading program with a concert featuring Steve Blunt Tuesday, June 16, at 6 p.m. (registration required). On Wednesday, June 24, there will be a Live Pet Show from 10 to 11 a.m. on the library front lawn (bring your pet or just come to see other’s pets), according to the website. Mondays throughout the summer are “Chalk the Walk” days, when chalk will be provided to draw on the sidewalk outside.

The Amherst Recreation department (amherstnh.gov) will offer Summer Concerts on the Green on Tuesdays, June 23 through Aug. 11, 6:30 to 8 p.m., starting with Amherst Town Band.

• Auburn: The Griffin Free Public Library (griffinfree.org) will hold a Build a Gnome Home event on Thursday, July 9, at 1 p.m. (register online). The summer reading program — “Plant a Seed, Read” — starts June 17. The library will hold its annual book sale at the Auburn Village School gym on Saturday, July 25, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday, July 26, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to the library’s Facebook page.

Auburn’s Parks and Recreation department will hold a Summer Concert Series at Circle of Fun Playground, 5 Bunker Hill Road in Auburn, monthly on Thursdays at 6 p.m.: Off Duty Angels (June 18); Emily’s Garage Band (July 16), and Gary Mav & His Ad Hoc Rock Band (Aug. 20), according to auburnnh.gov.

• Bedford: The Bedford Public Library (bedfordnhlibrary.org) holds its Summer Reading Kickoff Concert with Ben Rudnick and Friends on Monday, June 15, at 6:30 p.m. (register online). A Wildlife Encounters event for ages 7 to 12 will take place Monday, July 20 (two sessions, register online).

The Bedford Parks & Recreation department will host its Family Concerts in the Park on Wednesdays, June 24 through July 29, at 6 p.m. at the Bedford Village Common Park Gazebo, according to.bedfordnh.gov.

• Bow: At the Baker Free Library (bowbakerfreelibrary.org) the “Plant a Seed, Read” Summer Reading Kickoff Party & Farm Animal Petting Zoo is Friday, June 19, at 4 p.m. The library also hosts a magic show with Magician Mike Bent on Thursday, July 23, at 4 p.m.; a live reptile show on Thursday, July 2, at 10:30 a.m.; an outdoor concert with NH Scot on Monday, June 29, at 6 p.m., and Mr Aaron at the Town Gazebo as part of the Bow Rotary Summer Concert Series on Thursday, July 16, at 6:30 p.m.

The concert series runs through Aug. 13, according to the summer program brochure at bownh.myrec.com, which lists a variety of camps and kids’ programs.

• Boscawen: The Boscawen Public Library (boscawenpubliclibrary.org) kicks off its “Unearth a Story” Summer Reading program on Monday, June 22, with a program at 6 p.m.

• Brookline: The Brookline Public Library (brooklinelibrarynh.org) will hold its Summer Reading Kick-Off Party on Tuesday, June 23, at 4 p.m. featuring “ lawn games, crafts, bubbles, and freeze pops,” according to the website. The library will also host a Dinosaur Safari Magic Show at the Brookline Community Church Tuesday, July 28, at 4 p.m., the website said.

• Canterbury: The Elkins Public Library (elkinspubliclibrary.org) offers storytimes and other activities for kids.

• Chichester: The Chichester Town Library (chichesternh.org) will hold a book sale on Saturday, June 13, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., according to its Facebook page, where you can also find the summer storytime schedule. There will be a summer reading kickoff party with a Musical Puppet Show by Tom Knight on Friday, June 26, at 11 a.m. at the Chichester Grange Hall, according to a post.

• Concord: The Concord Public Library (concordpubliclibrary.net) will hold storytimes in the park on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. June through August; see the website for a schedule. The library will hold its summer reading kickoff on Saturday, June 20, at 9:30 a.m.

The Concord Parks & Rec lists a variety of summer kids’ programs in its summer and fall brochure, available via concordnh.gov. The city holds multiple concert series including Tuesdays featuring the Nevers Band at a variety of city parks and other locations at 7 p.m. (starting June 17); Thursdays at Eagle Square at 7:30 p.m. (July 2-Aug. 13); Wednesdays at Canal Street at 6:30 p.m. (July 15, July 29, Aug. 12 and Aug. 26), and a White Park Sunday Concert series many Sundays into September at 10 a.m., the website said.

• Derry: The Derry Public Library (derrypl.org) will hold its “Plant a Seed, Read” Kick Off Dance Party on Thursday, June 18, at 1:30 p.m. Let’s Play Music will offer a musical petting zoo on Wednesday, July 8, at 10 a.m.; the Children’s Museum of NH will present Dinosaur Detectives on Thursday, July 16, at 2 p.m. and there will be family storytimes many Friday mornings on the patio, according to the website, where you can register for these and other events.

The Derry Parks & Recreation Concert Series runs Tuesdays, June 16 through Aug. 18, at 7 p.m. in Macgregor Park, according to a post on the department’s Facebook page.

• Dunbarton: The Dunbarton Public Library (dunbartonnh.org/dunbarton-public-library) will kick off its “Unearth a Story” summer reading program on Tuesday, June 23, with a make a library fairy garden program at 1 p.m., according to the website, which also lists programs such as a reptile show on Thursday, June 25, at 1 p.m.; a touch a truck on Saturday, July 11, at 10 a.m., and several storytimes.

Dunbarton’s Old Home Day is slated for Saturday, Aug. 15, according to dunbartonnh.org, where you can find a schedule of the day’s events such as a 10 a.m. parade, vendors and exhibitors from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and ice cream at 2 p.m.

• Goffstown: The Goffstown Public Library (goffstownlibrary.com) is also theming its summer reading program “Plant a Seed, Read” and kicks it off June 20. See the website for the line-up of storytimes and other activities. Judy Pancoast will perform at the library’s Picnic on the Lawn on Friday, July 24, at 11:30 a.m.

• Hollis: Hollis Social Library (hollislibrary.org) will kick off its summer reading program with a Touch-a-Truck on Tuesday, June 23, at 2 p.m. at Lawrence Barn, 28 Depot Road in Hollis, according to the website. The library also has craft programs and storytimes for a variety of ages. Mr. Aaron is slated to perform on Thursday, July 23, at 3:30 p.m. and Lindsay and her Puppet Pals are slated to perform on Tuesday, July 28, at 3 p.m.

Hollis Recreation will hold a playground pop-up this summer on Tuesdays, 2 to 4 p.m., with activities at the Little Nichols Playground behind the library, according to the department’s Facebook page.

• Hooksett: The Hooksett Public Library (hooksettlibrary.org) will hold a touch-a-truck event to kick off the summer reading program on Saturday, June 20, at 10 a.m. and a Magic Fred Show on Monday, July 13, at 10:30 a.m., according to the website, where you can find other kids’ activities.

• Hopkinton: The Hopkinton Town Library (hopkintontownlibrary.org) starts its “Plant a Seed, Read” summer reading on Monday, June 22, with activities including Music With Meghan on Friday, June 26, at 10:30 a.m., storytimes with Miss Grammy Pat and Ice Pops with Super Cool Cops on Wednesday, July 29, at 3 p.m.

Hopkinton Recreation Committee hosts the July Fourth Parade and Family Fun in Riverway Park in Contoocook with a farmers market, the Brad Myrick Band, the kids’ parade at 11 a.m. followed by the Independence Parade at 11:30 a.m. and family fun activities, according to hopkintonnh.myrec.com.

• Hudson: The George H. and Ella M. Rodgers Memorial Library (rodgerslibrary.org) will offer summer events including storytimes in Benson Park; a performance by Magic Fred on Tuesday, June 23, at 1:30 p.m.; a Teddy Bear Garden Party on Friday, July 10, at 10 a.m.; Wildlife Encounters on Wednesday, Aug. 12, at 1:30 p.m. and more.

• Litchfield: At the Aaron Cutler Memorial Library (litchfieldnh.gov/222/Aaron-Cutler-Memorial-Library), the “Plant a Seed, Read” summer reading program starts Tuesday, June 23, with weekly themes, activities for kids, teens and tweens and more according to the newsletter on the library’s website.

• Londonderry: The Leach Library (londonderrynh.gov/371/Leach-Library), which continues to operate from the Community Room of the Londonderry Police Department while work is done on the building, will hold a visit from the Lorax on Tuesday, June 16, at 4 p.m. and Thursday, June 18, at 11 a.m. at Moose Hill Council Chambers in Town Hall as well as other storytimes and activities. The Leach Library will team up with the Londonderry Arts Council for a Concert on the Common for Kids on Saturday, July 11, at 1:30 p.m. featuring Matt Heaton and the Outside Toys at the Londonderry Town Common, according to the May newsletter.

The Londonderry Arts Council’s Concerts on the Common program began in early June and runs through Aug. 12 on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. at the Common, 265 Mammoth Road in Londonderry, according to londonderryartscouncil.org.

• Loudon: The Maxfield Public Library (maxfieldlibrary.org) will host Alejandro’s Olde Tyme Magik Showe at Charlie’s Barn on Thursday, June 11, at 6 p.m., according to the website. The library will start its summer reading with a magic show featuring Jason Purdy at Charlie’s Barn on Saturday, June 20, at 11 a.m., where you can also register for summer reading, the website said. Find more storytimes and events, including a Dinosaur Tea Party on Wednesday, Aug. 5, at 11 a.m., on the website.

• Manchester: Manchester City Library (manchesterlibrary.org) will offer Family Movie Afternoons on Mondays at 2 p.m. starting Monday, June 22, according to a post on the library’s Facebook page. The library will also host a Dino Party on June 22 at 10 a.m., on theme with the summer reading program, “Unearth a Story,” which also begins June 22, according to the website. Other summer events include Slime of the Month club, escape rooms, multiple storytimes, Teen Thursdays and more, the website said.

• Merrimack: At the Merrimack Public Library (merrimack.aspendiscovery.org), the summer reading program begins with a performance by musical performer Tom Knight on Thursday, June 25, at 6 p.m. in Abbie Griffin Park, according to the website (where you can register). In addition to a line-up of storytimes and craft events, the library will have a Dino Tea Party on Tuesday, July 14, at 11:30 a.m. (register online) and more.

The Merrimack Parks & Recreation Department will host a Summer Concerts in the Park series on Thursday nights at 6 p.m. in Abbie Griffin Park starting June 25 with the Tom Knight performance, according to merrimackparksandrec.org. The series runs through Aug. 13.

• Milford: At the Wadleigh Memorial Library (wadleighlibrary.org), summer kicks off on Friday, June 12, at 6 p.m. with a community picnic. Along with crafts, storytimes and teen-specific programing, the library will feature a vegetable derby for grades 2 to 5 on Wednesday, July 8, at 2 p.m. and Miss Lindsay and Her Puppet Pals on Wednesday, July 29, at 11 a.m., according to the website.

The Milford Recreation Department’s summer offerings include the Keyes Summer Bash 2026 in Keyes Memorial Park from noon to 3 p.m. featuring a bike parade, touch a truck, local vendors, games, a reading of the Declaration of Independence and a live concert, according to a post on the recreation department’s Facebook page.

• Mont Vernon: The Daland Memorial Library (dalandlibrary.com) runs its summer reading program Tuesday, June 16, through Friday, Aug. 7, according to the website.

• Nashua: The Nashua Public Library (nashualibrary.org) will hold is Summer Reading Kick-Off Party on Friday, June 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Library Plaza and feature a bounce house, an inflatable corn maze, ice cream and popcorn, live music from Straightjacket (’90s cover band), crafts, an herb garden activity, a plant clipping swap, lawn games and more, according to the website. In addition to storytimes and other kids’ activities, the library offers a variety of programming (including a Teen Rock Show on Tuesday, June 23, at 7 p.m. featuring Fates Collide from Nashua Community Music School), the website said.

Nashua’s extensive SummerFun programming (nashuanh.gov/546/SummerFun) includes special events such as the Fairytale Festival and Superheroes in the Park as well as weekly Tuesday night concerts at the Bandshell in Greeley Park at 7 p.m.; the Nashua Community Music School playgroup in Greeley on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. starting June 30 as well as Thursdays starting July 9, and more. See the city’s website for the complete summer schedule.

• New Boston: Whipple Free Library (whipplefreelibrary.org) will offer storytimes and other events attached to its summer reading program — see the website for upcoming events and to sign up.

The New Boston Recreation department will host Concerts on the Common on Tuesdays, July 7, through Aug. 11, at 6 p.m. with live music and food concessions, according to the department’s Facebook page. The series starts with The Bel Airs, playing the oldies, the post said. See newbostonnh.gov/recreation for updates.

• Pembroke: The Pembroke Library (pembroke-library.org) will hold a Summer Reading Kickoff on Wednesday, June 24, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. with a fun walk, a children’s performance by Miss Julieann and a musical performance for teens and adults by Oliva Conway, according to the website, where you can sign up and find the schedule of storytimes and drop-in play times.

• Salem: The Kelley Library (kelleylibrary.org) offers programming for kids and teens, according to the website’s calendar.

See the Salem Community Services Department Facebook page for upcoming events this summer.

• Windham: Nesmith Library (nesmithlibrary.org) will hold its Summer Reading Program Kickoff on Tuesday, June 23, from 4 to 7 p.m. with lawn games, the Walking Gourmet Food Truck and Bryson Lang juggling at 6 p.m., according to the website. See the website for storytimes, crafts for kids and teens, Wildlife Encounters on Wednesday, July 8; Lindsay and Her Puppet Pals on Wednesday, July 15, at 10:30 a.m.; Mr. Aaron on Wednesday, July 22, at 10:30 a.m. and a “Meet the Town Vehicles” on Thursday, July 30, at 10:30 a.m.

The Windham Recreation Department will hold the town’s Fireworks display on Wednesday, June 24, at the high school, where the parking lot opens at 5:30 p.m., according to windham.recdesk.com. The department also offers a summer concert series, starting Sunday, June 14, at 2 p.m. with Nicole Knox Murphy playing on the Windham Town Common — see the website for the full schedule of seven shows, running through September.

• Wilton: The Wilton Public & Gregg Free Library (wiltonlibrarynh.org) will hold its summer reading Kick-Off Party on Friday, June 26, at 2 p.m.: “Join us for a summertime treat, make a craft, show off your artistic skill with some sidewalk chalk (weather permitting), take a walk along our story-trail at the front entrance, take some pictures at our photo-booth designed by Iggy, and welcome in the summer!”