Category: Cover Stories

Celebrate Oktoberfest with German eats and brews

On Saturday, clad in lederhosen, To Share Brewing Co. co-owner Aaron Share and his team will be pouring their seasonal German-style beer release and serving bratwurst, sauerkraut and pretzels while oompah music plays in the background — yes, it’s Oktoberfest season.

Since the very first event in early 19th-century Germany, the fall tradition has grown into a worldwide phenomenon celebrating Bavarian culture through its beers and foods. This will be To Share Brewing’s third Oktoberfest, one of many similar celebrations taking place across the Granite State over the next several weeks.

The centerpieces of nearly every Oktoberfest are German-style beers, among some of Share’s favorites to drink this time of year.

“I love beer in general, but I really enjoy a good clean malty lager,” he said. “A lot of the German styles have this nice sweet, bready maltiness to them. … Especially when the weather starts to cool off and it’s a little crisp in the air, it’s just perfect.”

Several local breweries this fall are either taking part in an Oktoberfest celebration or hosting their own, as well as introducing limited beer releases. Some restaurants are also joining in on the fun with their own seasonally inspired menus of German food items, from bratwurst, schnitzel and sauerkraut to Bavarian-style pretzels, specialty dessert stations and more.

So what exactly is defined as an Oktoberfest beer, and where did this tradition come from, anyway? We spoke with local brewers, chefs and restaurateurs to get some answers.

“March beer”

The most common beer style traditionally associated with Oktoberfests is known as a märzen, a lager that is characterized by its malty flavor and deep golden or amber color.

“Classic German beers are very simple compared to what we brew here in the States today. They would use malt and whatever hop variant they had from the harvest, and that was the basis of it,” said Dennis Molnar, co-owner of Concord Craft Brewing Co. “[A märzen style] is a little maltier in flavor than what we’re probably used to thinking of as an American Pilsner lager, like a Budweiser or something. … It’s hopped a little bit more as well, but because there’s a bit of a maltier backbone, it doesn’t necessarily taste more hopped than any other simple yellow beer.”

Even though the style is synonymous with Oktoberfests, the word “märzenbier” actually means “March beer,” as it was historically brewed in the spring. According to The Oxford Companion to Beer, an encyclopedia edited by Garrett Oliver and published by Oxford University Press, a Bavarian decree issued in the year 1553 by the duke at the time prohibited new beer from being brewed between the dates of April 23 and Sept. 29. This was due in part to the risk of fires, in addition to the threats of wild yeasts and bacteria, during the hot weather. As a result, märzens would be brewed in March and lagered, or stored, until the end of the summer.

Last week Concord Craft Brewing Co. brought back its Oktoberfest release, a märzen-style lager that Molnar said he expects will last through about mid-October. Other local brewers, like Kelsen Brewing Co. of Derry and Great North Aleworks of Manchester, have märzen-style releases of their own — the latter’s, called “Märzen Rover,” goes light on the hops, with a breaded, honey-like flavor from a blend of a few different malts.

But Oktoberfests don’t have to strictly be märzens, either. Derry’s Rockingham Brewing Co. recently debuted “For Better or For Wurst,” a German-style festbier that co-owner Ali Leleszi described as being similar to a märzen but with a slightly lighter color and more hop bitterness. They have it on draft now, and they’ll also be pouring it at an Oktoberfest celebration on Saturday, Oct. 2, at Twin Barns Brewing Co. in Meredith, she said.

Henniker Brewing Co. also has a seasonal lager inspired by the modern festbier. Teresa Pominville, director of events and marketing, said the brewery’s “Wurst Bier” adds a little bit of rye to help complement the malts and the spicy herbal notes from the German hops used.

To Share Brewing releases a German-style altbier, or “alt,” during Oktoberfest season, using a recipe dating back to Share’s time as a homebrewer.

“An alt is one of those weird hybrids between a lager and an ale. The main difference between lagers and ales are the yeasts that you use and the temperatures in the fermentation process,” Share said. “So an alt is pretty similar to a märzen in terms of the flavor profile. Just a really easy-drinking, clear amber beer that’s perfect for when the weather gets colder.”

In Dover, Garrison City Beerworks will be introducing two new beers to be released the day of its Oktoberfest celebration on Friday, Sept. 24 — Glean is a lager brewed with Maine-grown grain, while Jet-Setting is a New England IPA dry-hopped exclusively with German hops.

“It’s got the smooth, bright haze of the New England IPA style, with some really interesting melon and farmhouse notes from the … hops,” co-owner Andy Gray said of Jet-Setting.

A glossary of terms

This list contains various terms you may encounter at local Oktoberfest celebrations or on German restaurant menus, including seasonal food options, beer styles and traditions.

• Altbier (or Alt): A German-style amber-colored beer that To Share Brewing Co. co-owner Aaron Share described as a hybrid between a lager and an ale, with a balance of malty sweetness and bitterness from its hops. This is the third year the brewery has released an Oktoberfest alt.
• Apfelstrudel: Bavarian-style apple strudel. You can find this homemade dessert on the menu at Bavaria German Restaurant in Hooksett, or at the annual Oktoberfest celebration at Mile Away Restaurant in Milford on Sunday, Oct. 3.
• Blaukraut: Red cabbage cooked with apple.
• Bratkartoffeln: Bavarian-style roasted potatoes.
• Bratwurst: German sausage, most commonly made with pork, veal or a combination of the two, according to Monika Berger, co-owner of Bavaria German Restaurant in Hooksett.
• Brezn: Bavarian-style pretzels, which are characterized by their crisp, dark exterior and soft interior, according to Matt Brown, owner of The Salted Knot in Rollinsford.
• Dunkel: A German-style lager characterized by its dark brown color and malty flavor.
• Festbier: A German-style lager similar to a märzen, but with a slightly lighter color and more hop bitterness, according to Ali Leleszi of Rockingham Brewing Co. in Derry.
• Hefeweizen: A German-style wheat beer. Daydreaming Brewing Co. of Derry will have “Daydreaming of Martha,” its hefeweizen in collaboration with Martha’s Exchange & Brewery of Nashua, at its Oktoberfest celebration on Saturday, Sept. 25.
• Hunter’s Stew: A savory brown sauce-based stew with pork, beef, veal and vegetables. Mile Away Restaurant in Milford will be serving hunter’s stew during its Oktoberfest event on Sunday, Oct. 3.
• Märzen: A malty German-style amber lager most commonly associated with Oktoberfest celebrations. Several local breweries, including Concord Craft Brewing Co., Kelsen Brewing Co. of Derry and Great North Aleworks of Manchester, have their own märzen-style releases this time of year as an ode to the classic Germanic style.
• Masskrugstemmen: A beer stein hoisting competition, typically held at Oktoberfest events.
• Rinderroulade: Rolled slices of tender beef, filled with mustard, onions, bacon and pickles.
• Sauerbraten: Traditional German pot roast, featuring marinated, roasted beef boiled in a wine-based sauce and topped with gravy. Sauerbraten is available at Bavaria German Restaurant in Hooksett with homemade spätzle and red cabbage. It will also be on the menu during Mile Away Restaurant’s Oktoberfest celebration in Milford on Sunday, Oct. 3.
• Sauerkraut: Sour fermented cabbage.
• Schnitzel: Literally translating to “cutlet,” schnitzel is a thin slice of meat, usually pork, that has been breaded and fried. Bavaria German Restaurant in Hooksett has multiple schnitzel options available on its menu that also feature the option to substitute pork for veal.
• Schweins haxn: Bavarian-roasted pork shank.
• Spätzle: Bavarian-style egg noodles.

Bavarian bites

German beers may be the stars of the show, but Oktoberfest season is also a great opportunity to try all kinds of authentic foods. At Mile Away Restaurant in Milford, for instance, a special menu will be served during its 15th annual Oktoberfest event on Sunday, Oct. 3. Dinner plates featuring items like schweineschnitzel (pork schnitzel) and sauerbraten (German pot roast) will be available, in addition to a dessert station with items like apfelstrudel (apple strudel).

Share said the brewery will be offering a shareable snack board all day during its Sept. 25 event, featuring bratwurst with sauerkraut, plus pretzels courtesy of The Hop Knot.

Speaking of pretzels, be on the lookout in the coming weeks for Matt Brown of The Salted Knot, a Rollinsford-based Bavarian-style pretzel company launched earlier this year. Brown has a full schedule of events he’ll be serving his pretzels at, including the Powder Keg Beer Festival in Exeter on Saturday, Oct. 2, and the Great Oktoberfest at Anheuser-Busch Tour Center & Biergarten in Merrimack on Saturday, Oct. 16. He’ll also appear at Henniker Brewing Co. on Sunday, Oct. 10, during its two weekend-long Fall Fest.

Brown received training from another German-style pretzel maker while staying in Pennsylvania, a state he said is known for its pretzels and German ancestry. Now he works for himself, also selling his pretzels at farmers markets and via a few wholesale accounts.

“My pretzels are a lot darker and they tend to be more crispy than soft pretzels you might get at the mall,” Brown said. “The way I shape them, the middle is the thickest part.”

At Twin Barns Brewing Co.’s Oct. 2 event, food options will be served courtesy of The Silo, an onsite food trailer in collaboration with Osteria Poggio restaurant in Center Harbor. Options will likely include different plays on authentic items like bratwurst or pierogi.

“We’re probably going to be doing some German-style tacos, so basically like a sauerbraten taco with braised beef, and then maybe things like sweet cabbage and apple,” Osteria Poggio chef Kaylon Sweet said. “We’re just trying to find ways to make it more approachable to people.”

Pats Peak Ski Area in Henniker will have seasonal specials of its own during its annual Oktoberfest on Sunday, Nov. 7. Led by chef Guy Pelletier, its in-house kitchen team will be preparing items like bratwurst, hot German potato salad and braised red cabbage.

If you want to try German food but can’t wait to attend an Oktoberfest event, Bavaria German Restaurant in Hooksett has authentic options year-round, made fresh daily from family recipes. They also currently have Spaten Brewery’s Oktoberfest — touted as “the world’s first Oktoberfest” beer — and Weihenstephaner’s wheat beer available on tap.

The eatery has been owned and operated by Anton and Monika Berger since March 2010. Anton Berger has more than four decades of experience as a chef, including at a more than 200-seat restaurant and outdoor beer garden in Munich, Germany.

Bavaria’s schnitzel is one of its most popular items, and there are multiple varieties. The jägerschnitzel, for example, features a boneless strip of pork that’s topped with a scratch-made mushroom cream sauce. It’s then served with spätzle, or Bavarian-style egg noodles.

Bratwurst selections, according to Monika Berger, can be ordered with pork, veal, or a combination of the two. They are served with either homemade sauerkraut or a potato salad.

Specials are occasionally featured as well, like schweins haxn (Bavarian-roasted pork shank).

The first Oktoberfest

The origins of Oktoberfest can be traced back to Munich, Germany, during the early 1800s. The first event was not even organized as a beer festival — rather, it was a wedding.

According to the official Oktoberfest website, King Ludwig I of Bavaria married Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen on Oct. 12, 1810. The couple was wed at the site of what would later become known as Theresienwiese, the official Oktoberfest grounds in Munich. Their celebration included a large horse race and was so well-received that the demand for more events immediately grew. Soon it became an annual destination for agricultural entertainment.

A major defining year for the festival was 1841, when Spaten Brewery introduced its amber märzen at the event. By 1872 Spaten was the first brewery to call it an Oktoberfest beer.

Today the Munich Oktoberfest has grown into a massive, multi-week affair, spanning 16 to 18 days from mid-to-late September to early October and attracting more than six million visitors from around the world. Plans are already underway for the event to return in September 2022, after the pandemic forced its cancellation in both 2020 and 2021.

Stein hoisting competitions

Among the traditions of several Oktoberfest celebrations is a stein hoisting competition — or, as it’s known in Germany, masskrugstemmen (pronounced “MAHSS-kroog-stem-men”). Participants are given a stein filled to the top with beer that they must hold by the handle out in front of their bodies for as long as possible. The person who can hold it for the longest amount of time without breaking form or spilling their stein is declared the winner.

According to the U.S. Steinholding Association’s official rules, you must only grip the handle of the stein with one hand. The current national record is 21 minutes and 17 seconds, set in 2018 by Michael Tyler at the Central Park Oktoberfest in New York City.

To Share Brewing Co. in Manchester will hold a stein hoisting competition at 6 p.m. during its annual Oktoberfest on Sept. 25. The winner, co-owner Jenni Share said, will receive a Mug Club membership to the brewery, or beers out of a 22-ounce mug for the price of a pint.

“You hold your stein out at a 90-degree angle, so your body has to be straight and your arm is perpendicular, and you hold it as long as you can,” she said. “You cannot spill any beer.”

Stein hoisting competitions have consistently increased in popularity in recent years as strength endurance contests. The U.S. Steinholding Association, founded in 2015, promotes the sport by providing training tips and resources on where you can go to compete.

Upcoming Oktoberfests and other beer festivals

Upcoming Oktoberfests and other beer festivals

Check out this list of Oktoberfest celebrations and fall-themed festivals at local breweries, as well as other upcoming beer festivals happening across the state. Do you know of an Oktoberfest event coming up soon that isn’t on this list? Let us know at [email protected].

• Friday, Sept. 24: Garrison City Beerworks (455 Central Ave., Dover) will hold an Oktoberfest from 4:30 to 10 p.m. featuring two new beer releases and a German-inspired food menu with options like pretzels and house mustard, smoked sausages and sauerkraut and potato pancakes. A stein hoisting competition is also planned. Visit garrisoncitybeerworks.com.

• Saturday, Sept. 25:Join To Share Brewing Co. (720 Union St., Manchester) for its third annual Oktoberfest, happening from 1 to 9 p.m. There will be a food special featuring a shareable snack board with meats and cheeses, bratwurst and sauerkraut, and pretzels courtesy of The Hop Knot, plus beer releases and two stein hoisting competitions (at 1 p.m. for Mug Club members and at 6 p.m. for the public). Reservations are requested for parties of four or more. Visit tosharebrewing.com.

• Saturday, Sept. 25:Daydreaming Brewing Co. (1½ E. Broadway, Derry) will hold its second Oktoberfest at 1 p.m., with several specialty beers available, including a hefeweizen brewed in collaboration with Martha’s Exchange & Brewery of Nashua. Visit daydreaming.beer.

• Saturday, Sept. 25:Northwoods Brewing Co. (1334 First New Hampshire Turnpike, Northwood) is holding its inaugural Fall Fest, featuring a trunk show from 10 am. to 3 p.m. with more than 20 New England-area businesses and live music throughout the day. Also planned are the releases of the brewery’s new Oktoberfest-inspired lager, specialty fall cocktails from its sister establishment, Johnson’s Seafood & Steak, and brewery specials, like bratwurst with homemade slaw, pretzels with beer cheese, and a savory autumn pizza. Visit northwoodsbrewingcompany.com.

• Saturday, Sept. 25: The Kingston Brewfest returns for a second year from noon to 4 p.m. at 148 Main St. in Kingston. The event will feature a variety of local beer and food options as well as live music. Tickets are $35 per person for full access to the beer tastings, or $5 for designated drivers. Donations to the Kingston Volunteer Fire Association will also be accepted. Visit kingstonbrew.com or follow the event on Facebook @kingstonbrewfest.

• Sunday, Sept. 26: Osteria Poggio (18 Main St., Center Harbor) will host an Oktoberfest from 2 to 6 p.m. featuring various German-style foods and pourings from several local breweries. Visit osteriapoggio.com.

• Saturday, Oct. 2: New England’s Tap House Grille (1292 Hooksett Road, Hooksett) will hold an Oktoberfest patio event from 5 to 7 p.m. featuring a seasonally inspired food menu, a stein hoisting competition and music from The Rebel Collective, with proceeds benefiting CASA of New Hampshire. Visit taphousenh.com.

• Saturday, Oct. 2:Join Twin Barns Brewing Co. (194 Daniel Webster Hwy., Meredith) for an Oktoberfest celebration from noon to 10 p.m. There will be live music, seasonal pourings from six guest breweries, and a German-inspired food menu courtesy of The Silo, an onsite food trailer in collaboration with Osteria Poggio in Center Harbor. Commemorative event mugs will also be for sale, with proceeds benefiting the New Hampshire Brewers Association. Visit twinbarnsbrewing.com.

• Saturday, Oct. 2:The Powder Keg Beer Festival returns to Swasey Parkway in Exeter. Ticketholders have two sessions to choose from, either from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or from 2 to 4 p.m., when samples of more than 200 different beers, ciders and hard seltzers will be available. In place of the chili, which is normally a staple of the festival, this year food trucks offering all kinds of options will be attending. Tickets are $35 per person or $10 for designated drivers. Visit powderkegbeerfest.com.

• Sunday, Oct. 3:Mile Away Restaurant (52 Federal Hill Road, Milford) will be hosting its annual Oktoberfest from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Dinner plates are available for $17 per person, featuring sauerbraten (German pot roast), schweineschnitzel (pork schnitzel), hunter’s stew, or spicy beef and sausage chili with cheddar cheese, along with two sides (German potato salad, sea salt chips and sauerkraut, braised red cabbage, pickled beets or applesauce). There will also be a dessert and pretzel station with additional a la carte items, like pumpkin pie, Black Forest cake, flourless chocolate torte and more. Live music will be featured from the TubaFrau Hofbräu Band, a Waltham, Mass.-based German oompah band. There is a $20 parking fee per car. The event is cash only and first-come, first-served. Visit mileawayrestaurantnh.com.

• Sunday, Oct. 3:Stripe Nine Brewing Co. will present a Brew Fest in the Orchard at DeMerritt Hill Farm (20 Orchard Way, Lee) with general admittance from 1 to 4 p.m. and VIP admittance at noon. More than 25 local breweries are expected to attend, and there will also be seasonal food options and live music from Matty & the Penders. Tickets are $45 general admission, $75 VIP admission and $15 for designated drivers. See “Stripe Nine’s 2021 Brew Fest in the Orchard” on Eventbrite to purchase tickets.

• Saturday, Oct. 9:Join the Bektash Shriners of New Hampshire (189 Pembroke Road, Concord) for an Oktoberfest from 5 to 9 p.m. featuring bratwurst, potato salad, pretzels and more. Visit bektashshriners.org or call the office at 225-5372 to RSVP.

• Saturday, Oct. 9: The New Hampshire Brewfest returns to Cisco Brewers (35 Corporate Drive, Portsmouth), with general admittance from 1 to 5 p.m. and VIP admittance at noon. Admission ranges from $50 to $65 and includes access to tastings from a variety of New England-area craft breweries. Food options from local food trucks will also be available at an additional cost. Visit nhbrewfest.com.

• Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 9-10 and Oct. 16-17:Henniker Brewing Co. (129 Centervale Road, Henniker) will hold its annual Fall Fest over two weekends this year, from noon to 7 p.m., on Saturdays, Oct. 9; Sunday, Oct. 10; Saturday, Oct. 16, and Sunday, Oct. 17. In addition to pourings from the brewery’s Wurst Bier seasonal festbier, there will be food options from The Salted Knot and The Russian Dumpling Co., plus stein hoisting competitions and live music. Visit hennikerbrewing.com.

• Saturday, Oct. 16:Anheuser-Busch Tour Center & Biergarten (221 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack) will host the Great Oktoberfest featuring more than two dozen fall and winter brews that will be available to taste, including several authentic German varieties. There are two sessions to choose from, either from noon to 3 p.m. or from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. The festival will also feature European-style food from several local food trucks, games, live music and more. Tickets start at $45 general admission and $15 for designated drivers, with proceeds supporting the Merrimack Rotary Club. Visit greatoktoberfest.com.

• Sunday, Oct. 31: The Manchester Brewfest returns for the first time since the summer of 2019 to Arms Park (Commercial Street, Manchester) with general admittance from 1 to 4 p.m. and VIP admittance at noon. Tickets are $40 general admission, $50 VIP admission and $15 for designated drivers. Visit manchesterbrewfest.com.

• Sunday, Nov. 7:Pats Peak Ski Area (686 Flanders Road, Henniker) will host its annual Oktoberfest celebration in conjunction with its ski and snowboard sale, happening from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will feature live music from The Bavarian Brothers, plus a beer garden with Harpoon Brewery, games, a stein hoisting competition, and authentic German food options prepared by Chef Guy Pelletier and his team. Foods will include bratwurst, hot dogs with a side of hot German potato salad, and braised red cabbage with baked apple. Admission is free and foods are priced per item. Visit patspeak.com.

• Saturday, Nov. 20: Join Pipe Dream Brewing (49 Harvey Road, Londonderry) for a Fall Fest from noon to 10 p.m., when there will be a special festbier release, bratwurst and sauerkraut food specials, and live music from the reggae band Slack Tide from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Visit pipedreambrewingnh.com.

Featured photo: Aaron Share of To Share Brewing Co. in Manchester. Courtesy photo.

Get in the harvest season spirit with some pig racing and corn mazes

It’s a farm’s time to shine.

Here in the thick of the late summer early fall harvest season, farms are getting a chance to show off their hard work — from displaying animals at upcoming fairs to welcoming guests for some agritainment.

Hence that cover pig. Pig-related events feature on the schedule of both the upcoming Granite State Fair and the Deerfield Fair. In addition to the pig barn and some pig racing on the schedule, you can see other animals in the barnyard babies, petting zoo and cattle barn at the Granite State Fair, which kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 16. Starting Sept. 30, you can see the horses, alpacas, sheep, goats and more at the Deerfield Fair.

There are also good reasons to go visit a local farm or orchard. Local corn mazes have opened their attractions, offering a chance to spend some time in their corn fields. Apple picking season has started and growers are reporting that it’s been a good year for apples.

Feeling in the mood for some farm fun? Here are a few places to go.

Farmers at the fair

Animals are the highlight of New Hampshire’s agricultural fairs

By Angie Sykeny

From live music and amusement rides to demonstrations and delicious food, New Hampshire state fairs offer all kinds of fun, but the heart of the fair remains the same year after year.

“Agriculture is the bedrock of what fairs represent,” said E.J. Dean, fair coordinator for the Granite State Fair in Rochester. “Farmers wanting to showcase all of their hard work is how the fairs were born.”

“The largest percentage of time that a patron spends at any fairground is looking through the barns,” co-coordinator Mark Perry added. “At the end of that day, that’s why people come.”

For local farmers, the fair is a chance to engage with the public, spread the word about their farms and promote their products — like a farmers market, Dean said, but on a larger scale.

“The farmers are proud,” he said. “They love talking with people and showing off what they do.”

For fairgoers, the fair is a place to learn about agriculture in the state and see up-close how a cow is milked, how a sheep is sheared, how butter is made and more.

“When you hear that there’s 21 billion gallons of milk produced in the United States each year, it’s hard to quantify that number,” Dean said. “[The fair] sheds some light on the [agriculture] industry and puts all of the things that we take for granted in perspective.”

Putting a face to the name behind where their food comes from can encourage people to buy more local food and products, Perry said.

“People see and hear things [about food] in the news, and they want to know what is true,” he said. “Who better to ask than the farmer who produces the food?”

Another goal of the fair, Perry said, is to expand agriculture in the state by inspiring people with homesteads to take up farming, even if only on a small scale. Just half an acre is enough for a person to raise animals such as rabbits, chickens or goats, he said.

“As the number of full-time farmers decreases, there’s a need that’s being filled by part-time farmers,” he said. “We want to help champion those part-time farmers.”

But educating the public about agriculture isn’t the only mission of the fair, Perry said; making the experience fun and memorable is equally important, especially for children and families, and for people living in urban areas who don’t have many opportunities to visit farms or see live animals.

“When a kid gets to reach out and touch a calf or see a cow being milked for the first time, that’s a powerful thing,” Perry said. “There’s magic in that moment.”

Granite State Fair

Daily festivities include a cattle barn, pig barn, barnyard babies, exhibitions and displays, chickery, a petting zoo and live judging in the exhibition hall. Helicopter rides will be offered Friday through Sunday. Daily entertainment will include racing pigs, Circus Hollywood ($15 for a ringside box for up to four people) and a variety of live music. Recycled Percussion will perform on Friday, Sept. 17, at 8 p.m. (Tickets are $20). The horse pulling competition will take place on Saturday, Sept. 18, at 11 a.m. A mechanical bull riding competition will be held on both Thursdays, a cornhole tournament on both Fridays, and a demolition derby on both Sundays.
When: Thursday through Sunday, from Sept. 16 through Sept. 19, and Sept. 23 through Sept. 26. On Thursday and Friday, both the main fair and midway open at 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, the main fair opens at 10 a.m., and the midway opens at noon.
Where: 72 Lafayette St., Rochester
Tickets: $10 per person, free for children age 8 and under. Plus $7 for parking. Wristbands are available for $25 on Thursday from 4 p.m. to close, Saturday from noon to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m., and, on the final Sunday, from 5 p.m. to close.
More info: granitestatefair.com

Deerfield Fair

Daily festivities include agricultural shows like a horse pull, pig scramble, cattle pull and more, as well as agricultural demonstrations, exhibits and competitions; tractor pulls and demonstrations; children’s shows and activities; magic shows; a variety of live music on multiple stages and strolling performers. Special events include a woodsman contest on Thursday at 10 a.m., a pumpkin weigh-off on Thursday at 6 p.m., Granite State Disc Dogs on Saturday at 2 and 4 p.m., a truck pull on Saturday at 5 p.m., and a women’s frypan toss on Sunday at 4 p.m.
Where: 34 Stage Road, Deerfield
When: Thursday, Sept. 30, through Sunday, Oct. 3. Hours are 8 a.m. to 10 pm., Thursday through Saturday, and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., on Sunday.
Tickets: $12 for adults ($10 if purchased online before Sept. 27), free for kids age 12 and under and for active military and veterans. $9 for seniors age 65 and older on Thursday and Friday at the gate only. Premium parking is available for $10. Midway wristbands are available for $30 on Friday (valid through 6 p.m.) and for $35 on Sunday (valid through closing).
More info: deerfieldfair.com

Mazes of maize

Lose yourself in a corn maze this fall

By Matt Ingersoll

Traversing through a corn maze is a uniquely fall activity at the farm — most of them are open to the public from early to mid-September through about Halloween. From family-friendly mazes to spookier nighttime outings, there are all kinds of unique features and experiences you can discover as you make your way through the cornfields trying to get out.

At Beech Hill Farm and Ice Cream Barn in Hopkinton, there are two different 4-acre corn mazes with their own distinct themes that are never repeated after each year. Co-owner Holly Kimball, who was an elementary school teacher for more than 20 years, said she has a lot of fun designing the mazes and implementing various educational aspects into each theme.

“It’s a great outdoor activity that appeals to all ages,” Kimball said of the mazes. “This is our 24th year doing the mazes … and [they have] become a fall tradition for many people. … We get field trips from elementary school students right up through high school, [and] it can be a fun date activity or an outing for workplace team building.”

This year happens to be the 250th anniversary of the nine-generation Beech Hill Farm, a milestone Kimball has integrated into one of the corn mazes. People are given a crossword puzzle with different clues to the answers they must search through the maze to find. Each clue has to do with a different fact about farming history.

The other corn maze activity at Beech Hill Farm is what Kimball calls a “Clue-Dunnit,” featuring a corn maze mystery twist on the popular board game. Attendees are tasked with finding the “suspect” who stole the weather vane off the top of the farm’s barn.

“It’s a cornfield scavenger hunt, where you go through with a checklist and find the ‘suspects,’ which are all farm animals,” she said. “They are all signs people have to find in the maze.”

Animals are also regularly used corn maze themes at Coppal House Farm in Lee. Owner John Hutton said they will usually focus on a different animal or bird each year that you’re likely to find in your backyard. As you make your way deeper into the maze, you’ll come across different facts about that animal — this year, he said, it’s all about red foxes.

“The different facts you find … help you navigate your way through the maze,” Hutton said, “so on top of learning about the fox, it’s a scavenger hunt. … It’s something fun that the whole family can do together, and it’s very interactive with no electronics involved.”

In Milford, Trombly Gardens has a corn maze that’s open to the public from dawn to dusk, with four wooden farm animals each maze-goer is challenged to find. According to business manager Alicia Kurlander, a Halloween-themed “haunted” corn maze with actors is currently in the works for each weekend throughout the month of October.

Where to find a local corn maze

Check out this list of local farms and orchards with corn mazes to discover this fall. Many of them feature their own unique themes, often with clues you must find to navigate your way out.

Applecrest Farm Orchards
133 Exeter Road, Hampton Falls, 926-3721, applecrest.com
Hours: Daily, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: $7 per person and free for ages 5 and under
This 8-acre corn field features a maze of twists and turns that typically remains open through Halloween or early November depending on the weather conditions, according to Applecrest Farm Orchards owner Todd Wagner. Visitors who want to traverse it during the week are encouraged to check in at the farm market, as the maze entrance is only staffed on the weekends.

Beans & Greens Farm
245 Intervale Road, Gilford, 293-2853, beansandgreensfarm.com
Hours: Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; a night maze is offered Thursday through Saturday, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., with a final sweep of the maze at 10 p.m.
Cost: $14 for adults and $10 for kids; the cost for the night maze ranges from $18 to $22 (tentative)
According to Cheyenne Patterson of the farm’s management team, the corn maze will open for the season on Sept. 17 and will conclude with a special Halloween-themed maze on Oct. 31.

Beech Hill Farm and Ice Cream Barn
107 Beech Hill Road, Hopkinton, 223-0828, beechhillfarm.com
Hours: Daily, noon to dusk
Cost: $6 per person and free for kids ages 3 and under
Beech Hill Farm and Ice Cream Barn has two 4-acre corn mazes, and one applied rate gives you access to both. Co-owner Holly Kimball said the farm has been offering them for more than two decades, with a different theme each year that has never been repeated. This year’s mazes include a cornfield-sized “crossword puzzle” in celebration of the farm’s 250th anniversary in 2021, as well as a “Clue-Dunnit” corn maze inspired by the popular board game.

Brookdale Fruit Farm
41 Broad St., Hollis, 465-2240, brookdalefruitfarm.com
Hours: Saturday and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.
Cost: $3 per person
The corn maze, set to open soon, is among several of the family-friendly activities that will be available at Brookdale Fruit Farm this fall, along with hayrides and apple picking.

Coppal House Farm
118 N. River Road, Lee, 659-3572, nhcornmaze.com
Hours: Monday, Thursday and Friday, noon to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last entrance is at 4:30 p.m.). Columbus Day hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: $9 for adults, $7 for kids ages 5 to 12 and for students, seniors and active military service members, and free for kids ages 5 and under
Coppal House Farm features two corn mazes, with a different theme every year centered around a bird or animal you might see in your backyard.
This year the theme is red foxes — maze attendees will learn various facts about the red fox that help them navigate their way out of the maze. Coppal House Farm co-owner John Hutton said the mazes are typically open through the last weekend of October, after which the corn is harvested for grain. There are also three upcoming nighttime maze dates that are open to the public, scheduled for Sept. 18, Oct. 9 and Oct. 23 (general admission is $12 per person; online ticketing only). Bring your own flashlight.

Elwood Orchards
54 Elwood Road, Londonderry, 434-6017, elwoodorchards.com
Hours: Daily, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last entrance is at 5 p.m.)
Cost: $10 per person and free for kids ages 5 and under
The 15-acre corn maze at this family-owned and -operated farm and orchard is open now through the first weekend of November, owner Wayne Elwood said. Throughout the month of October, there is also a nighttime maze on Fridays and Saturdays that runs until 10 p.m. (last entrance is at 9 p.m.). Bring your own flashlight.

Emery Farm
147 Piscataqua Road, Durham, 742-8495, emeryfarm.com
Hours: Daily, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: $5 per person and free for kids ages 2 and under
This corn maze, featuring an educational pollinator theme, will be open daily through Oct. 31. Tickets can be purchased inside the farm’s market and cafe.

J & F Farms
124 Chester Road, Derry, 437-0535, jandffarmsnh.com
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: $8 per person
One of several available family-friendly activities, the corn maze at this longtime family-run farm is open to the public now through the end of October.

Lavoie’s Farm
172 Nartoff Road, Hollis, 882-0072, lavoiesfarm.com
Hours: Daily, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Cost: Free
At the family-owned and -operated Lavoie’s Farm, visitors can traverse the 3-acre corn maze with a pick-your-own apple or pumpkin purchase.

Riverview Farm
141 River Road, Plainfield, 298-8519, riverviewnh.com
Hours: Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Cost: $5 per person and free for kids ages 4 and under
Artist and illustrator Emily Zea comes up with all kinds of unique themes each year for Riverview Farm’s corn maze. The theme of this year’s 3-acre maze is Ghosts and Monsters of New England.

Scamman Farm
69 Portsmouth Ave., Stratham, 686-1258, scammanfarm.com
Hours: Monday, and Wednesday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last entrance is at 4:30 p.m.)
Cost: $9 for adults, $7 for kids ages 5 to 12 and for seniors and active military service members, and free for kids ages 4 and under with a paid adult
At more than 6 acres, Scamman’s Farm’s corn maze features a different theme every year. This year’s theme is “Fantasy Land.”

Sherman Farm
2679 E. Conway Road, Center Conway, 939-2412, shermanfarmnh.com
Hours: Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: Varies from $12 to $15 per person, depending on the day, and free for kids ages 2 and under
Known simply as “The Maize,” this year’s 12-acre corn maze was designed with help from students at Pine Street Elementary School in Center Conway. It’s due to open for the season on Sept. 18 and will welcome visitors every Saturday and Sunday through Oct. 24.

Trombly Gardens
150 N. River Road, Milford, 673-0647, tromblygardens.net
Hours: Daily, dawn to dusk
Cost: $5 per person and free for kids ages 3 and under
Four wooden animals hidden throughout this corn maze for attendees to attempt to find. Trombly Gardens business manager Alicia Kurlander said a Halloween-themed haunted nighttime maze with actors who will try to jump out and scare you is also being planned for each weekend throughout the month of October. You can receive a discount to enter the corn maze if you bring a non-perishable canned food item to donate to the local food bank.

Washburn’s Windy Hill Orchard
66 Mason Road, Greenville, 878-2101, find them on Facebook @washburnswindyhill
Hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: $5 per person and free for kids ages 3 and under
The 5-acre corn maze at Washburn’s Windy Hill Orchard is open through the end of October, according to owner Timothy Anderson. A nighttime maze will also be hosted from Friday, Oct. 29, through Sunday, Oct. 31, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. each night.

Macs and Honeycrisps

Where to load up on apples

By Amy Diaz

The McIntoshes are ready.

Over Labor Day weekend, Apple Hill Farm in Concord kicked off its season of pick-your-own with its trees heavy with McIntoshes. The rain, rough on ground crops, has been good for apples, helping them to get big and juicy, said Diane Souther, owner at Apple Hill.

“The apples are plentiful,” Souther said on Sept. 7, when she expected Cortlands to be ready for picking in a few days and then Macouns soon after that, followed by Empires, with other varieties expected more toward the third and fourth weeks of September. Souther’s farm has more than 60 varieties of apples, some in PYO and some that the farm picks, some of them for eating and baking and some for hard cider.

Leigh Hardy, pick-your-own manager at Brookdale Fruit Farm, agreed that this year’s crop is large — big apples and lots of them. Brookdale has 32 varieties for pick your own as well as other varieties available in the farm stand. On Sept. 7 she said Jonamacs, Galas, McIntoshes and Honeycrisps were ready, with Cortlands and Empires coming soon.

“They’re coming in a bit earlier,” Hardy said, estimating that crops were available about 10 days or so earlier.

While some varieties like the McIntoshes and Galas will go all season long some apples have shorter seasons of three or so weeks when they are available, so Souther recommends that pickers be flexible if their favorite variety isn’t available at the moment and try something new. She recommends, at pick your own or at farm stands and farmers markets, asking farmers about varieties you may not have seen in decades past, such as Ambrosia, a yellowish apple with a red tinge that is sweeter and can last a while in the refrigerator.

Hardy said some people are becoming “apple connoisseurs” and interested in new varieties as well as some of the older New England varieties, such as the Baldwin apple, which is harder and stores well but has a great flavor when you cook with it, she said. Empire (a cross between a Red Delicious and a McIntosh) has a good flavor as does Spencer (a cross between a Golden Delicious and a McIntosh).

“Those are really good,” Hardy said.

Others to look for later in September are the Snow Sweet (a mild apple that doesn’t turn brown when you cut it), a Ruby Mac (a McIntosh variety that is sold red and a little bit tarter) and some new Honeycrisp varieties that are available later, like Pink Luster, Firecracker and Crimson Crisp, Hardy said.

At Brookdale they offer both a paper map and a version you can get on your smartphone via a QR code that will help direct you toward trees that are ready for picking and help you find the varieties you’re interested in.

For apples you don’t eat right away, Souther and Hardy recommend putting them in a refrigerator at as close to 33 degrees as possible for future eating. Sweeter apples especially need refrigeration, Hardy said, and if you store apples in a cool basement or garage, don’t leave them directly on cement, where moisture will get into the apple and speed rot; elevate them a little. Souther also suggested that apples you don’t eat now can go toward a future pie: Make a pie filling and freeze to use later in the winter when you want a fresh taste of fall.

Apple Grower of the Year

Brookdale Fruit Farm, which has been operated for 174 years by seven generations of the same family, received special recognition this year: Chip Hardy and sons Trevor Hardy and Tyler Hardy were named 2021 Apple Growers of the Year by American Fruit Grower and Western Fruit Grower magazines, according to a story on GrowingProduce.com. (Tyler Hardy, who died in 2019, was called “one of New Hampshire’s up-and-coming agricultural stars” in the story.) The farm is only the second farm in New Hampshire to receive the award, the website said.

Where to get your apples

Here are a few of the local apple orchards offering pick-your-own. On the day you plan to head out, call ahead to check that the varieties you’re interested in are available. Most of these farms also sell apples at their farm stands (along with other goodies) if you’d rather pick up than pick your own, and many of the websites (which, along with the farms’ and orchards’ social media, is where most of the pricing and hours listed here come from) list varieties available at the orchard (including, in some cases, what’s currently available for picking). Is your favorite pick-your-own farm not on this list? Let us know about it at [email protected].

Apple Annie
66 Rowell Road East in Brentwood; 778-3127, appleannienh.org
Hours open for PYO: Thursday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Email for reserving group times Monday through Wednesday)
Cost: Bags priced at $1.75 per pound

Applecrest Farm Orchards
133 Exeter Road (Route 88) in Hampton Falls; 926-3721, applecrest.com
Hours open for PYO: daily, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: $15 for half a peck, $30 for a peck, $40 for half a bushel
Also: In September, PYO raspberries and peaches; into October, pumpkins and gourds. On weekends look for harvest festivals, which run Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and can feature live music, tractor rides, eats for sale and more.

Apple Hill Farm
580 Mountain Road (Route 132) in Concord; 224-8862, applehillfarmnh.com
Hours open for PYO: daily, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Cost: Peck is $15, half bushel is $25.
Also: As of Sept. 3 Apple Hill still had PYO seedless grapes.

Appleview Orchard
1266 Upper City Road in Pittsfield; 435-3553, applevieworchard.com
Hours open for PYO: daily, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (earlier as the sun sets earlier)
Cost: Call for pricing.
Also: Free hayrides on weekends, weather permitting.

Brookdale Fruit Farm
41 Broad St. in Hollis; 465-2240, brookdalefruitfarm.com
Hours open for PYO: Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (call for information on group outings on Mondays and Tuesdays)
Cost: $35 for half a bushel or $1.75 per pound.
Also: PYO pumpkins later in the season, according to the farm’s website. On weekends, check out the corn maze and hayrides.

Carter Hill Orchard
73 Carter Hill Road in Concord; 225-2625, carterhillapples.com
Hours open for PYO: Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Currier Orchards
9 Peaslee Road in Merrimack; 881-8864, find them on Facebook @currierorchards
Hours open for PYO: Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: $15 for a 10-pound bag; $30 for a 20-pound bag.
Also: The store is open until 6 p.m.

DeMeritt Hill Farm
20 Orchard Way, Lee; 868-2111, demeritthillfarm.com
Hours open for PYO: Monday and Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m; Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: Purchase one peck bag to pick: $18 for a peck bag.
Also: PYO pumpkins. Visit farm animals and on weekends take a hayride ($2 per person), weather permitting. The farm also has several upcoming events including a Harvest Weekend (Sept. 25 and Sept. 26) and a Pumpkinfest (Oct. 2 and Oct. 3) and Haunted Overlook, a haunted attraction that opens Oct. 8.

Elwood Orchards
54 Elwood Road in Londonderry; 434-6017, elwoodorchards.com
Hours open for PYO: Open daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: Call for pricing.
Also: Elwood will offer pick your own pumpkins and runs a corn maze daily (with nighttime corn mazes on Fridays and Saturdays in October).

Gould Hill Farm
656 Gould Hill Road in Contoocook, 746- 3811, gouldhillfarm.com
Hours open for PYO: Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (plus Monday, Oct. 11)
Cost: Quarter peck (which is about two or three pounds depending on the apple) is $7, half peck is $12, peck is $18, half bushel is $28.
Also: Gould Hill operates Contoocook Cider Co., which has a tasting room open weekends from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for flights, tastings and light food (such as cheese plates) and live music from 1 to 4 p.m., according to the website. Cider doughnuts on weekends.

Hackleboro Orchards
61 Orchard Road in Canterbury; 783-4248, on Facebook
Hours open for PYO: Daily, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: By the page $6 half peck, $10 peck and $20 a half bushel
Also: Every weekend they offer burgers, hot dogs, cider doughnuts and ice cream.

Hazelton Orchards
280 Derry Road in Chester; 493-4804, find them on Facebook @hazeltonorchardschesternh
Hours open for PYO: Daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: Call for pricing.

Lavoie’s Farm
172 Nartoff Road in Hollis; 882-0072, lavoiesfarm.com
Hours open for PYO: Daily, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Cost: $1.99 per pound.
Also: PYO pumpkins. Look for hay rides on weekends and a corn maze open whenever the farm is open.

Lull Farm
65 Broad St. in Hollis; 465-7079, livefreeandfarm.com
Hours open for PYO: Daily, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: Peck for $15, and half bushel for $30.
Also: Food on weekends and The Daily Haul fish market Saturdays (preorder at thedailyhaul.com).

Mack’s Apples
230 Mammoth Road in Londonderry; 432- 3456, macksapples.com
Hours open for PYO: Daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: Purchase bags for picking as you enter the orchard.
Also: PYO peaches and pumpkins.

McLeod Bros. Orchards
735 N. River Road in Milford; 673-3544, mcleodorchards.com
Hours open for PYO: Monday through Friday from 1 to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (also 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Columbus Day)
Cost: Buy bags or baskets before picking — $16 for peck bag, $27 for a half bushel bag; $24 for a peck basket, $35 for a half bushel basket.
Also: For groups larger than 7 people, make a reservation online.

Meadow Ledge Farm
612 Route 129 in Loudon; 798-5860, meadowledgefarm.com
Hours open for PYO: Daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Also: Look for the farm’s Harvest Festival on Columbus Day weekend, with games for the kids, music and entertainment. After Thanksgiving they sell Christmas trees and wreaths among other items.

Sullivan Farm
70 Coburn Ave. in Nashua; 595-4560, find them on Facebook
Hours open for PYO: Daily, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Washburn’s Windy Hill Orchard
66 Mason Road in Greenville; 878-2101
Hours open for PYO: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: $12 for a peck, $24 for a half bushel. Purchase apple bags inside the farm stand or reusable baskets.
Also: PYO pumpkins. The orchard also has a corn maze and free hayrides on weekends.

Featured photo: Corn maze at Beech Hill Farm and Ice Cream Barn in Hopkinton. Courtesy photo.

It’s a fall full of events!

This fall, there are indoor events as well as outdoor events and we are getting more of the music, theater, art exhibits, special film screenings and festivals that traditionally fill the season’s schedule.

Of course, as with everything this year, events listed here may change closer to event-time and check with the organization in advance about special Covid-related precautions or requirements. Take out your calendar and get ready to save some dates…

Theater

• The Peterborough Players (55 Hadley Road, Peterborough, peterboroughplayers.org) perform Where You Are at the new outdoor Elsewhere Stage at the Players now through Sept. 12, with showtimes daily at 4:30 p.m. Tickets cost $47.

•​ The Winnipesaukee Playhouse (33 Footlight Circle, Meredith, winnipesaukeeplayhouse.org) presents It Had To Be You outdoors now through Sept. 18, with showtimes Tuesday through Saturday at 4 p.m. plus matinees on Saturdays, Sept. 11 and Sept. 18, at 11 a.m. Tickets cost $20 to $37.

• The Community Players of Concord will perform White Rabbit Red Rabbit at the Hatbox Theatre (Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road, Concord) from Sept. 10 through Sept. 26, with showtimes on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $22 to $25 for adults, $19 to $22 for members, seniors and students, and $16 to $19 for senior members. Visit hatboxnh.com.

• The Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) presents Queen of the Night – A Tribute to Whitney Houston from Sept. 10 through Sept. 26, with showtimes on Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at noon and 5 p.m. Tickets cost $39 to $46 for adults and $25 for children.

•​ Jekyll & Hyde – The Musical will be at the Seacoast Repertory Theatre (125 Bow St., Portsmouth) Sept. 16 through Nov. 6, with showtimes on Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $32 to $50. The show is also available to livestream. Visit seacoastrep.org.

•​ The Seacoast Repertory Theatre (125 Bow St., Portsmouth) presents Honey Punch ’n’ Pals on Saturday, Sept. 18, at 11 a.m. Tickets cost $10. The show is also available to livestream. Visit seacoastrep.org.

• The Players’ Ring Theatre (105 Marcy St., Portsmouth) presents Barefoot in the Park from Sept. 18 through Oct. 3, with showtimes on Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets cost $25 for adults and $22 for seniors age 65 and up and students. Visit playersring.org.

•​ Winnipesaukee Playhouse (33 Footlight Circle, Meredith, winnipesaukeeplayhouse.org) presents Glorious Sept. 22 through Oct. 9, with showtimes Tuesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. plus matinees on Tuesday, Sept. 28, and Thursday, Sept. 30, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $20 to $37. Visit winnipesaukeeplayhouse.org.

•​ The Seacoast Repertory Theatre (125 Bow St., Portsmouth) presents Cruel Intentions The ’90s Musical from Sept. 23 through Oct. 23, with showtimes on Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $32 to $50. Visit seacoastrep.org.

• Theatre KAPOW presents The Boyg at the Stockbridge Theatre (5 Pinkerton St., Derry) Sept. 24 through Sept. 26, with showtimes on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $15 for students and seniors and $20 for adults. Visit tkapow.com.

•​ The Kids Coop Theatre will perform Willy Wonka at the Derry Opera House (29 W. Broadway, Derry) from Sept. 24 through Sept. 26. Visit kids-coop-theatre.org.

• Cirque-Tacular comes to The Dana Center (100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester) on Saturday, Sept. 25, with showtimes at 4 and 7 p.m. Tickets cost $45. Visit anselm.edu.

• The Hatbox Theatre (Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road, Concord) presents Greater Tuna from Oct. 1 through Oct. 10, with showtimes on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $22 for adults, $19 for students, seniors and members and $16 for senior members. Visit hatboxnh.com.

•​ New World Theatre presents 9/12 at the Players’ Ring Theatre (105 Marcy St., Portsmouth) from Oct. 8 through Oct. 17, with showtimes on Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets cost $25 for adults and $22 for seniors age 65 and up and students. Visit playersring.org. New World Theatre will also bring 9/12 to the Hatbox Theatre (Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road, Concord) from Nov. 12 through Nov. 21, with showtimes on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $22 for adults, $19 for students, seniors and members and $16 for senior members. Visit hatboxnh.com.

• The Community Players of Concord will perform Neil Simon’s Barefoot in the Park at the Concord City Auditorium (2 Prince St., Concord) on Friday, Oct. 15, and Saturday, Oct. 16, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 17, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $20 for adults and $18 for youth age 17 and under and seniors age 65 and up before Oct. 13, and an additional $2 after Oct. 13. Visit communityplayersofconcord.org.

• The Peacock Players will perform Matilda The Musical Jr. at the Court Street Theatre (14 Court St., Nashua) from Oct. 15 through Oct. 24, with showtimes on Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Visit peacockplayers.org.

• The Hatbox Theatre (Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road, Concord) presents American Son from Oct. 15 through Oct. 24, with showtimes on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $22 for adults, $19 for students, seniors and members and $16 for senior members. Visit hatboxnh.com.

• The Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) will present a mainstage production of Mamma Mia from Oct. 15 through Nov. 14, with showtimes on Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at noon and 5 p.m. Tickets cost $39 to $46 for adults and $25 for children.

• Illusionist David Caserta performs at The Dana Center (100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester) on Thursday, Oct. 21, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $45. Visit anselm.edu.

• Phylloxera Productions presents Wonders at the Hatbox Theatre (Steeplegate Mall, 270 Loudon Road, Concord) from Oct. 29 through Nov. 7, with showtimes on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $22 for adults, $19 for students, seniors and members and $16 for senior members. Visit hatboxnh.com.

• Friends! The Musical Parody comes to the Capitol Center for the Arts (44 S. Main St., Concord, ccanh.com) on Sunday, Oct. 31, at 2:30 p.m. Tickets cost $35 to $55.

Clue!

The traveling performance troupe Lend Me a Theater will present Clue!,a dinner theater production based on the board game and the 1985 film, in November. Catch it Saturday, Nov. 6, at 6 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton (700 Elm St. n Manchester); tickets (which include dinner) cost $40. Or see the show at the Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St. in Derry; tupelomusichall.com) on Saturday, Nov. 20, when the dinner starts at 6 p.m. (tickets cost $40 for the dinner and the show) or see just the show at 7:30 p.m. (tickets cost $20). See lendmeatheater.org.

• Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story comes to the Capitol Center for the Arts (44 S. Main St., Concord, ccanh.com) on Friday, Nov. 12, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $44.50.

• The Community Players of Concord’s Children’s Theater Project presents All Together Now! at the Concord City Auditorium (2 Prince St., Concord) on Friday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 13, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $15. Visit communityplayersofconcord.org.

• The Peacock Players will perform The Wedding Singer at the Court Street Theatre (14 Court St., Nashua) from Nov. 12 through Nov. 21, with showtimes on Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Visit peacockplayers.org.

•​ The Seacoast Repertory Theatre (125 Bow St., Portsmouth) presents Peter Pan from Nov. 18 through Dec. 23, with showtimes on Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $32 to $50. Visit seacoastrep.org.

• The Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) presents The Nutcracker on Friday, Nov. 19, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 20, at 11 a.m. and 4 and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 21, at noon and 4:30 p.m. Tickets $39 to $46 for adults and $25 for children.

• That Golden Girls Show: A Puppet Parody comes to the Capitol Center for the Arts (44 S. Main St., Concord, ccanh.com) on Saturday., Nov. 20, at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $35.

TV on the stage

Catch some favorite TV shows live on stage at the Capitol Center for the Arts (44 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com, 225-1111) this fall. On Sunday, Oct. 31, see Friends! The Musical Parody at 2:30 p.m. Tickets cost $35 to $55 (plus fees). On Saturday, Nov. 20, picture it, 8 p.m., four women considering cheesecake at That Golden Girls Show! A Puppet Parody. Tickets cost $35 plus fees.

Music

• See country legend Willie Nelson at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion on Friday, Sept. 10, at 5 p.m. Tickets start at $89.75.

• Carbon Leaf will be at the Bank of New Hampshire Stage on Friday, Sept. 10, at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $25 general admission.

• Singer-songwriter LeAnn Rimes will take the stage at the Tupelo Music Hall on Friday, Sept. 10, at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $75 to $95.

• Kittel & Co. will be at The Historic Music Hall on Friday, Sept. 10, at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $35 to $45.

• See Susan Werner at the Rex Theatre on Saturday, Sept. 11, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25.

• The Tupelo Music Hall will host hard rock legends Blue Oyster Cult on Saturday, Sept. 11, at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $65 to $77.

• Breaking Benjamin will perform with Memphis May Fire at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion on Saturday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $25.

• Pink Floyd tribute act The Machine will be at The Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center on Saturday, Sept. 11, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $34.

• Cold Chocolate will be at Fletcher-Murphy Park on Sunday, Sept. 12, at 3 p.m. Tickets are $12.

• See singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot at The Historic Music Hall on Wednesday, Sept. 15, at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $48.75.

• See the Eagles tribute band Another Tequila Sunrise at the Palace Theatre on Thursday, Sept. 16, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $29 to $39.

• American Idol alum David Cook will be at the Tupelo Music Hall on Thursday, Sept. 16, at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $35 to $40.

• TLC will be at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion on Friday, Sept. 17, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $29.

• See Blue Light Rain at the Bank of New Hampshire Stage on Friday, Sept. 17, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15.

• George Thorogood and The Destroyers will take the stage at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom on Friday, Sept. 17, at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $27.

• Tom Rush will be at the Tupelo Music Hall on Friday, Sept. 17, at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $35 to $45.

• Great American Concerts will present Gin Blossoms and Vertical Horizon, with opener Best Not Broken, at the Anheuser-Busch Tour Center & Biergarten on Saturday, Sept. 18, at 1 p.m. Tickets start at $40.

• See Alice Cooper at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion on Saturday, Sept. 18, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $25.

• Scarab: The Journey Experience will take the stage at the Rex Theatre on Saturday, Sept. 18, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $29.

• Jxdn will perform at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom on Saturday, Sept. 18, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the door.

• Al Di Meola will be at The Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center on Saturday, Sept. 18, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $45.

• See John Hiatt and The Jerry Douglas Band at the Chubb Theatre on Sunday, Sept. 19, at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $49 to $69.

• Kimayo will be at Fletcher-Murphy Park on Sunday, Sept. 19, at 3 p.m. Tickets are $12.

• Martha Davis and The Motels will be at the Tupelo Music Hall on Sunday, Sept. 19, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $35.

• See Tiger Saw & The Reasons Why at The Historic Music Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 21, at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets start at $60 for a small table (two-person limit).

• Country star Granger Smith will be at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom on Thursday, Sept. 23, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.

• Grammy Award-winning trumpeter and composer Chris Botti will be at The Historic Music Hall on Thursday, Sept. 23, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $38.

• Country duo Thompson Square will be at the Tupelo Music Hall on Thursday, Sept. 23, at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $35 to $50.

• Brad Paisley will take the stage at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion on Friday, Sept. 24, at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $29.

• Eagles tribute act Eaglemania will be at the Chubb Theatre on Friday, Sept. 24, at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $35 to $45.

• See the Blaggards at the Bank of New Hampshire Stage on Friday, Sept. 24, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15.

• Big Bad Voodoo Daddy will perform at The Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center on Saturday, Sept. 25, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $45.

• See Crystal Bowersox at the Tupelo Music Hall on Saturday, Sept. 25, at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $30 to $35.

• The Rex Theatre will host an evening with Livingston Taylor on Saturday, Sept. 25, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $40.

• The Gratitude Music Festival, a multi-stage outdoor music festival honoring local first responders and frontline workers, is set for Saturday, Sept. 25, in Portsmouth and will feature live performances by Neighbor at 1 p.m. on Chestnut Street, Carsie Blanton at 3:30 p.m. at Portwalk Place, and Anderson East at 8 p.m. at the Historic Theater. Tickets are $90 for a day pass, or $30 for access to an individual performance. You can also nominate your favorite frontline hero to win a free pair of passes to the festival.

• Toad the Wet Sprocket performs at the Tupelo Music Hall on Sunday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $59 to $74.

• The Mersey Beatles will be at The Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center on Wednesday, Sept. 29, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $36.

• See 3 Doors Down at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion on Thursday, Sept. 30, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $29.

• Justin Hayward performs at The Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center on Thursday, Sept. 30, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $74.

• Not Fade Away, a tribute show celebrating some of the biggest names in rock ’n’ roll, will be at the Rex Theatre for two performances on Thursday, Sept. 30, and Friday, Oct. 1, at 7:30 p.m. each evening. Tickets are $29.

• Rapper and singer-songwriter NF will be at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion on Friday, Oct. 1, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $29.50.

• See GA-20 and JD Simo at the Bank of New Hampshire Stage on Friday, Oct. 1, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25.

• Under the Streetlamp will be at the Palace Theatre on Friday, Oct. 1, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $50.50.

• Country star Sara Evans performs on Friday, Oct. 1, at 8 p.m. at Tupelo Music Hall. Tickets range from $70 to $90.

• Bruce Springsteen tribute act Bruce in the USA performs at the Chubb Theatre on Saturday, Oct. 2, at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $25 to $45.

• See Rush tribute act Lotus Land at the Bank of New Hampshire Stage on Saturday, Oct. 2, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35.

• Rock legends The Association will be at The Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center on Saturday, Oct. 2, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $39.

• Christopher Cross performs at the Tupelo Music Hall on Saturday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $45 to $60.

Five For Fighting

Catch the band Five For Fighting with a string quartet on Sunday, Oct. 3, at 7 p.m. at the Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St. in Derry; tupelomusichall.com). Tickets cost $40 to $55.

• Korn will perform with Staind at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion on Sunday, Oct. 3, at 6:30 p.m. Tickets start at $29.50.

• See Billy Currington at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom on Thursday, Oct. 7, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $48 in advance and $53 at the door.

• Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo will be at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom on Friday, Oct. 8, at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $37.

• See Herman’s Hermits at the Palace Theatre on Friday, Oct. 8, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $44.50.

• Blues guitarist Joanne Shaw Taylor performsat the Rex Theatre on Friday, Oct. 8, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25.

• Grain Thief will be at the Bank of New Hampshire Stage on Friday, Oct. 8, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15.

• ’80s tribute act Foreigners Journey will perform two shows at the Tupelo Music Hall on Friday, Oct. 8, and Saturday, Oct. 9, at 8 p.m. each evening. Tickets range from $32 to $37.

• Lez Zeppelin, an all female tribute act to the rock legends, will perform at the Bank of New Hampshire Stage on Saturday, Oct. 9, at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $25.

• Maryland rockers Clutch take the stage at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom on Saturday, Oct. 9, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door.

• Jingo, a tribute to Santana, will be at the Rex Theatre on Saturday, Oct. 9, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $29.

• Country stars Lady A will take the stage at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion on Sunday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $28.

• Tom Rush will be at The Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center on Sunday, Oct. 10, at 6:30 p.m. Tickets start at $59.

• The Capital Jazz Orchestra, a tribute to Sinatra, will be at the Chubb Theatre on Sunday, Oct. 10, at 4 p.m. Tickets start at $27.50.

• See Frank Turner at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom on Sunday, Oct. 10, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $32 in advance and $37 at the door.

• Grammy Award-winning mandolinist Chris Thile will perform at The Historic Music Hall on Monday, Oct. 11, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $45 to $50.

• See The Struts at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom on Wednesday, Oct. 13, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $28.50 in advance and $33.50 at the door.

• Rick Wakeman will be at the Tupelo Music Hall on Thursday, Oct. 14, at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $55 to $70.

• Maine roots rockers The Mallett Brothers Band will be at the Bank of New Hampshire Stage on Friday, Oct. 15, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15.

• Ben Folds will be at the Chubb Theatre on Friday, Oct. 15, at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $55 to $75.

• Everclear will be at the Tupelo Music Hall on Friday, Oct. 15, at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $50 to $69.

The Sixties Show

The Sixties Show, a performance featuring former band members of The Who, The Saturday Night Live Band and Bob Dylan, will be held at The Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center on Friday, Oct. 15, at 7:30 p.m. With live performances of some of the most popular songs of the 1960s, the show is a full multimedia Broadway-type production, dramatized by a combination of special effects, narration and newsreel footage. Tickets start at $29.

• See the Brooklyn Charmers, a tribute to Steely Dan, at the Bank of New Hampshire Stage on Saturday, Oct. 16, at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $25.

• Peter Wolf of the J. Geils Band takes the stage at The Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center on Saturday, Oct. 16, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $39.

• The Linda Ronstadt Experience, featuring American Idol finalist Tristan McIntosh, will be at the Rex Theatre on Saturday, Oct. 16, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $29 to $39.

• Rumors of Fleetwood Mac, a tribute act to the rock legends, will perform at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom on Saturday, Oct. 16, at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $21.

• Damn the Torpedoes, a tribute to Tom Petty, will be at the Tupelo Music Hall on Saturday, Oct. 16, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $30.

• Great American Concerts returns with a performance from country artist Sam Grow on Sunday, Oct. 17, with doors opening at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $26.

• ABBA The Concert, a tribute to the Swedish pop group, will be at the Chubb Theatre on Wednesday, Oct. 20, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $29.50 to $49.50.

• See Patty Griffin and Gregory Alan Isakov at the Chubb Theatre on Thursday, Oct. 21, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $50.

• Saving Abel will be at the Tupelo Music Hall on Thursday, Oct. 21, at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $30 to $35.

• Start Making Sense, a tribute to the Talking Heads, will be at the Bank of New Hampshire Stage on Friday, Oct. 22, at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $18.

• Voyage, a tribute to Journey, will be at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom on Friday, Oct. 22, at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $21.

• See Piff the Magic Dragon at the Chubb Theatre on Friday, Oct. 22, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35.

• Josh Turner will be at The Historic Music Hall on Friday, Oct. 22, at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $55 to $78.

• Rock supergroup The Airplane Family will be at the Tupelo Music Hall on Friday, Oct. 22, at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $40 to $45.

• Queen tribute act Almost Queen will perform at the Chubb Theatre on Saturday, Oct. 23, at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $27 to $47.

• Doobie Brothers tribute act The Doobie Others will take the stage at the Rex Theatre on Saturday, Oct. 23, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $29 in advance and $39 at the door.

• See John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band at The Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center on Saturday, Oct. 23, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $29.

• U2 tribute act Unforgettable Fire will perform at the Tupelo Music Hall on Saturday, Oct. 23, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $40.

• See Amythyst Kiah at the Bank of New Hampshire Stage on Sunday, Oct. 24, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25.

• The Glenn Miller Orchestra will be at the Tupelo Music Hall for two shows on Sunday, Oct. 24, at noon and at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $40.

• The Mavericks will perform two shows at The Historic Music Hall, on Tuesday, Oct. 26, and Wednesday, Oct. 27, at 7:30 p.m. each evening. Tickets range from $48 to $75.

• See Bad Bad Hats at the Bank of New Hampshire Stage on Friday, Oct. 29, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15.

• The Adam Ezra Group will take the stage at the Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center on Friday, Oct. 29, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $25.

• Acclaimed Led Zeppelin tribute act Get the Led Out will be at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom on Saturday, Oct. 30, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $31 in advance and $36 at the door.

• The Rex Theatre will host an evening with Jonathan Edwards on Saturday, Oct. 30, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $29.

• Bernard Ilsley will be at the Tupelo Music Hall on Sunday, Oct. 31, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $45.

• See Pat Metheny on Thursday, Nov. 4, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $79.

• Nashville-based singer-songwriter Liz Longley will be at the Tupelo Music Hall on Thursday, Nov. 4, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25.

• I Am Kaweki performs at the Bank of New Hampshire Stage on Friday, Nov. 5, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $18.

• Country star Phil Vassar will be at The Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center on Saturday, Nov. 6, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $44.

• Buddy Guy and Samantha Fish will be at the Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom on Saturday, Nov. 6, at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $31.

• The U2 Show, a tribute act to the acclaimed rockers, is set for Saturday, Nov. 6, at 7:30 p.m. at the Rex Theatre. Tickets range from $29 to $39.

• Hollywood Nights, a tribute to Bob Seger, will be at the Tupelo Music Hall on Saturday, Nov. 6, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35.

• The Kitchen Dwellers will perform at the Bank of New Hampshire Stage on Sunday, Nov. 7, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15.

• See Lettuce at The Historic Music Hall on Sunday, Nov. 7, at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $32 to $52.

• George Winston will be at the Tupelo Music Hall on Sunday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $40 to $60.

• Harlem 100, a show celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Harlem Renaissance with several local live performances, will be at the Chubb Theatre on Tuesday, Nov. 9, at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free (limit of four tickets per party).

• See The Wailin’ Jennys at The Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center on Thursday, Nov. 11, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $59.

• The Blues Project will be at the Tupelo Music Hall on Thursday, Nov. 11, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $35.

• See Jocelyn & Chris at the Bank of New Hampshire Stage on Friday, Nov. 12, at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $12.

• Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story will be at the Chubb Theatre on Friday, Nov. 12, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $44.50.

• Multi-platinum-selling country artist Joe Nichols will be at the Tupelo Music Hall on Friday, Nov. 12, at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $45 to $65.

• The Wailin’ Jennys will perform at The Historic Music Hall on Friday, Nov. 12, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $29.75.

• See Keller Williams at The Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center on Friday, Nov. 12, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $29.

• Peter Wolf will also perform at the Tupelo Music Hall on Saturday, Nov. 13, at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $45 to $65.

• See singer-songwriter Marc Broussard at the Tupelo Music Hall on Sunday, Nov. 14, at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $35 to $55.

• The Immediate Family will take the stage at the Tupelo Music Hall on Thursday, Nov. 18, at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $35 to $40.

• Roomful of Blues will be at the Tupelo Music Hall on Friday, Nov. 19, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $30.

• Jamantrics Reunion will be at the Bank of New Hampshire Stage on Friday, Nov. 19, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $15.

• See Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas at the Bank of New Hampshire Stage on Saturday, Nov. 20, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $30.

• Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket and Chris Barron of Spin Doctors will perform a dual show at The Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center on Saturday, Nov. 20, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $29.

• Singer-songwriter Jake Clemons will perform at the Rex Theatre on Saturday, Nov. 20, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $29 to $39.

• See The Psychedelic Furs at the Chubb Theatre on Sunday, Nov. 21, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $29 to $49.

• See Eric Martin of Mr. Big at the Tupelo Music Hall on Sunday, Nov. 21, at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $30 to $35.

• The Freese Brothers Big Band will be at the Rex Theatre on Sunday, Nov. 21, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $29.

Live music venues

Anheuser-Busch Tour Center & Biergarten, 221 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, greatamericanconcerts.com

Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion, 72 Meadowbrook Lane, Gilford, 293-4700, meadowbrook.net

Bank of New Hampshire Stage, 16 S. Main St., Concord, 225-1111, ccanh.com

Chubb Theatre, 44 S. Main St., Concord, 225-1111, ccanh.com

Fletcher-Murphy Park, 28 Fayette St., Concord, 225-1111, ccanh.com

The Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center, 39 S. Main St., Plymouth, 536-2551, flyingmonkeynh.com

Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom, 169 Ocean Blvd., Hampton Beach, 929-4100, casinoballroom.com

Historic Music Hall, 28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth, 436-2400, themusichall.org

Music Hall Loft, 131 Congress St., Portsmouth, 436-2400, themusichall.org

Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester, 668-5588, palacetheatre.org

Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St., Manchester, 668-5588, palacetheatre.org/rex-theatre

Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, 437-5100, tupelohall.com

Fairs & Fests

• The Hillsborough County Agricultural Fair returns to Hilldale Lane in New Boston from Friday, Sept. 10, through Sunday, Sept. 12, featuring a weekend full of midway rides, demonstrations, 4-H animal shows and exhibitors, live music and more. Visit hcafair.org.

Auburn day and duck race

The Auburn Historical Association is holding its annual Auburn Day and Duck Race on Saturday, Sept. 11, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Auburn Day is the Association’s largest fundraiser, taking place out in front of the Griffin Free Public Library and featuring dozens of food and craft vendors. New this year will be an Author’s Alley with several local authors set up for a meet and greet in the library parking lot. During the duck race, thousands of rubber ducks are set adrift on Sucker Brook, with prizes being awarded to first through 10th place. On Friday, Sept. 10, there will also be a mini-fest hosted by the town’s Parks and Recreation Department, at Auburn Village School (11 Eaton Hill Road). Happenings will include live music, eats from local food trucks and a fireworks display. Visit auburnhistorical.org.

• Hollis Old Home Days are happening on Friday, Sept. 10, and Saturday, Sept. 11, at Nichols Field and the adjacent Lawrence Barn (Depot Road, Hollis). Festivities will include a town parade, midway rides, a local artisan market, live entertainment and a fireworks celebration at dusk on Saturday. Visit hollisoldhomedays.org.

• Join Petals in the Pines (126 Baptist Road, Canterbury) for its ninth annual New Hampshire Monarch Festival on Saturday, Sept. 11, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The festival aims to educate kids and adults about the monarch butterfly, featuring games and activities, local vendors, children’s book authors, butterfly wing tagging, free milkweed seeds and more. There is a $5 suggested donation for adults, but kids receive free admission. Visit petalsinthepines.com/monarch-festival.

Thunder Over New Hampshire

Thunder Over New Hampshire, an air show featuring the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds as well as performances by flying aerobatics pilots such as Rob Holland and Mike Wiskus, will take place at Pease Air National Guard Base in Newington on Saturday, Sept. 11, and Sunday, Sept. 12, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days. Flying will take place from noon to 4 p.m. on both days; see the lineup of all the performers at thunderovernewhampshire.com. Admission is free, though on-site parking requires reservations (see the website for parking tickets in advance). There will also be military and civilian planes as part of a ground display, kid activities and concessions, according to the website.

• The Granite State Fair (formerly the Rochester Fair) will be held from Thursday, Sept. 16, through Sunday, Sept. 19, and from Thursday, Sept. 23, through Sept. 26, at the Rochester Fairgrounds (72 Lafayette St., Rochester). The fair features midway rides, a full schedule of live music, local vendors and exhibitors, circus performances and more. Advanced tickets are $8 per person and are available through Sept. 12. Tickets at the door are $10 per person (free for children ages 8 and under). Visit granitestatefair.com.

• The American Independence Museum (1 Governors Lane, Exeter) is throwing a 300th birthday party on Friday, Sept. 17, from 5 to 7 p.m., to celebrate the anniversary of the historic Ladd-Gilman House. The event will be held on the newly reconstructed lawn of the Folsom Tavern and will feature an evening of cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a silent auction and music. Tickets are $75 per person. Visit independencemuseum.org.

• Loon Mountain in Lincoln will once again transform into the Scottish Highlands for one weekend during the New Hampshire Highland Games & Festival, happening from Friday, Sept. 17, through Sunday, Sept. 19. The flagship event of the New Hampshire Gathering of the Scottish Clans, the games and festival will celebrate Scottish culture with music and dance competitions, local vendors and more, all at Loon Mountain Resort (60 Loon Mountain Road, Lincoln). This year, tickets will be sold per carload. A carload admission ticket is $200 per vehicle for one-day admittance (up to five people per vehicle, including children; ages 2 and under are free). Visit nhscot.org.

• Don’t miss Derryfest, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at MacGregor Park (East Broadway, Derry). Derryfest features a full day of live entertainment, including games, balloons, live animal demonstrations, local crafters and vendor booths. Visit derryfest.org.

• Pelham’s Old Home Day is set for Saturday, Sept. 18, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 3 Main St. and will feature a variety of activities, like craft vendors, food trucks, a town parade, live performances, a penny sale, a cornhole tournament and more. Visit pelhamoldhomeday.org.

• TEAM Exeter will host its annual Fall Equinox Festival on Saturday, Sept. 18, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Swasey Parkway, featuring live music, artisan vendors, local food, children’s activities, dance performances and cultural exhibits. There is a suggested donation of $10 per person or $20 per family. Visit teamexeter.com.

• Granite State Comic Con returns on Saturday, Sept. 18, and Sunday, Sept. 19, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown (700 Elm St., Manchester). One of the largest area comic book and pop culture festivals, Granite State Comic Con features panels and workshops, costume contests and other competitions, local exhibitors and more. Admission is $25 per person on Saturday and $20 on Sunday, or you can get a weekend pass for $40. Visit granitecon.com.

• The Sandown Old Home Day Fall Festival returns to Sandlot Sports (56 North Road, Sandown) from Friday, Sept. 24, through Sunday, Sept. 26. Festivities will include live entertainment, games, craft and food vendors, a 5K fun run and a fireworks display. Follow festival happenings on Facebook @sandownnhfallfestival.

• Join the Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum (18 Highlawn Road, Warner) for its Harvest Moon Festival and Naturefest, happening on Sunday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be Native American foods for sale, plus craft demonstrations, tomahawk throwing, and a special “raptor rapture” program with New Hampshire Audubon. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children and for Indian Museum members, or $30 per family. Visit indianmuseum.org.

Go Joe!

If this summer’s Snake Eyes movie got you back into G.I. Joe you may want to check out the New England G.I. Joe Show, on Sunday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Holiday Inn (9 Northeastern Blvd. In Nashua). Admission costs $5 (kids under 12 get in free); early bird preview starts at 9 a.m. when admission costs $10, according to the event’s Facebook page. According to a post about the 2020 show, the event features vintage (‘60s and ‘70s) through modern-era figures as well as G.I. Joe comic books and more.

• The Deerfield Fair, scheduled from Thursday, Sept. 30, through Sunday, Oct. 3, at the Deerfield Fairgrounds (34 Stage Road), will feature amusement park rides, live music and other performances, 4-H animal shows and demonstrations and much more. Fair hours are from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $12 for adults and free for kids ages 12 and under. Visit deerfieldfair.com.

• Charmingfare Farm (774 High St., Candia) is holding a multi-day pumpkin festival featuring pumpkin picking, tractor train rides, horse-drawn wagons, pumpkin art, live music and more. Visit their website to pick a date and time to attend. Available dates are Saturday, Oct. 2, and Sunday, Oct. 3, and Saturday, Oct. 9, through Monday, Oct. 11. Tickets are $22 per person and must be purchased online (free for kids ages 23 months and under). Visit visitthefarm.com.

• The Milford Pumpkin Festival is returning to the town’s Oval from Friday, Oct. 8, through Sunday, Oct. 10. Festivities will include live music on the Community House Lawn and Oval stages all three days, plus local food and artisan vendors, scarecrow making, pumpkin and face painting, circus and dance performances and other family-friendly activities. Visit milfordpumpkinfestival.org.

• A modified version of the Warner Fall Foliage Festival is scheduled from Friday, Oct. 8, through Sunday, Oct. 10, in downtown Warner. While the parades and the children’s fun run have been canceled, the festival will still feature local craft and artisan vendors, rides, food, music, competitions and more. Visit wfff.org.

• The Goffstown Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off and Regatta returns to the Goffstown Historic Village on Saturday, Oct. 16, and Sunday, Oct. 17, featuring local vendor booths, pumpkin boats and more. Visit goffstownmainstreet.org/pumpkin-regatta.

Professional Bull Riders

The PBR Monster Energy Invitational comes to the SNHU Arena (555 Elm St. in Manchester; 644-5000, snhuarena.com) on Friday, Oct. 15, at 7:45 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 16, at 6:45 p.m. Tickets for either show, featuring professional bull riders in a championship competition for a world finals in early November (according to the arena website), start at $19. On pbr.com, find add-on events, such as an Granite State Escape Room event on Oct. 16 at 11 a.m. for $75 per ticket.

Art

Exhibits

• The Currier Museum of Art(150 Ash St., Manchester; 669-6144, currier.org) has a number of special exhibitions on display now and into the fall. “The Body in Art: From the Spiritual to the Sensual,” which runs through Sept. 12, provides a look at how artists through the ages have used the human body as a means of creative expression. Philadelphia-based potter Roberto Lugo pays homage to his Puerto Rican heritage and explores his cultural identity in the exhibit “Te traigo mi le lo lai – I bring you my joy,” up through Sept. 26. “As Precious as Gold, Carpets from the Islamic World” opens on Oct. 23 and will feature 32 carpets dating from the 15th century to the 19th century. Museum admission costs $15 for adults, $13 for seniors age 65 and up, $10 for students, $5 for youth ages 13 through 17 and is free for members and children under age 13. Museum hours are Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• The Portsmouth Historical Society (10 Middle St., Portsmouth, portsmouthhistory.org) has two exhibits on display now through Sept. 12. “Twilight of American Impressionism” showcases New England painters and masters of impressionism Alice Ruggles Sohier and Frederick A. Bosley. “Don Gorvett: Working Waterfronts” features more than 60 works by the contemporary Seacoast printmaker. Admission costs $7.50 for adults and is free for kids under age 18, seniors age 70 and older and active and retired military. Gallery hours are daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• The New Hampshire Art Association presents an exhibit, “Images Made from Adventures Great and Small,” featuring photographs by Sarah Cail, at the Concord Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center (49 S. Main St.) now through Sept. 16, followed by “Around New Hampshire,” featuring the oil paintings of Elaine Farmer, from Sept. 21 through Dec. 16. The New Hampshire Art Association also has several exhibitions at its NHAA’s Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery (136 State St., Portsmouth) on view now through Sept. 26. “Landscapes – Real & Imagined” features paintings by Peter Anderson. “Circle of Life” is a themed show featuring works by multiple artists. “The Shop: Photographs of European Auto of Rye” features work by Carol Van Loon. “And What a Time it’s Been” features a compilation of new works created by painters JoAnn Portalupi and Shawn Pelech during the past 18 months of pandemic living, and will include a conversation with the artists at the gallery on Sunday, Sept. 12, from 2 to 4 p.m. Visit nhartassociation.org or call 431-4230.

• Art 3 Gallery (44 W. Brook St., Manchester, 668-6650, art3gallery.com) has an exhibit, “Think Outside the Box,” on view now through Sept. 30, featuring experimental pieces in a variety of media created by local artists during the pandemic.

• Creative Framing Solutions (89 Hanover St., Manchester) features work by different New Hampshire Art Association artists every month. The artists for September are Ellen Marlatt, Eileen Belanger and Elizabeth Craumer. There will be an artist reception on Friday, Sept. 10, from 5 to 8 p.m. Visit nhartassociation.org or call 431-4230.

• A new community art installation, “1,000 Cranes for Nashua,” is on display now in The Atrium at St. Joseph Hospital (172 Kinsley St., Nashua). It features more than 1,000 origami paper cranes created by hundreds of Nashua-area kids, adults and families since April. Visit nashuasculpturesymposium.org.

• The Women’s Caucus for Art’s New Hampshire Chapter presents an exhibit, “Kick-Start!,” at Twiggs Gallery (254 King St., Boscawen; 975-0015, twiggsgallery.wordpress.com) from Sept. 11 through Oct. 31, with an opening reception on Saturday, Sept. 11, from 1 to 3 p.m. The shoe-themed exhibit will feature paintings, sculptures, artist books, drawings and mixed media pieces.

• The New Hampshire Art Association presents its 22nd annual Joan L. Dunfey Exhibition at the NHAA Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery (136 State St., Portsmouth) from Sept. 29 through Nov. 28. It features artwork in a variety of media by regional NHAA members and non-members that follows the theme “Portals.” Visit nhartassociation.org or call 431-4230.

• The Kimball Jenkins Estate (266 N. Main St., Concord, 225-3932, kimballjenkins.com) presents its “Salon 2021” exhibition from Nov. 6 through Jan. 6. The exhibition features offbeat and experimental works in a variety of media by regional artists with diverse studio practices and artistic approaches.

• Manchester art gallery Kelley Stelling Contemporary presents an exhibition, “The Dysfunction of Social Practice,” at the Kimball Jenkins Estate (266 N. Main St., Concord). The exhibition, which opens on Nov. 20, will feature paintings, sculpture and performance works by five New Hampshire artists. Visit kelleystellingcontemporary.com.

Fests and fairs

• The annual TEAM Fall Equinox Festival will take place along Swasey Parkway in downtown Exeter on Saturday, Sept. 18, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It will feature live music, artist vendors, local food, yoga, activities for kids and more. Admission is a suggested donation of $10 per person or $20 per family. Visit teamexeter.com.

• The ​last two Concord Arts Markets of the season will take place on Saturdays, Sept. 18 and Oct. 16, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Rollins Park (33 Bow St., Concord). The juried outdoor market features a variety of art and crafts by local artists and craftspeople. Visit concordartsmarket.net.

• The Canterbury Artisan Festival returns to Canterbury Shaker Village (288 Shaker Road, Canterbury, 783-9511, shakers.org.) on Saturday, Sept. 25, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The annual event celebrates artisanal, handcrafted works and features live music and demonstrations. Admission costs $12 for adults, $6 for Village members, and is free for youth and young adults under age 25.

• The Capital Arts Fest, hosted by the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen, will take place on Saturday, Sept. 25, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., outside the League of NH Craftsmen headquarters (49 S. Main St., Concord). The fair will feature contemporary and traditional crafts by League members and invited artisans, live music, pop-up street theater, dance performances, author presentations and more. Visit nhcrafts.org or call 224-3375.

• The Beaver Brook Association (117 Ridge Road, Hollis, 465-7787, beaverbrook.org) hosts its 40th annual Fall Festival and Nature Art Show on Saturday, Sept. 25, and Sunday, Sept. 26, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will feature art by regional artists, children’s art, live music, live animal demonstrations, guided hikes and natural products for sale.

• Girls at Work, a Manchester-based nonprofit that empowers girls through woodworking and building, will host its inaugural Women’s Artisan Fair on Friday, Oct. 15, and Saturday, Oct. 16. The fair will feature handcrafted fashion pieces, home goods, paintings and other visual arts by women artisans. More information is TBA. Visit girlswork.org or call 345-0392.

Classical Music

•​ Two piano concerts are coming to the Concord City Auditorium (2 Prince St., Concord). Richard Dowling performs “The World’s Greatest Piano Masterpieces” on Saturday, Oct. 2, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $20 at the door or $23 online. William Ogmundson performs American piano music on Wednesday, Oct. 6, at 7:30 p.m. That concert is free. Call 344-4747 or visit ccca-audi.org.

•​ Symphony New Hampshire’s opening night concert will take place on Saturday, Oct. 9, at the Keefe Center for the Arts (117 Elm St., Nashua). The concert will feature Frank Ticheli’s There Will Be Rest, a tribute to health care workers and those lost during the pandemic, followed by Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante for Four Winds and the concert chamber orchestra suite of Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess. Visit symphonynh.org.

•​ The New Hampshire Philharmonic presents “From Darkness to Hope” at Seifert Performing Arts Center (44 Geremonty Dr., Salem) on Saturday, Oct. 16, and Sunday, Oct. 17. The concert will feature Beethoven’s Coriolan Overture, Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber and Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony. Visit nhphil.org.

•​ The Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra’s fall concert will be held at The Music Hall Historic Theater (28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth, themusichall.org, 436-2400) on Sunday, Oct. 24, at 3 p.m. The concert will feature Tchaikovsky’s Tempest, Julius Eastman’s “Gay Guerilla” and Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. Tickets cost $25 to $35 for adults, $25 to $30 for seniors age 60 and up and $20 for students.

•​ Symphony New Hampshire presents “Suites and Schubert” on Friday, Nov. 5, at St. Mary and Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church (39 Chandler St., Nashua). The concert will feature music by Bach, Schubert and Florence Price, the first African American female composer to have her music performed by a major symphony orchestra in 1933. Notable pieces will include Price’s Suite of Dances, Bach’s Orchestral Suite No. 3, “Air on a G String,” and Schubert’s Symphony No. 5. Visit symphonynh.org.

Film

• The Silent Film Series at the Flying Monkey (39 S. Main St. in Plymouth, flyingmonkeynh.com, 536-2551) continues through the fall, with screenings accompanied by live music performed by Jeff Rapsis. On Thursday, Sept. 9, catch The Shakedown (1929). On Thursday, Oct. 21, the film is The Phantom Of the Opera (1925), starring Lon Chaney. On Wednesday, Nov. 10, it’s The Big Parade (1925). For all films, doors open at 6 p.m. and the movie starts at 6:30 p.m. General admission costs $10.

• Fathom Events has a full slate of anniversary screenings and other special movie screenings this fall. Upcoming screenings include the 35th-anniversary screening of Labyrinth (PG, 1986, David Bowie) at the AMC Londonderry and the Regal Fox Run in Newington Sept. 12 at 3 and 7 p.m. and Sept. 13 and Sept. 15 at 7 p.m.; Forever Golden: A celebration of The Golden Girls featuring a screening of some of the series episodes on Sept. 14 at 7 p.m. at Cinemark Rockingham Park in Salem and Regal Fox Run in Newington; Citizen Kane (1941) on Sept. 19 at 3 p.m. at Cinemark Rockingham Park and Regal Fox Run (where it will also screen at 7 p.m.) and on Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. at both locations; and Carrie (R, 1976) at AMC Londonderry and Regal Fox Run on Sept. 26 at 3 and 7 p.m. and on Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. Find a complete roster of upcoming events and purchase tickets at fathomevents.com.

• Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St. in Manchester; 668-5588, palacetheatre.org) has several movies on the schedule this fall. As part of its Movies for a Cause series, catch recent classics (1980s and after) at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $12 and benefit a local organization. Next up on the schedule: Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (PG, 1989) on Sept. 14, Field of Dreams (PG, 198 ) on Sept. 15, Hedwig and the Angry Inch (R, 2001) on Sept. 21, Serial Mom (R, 1994) on Sept. 22, Frankenweenie (R, 2012) on Oct. 17, and The Nightmare Before Christmas (PG, 1993) on Oct. 18. Also on the schedule for the Rex: Nosferatu (1922), the silent film starring Max Schreck and directed by F.W. Murnau,will screen with live musical accompaniment by Jeff Rapsis on Thursday, Oct. 28, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $10.

• Telluride by the Sea returns to the Music Hall (28 Chestnut St. in Portsmouth; themusichall.org, 436-2400) Friday, Sept. 17, through Sunday, Sept. 19. This year’s new (not yet widely released) films on the lineup include director Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog, the film A Hero from Iran, the Maggie Gyllenhaal-directed The Lost Daughter, The Hand of God from Italy, the documentary Cow and the documentary The Real Charlie Chaplin. Tickets to individual films cost $20 and packages including all films and special events and seating are also available.

• Jeff Rapsis will also be performing at silent films screening at the Wilton Town Hall Theatre (Main Street in Wilton; wiltontownhalltheatre.com). Drifting (1923) will screen on Sunday, Sept. 19, at 2 p.m. On Sunday, Oct. 10, it’s The White Tiger (1923). On Friday, Oct. 29, at 7:30 p.m. it’s The Blackbird (1923). On Saturday, Oct. 30, at 2 p.m. it’s Outside the Law (1920) and The Unholy Three (1925). On Sunday, Oct. 31, at 2 p.m. it’s Where East is East (1929). On Sunday, Nov. 14, it’s Hot Water (1924), starring Harold Lloyd. On Sunday, Nov. 28, catch Paths to Paradise (1925) and Hands Up! (1926). All Sunday films start at 2 p.m.; suggested donation is $10.

• Be part of the film festival jury at the 24th annual Manhattan Short Film Festival, which will screen Friday, Oct. 1, through Sunday, Oct. 3, at NHTI in Concord (in Sweeney Hall). Watch the 10 shorts that made it to the final round (out of 960 entries from 70 countries) and then vote for the film you think should win. Admission costs $10. The batch of 10 films will screen Friday, Oct. 1, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 2, at 2 and 7 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 3, at 2 p.m. Find information about the films at manhattanshort.com.

The Invisible Man meets The Wolf Man

Two Universal monster movie classics are getting a double feature release in theaters on Saturday, Oct. 30. Catch 1933’s The Invisible Man (starring Claude Rains and Gloria Stuart) and 1941’s The Wolf Man (also starring Rains as well as Ralph Bellamy, Bela Lugosi and Lon Chaney Jr.) starting at 1 p.m. at AMC Londonderry 10 (16 Orchard View Dr.), Cinemark Rockingham Park 12 (15 Mall Road in Salem) and Regal Fox Run Stadium 15 (45 Gosling Road in Newington). Tickets cost $12.50. Find more information at Fathom Events (fathomevents.com).

Food

Tastings, Classes, Workshops & Meals

• The Women’s Fellowship of the Union Congregational Church (71 Main St.) will host a lasagna dinner on Thursday, Sept. 9, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The dinner will feature a spread of homemade meat and vegetable lasagnas, along with tossed salads, Italian breads, assorted home-baked pies and more. Tickets will be sold at the door only (no reservations). The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children. To-go containers are also available. Find the church on Facebook @uccunionnh.

• LaBelle Winery (345 Route 101, Amherst; 14 Route 111, Derry) has several cooking and wine pairing classes coming up on its schedule at both locations; the next two, set for Wednesday, Sept. 15, and Thursday, Sept. 16, both in Derry at 6 p.m. will respectively cover classic wine and chocolate pairings and knife skills. A similar knife skills class is planned for the Amherst space on Wednesday, Sept. 22, also at 6 p.m. Visit labellewinery.com for the full schedule.

• The Bedford Village Inn (2 Olde Bedford Way, Bedford) will continue its summer dinner series with a New Orleans dinner on Thursday, Sept. 23, at 6 p.m. on its Grand Terrace. The five-course dinner will feature New Orleans-inspired options, and each course will be paired with a classic handcrafted New Orleans cocktail. Tickets are $125 per person (event is open to attendees ages 21 and up only). Visit bedfordvillageinn.com.

• Join LaBelle Winery (345 Route 101, Amherst) at its Amherst location for a beer recipes cooking class on Wednesday, Oct. 6, at 6 p.m. Attendees will get to enjoy a sample of several items cooked with beer, including beer-battered fish tacos, bratwurst in beer with sauerkraut and stout beer chocolate cheesecake. Wine pairings and recipe cards will also be provided. Admission is $32.70 per person. Visit labellewinery.com.

• The next boxed Greek dinner to go, a drive-thru takeout event at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church (68 N. State St., Concord), is happening on Sunday, Oct. 10, from noon to 1 p.m. Orders are being accepted now for boxed meals, featuring half lemon roasted chicken. The event is drive-thru and takeout only — email [email protected] or call 953-3051 to place your order. For details on any future takeout events at the church, visit holytrinitynh.org.

• LaBelle Winery will host classes in decorative focaccia bread making, first at its Derry location (14 Route 111) on Wednesday, Oct. 13, at 6 p.m., and then at its Amherst location on Wednesday, Oct. 20, at 6 p.m. Founder and winemaker Amy LaBelle will walk participants through how to make their own focaccia bread from scratch and how to decorate it with fresh herbs and vegetables to create an edible work of art. The cost is $49.05 per person (including tax) and all ingredients and tools will be provided. Visit labellewinery.com.

• Local chowder and chili makers will compete for the best dish during the 20th annual Lake Sunapee Chowder and Chili Challenge, happening on Sunday, Oct. 17, from noon to 3 p.m. at Sunapee Harbor. A kids tent and local vendors are also expected. See the event on Facebook @chowderchallenge.

• Enjoy Thanksgiving afternoon tea with The Cozy Tea Cart of Brookline, happening on Sunday, Nov. 14, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Gatherings at The Colonel Shepard House (29 Mont Vernon St., Milford). In addition to teas, food options will include multiple types of tea breads and sandwiches, seasonal pastries and more. Tickets are $39.95 per person and reservations are required. Visit thecozyteacart.com.

• The Bedford Village Inn (2 Olde Bedford Way, Bedford) will hold its annual Able Ebenezer FORUM Ale Dinner on Thursday, Nov. 18, from 6 to 9 p.m. in its Charolais Room. The event will start with a cocktail hour and hors d’oeuvres, followed by a four-course dinner, with each course paired with a craft beer selection from Able Ebenezer Brewing Co. of Merrimack. Tickets are $79 per person and must be purchased in advance. Visit bedfordvillageinn.com.

• Have a Feast of the Pilgrims at the Colby Hill Inn (33 The Oaks, Henniker) on Saturday, Nov. 20. The multi-course wine dinner will feature the chef’s interpretations of some of the foods that could have been served at the original Thanksgiving feast, based on records of what was available during the fall harvest in Plymouth. Live music will also be featured. The cost is $130 per person. Visit colbyhillinn.com.

Festivals

• Join The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (6 Washington St., Dover) for the NH Maker & Food Fest, set for Saturday, Sept. 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. New this year, the event is offering a “pay what you can” admission (suggested donations are $5 per person). Visit childrens-museum.org.

• The Egyptian Food Festival is due to return to St. Mary and Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church of Nashua (39 Chandler St.) from Friday, Sept. 17, through Sunday, Sept. 19. Visit stmarycoptsnh.org or follow the church on Facebook @stmaryandarchangelmichael.

Glendi

Get your pastichio, Greek meatballs, baklava and more at Glendi, a three-day festival celebrating Greek culture with food, live music, dancing and crafts. The long-running event will return for the first time since 2019 to St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral (650 Hanover St., Manchester), from Friday, Sept. 17, through Sunday, Sept. 19. Festival hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday (with food service ending at 9:30 p.m.) and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Visit stgeorgeglendi.com or follow festival happenings on Facebook @glendinh.

• Food options from around the world will be represented at the Concord Multicultural Festival, returning on Sunday, Sept. 19, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to a new location at Keach Park (Newton Ave., Concord). Food vendors include restaurants and community members, and the festival also features live entertainment, artisan vendors and more. Visit concordnhmulticulturalfestival.org.

• Join The Stone Church Music Club (5 Granite St., Newmarket) for Oysterfest, scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 19, from noon to 5 p.m., an outdoor event that will feature several local oyster farms, craft beer and live music. Visit stonechurchrocks.com.

• Don’t get yourself in a pickle, because the Winchester Pickle Festival is due to return to downtown Winchester on Saturday, Sept. 25. An event celebrating the town’s Polish heritage, the festival will feature local vendors all day, free Patriot Pickle Co. pickles on the Town Hall lawn (corner of Main Street and Route 119) until they are gone, and photo opportunities at noon on the gazebo with “Mr. Pickle.” Visit winchesternhpicklefestival.org for a full schedule of events.

• Join Tuscan Market (9 Via Toscana, Salem) for Passeggiata: Walk of Wine, an annual festival featuring more than 40 Italian and world wines along with several stationary and passed appetizers happening on Saturday, Sept. 25, from 1 to 4 p.m. Tickets are $30 per person. Visit tuscanbrands.com.

• The New London Rotary Club and the Lake Sunapee Region Chamber of Commerce are organizing the second annual New London Food Truck Festival on the Town Green on Sunday, Sept. 26, from noon to 4 p.m. More than 10 local food trucks are expected to attend, and a beer tent and live music from Peabody’s Coal Train are expected as well. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for kids (foods are sold separately per item), with proceeds benefiting the Rotary Club’s Charitable Foundation. Visit lakesunapeeregionchamber.com.

• Join Black Bear Vineyard & Winery (289 New Road, Salisbury) for its annual Harvest Weekend on Saturday, Sept. 25, and Sunday, Sept. 26. Attendees can enjoy live music outside between 1 and 5 p.m. each day, and will also have the opportunity to learn how grapes are processed from vine to wine. Food trucks will be on site all day too. Reservations are not required, but bringing your own chairs is recommended. Visit blackbearvineyard.com.

• Apple Harvest Day returns to downtown Dover on Saturday, Oct. 2, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The day-long family event features more than 300 vendors, food, live entertainment and more. Visit dovernh.org/apple-harvest-day.

• Join The Salvation Army of Nashua for its annual Applefest, a two-day event happening on Saturday, Oct. 2, and Sunday, Oct. 3, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, at Sullivan Farm (70 Coburn Ave., Nashua). Applefest features a variety of family-friendly fall activities, like apple picking, hay rides, scarecrow making, pumpkin painting and more. Demonstrations from local restaurants and groups will take place throughout both days, and fresh cider, apple pies, ice cream, hamburgers and hot dogs will be available for sale. Visit nne.salvationarmy.org/nashua/applefest.

New Hampshire PoutineFest Spooktacular

A special Halloween edition of the event beloved by poutiniacs from all over New England, the New Hampshire PoutineFest Spooktacular will take place at Anheuser-Busch Tour Center & Biergarten (221 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack) on Saturday, Oct. 23, with VIP entry at 11:30 a.m. and general admittance at 12:45 p.m. Restaurants, food trucks and other vendors will be vying for your palate for the best poutine dish, and the festival will also feature craft beer, children’s activities, games and a DJ. Attendees are encouraged to dress in costume. Tickets to the festival go on sale on Saturday, Sept. 18, and are $39.99 for general admission, $49.99 for VIP admission, $14.99 for kids ages 6 to 12 with sampling and free for kids ages 6 to 12 with no sampling and for kids ages 5 and under. Visit nhpoutinefestspooktacular.eventbrite.com. Photo by Matt Ingersoll.

• Join the Junior Service League of Concord for its annual Fall Festivus, returning on Thursday, Nov. 4, from 6:30 to 10 p.m. This year’s event will be held at The Barn at Bull Meadow (63 Bog Road, Concord) and will feature live music and beer, wine and food samples from local vendors. Tickets are $25 per person or $80 for a group of four. Visit jslconcord.org.

Drinks

• Join the Wilmot Public Library (11 N. Wilmot Road) for Brewing in New Hampshire: An Informal History of Beer in the Granite State from Colonial Times to the Present, a program scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 9, at 7 p.m., in partnership with New Hampshire Humanities. Presenter Glenn Knoblock will explore the history of the state’s beer and ale brewing industry from the Colonial days to today’s modern breweries and brew pubs. Visit nhhumanities.org.

• The Kingston Brewfest will return for a second year on Saturday, Sept. 25, from noon to 4 p.m., at 148 Main St. in Kingston. The event features a variety of local beer and food options, and live music is also planned. Tickets are $35 per person for full access to beer tastings, or $5 for designated drivers. Donations to the Kingston Volunteer Fire Association will also be accepted. Follow them on Facebook @kingstonbrewfest.

• Red, White & Brew, a craft beer and wine festival presented by Veterans Count, returns to Funspot (579 Endicott St. N., Laconia) on Saturday, Sept. 25, with VIP admittance from noon to 1 p.m. and general admittance from 1 to 4 p.m. The event also features food, a car show, raffles, an auction and live music from The Bob Pratte Band. General admission is $35 and VIP admission is $50. Admission for all attendees includes sampling tickets and a commemorative glass while supplies last. Visit vetscount.org/nh/events/red-white-brew-craft-beer-wine-festival.

• To Share Brewing Co. (720 Union St., Manchester) will host an Oktoberfest celebration on Saturday, Sept. 25, from 1 to 9 p.m. featuring food specials, beer releases, stein hoisting competitions and more. Visit tosharebrewing.com.

• Northwoods Brewing Co. (1334 First New Hampshire Turnpike, Northwood) is holding its inaugural Fall Fest on Saturday, Sept. 25, featuring a trunk show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with more than 20 New England makers and small businesses, plus live music throughout the day, the release of a new Oktoberfest brew, fall cocktail specials, specialty food menus and more. Visit northwoodsbrewingcompany.com.

• LaBelle Winery (345 Route 101, Amherst) is holding a blindfolded wine tasting at its Amherst location on Wednesday, Sept. 29, at 6 p.m. Attendees will try five wines while blindfolded during the session, relying on their senses of smell and taste to guess which is which. Admission is $49.05 per person (including tax) and registration is required. Visit labellewinery.com.

• The Powder Keg Beer Festival returns to Swasey Parkway in Exeter on Saturday, Oct. 2, with two sessions, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 to 4 p.m. The event is presented by the Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce and the Exeter Parks and Recreation department, featuring more than 200 different beers, ciders and hard seltzers to taste from a variety of local vendors. In place of the chili this year, which is normally a staple of the festival, food trucks offering all kinds of options are expected to attend. Tickets are $35 per person, or $10 for designated drivers. Visit powderkegbeerfest.com.

• LaBelle Winery (345 Route 101, Amherst) will host the fourth and final session of its Walks in the Vineyard series on Sunday, Oct. 3, at 11 a.m. Vineyard manager Josh Boisvert and wine educator Marie King will lead attendees on an educational walk throughout LaBelle’s Amherst vineyard, focused on the vines’ overall life cycles. You’ll also have an opportunity to taste four different types of wines throughout the session. Admission is $27.25 per person and includes tax. Visit labellewinery.com.

• The Milford Rotary and Lions Clubs are working on presenting a lineup of vendors for two nights of beer, wine and spirits tastings during the Milford Pumpkin Festival, on Friday, Oct. 8, and Saturday, Oct. 9, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on the Community House Lawn (Union Street, Milford). The cost is $15 per person for 10 tasting tickets before Oct. 4 and $20 per person after Oct. 4. Visit milfordpumpkinfestival.org/bws-tastings.

• The New Hampshire Brewfest will return to Cisco Brewers (35 Corporate Drive, Portsmouth) on Saturday, Oct. 9, with VIP admittance from noon to 1 p.m. and general admittance from 1 to 5 p.m. Admission ranges from $50 to $65 and includes access to tastings from a variety of New England-area craft breweries. Food options from local food trucks will also be available at an additional cost. Visit nhbrewfest.com.

• Don’t miss the Great Oktoberfest, happening on Saturday, Oct. 16, at Anheuser-Busch Tour Center & Biergarten (221 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack). Two sessions are available, from noon to 3 p.m. or from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., when attendees will get to taste more than two dozen fall and winter brews, including several authentic German varieties. The festival will also feature European-style food, live music, food trucks, games and more. Tickets start at $45 general admission and $15 for designated drivers, with proceeds supporting the Merrimack Rotary Club. Visit greatoktoberfest.com.

• Save the date for the Manchester Brewfest, which is due to return to Arms Park (Commercial Street, Manchester) on Sunday, Oct. 31, with VIP admittance from noon to 1 p.m. and general admittance from 1 to 4 p.m. Tickets are $40 general admission, $50 for VIP admission and $15 for designated drivers. Visit manchesterbrewfest.com.

• Lakes Region Uncorked returns on Thursday, Nov. 4, to the Church Landing at Mill Falls (281 Daniel Webster Hwy., Meredith), with doors opening at 5 p.m. The event features tastings of more than a dozen area craft breweries and wineries, plus food samples, a silent auction, live music, raffles and more. General admission is $50 per person. There is also a premier ticket rate of $90 per person, which grants you access to a celebrity chef demonstration and tasting, with seatings at either 5:30 or 6:30 p.m. All proceeds benefit Lakes Region Community Services. Visit lakesregionuncorked.com.

• Get your ticket now to the eighth annual Distiller’s Showcase of Premium Spirits, happening on Thursday, Nov. 4, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown (700 Elm St., Manchester). The centerpiece of New Hampshire Distiller’s Week, the event features more than 700 spirits and foods from more than 25 restaurants to sample. Tickets are $60 per person, with proceeds benefiting the New Hampshire Food Bank. Visit distillersshowcase.com.

Books

• Kerri Arsenault presents Mill Town:Reckoning with What Remains at The Music Hall (28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth, themusichall.org) on Thursday, Sept. 9, at 6 p.m. Tickets start at $60 for a small table with two copies of the book included.

• Margaret Porter presents The Limits of Limelight at Gibson’s Bookstore (45 S. Main St., Concord, gibsonsbookstore.com) on Tuesday, Sept. 14, at 6 p.m.

• Bookery Manchester (844 Elm St., Manchester, bookerymht.com) welcomes R.W.W. Greene with his book Twenty Five to Life on Friday, Sept. 10, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

• Regina Hansen will be at Bookery Manchester (844 Elm St., Manchester, bookerymht.com) on Wednesday, Sept. 15, from 5 to 6 p.m., presenting her book The Coming Storm.

• Lara Bricker presents Dead on Deadline at The Word Barn (66 Newfields Road, Exeter) on Wednesday, Sept. 15, at 7 p.m. Registration is required. Tickets are a suggested donation of $5 per person. Bricker will also be at Water Street Bookstore (125 Water St., Exeter) on Friday, Sept. 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. Visit waterstreetbooks.com.

• Daniel Cantor Yalowitz presents Reflections on the Nature of Friendship at the Toadstool Bookshop (12 Depot Square, Peterborough, toadbooks.com) on Saturday, Sept. 18, at 11 a.m.

• Barnes & Noble (1741 S. Willow St., Manchester, barnesandnoble.com) welcomes Gigi Georges with her book Downeast: Five Maine Girls and the Unseen Story of Rural America, on Saturday, Sept. 18, at 1 p.m.

• A Freethinker’s Corner(652 A Central Ave., Dover, 343-2437, freethinkerscorner.com) will host a multi-author book signing and sale on Saturday, Sept. 18, from noon to 4 p.m., and a multi-author children’s book signing and sale on Saturday, Sept. 25, from noon to 4 p.m.

• Gibson’s Bookstore (45 S. Main St., Concord, gibsonsbookstore.com) welcomes Jeff Benedict with his book The Dynasty on Wednesday, Sept. 22, at 6 p.m.

• Emma Philbrick will be at Barnes & Noble (1741 S. Willow St., Manchester, barnesandnoble.com) signing her book Arkivestia on Saturday, Sept. 25, at 1 p.m.

• Humor writer David Sedaris comes to the Capitol Center for the Arts (44 S. Main St., Concord, ccanh.com) on Sunday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $49.

• Barnes & Noble (1741 S. Willow St., Manchester, barnesandnoble.com) hosts a book signing with Dianne Tolliver for her book Life Everyone Has a Story on Saturday, Oct. 9, at 10 a.m.Teks and Trails