Category: Outdoors

Family fun for whenever

Faire time

• The New Hampshire Renaissance Faire, which bills itself as a “family-friendly, educational, visual, theatrical and fantastical event,” will run two weekends in Fremont — this weekend Saturday, May 10, and Sunday, May 11, as well as the weekend of May 17 and May 18. Tickets, which can be purchased at nhrenfaire.com, cost $20 for adults and $15 for ages 6 to 12 and for military and veterans, the website said. Kids ages 5 and under get in for free. The event includes performers across several stages, as well as archery, craft demonstrations, tea with the queen, knights and pirates and theme days — May 10 is “Pirates Vs. Ninja” and May 11 is “Celtic Vs. Norse,” according to the website, where you can also find a list of participating vendors, food vendors, games and more.

Outdoor time

• Petals in the Pines (126 Baptist Road in Canterbury; petalsinthepines.com) officially opens for the season on Saturday, May 10. Featuring 7 acres of native plants and natural features as well as garden beds, Petals in the Pines will be open Wednesdays through Sundays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. See the website for a look at the trails, gardens and labyrinths.

• Charmingfare Farm (774 High St. in Candia; visitthefarm.com) will offer moms free admission on Mother’s Day (Sunday, May 11) when accompanied by children.

Storytime

• Authors David J. Preece and Jim Webber will celebrate their book Mr. Higgins to the Rescue, the latest in their series about the Scottish terrier Mr. Higgins, on Saturday, May 10, at 11:30 a.m. atBookery Manchester (844 Elm St. in Manchester; bookerymht.com). RSVP online to reserve a spot.

Movie time

• The recently releasedMinecraft(PG, 2025) starring Jack Black and Dwayne Johnson will screen on Tuesday, May 13, at Chunky’s Cinema Pub (707 Huse Road in Manchester; chunkys.com) in two sensory-friendly screenings — 11:30 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. For both of these screenings the sound will be turned down and the lights will be up, according to the website.

Game time

• The Fisher Cats continue a series of games at Delta Dental Stadium in downtown Manchester against the Hartford Yard Goats with games Thursday, May 8, at 6:35 p.m. (with a koozie giveaway); Friday, May 9, at 6:35 p.m.; Saturday, May 10, at 4:05 p.m. and Sunday, May 11, at 1:35 p.m. with a Mother’s Day celebration and a visor giveaway, the website said. See milb.com/new-hampshire.

Library time

• The Derry Public Library (64 E. Broadway in Derry; derry.org) will host a puzzle swap on Wednesday, May 14, at 6 p.m. Donate a puzzle, take a puzzle or both, according to the website, where you can register for the event (or call 432-6140).

The Friends of the Derry Libraries are also holding a book sale on Saturday, May 10, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

• The Manchester City Library (405 Pine St. in Manchester; manchester.lib.nh.us) will hold a Bug Hunt for ages 1 to 5 on Tuesday, May 13, at 10 a.m. Kids can listen to bug stories, play games, make a bug craft and then head outside for bug hunt-related activities, according to the website. Register online or by calling 624-6550, ext. 7628.

The library will also hold a Family Game Night featuring different board games and puzzles on Tuesday, May 13, from 4 to 7:30 p.m.

And on Wednesday, May 14, from 10 to 11 a.m. the library will host Storytime Science for ages 2 to 6 featuring Ms. Yvonne and Ms. Amanda from the SEE Science Center, according to the library’s website. The storytime will have a STEM/STEAM theme and include a hands-on activity, according to the website, where you can register for the event (registration required). Or register by calling 624-6550, ext. 7628.

Family fun for whenever

Spring carnival

• The Manchester Spring Carnival runs Wednesday, April 30, through Sunday, May 4, opening at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, 2 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, according to fiestashows.com/fs/manchester. The carnival takes place in the JFK Coliseum parking lot at 303 Beech St. in Manchester. The carnival features more than 15 rides, game concessions and food concessions, the website said. Admission costs $5 per person (free for ages 12 and under), with additional prices for wristbands or megapasses for games. See the website for hours, rules and ride passes.

Pup performers

• Catch the talented dog performers of Mutts Gone Nuts! at the Dana Center at Saint Anselm College in Manchester on Saturday, May 3, at 4 p.m. Tickets cost $45 at tickets.anselm.edu. Get a sense of the show, where dogs do flips, leaps and tricks and even appear to dance, at muttsgonenuts.com.

Library fun

• Check out the all-ages Escape Room at the Nashua Public Library (2 Court St. in Nashua; nashualibrary.org) running Wednesday, April 30, and Thursday, May 1, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day, according to the website. “Your trip to the library to play board games goes awry when you become a pawn in the game. Can you find all the clues, discover the secrets, and escape the board game before the room needs to be cleaned by the librarians?” the website said. The game takes about 15 minutes, the website said.

• The Manchester City Library (405 Pine St. in Manchester; manchester.lib.nh.us) will hold a May the Fourth Eve Star Wars Party on Saturday, May 3, from 10 a.m. to noon, according to the website. This all-ages drop-in event will feature Star Wars-themed crafts and activities, lightsaber training and Star Wars trivia, according to the website.

• Meet a box turtle and learn about wildlife conservation from a field biologist at Zoo New England on Saturday, May 3, at 2 p.m. at the Nashua Public Library (2 Court St. in Nashua; nashualibrary.org). The event is for all ages, according to the library website.

Family fun for whenever

Vacation day at the museum

• The Aviation Museum of New Hampshire (27 Navigator Road in Londonderry; aviationmuseumofnh.org) is open two extra days for April school vacation. The museum will be open Monday, April 28, and Tuesday, April 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in addition to the regular hours, which are Wednesdays through Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 1 to 4 p.m. Admission costs $10 for ages 13 and up, $5 for ages 6 to 12 and for veterans, active military and 65+, and free for kids 5 and under.

• There’s an extra day to see SEE Science Center (200 Bedford St. in Manchester; see-sciencecenter.org): Monday, April 28, for April school vacation in addition to its regular Tuesday-through-Sunday days of operation. SEE is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. Admission costs $14 for ages 3 and up.

• The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center (2 Institute Drive in Concord; starhop.com) is also open daily Wednesday, April 16, through Sunday, May 4, from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission costs $13 for adults, $12 for 62+ and ages 13 through college, $10 for ages 3 to 12 and free for ages 2 and under. Planetarium shows are an additional $7 for ages 3 and up.

Game time

• The Fisher Cats will kick off a series of games at Delta Dental Stadium in downtown Manchester against the Portland Sea Dogs on Tuesday, April 29, with a 6:35 p.m. game. Other games are Wednesday, April 30, at 5:05 p.m. (Waggin’ Wednesday, when leashed dogs can come to the park); Thursday, May 1, at 6:35 p.m. (with a koozie giveaway); Friday, May 2, at 6:35 p.m. (Grateful Dead Night), and Sunday, May 4, at 1:35 p.m. (Cats Con — “game will celebrate our favorite movies, comic books, heroes, villains … featuring characters from Double Midnight Comics!”), the website said. See milb.com/new-hampshire.

Bout time

• Check out the double-header season opener for NH Roller Derby on Saturday, April 26, at JFK Memorial Coliseum (303 Beech St. in Manchester). Doors open at 3:30 p.m. At 4 p.m. it’s the NH Roller Derby Cherry Bombs vs. Twin State Derby’s Bandits, and at 6 p.m. it’s an open gender mixed scrimmage (for A level experienced skaters ages 18+; sign up online), according to nhrollerderby.com. Tickets at the door cost $15 for adults, $5 for veterans and NH Roller Derby vets and kids 12 and under get in free, the website said.

Family fun

• Chunky’s (707 Huse Road in Manchester; chunkys.com) has upcoming family game nights. On Saturday, April 26, at 6 p.m. it’s a family trivia night about Bluey. On Sunday, April 27, at 1 p.m., and Friday, May 2, at 6:45 p.m., it’s a family-friendly theater candy bingo night, with a $10 ticket reserving you a seat (which comes with a bingo card, a box of candy for the pot and a $5 food voucher), according to the website. Chunky’s will also hold a family paint night event featuring A Minecraft Movie image on Friday, April 25, at 6 p.m. Admission costs $25 per person, the website said.

• Vacation hours at Krazy Kids (60 Sheep Davis Road in Pembroke; krazykids.com) will be Monday, April 28, through Thursday, May 1, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and then from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Friday, May 2, with Glow Night hours from 6 to 9 p.m.

• Cowabunga’s (725 Huse Road in Manchester; cowabungas.com) will be open daily through April school vacation week with visits by different costumed characters scheduled for each day, Monday, April 28, through Friday, May 2, according to the website. The characters are slated to appear at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. for photos and to play a game, according to the website, where you can find the expected lineup.

Episode III

O’neil Cinemas at Brickyard Square (24 Calef Highway in Epping; oneilcinemas.com) is among the area theaters screening Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith(PG-13) a movie celebrating its (brace yourself) 20th anniversary. The theater will have more than one screening daily Thursday, April 24, through Wednesday, April 30.

Outdoor time

Trails open for the season at the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center (23 Science Center in Holderness; nhnature.org) on Thursday, May 1, from 9:30 a.m to 5 p.m. (with the last trail admission at 3:30 p.m.). Walk the ¾-mile live animal exhibit trail, which traverses meadows, forests and marsh boardwalks and features animals including coyote, fisher, red fox, bob cat, black bear, mountain lion, river otters, white-tailed deer, owls, raptors and more, according to a center press release. Admission costs $28 for adults, $26 for 65+ and $22 for ages 3 to 15, and is free for ages 2 and under, the release said.

Family fun for whenever

Free wild fun

• Discover Wild New Hampshire Day brings the state’s outdoor adventures to the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department (11 Hazen Drive in Concord) on Saturday, April 19, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The free event features more than 100 educational and experiential exhibits, live animals, archery, casting, flying, an air-rifle range, retriever dogs, crafts, a Fish and Game biologist, a food truck alley and more according to the website. See wildlife.nh.gov/dwnh for a map with participating presenters and activities.

More museum

• Get an extra day to see SEE Science Center (200 Bedford St. in Manchester; see-sciencecenter.org), which is open Mondays, April 21 and April 28, for April school vacation in addition to its regular Tuesday-through-Sunday days of operation. SEE is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. Admission costs $14 for ages 3 and up.

• The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center (2 Institute Drive in Concord; starhop.com) is slated to be open daily Wednesday, April 16, through Sunday, May 4, from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission costs $13 for adults, $12 for 62+ and ages 13 through college, $10 for ages 3 to 12 and free for ages 2 and under. Planetarium shows are an additional $7 for ages 3 and up.

Papas Feroces

• The Fisher Cats continue a series of games against the Harrisburg Senators. On Thursday, April 17, at 6:35 p.m., it’s New hampSHIRE Night, with a theme around wizards and adventure. On Friday, April 18, at 6:35 p.m. the team will play as their Copa de la Diversion alter egos Gatos Feroces. On Saturday, April 19, at 4:05 p.m., the team will play as the New Hampshire Space Potatoes, honoring the Granite State’s potato and UFO history. And at the Sunday, April 20, game at 1:35 p.m., the first 1,000 fans will get a free scarf. See milb.com/new-hampshire.

Storytime

• Bookery Manchester (844 Elm St. in Manchester; bookerymht.com) will host a storytime with author Duane “Archie” Archambault and his new book Conga’s Rescue Adventures, illustrated by Kolorful Highlights, on Saturday, April 19, at 1 p.m. Reserve a spot online.

Bunnies & eggs

• The Carriage Shack Farm, 5 Dan Hill Road in Londonderry, carriageshackfarmllc.org, will host an Easter Bunny Party on Saturday, April 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kids can collect six eggs from egg stations, decorate their own Easter egg, take photos with the Easter Bunny and meet the farm animals, according to the website. Admission costs $12.95 per person for ages 16 and up, $11.95 for seniors and military, and $10.95 for children 15 and under, the website said. Buy tickets online or purchase them at the gate, the website said.

• Hudson’s Best Easter Egg Hunt will take place Saturday, April 19, with sessions at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. at Inner Dragon Martial Arts, 77 Derry Road in Hudson. The event will feature egg hunts, a photo op with the Easter Bunny and more, according to the description at funnels.hudsonmartialart.com/egghunt, where you can register for a time slot.

• Charmingfare Farm in Candia wraps up its Egg-citing Egg Hunt this Saturday, April 19, and Sundays, April 20 (Easter Sunday). Kids between the ages of 2 and 12 can hunt for a dozen eggs in Grandpa’s Barn, the website said. The event will also include an opportunity to meet the Easter Bunny, visit farm animals (including new spring babies) and more, according to the website. Time slots between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. are available on those days. Admission costs $29 per person.

Family fun for whenever

Bunnies and eggs

• The Easter Bunny will arrive in a student-built airplane when he visits the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire (27 Navigator Road, Londonderry, aviationmuseumofnh.org) on Saturday, April 12, at 11 a.m. The Easter Bunny will get a water cannon salute from the Manchester Airport Fire Department on his arrival and will hand out candy and take photos with fans from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., when he will leave on a fire truck, according to an Aviation Museum press release. The event is free and families are asked to arrive by 10:30 a.m. for this outdoor event. The day will also feature free admission to the museum until 1 p.m. and free activities for kids in the museum’s classroom, the release said. The event will feature chocolate treats from Granite State Candy Shoppe and coffee and goodies from the Common Man Roadside, the release said. After 1 p.m., admission to the museum will cost $10 for ages 13 and up, $5 for ages 6 to 12 and for 65+ and military and veterans; kids 5 and under get in for free, the release said.

• Merrimack Parks and Recreation will hold its annual Easter Egg Hunt in Wasserman Park for Merrimack residents only on Saturday, April 12, starting at 10 a.m. with egg hunt times grouped by age. See merrimackparksandrec.org.

• The Well Church in Nashua will hold an Easter Egg Hunt for kids Saturday, April 12, in Greeley Park. Register at eggnh.com for a time slot and BYO basket.

Cats invite dogs

• The Fisher Cats will play a series of games against the Harrisburg Senators starting Tuesday, April 15, at 6:35 p.m. At the Wednesday, April 16, game, also at 6:35 p.m., it’s Waggin’ Wednesday, when your (leashed) doggos can come to the park. Games continue through Sunday, April 20 — on Friday, April 18, the team plays as Los Gatos Feroces and on Saturday, April 19, they’ll debut their New Hampshire Space Potatoes alter ego, honoring the Granite State’s potato and UFO history. See milb.com/new-hampshire.

Kids on stage

• The teens of Ovation Theatre Company (ovationtc.com) will present Monty Python’s Spamalot School Edition on Friday, April 11, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 12, at 1 and 7 p.m. at the Derry Opera House (29 W. Broadway, Derry). See derryoperahouse.org for tickets.

• Disney’s Frozen Jr. will present Actorsingers Youth at the Janice B. Streeter Theater (14 Court St., Nashua) on Friday, April 11, and Saturday, April 12, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, April 13, at 2 p.m. See actorsingers.org for tickets.

• The Palace Youth Theatre will also present Frozen Jr.on Thursday, April 10, and Friday, April 11, at 7 p.m. at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester, palacetheatre.org). Tickets cost $17.

• Friends of the Amato Center will present Seussical The Musical on Friday, April 11, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, April 12, at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, April 13, at 2:30 at Souhegan High School in Amherst. Tickets cost $18 for adults, $12 for seniors and kids. See amatocenter.org/ riverbend-youth-company.

Introduction to ‘The Planets’

• The NH Philharmonic will present “Drawn to the Music —The Planets” featuring visuals by local students paired with Gustav Holst’s “The Planets” on Saturday, April 12, at 2 p.m. and Sunday, April 13, at 2 p.m. (with a livestream option for Sunday) at Seifert Performing Arts Center in Salem. Tickets cost $35 for adults, $30 for seniors, $10 for students. See nhphil.org.

Outdoor excitement

• Author Susie Spikol will come to Gibson’s Bookstore (45 S. Main St., Concord, gibsonsbookstore.com) on Saturday, April 12, at 11 a.m. to discuss her new bookForest Magic for Kids: How to Find Fairies, Make a Secret Fort and Cook Up and Elfin Picnic. The book features “50+ magical activities for everything from finding hidden flower fairies in your own backyard and making a special wizard staff to creating a tiny woodland village and making your own forest potions,” according to a Gibson’s press release. Admission is free and no registration is required, the email said.

Family fun for whenever

Play ball!

• Friday, April 4, is the season opener for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium in downtown Manchester. The Cats will play the Binghamton Rumble Ponies at 6:35 p.m. and guests can pick up a free magnet schedule to help them plan their season of baseball. The Fisher Cats also will play the Rumble Ponies on Saturday, April 5, at 4:05 p.m. (when they will play as the Manchester Chicken Tenders) and Sunday, April 6, at 1:35 p.m. (when the first 1,000 fans will receive a free fleece blanket). The next stretch of games begins Tuesday, April 15, at 6:35 p.m. versus the Harrisburg Senators. See milb.com/new-hampshire for the game schedule, tickets and promotions.

Book fun

• Curious George will visit for a story time at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (6 Washington St. in Dover; childrens-museum.org) on Friday, April 4, and Saturday, April 5, at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on both days. The visits are part of the museum’s Books Alive! programming and are included with admission, which costs $14.50 for everyone over 12 months and $12.50 for 65+. The museum offers sessions from 9 a.m. to noon or 1 to 4 p.m. on those days.

Down in Fraggle Rock

Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock Live comes to the Capitol Center for the Arts’ Chubb Theatre (44 S. Main St., Concord, ccanh.com) on Friday, April 4, at 7:30 p.m. The show features walk-around versions of the Fraggles and puppet-sized Dozers, according to the website. Tickets start at $46.75 and a VIP option includes an opportunity to get a photo with the Fraggles for an additional $30.

Spring fun

• It’s egg hunt season and Charmingfare Farm in Candia kicks off the fun early with its Egg-citing Egg Hunt Saturdays and Sundays, April 5 through April 20 (Easter Sunday). Kids between the ages of 2 and 12 can hunt for a dozen eggs in Grandpa’s Barn, the website said. The event will also include an opportunity to meet the Easter bunny, visit farm animals (including new spring babies) and more, according to the website. Time slots between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. are available on those days. Admission costs $29 per person.

• Springfest! will take place at the Saint Anselm College Sullivan Arena Saturday, April 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The day will feature vendors, a kid zone, food concessions and more. Admission costs $5 for adults and is free for kids 12 and under. See goffstowncitizens.org.

Pancakes with a princess

• Have a Royal Princess Breakfast on Sunday, April 6, at 9:30 a.m. at the Derryfield Restaurant (625 Mammoth Road, Manchester, thederryfield.com). Tickets cost $55 for adults, $45 for children. The day will feature breakfast, games, costumed princesses, stories and more.