The final weekend before Christmas — and the first weekend of winter — is filled with holiday cheer. Here are some of the most festive happenings.
12 Nights of Christmas concludes
The Word Barn’s 12 Nights of Christmas series wraps up like a special gift this weekend at The Orchard Chapel in Hampton Falls. Guests can join in the chorus during the Candlelight Carol Sing, taking place three times on Friday from 5:30-6:30 p.m., Saturday from 3-4 p.m., and Sunday from 5:30-6:30 p.m. ($0-$15). Also, string trio Low Lily will lead a Winter Solstice Celebration on Saturday night from 7-8:30 p.m. ($25). Learn more here.
Abby Holidays! at The Music Hall Lounge
Singer-songwriter Abrielle Scharff is heading back to her hometown of Portsmouth for her seventh annual Abby Holidays! show at The Music Hall Lounge. Described as the “emo Taylor Swift,” she’ll offer three intimate performances on Friday from 7-9 p.m. and Saturday from 5-7 p.m. and 8-10 p.m. Tickets are $25-$35. Learn more here.
Holiday music at The Dance Hall
The Dance Hall is hosting a pair of holiday performances in Kittery this weekend. Seacoast native Jason Anderson is recruiting a bunch of musical friends for his Home for the Holidays show, benefiting the Cross Roads House, on Friday from 7:30-9 p.m. ($5-$15). Multi-instrumentalists John Doyle and Mick McAuley, of Irish-American supergroup Solas, will present An Irish Christmas on Saturday from 7:30-9 p.m. ($20-$32). Learn more here.
Live music at The Stone Church
Expect some holiday psychedelia when local band The Trichomes headlines a show with opener Dog 8 Dog at The Stone Church in Newmarket on Friday at 8 p.m. ($15-$20). Then, Jerry Garcia Band tribute Sans Souci concludes its fall residency with an acoustic Holiday Special on Saturday from 7-11:30 p.m. ($20-$25). Learn more here.
Say ZuZu album release at The Press Room
Local alt-country legends Say ZuZu are in the midst of a major revival, re-releasing five of their past albums along with two new ones. The band will celebrate the release of a new deluxe edition of their ’90s classic “Bull” with an all-ages show at The Press Room in Portsmouth on Saturday at 3 p.m. Tickets are $25-$30. Learn more here.
Solstice Vinyasa Flow at 3S Artspace
Celebrate the winter solstice and welcome the return of the light at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Katie Johnson Rollins of Nubble Light Yoga will lead an all-levels Solstice Vinyasa Flow class in the 3S gallery, surrounded by the “Noticing Light” exhibition currently on display. Tickets are $35. Learn more here.
Jane Monheit holiday shows at Jimmy’s
Two-time Grammy Award-nominated jazz singer Jane Monheit will lend her powerful voice to some inspiring seasonal music during a pair of holiday shows at Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club in Portsmouth on Saturday night. The first concert starts at 7 p.m. and the second follows at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $17.50-$82.50. Learn more here.
Steve Bjork at McCue’s Comedy Club
Laugh away some of your holiday stress with a solstice standup show at McCue’s Comedy Club in Portsmouth. New England favorite Steve Bjork will headline on Saturday night with a great lineup of guest comics that includes Liam Hales, Kathy Lynch, and George Newton from 8-9:30 p.m. Tickets are $20. Learn more here.
Hiroya Tsukamoto at WSCA Radio
Acoustic guitar virtuoso Hiroya Tsukamoto is known for his masterful fingerstyle playing, lyrical narratives, and intricate melodies that transcend cultural barriers. He’ll demonstrate on the Button Factory Stage at WSCA Portsmouth Community Radio on Saturday from 8-10 p.m. Tickets are $18-$25. Learn more here.
“The Nutcracker” at the Seacoast Rep
The Rep Academy’s unique rendition of “The Nutcracker” infuses the timeless tale with jazz and contemporary flair, blending Tchaikovksy’s classic score with music by Duke Ellington and Shorty Rogers. There’s just one more showing left at the Seacoast Repertory Theatre in Portsmouth on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.