How will you be spending the final weekend of 2024 and New Year’s Eve? Here are a dozen ideas.
Discovering Magic at The Players’ Ring
Magician Andrew Pinard will take you on a tour of the mystical and magical world of perception and deception during an interactive performance at The Players’ Ring. “Discovering Magic” will be on stage in Portsmouth on Friday and Saturday at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $26-$29. Learn more here.
Loads of live music at The Stone Church
The Stone Church in Newmarket is packing as much music as possible into the final days of 2024. Sci-fi fusion trio Consider the Source splits the bill with Leon Trout on Friday at 8 p.m. ($20-$25). Local favorite Joyce Andersen plays upstairs in Althea’s Lounge on Saturday from 4-6 p.m. ($15-$20), and Phish tribute Primal Soup follows downstairs at 8 p.m. ($10-$15). Then jam band Neighbor takes over with five performances over three days — A Very Neighbor New Year on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday at 8 p.m. ($40-$60), and a “Neighbor”hood Brunch on Monday and Tuesday from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. ($60, includes brunch). Learn more here.
Juston McKinney’s Comedy Year in Review
Southern Maine’s favorite homegrown comic is back for his annual spree of end-of-the-year standup shows at The Music Hall in Portsmouth. Juston McKinney’s Comedy Year in Review takes place on Thursday at 7 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 4:30 and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 4 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $38-$45. Learn more here.
Two special stand-up shows at McCue’s
Boston legend Tony V headlines the After-Christmas Christmas Comedy Show at McCue’s Comedy Club in Portsmouth on Saturday from 8-9:30 p.m. ($25). A few nights later, Frank Santorelli headlines a New Year’s Eve show with guests Liam Hales, Sara Poulin, Nick Gordon, and Jack Lynch on Tuesday from 8:30-10 p.m. ($30). Learn more here.
Family Celebration at the Children’s Museum
The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire is hosting a family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration in Dover. There will be crafts and activities before the disco ball comes down and the confetti flies during a morning event from 9-11:30 a.m. and an afternoon session from 12:30-3 p.m. on Tuesday. Tickets are $3-$13. Learn more here.
Jazz and deejays at The Press Room
Get your celebration started with a Jazz Jam New Year’s Eve at The Press Room in Portsmouth on Tuesday at 5 p.m. ($10). Then, after the First Night fireworks, return to The Press Room for a 21-plus New Year’s Eve party featuring DJ Chad Banks, D-Rowe Beatz, and DJ Tuggboat at 8 p.m. ($20-$25, or $100 for VIP entry).
NYE Celebration at The Rockingham Ballroom
Deejays Johnny B Groovy and Soul Sister Pamela will host a New Year’s Eve Dance and Celebration at The Rockingham Ballroom in Newmarket on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Highlights include a jazz pianist, a comedian, a buffet, a champagne toast, and more. The theme for attire is “fantasy formal.” Tickets are $40. Learn more here.
First Night 2025 in Portsmouth
Portsmouth has been a First Night community since 1986, and the tradition continues with Pro Portsmouth’s annual New Year’s Eve celebration on Tuesday night. As always, an evening of free, family-friendly outdoor activities will culminate in a spectacular fireworks display over South Mill Pond from 7:30-8 p.m. Learn more here.
New Year’s Party at WSCA Radio
Get ready to party at WSCA Portsmouth Community Radio. Local acts Adrienne-Mack Davis, 32French, Sound Around Us, DJ Skooch, and DJ Mam will be among the performers at the New Year’s Eve bash on Tuesday at 8 p.m. Tickets are $45, which includes food, a champagne toast, live bands, and deejays. Learn more here.
Last Blast Concert at South Church
When the fireworks conclude, the celebration is just getting started at South Church in Portsmouth. The Reconstructed and Natalia Rothwell will perform at The Last Blast New Year’s Eve concert on Tuesday from 8:30-10:30 p.m. Tickets are $25-$30 (free for kids under 18); proceeds support the Continuum Arts Collective. Learn more here.
Midnight Masquerade at the Gas Light
Don your finest attire and an enchanting mask and head on up to the Portsmouth Gas Light Co.’s Third Floor Nightclub for a New Year’s Eve Masquerade Gala on Tuesday at 9 p.m. There will be party favors, passed hors d’oeuvres, a champagne toast, a late-night buffet, and more. Tickets are $55, or $130 for VIP perks. Learn more here
Rockspring at The Music Hall Lounge
Ring in the New Year with beloved local string band Rockspring on Tuesday at The Music Hall Lounge in Portsmouth. The high-energy group will play its celebratory blend of bluegrass, pop, rock, folk, and country beginning at 9 p.m. and continuing right up until the countdown to midnight. Tickets are $36-$46. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.