Happy Thanksgiving! Local venues will be serving up a bounteous feast of holiday entertainment over the long weekend. Here are some of the highlights.
The Bulkheads (EP Release) at The Press Room
Get the holiday weekend started early with a special performance by local funk and soul band The Bulkheads. They’ll celebrate the release of their new EP, “Lift Off,” with a party at The Press Room in Portsmouth on Wednesday at 9 p.m. The Good Trees River Band opens. Tickets are $15-$20 ($50 for VIP perks). Learn more here.
‘The Nutcracker’ at STAR Theatre
Tickets are going fast for The Dance Annex’s annual production of “The Nutcracker.” A cast of students, professionals, and guest artists will stage the Christmas classic at STAR Theatre in Kittery through Dec. 3. Show times this weekend are Friday at 6 p.m., Saturday at 1 and 6 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. Tickets are $26-$34. Learn more here.
Pontine: ‘A New England Christmas’
Every year, Pontine Theatre stages a holiday show based on the work of a New England author. This year, they’ll present an original adaptation of Frank Stockton’s “Captain Eli’s Best Ear” in Portsmouth through Dec. 3. Show times are Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 3 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $29-$32. Learn more here.
Jamming at The Stone Church
Local band Truffle continues a Thanksgiving tradition with its Annual Turkey Jam at The Stone Church in Newmarket on Friday at 8 p.m. ($20-$25). The music continues with an early performance by A Band of Killers on Saturday from 7-9 p.m. ($15-$20), followed by Canibus (featuring Kali Ranks) at 9 p.m. ($20-$25). Learn more here.
Standup comics in Portsmouth
Holidays are better with laughter, and McCue’s Comedy Club will deliver it in Portsmouth. They’ll present headliner Mike Donovan at Rio Tequila Cantina on Friday from 7-8:30 p.m. ($20), and Frank Santorelli (aka Georgie the Bartender from “The Sopranos”) at the Roundabout Diner on Saturday from 8-9:30 p.m. ($20). Learn more here.
Model Airplane’s Funksgiving at 3S Artspace
For more than 10 years, regional supergroup Model Airplane has presented its annual Funksgiving concert in Portland. This Thanksgiving season, for the first time ever, the 12-piece band will also bring its funk and soul party to Portsmouth. It takes place at 3S Artspace on Friday from 8-10 p.m. Tickets are $15-$20. Learn more here.
‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ at NH Theatre Project
Joe Landry has reinvented the classic holiday film “It’s a Wonderful Life” as a 1940s-style live radio play. Presented by New Hampshire Theatre Project, it’s on stage in Portsmouth from Nov. 25 through Dec. 10. Show times this weekend are Saturday from 4-6 p.m. and Sunday from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Tickets are $28-$32. Learn more here.
Halley Neal & Sam Robbins at The Word Barn
Singer-songwriters and guitarists Halley Neal and Sam Robbins have just released a collaborative Christmas album called “You and Me on Christmas Eve,” featuring five original songs and 10 holiday classics. They’ll perform the new album live at The Word Barn in Exeter on Saturday from 7-9 p.m. Tickets are $20. Learn more here.
A Sinatra Christmas at The Lounge
Get into the holiday spirit with a little help from Old Blue Eyes. Jazz singer Rich DiMare will be joined by Boston Bruins organist Ron Poster and his band The Sinatra Ambassadors as they present “A Sinatra Christmas” at The Music Hall Lounge in Portsmouth on Saturday from 4-6 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Tickets are $32-$42. Learn more here.
Blake Seale (Album Release) at WSCA
Local indie-rock singer-songwriter Blake Seale will celebrate the release of his new album, “Night Jar,” with help from a band of Seacoast all-stars known as The Third Wheel. Rick Rude and Watson Park will open the show on the Button Factory Stage at WSCA in Portsmouth on Saturday from 8-10 p.m. Tickets are $10. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.