You know summer has reached its peak when you’ve got this many hot events taking place over a single weekend.
Sail Portsmouth Tall Ships Festival
Sail Portsmouth begins on Thursday with the Parade of Sail at 6:15 p.m. (weather permitting) and continues through Monday. Five tall ships will be in Portsmouth Harbor, with two available for tours at the Commercial Fish Pier. There will also be education booths, vendors, food, and entertainment. Tickets are $10-$12. Learn more here.
Sunset Lighthouse Photography Cruise
Friends of Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouses is offering a very special sunset cruise on Friday from 7-9 p.m. Photographer Michael Leonard will be at the Granite State Whale Watch dock in Rye at 6:30 p.m. to present a talk, followed by a cruise to the Isles of Shoals aboard the Granite State. Tickets are $45. Learn more here.
Concerts at The Stone Church
The Stone Church is offering a musical menu for diverse palates this weekend. A metal-grunge-stoner-rock extravaganza takes place on Friday at 8 p.m., featuring MAST, Coma Hole, Acheron, and Lacquerhead ($12). Americana acts GoldenOak and The Wolff Sisters split the bill on Saturday at 6 p.m. ($20). Learn more here.
New England Hot Sauce Fest
If you find yourself breathing fire at the New England Hot Sauce Fest, worry not — you can extinguish the flames with some ice-cold beer. Presented by The Spicy Shark, the second annual festival takes place at Smuttynose Brewing Co. in Hampton on Saturday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. There’ll be samples from more than 20 hot sauce companies, plus food trucks, music, crafters, bouncy houses, food challenges, and beer. Tickets are $11-$15. Learn more here.
Rock My Soul at The Word Barn Meadow
The Word Barn Meadow in Exeter will be filled with soul-stirring harmonies and spirit-lifting music on Saturday evening. Local roots-based gospel choir and band Rock My Soul (complete with horns) will share the outdoor stage with special guests Pete Muller & The Kindred Souls from 7-9 p.m. Tickets are $25. Learn more here.
Little Italy Masquerade Ball
There’s still time to get tickets to the Little Italy Masquerade Ball, taking place at Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club in Portsmouth on Saturday from 7-11 p.m. The ball is a fundraiser for the first-ever Little Italy Carnival, a signature event of Portsmouth NH 400 on Aug. 6. Tickets are $150 and include a complimentary mask. Learn more here.
Live music at The Dance Hall
It will be a jazzy weekend at The Dance Hall in Kittery. Boston-based traditional jazz and blues band Annie and the Fur Trappers performs on Saturday from 8-9:30 p.m. ($17-$22). The Jazz Casual series continues on Sunday with a performance by legendary local vocalist Sharon Jones (above) from 5-6:30 p.m. ($15-$18). Learn more here.
Ken Rogerson at McCue’s Comedy Club
Boston comedy legend Ken Rogerson has had rolls in such TV series as FX’s “Rescue Me” and ABC’s “It’s All Relative,” and has appeared in such films as “Fever Pitch” and “There’s Something About Mary.” The national headliner will be at McCue’s Comedy Club in Portsmouth on Saturday from 8-9:30 p.m. Tickets are $20. Learn more here.
The New Hampshire Jewish Festival
The second annual New Hampshire Jewish Festival will feature live music, a kosher deli, mechanical rides, bouncy houses, vendors, and more. The free celebration of Jewish life and culture takes place at the new Jewish Community Center in Newington on Sunday from 12-4 p.m. Advance registration is required. Learn more here.
Bach to Broadway at Crows’ Feat Farm
Cellist Yoni Draiblate and opera virtuoso Kimberly Oppelt will play classical favorites and Broadway showstoppers at Crows’ Feat Farm in Kensington on Sunday from 3-5 p.m. ($10-$20). A community picnic featuring the freshest produce of the season precedes the outdoor concert on the farm grounds from 1-2:30 p.m. ($30). Learn more here.
Herb Alpert & Lani Hall at The Music Hall
Talk about a power couple. Jazz trumpeter Herb Alpert has won eight Grammy Awards, a Tony Award, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, a National Medal of Arts, and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction. Vocalist Lani Hall has recorded 22 albums, won two Grammy Awards, and performed a James Bond theme song. They’ll perform together at The Music Hall in Portsmouth on Sunday at 7 p.m. Tickets are $42-$72. Learn more here.
Soccer Mommy w/Purr at Prescott Park
Days after releasing a new single (a cover of Sheryl Crow’s “Soak Up the Sun”), singer-songwriter Soccer Mommy will take part in the Prescott Park Arts Festival’s summer concert series in Portsmouth with opener Purr on Sunday at 7 p.m. There’s a $10 suggested donation; table and blanket reservations are available. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.