Holiday theater, holiday art, holiday music, and holiday cheer fill the weekend itinerary on the Seacoast. Here are some highlights.
Holiday Theater Part 3
The Seacoast theater community still has not met its annual quota for productions of “A Christmas Carol,” and this weekend “Elf the Musical” also takes multiple stages. Dickens’ classic is at the Rochester Opera House (Dec. 12-22) and the Garrison Players Arts Center in Rollinsford (Dec. 13-22). The Seacoast Repertory Theatre presents “Elf Jr.” at Star Theatre in Kittery (Dec. 12-22), and the Prescott Park Arts Festival stages “Elf The Musical” at Exeter Town Hall (Dec. 13-22).
WSCA Holiday Open House
A gigantic rent hike and a lightning strike to a radio tower have exacerbated funding challenges at Portsmouth Community Radio, the non-profit, all-volunteer station based in Portsmouth’s West End. The public can tour WSCA’s studio and help keep the station alive during its annual Holiday Open House on Friday, Dec. 13, from 7-10 p.m. There will be food, beverages, and an array of raffle items donated by local businesses and community members. For more information, click here.
Holidaze Bizaare
Local art collective Wrong Brain’s alternative craft fair is expanding. The eighth annual Holidaze Bizaare will be spread across three venues over three days from Dec. 14-16. It takes place Saturday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at Millspace in Newmarket, Sunday from 12-5 p.m. at Wrong Brain headquarters in Dover, and Monday from 6-10 p.m. at Chapel + Main in Dover. In total, 50-plus vendors will offer handmade, recycled, vintage, unique, and unconventional items. Learn more here.
A Jazzy Christmas Tea
A cozy evening of live jazz performed by some of the Seacoast’s finest awaits guests at the historic North Church of Portsmouth on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 4-6 p.m. The show features local musicians Taylor O’Donnell on vocals, Chris Klaxton on trumpet, Matt Hogan on bass, and Eric Von Oeyen on drums, all within the iconic church in Market Square. Guests will be seated at tables, and tickets are limited. The cost is $15. For more information, click here.
Low ticket warning!
Sojoyful Holiday Celebration
Another esteemed local jazz ensemble will celebrate the holidays with a special concert at The Dance Hall in Kittery on Sunday, Dec. 15, from 3-5 p.m. The Sojoy octet will offer its original take on nearly a dozen holiday favorites, plus a handful of original compositions. In a twist for the show, bandleader Jonny Peiffer will move from drums to keys for the first time since the group’s inception in 2014. Tickets are $14. For more information, click here.
For a complete calendar of local events, click here.