Here is your guide to NH Seacoast events and beyond for August! This is in no way intended to be a comprehensive event guide, so if you have suggestions or any great events that we’ve missed, please leave a comment to let us know!
August 1 (Epping) :: O’neil Cinemas has announced their 2016 August lineup for their Kids Series running Mondays and Wednesdays at 10 am, for $1 for kids under 11, $2 for all others. Movies start at 10 am and tickets are available exclusively at the theater’s box office on the day of the show. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis and is limited to theater capacity.
August 1 (Hampton) :: Every night during the summer there is entertainment on the Sea Shell Stage. With over 80 shows featuring music from the 50’s – 90’s and beyond, everyone is invited to dance in front of the stage. There are two shows each night. The first show is from 7-8 pm and the second show is from 8:30-9:30 pm.
August 1 (Portsmouth) :: Presented by Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, Prescott Park kicks off its Monday Night Movie Series at dusk with Finding Nemo. You’ll find a giant screen on the stage, incredible sound, HD projector and concessions to snack on while you enjoy a movie on a blanket, chair (bring your own, or use one of theirs) or at one of the tables.
August 1-4 (Newburyport) :: Newburyport’s Yankee Homecoming offers nine days of summer fun for adults and kids of all ages. The week is packed with music, food, art, family activities, and more, all capped off by fireworks on the waterfront on Saturday, and the Grand Parade on Sunday.
August 1 (Portsmouth) :: Families First welcomes all parents and children at their Parenting Classes, Parent-Child Groups and Parent Groups. Advance signup is needed for most programs and is always needed for child care; click the “sign up now” link under each program description or call (603) 422-8208 x2.
August 1 (Portsmouth) :: Disney’s The Little Mermaid live in Prescott Park! Showtimes run throughout the summer.
August 3 (North Hampton) :: Baby Basics – Newborn Class is hosted by Boston Baby Beginnings and will help you navigate your first weeks at home with your new addition (or additions!).
August 4 (North Hampton) :: Infant and Child CPR is a one-session course is based on the American Heart Association “Family and Friends” curriculum and covers CPR for infants from birth to one year and children up to 8 years of age.
August 2, 9, 16 (Dover) :: Cocheco Arts Festival Children’s Series at the Rotary Arts Pavilion is located in Henry Law Park, and is footsteps away from the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire, the City’s Indoor Swimming Pool, and the playground and grassy riverside expanse at Henry Law Park itself. All of this makes for an extremely enjoyable and fun-filled day for the entire family right in downtown Dover. Each week, the Children’s Series features a different performance, including music, dancing, puppeteers, jugglers and magicians.
August 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 (Portsmouth) :: Big Fish Little Fish at Seacoast Science Center encourages children and a favorite adult to learn about the world around them through guided outdoor exploration. Each week you’ll take a short hike to immerse in nature, getting your hands dirty as you discover the fascinating plants and animals that live the different habitats of Odiorne. Big Fish Little Fish meets Tuesday mornings 9:30-10:45.
August 5-6 (Newbury, MA) :: Up, up, and away with Circus Smirkus at Spencer Peirce Little Farm! This is a high-flying show that soars into the wild blue yonder! With flocks of jugglers, high-larious clowns, and air-borne aerialists, this show takes flight!
August 5 (Stratham) :: The 2016 Stratham Park Summer Show Series: Wildlife Encounters will meet at the front pavilion at Stratham Hill Park at 10:30 am.
August 6 (Candia) :: Reptile Day at Charmingfare Farm from New England Reptile Distributors starts at 1 pm. The show is educational promoting awareness and respect for all living things and will feature the most diverse collection of exciting reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates and much, much more!
August 6 (Kittery, ME) :: Based on the classic animated film, Disney’s 101 Dalmation KIDS is a fur-raising adventure featuring Cruella De Vil, Disney’s most outrageous villain, and 101 of the most adorable heroes to set their paws onstage. There are two showtimes at 10 am and noon.
August 6 (Newington) :: Cram, fill, fold, and stuff as much as you can into one of the Newington Children’s Orchard’s bags and pay only $5! Located in the back parking lot, select merchandise only, cash only, starts at 9:30am sharp, and runs out VERY quickly so get there early.
August 6 (North Hampton) :: Childbirth Education and Preparation Class incorporates everything you need to know from the early stages of labor up until the moment you are discharged from the hospital.
August 7 (New Castle) :: Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse Open Houses run every Sunday from 1 – 5 pm. No reservations are needed; tours are on a first come, first served basis. Children must be 42 inches tall to climb to the top, and adults are not permitted to carry children up the stairs. Visitors get to climb to the lantern room to enjoy the magnificent view and to see the fourth-order Fresnel lens up close. Volunteers will tell visitors about the history of the light station, and there will be souvenirs for sale.There are 44 stairs to the watch room and a seven-rung ladder to the lantern room. Flat shoes (not sandals or flip-flops) are strongly recommended to climb the ladder into the lantern room.
August 10 – 14 (Portsmouth) :: The Oliver Hazard Perry will be visiting the Seacoast for Sail Portsmouth 2016. The Sail Parade will kick off the weekend on August 10, and the ship will be open for tours from Thursday, August 11 through Sunday, August 14.
August 13 (Kingston) :: Tri for the Y: Kids Triathlon is a special kids-only triathlon that features shorter course distances and fun for all ages.
August 13 – 21 (Lee) :: In 2012, Coppal House Farm planted their first crop of sunflowers for harvesting to produce cold-pressed sunflower oil. This small field produced an overwhelming response from customers about the beauty of these majestic flowers. As a way for customers to get up close and personal with these beaming beauties, the farm is opening a 5-acre field for the Sunflower Festival during the optimal blooming period. Visit pathways in a traditional Native American Circle of Life pattern to experience the sunflower field from all angles.
August 15 – 19 (Hampton) :: The Annual Hampton Beach Children’s Festival is the family fun event of the summer, kicking off on Monday, August 15 with a magic show by BJ Hickman on the famous Hampton Beach Seashell Stage at 10 am, and building up to a Giant Costume Parade that marches almost the length of Hampton Beach on August 19. Every child gets a prize just for being a part of it!
August 18 (Exeter) :: HERON Outdoor Cinema Series on Swasey Parkway will feature the Exeter Firefighters’ Relief Association hosting a chicken BBQ with the HERON group at 6 pm. The Kids Series will also be joining the celebration for some pre-movie entertainment.
August 18 (North Hampton) :: Join Seacoast Birth & Family Connection for an evening of fun at the first annual Bubble Palooza! Kids can dance the evening away amidst colorful bubbles while parents relax and enjoy some local bites! Main Event Entertainment will be playing fun kids bop music all evening. No need to worry about cooking dinner for your family that night – The Juice Box, Seacoast Soups and Cakes by Elizabeth will be bringing some delicious treats to purchase and enjoy picnic style! There will also be some local children’s companies offering activities for kids! Tickets are limited to 120 people and must be purchased online. $7 per person, children under six-months-old are free.
August 19 (Kensington) :: The Farm at Eastman’s Corner presents a Cooking Class with Chef Chris w/Dinner. Learn from the farm’s talented chefs as they prepare a meal using local and natural ingredients, followed by a three-course sit down meal served with wine!
August 20 (Portsmouth) :: Join Ariel, Prince Eric, Sebastian, Flounder, and all your underwater friends for a fun-filled afternoon fueled by activities, lunch, and a chance to meet the cast of The Little Mermaid. Ariel & Friends Seaside Celebration at Prescott Park will have games, crafts, and more available before serving lunch and introducing you to your underwater (and above water) friends. After the event you’re invited to enjoy a performance of Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Gate donation included. This event is sure to sell out. Be sure to RSVP before long so you don’t miss out on fun with fish, mermaids, seagulls – and of course their “out of the water” visitors.
August 21 (Hampton Falls) :: Applecrest Farm is hosting its 11th annual celebration of all things peachy at the Peach Festival from 10 am to 2 pm! Applecrest is home to more than 20 distinct varieties of succulent tree-ripened peaches, nectarines and plums. Come spend the day and pick ‘em straight from the tree. The peach festival features free live bluegrass music, tractor-drawn hayrides to the peach orchard, their famous corn roast and sausage grill, hot cider donuts and every peach inspired yummy under the sun.
August 21 (Newmarket) :: Doula Trainings International believes that doulas need doulas to thrive and their unique lifetime certification program is perfect for both new and seasoned doulas. Learn more about the program, meet the trainer, ask questions, and hear about the first Seacoast training that’s scheduled for October. Start building your doula community now!
August 26 – 28 (Durham) :: Come join Trash 2 Treasure for the 6th annual yard sale at UNH. This sale is open to the public and takes place during move-in weekend at UNH, so it’s perfect timing to get everything you need at a fraction of the price you would pay at a retail store.
August 27 (Dover) :: The Dover Mini Maker Faire is a day long festival at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire where people of all ages show what they are making, and share what they are learning. This isn’t your typical New England fair, although there is great food! More than 1,600 people attended last year to interact with robots, play with rockets, try their hands at science experiments, geek out with innovative technology, create arts and crafts and more.
August 27 (Greenland) :: Roll out your mat with Bodies in Bloom for FREE yoga classes from 10 – 3 pm at the End of Summer Open House. This is a great time to meet other mothers, ask questions, explore thestudio, check out the lending library, playroom, and get a general sense of the studio and team. Come experience community like never before and find your parent tribe!
August 30 (Kittery, ME) :: Do you love Star Wars? Join the Rice Public Library for a free, end-of-the-summer bash, Star Wars style! Costumes are encouraged (but not required). The Mandalorian Mercs cosplayers will be there–get an autograph from you favorite character! For the little kids, there will be Jedi Training by Jungle Jim at 6 pm, which should be both hilarious, and amazing. Make your own “lightsabers” and at dusk, use the force to watch “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” on a huge outdoor screen!
