Halloween fun reaches a crescendo: 13 things to do this weekend
It's the last weekend of October, which means it's the peak of Halloween haunting. Most towns are having trick-or-treat on Sunday or Monday nights, but some are on Saturday. Outside of traditional trick-or-treating in neighborhoods there is plenty of spooky, scary and spectacular parties planned. Get your spooky on this weekend and don't forget it's a long holiday weekend with the Portsmouth Holiday Parade taking place as always on Monday night, Oct. 31 at 7 p.m.
Tessa Souter to perform at Jimmy's
New York jazz singer Tessa Souter will perform at Jimmy's Jazz and Blues Club in Portsmouth at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 28. Accompanying her are Tim Ray on piano, Dave Zinno on bass and legendary Billy Drummond on drums. Tickets range from $10 to $35 and are available at jimmysoncongress.com.
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Stone Dead: Halloween Jam nights 1 and 2
On Friday, Oct. 28 and Saturday, Oct. 29, Stone Dead: Halloween Jam at The Stone Church will feature Stone Dead, a collaboration of Seacoast musicians with roots and associations going back to the Stone Church scene of the '80s and '90s, hailing from acts such as Percy Hill, Groove Child, Thanks to Gravity, The Amorphous Band and Trade among many others. They’ve come together again to play the music of the Dead. There will be costume contests and prizes. Fun starts at 9 p.m. both nights and tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door each night. Two-night passes are $35 in advance, $45 at the door. They are available at stonechurchrocks.com.
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Undead Beat Night to benefit Halloween Parade
Undead Beat Night, a fundraiser for the Portsmouth Halloween Parade, will take place on Thursday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. at Portsmouth Book and Bar, 40 Pleasant St., Portsmouth. Ancient wailings, withering curses and the scribblings of madmen living, dead and otherwise all converge to curdle your blood and spoil your beer. Open mic. Bring your most frightening poetic ramblings. Sharing is scaring. Raffle prizes, beverages, costumes and all around fun, all accompanied by a spectacularly spooky soundtrack from The Beat Night Band.
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Queer Halloween Costume Party
Wrong Brain and Lezhang Seacoast will present a Queer Halloween Costume Party at Wrong Brain, 66 3rdSt., Unit B1 in Dover on Friday, Oct. 28 from 7 to 11 p.m. There'll be a costume contest, shopping, some treats and fun. Registration is free, but required as space is limited. Costumes encouraged; masks required. RSVP at eventbrite.com.
Halloween Party for LGBTQIA youth
A Fierce and Fa'boo'lous Halloween Party for LGBTQIA youth ages 12-18 will be held Friday, Oct. 28 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Community Church of Durham. Hosted by Seacoast Outright, tickets are $7 and space is limited, so buy one now. Costumes are encouraged and all identities are welcome. Contact jessica@seacoastoutright.org if you have any questions about the event or concerns about cost. Tickets available at eventbrite.com.
Not-So-Spooky Spectacular
Join the Children’s Museum of NH for a Not-so-Spooky Spectacular Halloween event that focuses on fun - not fright on Saturday, Oct. 29 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1 to 4 p.m. with all kinds of special activities, all free with regular museum admission. Kids and adults are encouraged to come in costume to explore the exhibits and participate in a costume parade at 11 a.m. or 2 p.m. Please note that we do not hand out any candy for this event. Reserve spots in the museum’s morning or afternoon play session on Saturday, Oct. 29 at childrens-museum.org.
Dover Zombie Walk 2022
The Dover Main Street Zombie Walk will take place Saturday, Oct. 29, at 2 p.m. Dress your best (or worst) and show off your deadly duds as you creep down Central Avenue from the Dover Chamber of Commerce to the Rotary Arts Pavilion. All participants will receive a ghoulish grab bag of goodies and two free raffle tickets. Meeting at the chamber at 550 Central Ave., Dover. More info on their Facebook page at facebook.com/doverzombiewalk.
Lago's Ice Cream Fundraiser to benefit Families First
PORTSMOUTH – On Saturday, Oct. 29, Lago’s Ice Cream will host its Half Gallon Fundraiser, with proceeds benefitting pediatric care at Families First Health and Support Center. The fundraiser begins at 2 p.m. and lasts until all the ice cream is gone. Cost is $15 per half gallon. Lago’s is located at 71 Lafayette Road in Rye.
This is the 10th year of Lago’s supporting Families First; over the past decade they’ve raised over $37,000.
Families First, part of Greater Seacoast Community Health network, is a nonprofit community health center that provides primary, prenatal, behavioral and oral health care; parent and family groups; one-on-one family support; and mobile health care. Learn more at GetCommunityHealth.org.
Gas Light in Wonderland Halloween Party
The Portsmouth Gas Light Co. will host the Gas Light in Wonderland Halloween Party on Saturday, Oct. 29 at 8 p.m. Tickets range $20 in advance, $25 at door, $50 for VIP treatment. There'll be beats from the Seacoast's hottest DJ and $1,000 in cash and prizes for the costume contest. Tickets available at portsmouthnhtickets.com/events.
Bucketlist Jazz Fusion at The Dance Hall
Bucketlist Jazz Fusion is an energetic jazz/fusion band based in Kittery, with a growing following around the Seacoast area of New England. Founded in 2017 by saxophonist Stefan Vittori, the band features a lively horn section, energetic rhythm and percussion, and often introduces guest vocalists. They'll perform at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 29 at The Dance Hall in Kittery. Tickets are $15 and available at thedancehallkittery.org.
Halloween Dance and Party in Newmarket
Rockingham Ballroom will host a Halloween Dance and Party on Saturday, Oct. 29 from 7 to 11 p.m. There'll be a Costume Contest with prizes at 10 p.m., a Scary Karaoke Singer Contest at 7 p.m.; a Coyote Howler at 9 p.m. and a Thriller Dancer contest at 10 p.m. Tickets are $15 and will include games, psychic reader, and free treats. Event is BYOB. More info and tickets at rockinballroom.club.
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Seacoast Costume Paddle and Contest
The Seacoast Paddleboard Club will hold its annual Seacoast Costume Paddle and Contest at Peirce Island on Sunday, Oct.30 at 10 a.m. The event will benefit the Portsmouth Halloween Parade. Open to all paddle craft, this freakishly fun paddle will depart from the Pierce Island boat ramp for a leisurely paddle parade. Participants will have a chance to shock, spook, and delight the costume judges for a chance to win prizes. During the event, the club will hold a one-hour Peirce Island Cleanup from 10 to 11 a.m. The cleanup is open to the public, and bags and gloves will be provided. Tickets are $10 and available at eventbrite.com.
Shakesbeerience at The Music Hall Lounge to benefit parade
7 Stages Shakespeare is partnering with The Music Hall Lounge and the Portsmouth Halloween Parade for a special Shakesbeerience on the Road: Macbeth at 6:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 30.
Six artists, who have played in Macbeth all around the world together, will gather in The Music Hall Lounge to explore the new space, the old play, and the current moment with you. That evening, they'll pick from six sealed envelopes that hold six scripts to find out which role they will play live.
This special Shakesbeerience is Free For All, Or Pay What You Will (except for food and drink you order from the The Music Hall Lounge). There is a suggested donation of $10 or more per person at the door with all proceeds benefiting the Portsmouth Halloween Parade, which will take place on Monday, Oct. 31 at 7 p.m. Visit portsmouthhalloweenparade.org for more information.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Halloween in Seacoast NH and Maine: 13 things to do this weekend
