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Seacoast Local Loop
Arts + Culture

Arts + Culture on the Seacoast

Theater, galleries, openings and the people behind them, from Portsmouth to Dover to Kittery

This page is for finding the art and stage shows worth leaving the house for. The list of events below updates from the live Seacoast Local Loop calendar, so it stays current without anyone retyping it.

Start with the stage or the walls, whichever you are in the mood for. Live music has its own page, linked below. The hand-kept calendar further down covers the small galleries and open studios we cannot pull in automatically.

Tonight This Weekend This Week Free Happy Hours Live Music Family Food + Drink Arts + Culture

Studio Notes

Short write-ups on local artists, shows and the people behind them. First up is Drew DiPasquale and his new show in Portsmouth.

Drew DiPasquale, in a dark blazer, patterned shirt and name badge, smiling in front of a large square abstract painting in pinks, olive, mustard and black at the New Hampshire Art Association gallery
Studio Notes

Drew DiPasquale: Almost Something You Know

Portsmouth painter Drew DiPasquale fills the New Hampshire Art Association gallery with textured abstract paintings that start on a studio floor. Through November 29.

By Seacoast Local Loop, The Loop's notes on local artists ·

Read the story →

On stage this week

Theater, comedy, dance, film nights, readings and talks over the next two weeks.

All arts + culture events →

On the walls

Gallery openings, exhibits, studio tours and hands-on workshops.

All arts + culture events →

Looking for a band? Live music has its own page: Seacoast live music.

Mark your calendar

First Friday of every month, 5 to 8 PM

Art 'Round Town gallery walk (opens in a new tab)

Downtown Portsmouth galleries Portsmouth

Free, and a dozen or so galleries stay open late with receptions, so it is an easy way to see several shows in one walk.

Through November 29. Meet the Artists Sunday, November 22, 1 to 3 PM

Drew DiPasquale, Almost Something You Know

New Hampshire Art Association, 136 State St Portsmouth

New abstract paintings that start on a studio floor, with a free chance to meet the artists on the 22nd.

Saturday and Sunday, November 14 to 15

Amesbury Open Studios (opens in a new tab)

Studios around Amesbury, MA Amesbury

Worth the short drive, since artists open up their working spaces and you can see where the pieces get made.

November 19 to December 20

Kittery Art Association, Members' Best holiday show (opens in a new tab)

2 Walker St, Kittery Kittery

A members' holiday show of small works that is good for gift shopping. Check hours before you go.

Friday, December 4, 5 to 8 PM, then Saturday and Sunday, December 5 to 6, 11 to 5

Button Factory Open Studios, 39th year (opens in a new tab)

855 Islington St Portsmouth

Dozens of artists open their studios in the old factory, and the weekend adds guest artists and the outdoor Alley Market.

Where the art happens

The galleries, theaters and creative spaces that are there all year, town by town.

Portsmouth

More in Portsmouth →

The Music Hall

New Hampshire's oldest operating theater, built in 1878. The Historic Theater on Chestnut Street hosts touring concerts, Broadway tours, films and a writers series, and the smaller…

Historic TheaterConcertsFilm
28 Chestnut St, Portsmouth, NH Website →

Seacoast Repertory Theatre

A professional theater on Bow Street producing musicals, plays and the late-night Red Light Series in a 240-seat room.

MusicalsProfessional Theater
125 Bow St, Portsmouth, NH Website →

Players' Ring Theatre

A 75-seat black-box theater in an 18th-century warehouse on Marcy Street. Original plays, new works and local talent, now in its 35th season.

Black BoxNew Works
105 Marcy St, Portsmouth, NH Website →

3S Artspace

A nonprofit arts space in the North End with a performance hall, a gallery and a restaurant under one roof. Experimental music, contemporary visual art, film and community events.

Contemporary ArtPerformanceNonprofit
319 Vaughan St, Portsmouth, NH Website →

New Hampshire Art Association

A nonprofit association of New Hampshire artists. Its Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery on State Street shows member solo exhibitions and juried shows. Free to visit, closed Mondays.

GalleryMember ShowsFree
136 State St, Portsmouth, NH Website →

Nahcotta

A gallery and shop on Congress Street showing contemporary painting and prints by emerging and established artists, known for its Enormous Tiny Art show of small works.

GalleryContemporary Art
110 Congress St, Portsmouth, NH Website →

Button Factory Studios

Working artist studios in the old shoe-button factory on Islington Street. The building opens to the public for Open Studios on the first weekend of December.

Artist StudiosOpen Studios
855 Islington St, Portsmouth, NH

Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra

A community symphony of more than 80 volunteer musicians playing classical, pops and family concerts, most often at The Music Hall.

ClassicalCommunity
Website →

Discover Portsmouth Center

The Portsmouth Historical Society's exhibit space in the former library on Middle Street, with rotating shows on local history and art. Open April through December.

Local HistoryExhibitsFree
10 Middle St, Portsmouth, NH Website →

Kittery

More in Kittery →

The Dance Hall

A nonprofit all-ages venue in a restored 1928 Grange Hall. Intimate concerts, comedy, theater and dance, with beer and wine.

PerformanceAll AgesNonprofit
7 Walker St, Kittery, ME Website →

Kittery Art Association

A members' gallery on Walker Street, a few doors from the Dance Hall, with rotating exhibitions, classes and a holiday show of small works each winter.

GalleryLocal Artists
2 Walker St, Kittery, ME Website →

Exeter

More in Exeter →

The Word Barn

An 1880s post-and-beam barn on a working farm turned listening room. Songwriters, storytellers and readings for about 100 people, with the Meadow outdoors in summer.

Listening RoomReadings
66 Newfields Rd, Exeter, NH Website →

Lamont Gallery at Phillips Exeter Academy

A free contemporary gallery inside the Mayer Art Center with rotating shows by working artists and artist talks. Visitors from outside the Academy should check the visiting rules f…

Contemporary ArtFree
26 Tan Ln, Exeter, NH Website →

Seacoast Artist Association Gallery

An all-volunteer downtown gallery showing monthly exhibitions by Seacoast painters, photographers and mixed-media artists, with regular opening receptions.

Local ArtistsGalleryNonprofit
130 Water St, Exeter, NH Website →

Dover

More in Dover →

The Art Center

Working studios, a printmaking studio, gallery space and classes inside the Washington Street Mills. The engine behind Dover's art walks.

GalleriesWorkshops
1 Washington St, Suite 1177, Dover, NH Website →

Aplomb Gallery

A nonprofit contemporary gallery on Central Avenue that pairs rotating exhibitions with an art cafe and hands-on sessions.

Contemporary ArtNonprofit
262 Central Ave, Dover, NH Website →

Rochester Opera House

A restored 1908 theater inside Rochester City Hall, 15 minutes up Route 16, with musicals, comedy and concerts.

Historic TheaterMusicals
31 Wakefield St, Rochester, NH Website →

Newmarket

More in Newmarket →

The Millspace

A gallery and community arts space on the lowest level of the Newmarket Mills, run by the Lamprey Arts and Culture Alliance. Exhibitions, workshops, panels and small theater.

GalleryNonprofitWorkshops
55 Main St, Newmarket, NH Website →

The Art Room

A working studio and classroom in the Newmarket Mills with kids' classes, adult workshops and open studio sessions.

Art ClassesStudio
55 Main St, Newmarket, NH Website →

York

More in York →

York Art Association

A members' gallery and art school in York Harbor with rotating exhibits and workshops. The gallery has been under renovation in 2026, so check the site before you go.

GalleryWorkshops
394 York St, York Harbor, ME Website →

Remick Gallery at Old York

Old York Historical Society's exhibition space, with rotating shows on local history and decorative arts, included with museum admission.

GalleryLocal History
3 Lindsay Rd, York, ME Website →

Good to know

What is Art 'Round Town in Portsmouth?

It is a free gallery walk on the first Friday of every month, 5 to 8 PM. Galleries around downtown Portsmouth stay open late, and many hold openings and receptions.

Where can I see live theater on the Seacoast?

In Portsmouth, try The Music Hall (the Historic Theater on Chestnut St and The Lounge on Congress St), Seacoast Repertory Theatre on Bow St, The Players' Ring on Marcy St and 3S Artspace on Vaughan St. Rochester Opera House and the Firehouse Center for the Arts in Newburyport are both a short drive away.

Are there free art events on the Seacoast?

Yes. Gallery walks, openings and most gallery shows are free to visit. Open studios in December are free to browse too.