Celebrate the moms and/or mother figures in your life this weekend at the myriad events taking place! You can take the matriarch in your life out on the town to the Spring Craft Market, the Mother’s Day Plant Sale, the Dolls & Divas Drag Revue, Queerlective’s Upcycle Market, or to one of the various Mother’s Day brunches happening this weekend. Whatever you choose to do, make sure she has a lovely day!

Looking for some lively entertainment this weekend? Check out our Weekly Entertainment report for live music and lively arts in and around Southern NH.

Multi-day events:

May 8-9

Great New England Craft Market, LaBelle Winery, Derry, NH – Join us at LaBelle Winery in Derry, NH for The Great New England Spring Fine Craft & Artisan Market! This two-day, free event takes place on Friday, May 8 from 4 pm – 8 pm and on Saturday, May 9 from 10 am – 5 pm. Perfect for Moms, Dads and Grads! .. and don’t forget about you!! More info here.

May 8-10

Mother’s Day Weekend Plant Sale, The Honey Cup, Manchester, NH – What better way to show your amazing mother some love on Mother’s Day! It is the perfect pairing of tea and plants. Come down to Honey Cup Cafe and Tearoom at 150 Bridge St. in Manchester, May 8-10, and grab mom a beautiful potted plant and a gift card to the tearoom.

May 7

The NH State House: A Legislative Experience, Clean Energy NH, Concord, NH – Join Clean Energy NH for a unique, half-day opportunity to experience the legislative process in action at the New Hampshire State House. This small-group event is designed for members of the public who are interested in gaining a deeper understanding of how the legislative sausage gets made in the Granite State. This free event will take place on Thursday, May 7 from 9 am – 1 pm. Reserve a spot here.

Penumbra – A Study Of How Light Falls, The Venues at the Factory, Manchester, NH – Join us in celebrating the culmination of a three-month artist residency featuring painters David Quady and Kathryn Blommel, two artists visiting from Minnesota. During their time in Manchester, the artists immersed themselves in the local creative community—meeting fellow artists, visiting galleries and organizations throughout New Hampshire, and exploring the region’s landscapes and culture. This free event will take place on Thursday, May 7 from 5 pm – 6:30 pm. Reserve a spot here.‘

Greater Nashua Volunteer Fair, Nashua Public Library, Nashua, NH – Looking for a volunteer role that fits your interests and skills? Inspired to make a difference in your community? Meet and greet with dozens of local organizations in the Nashua area that need teen and adult volunteers for rewarding volunteer opportunities. Presented in partnership with the United Way of Greater Nashua. If you are a non-profit and would like to participate in the fair, sign-up begins in February 2026. This event will take place on Thursday, May 7 from 5 pm – 7 pm. More info here.

Happy Hour Hustle, Delta Dental Stadium, Manchester, NH – Join us for the Happy Hour Hustle, taking place five Thursday evenings from May – September. Week 1: Thursday, May 7, at 6 pm – Benefiting Girls on the Run. Each Happy Hour Hustle 5k finish counts 3.1 miles toward an individual’s mileage completion of the Elliot Millennium Running Series. More info here.

Energy Trivia, Rockingham Brewing Company, Derry, NH – Join the 2026 NH Energy Week organizing partners at Rockingham Brewing Company in Derry! Enjoy a range of food from their kitchen, Teenie Wienie Canteenie, and drink options and show off your trivia skills at this fun-for-everyone event on Thursday, May 7 from 6:30 pm – 8 pm. Teams are limited to 6 people, and prize packages await the top two teams. Register here for this free event.

May 8

NHPR By Degrees Climate Summit: Community Resilience, Manchester Community College, Manchester, NH – What’s in your water and what can you do about it? Across New England and beyond, communities are grappling with a growing, invisible threat: PFAS and other “forever chemicals” showing up in drinking water, soil and even our bodies. At the 4th annual By Degrees Climate Summit, we’re digging into what happens when environmental risks touch everyone and what it takes to respond. This gathering is the place for anyone who cares about building healthier communities and a healthy environment to learn from communities at the front lines and meet other local and regional experts and community leaders. This event will take place on Friday, May 8 from 12 pm – 4 pm. Get tickets here.

Cinco de Mayo Latin Night, Stark Brewing Company, Manchester, NH – Join us for a night of music, dancing and drinks at our Cinco de Mayo Latin Night on Friday, May 8 from 8 pm – 12 am.

May 9

4th Annual Granite State Trading Cards & Collectibles Show, Everett Arena, Concord, NH – The Annual Granite State Trading Cards & Collectibles Show will take place on Saturday, May 9 from 9 am – 4 pm at the Everett Arena. 150+ Vendor Tables. Autograph Guests on Site. Autograph Authentication Card Grading and much more.

26th Annual Perennial Exchange, Concord City Auditorium, Concord, NH – On Saturday, May 9 from 9 am to 12 pm, The Friends of The Audi and Concord’s General Service Department: The Perennial Exchange. Annual free community gardening project! Dig, Split, Swap! Plans for new gardeners, Great Gardening Raffle. All welcome! For info: 603-344-4747.

Spring Book Sale, Manchester City Library, Manchester, NH – The Spring Book Sale will take place on Saturday, May 9, from 10 am – 1 pm in the Winchell Room. The pricing will be $10 per average sized grocery bag. Cash or check only please. Please note, the library can only accept cash or check for payment. Bring your own bag or we can provide one. More info here.

Queerlective Upcycle Market, YWCA, Manchester, NH – Join Queerlective for a day of artist vendors, workshops, and interactive activities exploring how we can repair, rework, and transform everyday materials. Whether you’re here to learn a new skill, support local artists, or just spend time in a creative space, there’s something for you. This event will take place on Saturday, May 9 from 11 am – 4 pm at YWCA Manchester. More info here.

The 2nd Annual Spring Busker Festival, Middle & Palmer Streets, Lowell, MA – Enjoy free live entertainment in downtown Lowell during the Spring Busker Festival! Organized by the City of Lowell through the Office of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, this festival brings together musicians, dancers, aerialists, market vendors, food trucks and more for a day full of exciting entertainment. This event will take place on Saturday, May 9 from 10 am – 7 pm. More info here.

Gay Arm Wrestling Tournament, The Hop Knot, Manchester, NH – This Saturday we’re teaming up with @reprofundnh and having a Gay Arm Wrestling Tournament to raise money to support The Queer Care Fund. The event will take place on Saturday, May 9 from 8 pm – 11 pm at Hop Knot! We have limited slots to signup for, use the QR code or sign up here!

DIXIE NORMOUS PRESENTS: DOLLS & DIVAS DRAG REVUE, Stark Brewing Company, Manchester, NH – For the very first time at Stark Brewing Company — get ready to gag over the electrifying transgender drag sensation Jazmine Skies! She’s fierce, fabulous, and serving high-voltage glamour. This event will take place on Saturday, May 9 from 8 pm – 11 pm. Get tickets here.

May 10

Mother’s Day Brunch, The Derryfield Restaurant, Manchester, NH – Make Mother’s Day unforgettable with a beautiful brunch at The Derryfield on Sunday, May 10 from 9:30 am – 3 pm. Indulge in a delicious spread featuring made-to-order omelettes, carved prime rib and ham, fresh salads, warm breads, decadent mini pastries, and a full buffet of brunch favorites, seafood, and more. Reserve a spot here.

Cheers to Mom!, Arts Alley, Concord, NH – Celebrate Mom with sunshine, sips, and an exclusive sneak peek of Rooftop Social before it officially re-opens for the season later in May. This event will take place on Sunday, May 10 from 10 am – 2 pm.

Sunday Cinema Classics: “Paris When it Sizzles,” Nashua Public Library, Nashua, NH – Join us for a showing of the classic 1964 film, “Paris When it Sizzles,” starring William Holden and Audrey Hepburn. The sprightly young assistant of a Hollywood screenwriter helps him over his writer’s block by acting out his fantasies of possible plots. This movie showing will take place on Sunday, May 10 from 1 pm – 2:50 pm in the theater at NPL.

Moms & Mimosas, Local Street Eats, Nashua, NH – Mother’s Day deserves bubbles, brunch, and a little DIY fun. Bring Mom, Grandma, and the whole brunch crew and celebrate the Local way. Reservations are now open and will fill quickly! Book your table today. Come hungry. Leave obsessed. This event will take place on Sunday, May 10. Reserve a spot here.

Planning Ahead?

May 9: 50th Annual Crafts in the Park, Andover, MA

May 15-16: St. Philip Greek Food Festival, Nashua, NH

May 15-16: 2026 Northeast Coffee Festival, Concord, NH

May 16: In Our Roots Annual Multicultural Fashion, Manchester, NH

May 16: Family STEM Day at Nashua High School South, Nashua, NH

May 21: Ink Link Publisher’s Crawl, Nashua, NH

May 21: 2026 Historic Preservation Awards, Manchester, NH

May 22: Renaissance on the Riverwalk, Nashua, NH

May 22: Nashua Republican City Committee 80s Dance Party, Nashua, NH

May 28: 2026 Taco Tour Manchester, Manchester, NH

June 27: Manchester Pride Parade & Festival, Manchester, NH