FIRST FRIDAYS
Free Arts & Cultural Experiences in the Heart of New London
First Friday of the month • New London, New Hampshire
Start your month with something to see, hear, discover, or experience.
First Fridays at the Center for the Arts bring free arts and cultural experiences to New London and the surrounding community throughout the year. From gallery strolls and live music to theater previews, hands-on activities, and special community events, each First Friday offers a new way to connect with the arts.
Gather a friend, bring the family, meet your neighbors, and make First Friday part of your month.
All First Friday events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.
Upcoming First Fridays
September 4, 2026
Gallery Stroll
4 Microgalleries • One Evening • Art Throughout New London
Explore new exhibitions, meet artists, and discover original artwork in five local venues during our September Gallery Stroll.
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Participating Microgalleries:
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Grounds — Alison Vernon
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New London Inn — Reiko Seymour
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Blue Loon Bakery — Karen Haskell & Sara Rae
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Tatewell Gallery — Peter Jacoby
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Make an evening of it and stroll from one location to the next while experiencing art throughout the community.
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October 2, 2026
Northern Stage Theater Preview
Get a first look at Northern Stage's upcoming 2026–2027 season
Meet members of the Northern Stage creative team and cast and hear what's coming to the stage in the year ahead. This special First Friday event offers an opportunity to discover new productions, meet the people behind them, and get a preview of the performances to come.
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Location: To be announced
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Details Coming Soon
November 6, 2026
Gallery Stroll
Discover New Art Throughout New London
Our November Gallery Stroll brings new exhibitions and opening receptions to five Microgallery locations throughout town.
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Participating locations:
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Grounds
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New London Inn
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Bar Harbor Bank — Main Street
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Blue Loon Bakery
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Tatewell Gallery
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Visit one location or make an evening of it and explore them all.
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December 4, 2026
Holiday Concert
Celebrate the season with an evening of holiday music performed by the Upper Valley Ringers
Enjoy the sounds of handbells and seasonal favorites in the Black Box Theater at Colby-Sawyer College.
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Location: Black Box Theater, Colby-Sawyer College
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Details Coming Soon
Looking Back: 2026 First Fridays
From gallery openings to poetry, theater, music, and community celebrations, our 2026 First Friday season has brought the arts into many different corners of the New London community.
August 7, 2026
Drop-In Arts at the CFA Center
Part of this year's Hospital Days Celebration
As part of New London's Hospital Days celebration, CFA welcomed families and community members to the Center for the Arts for drop-in arts and crafts.
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July 3, 2026
CFA Scholarship Celebration
Part of the Bandstand Concert
We gathered at the Mary Haddad Bandstand in New London for a summer concert and celebrated the recipients of the 2026 CFA Scholarships.
June 5, 2026
New London Barn Playhouse Open Rehearsal
Guests gathered at the New London Barn Playhouse for an inside look at an upcoming summer production
The open rehearsal was followed by a Q&A with the directors, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the process of bringing a production to the stage.
May 1, 2026
Gallery Stroll
Our May Gallery Stroll celebrated new exhibitions at five New London-area venues
Grounds — Jean Twombly
The New London Inn — Carol Belliveau
Blue Loon Bakery — Jake Levin & A. Garrett Evans
Tatewell Gallery — Paul Buffum
CFA Gallery — Emergence
April 10, 2026
Poetry Night at the Newbury Library
The 2026 theme was America's 250th Birthday
An evening of poetry featuring readings by winners of the Annual Poetry Contest, along with special guest poet Jimmy Pappas, winner of the Rattle Chapbook Contest.
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The event was sign-language interpreted.
March 6, 2026
Art + Design Faculty Exhibition
W. Dale and JoAnn Franke Overfield ’69 Art + Design Faculty Exhibition
William H. and Sonja Carlson '56 Davidow Fine Art Gallery, Colby-Sawyer College
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This special exhibition featured drawings, paintings, sculpture, ceramics, photography, graphic design, and mixed-media works by current faculty members in the Art + Design program.
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The exhibition ran through March 25, 2026, with First Friday visitors invited to enjoy the exhibition and light refreshments.
February 6, 2026
Microgallery Stroll
The 2026 First Friday season began with a stroll through four Microgalleries in New London
Grounds — Darrell Clemmer
The New London Inn — Doug Carey
Blue Loon Bakery — Debbie Campbell
Tatewell Gallery — Heidi Lorenz & Paula Meskimen
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Make First Friday Part of Your Month
There's always something new to discover.
Whether you're interested in visual art, theater, music, poetry, hands-on creativity, or simply spending time in the community, First Fridays offer an easy way to experience something different each month.
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Save the first Friday of the month and come see what's happening.​
Stay in the loop
First Friday events are announced through the Center for the Arts newsletter and social media.