A festival · Since 2008
The Thing in the Spring
2027 · June 11 to 13, 2027
Three days of music and art every spring, bringing the outside world into Keene and connecting a lot of different undergrounds in one place.
The lineup · June 11 to 13, 2027
2027
The Thing in the Spring returns to downtown Keene. Dates and the first names to come.
Friday6/11
Nova Arts
Saturday6/12
Nova Arts
Sunday6/13
Nova Arts
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Last time · May 15 to 17, 2026
2026
The 18th Thing! Artwork by Aran Marciniak
Friday5/15
Nova Arts
- Yasmin Williams
- Delicate Steve
- Jack in the Green
- Wendy Eisenberg
- Emily A. Sprague
- Dinger
Saturday5/16
Nova Arts
The headline show is at the Colonial, with a parade from Nova to get there.
- Ghostface Killahat the Colonial Theatre
- Sammusat the Colonial Theatre
- Natural Information Society
- Undertow Brass Band
- Kalia Vandever
- Cole Pulice
- Gregory Uhlmann
- Monadnock Music plays Katie Semro
- John-Francis QuiñonezReading
- Diannely AntiguaReading
- Jess RizkallahReading
- Maya WilliamsReading
- A parade with the Undertow Brass Band from Nova to the ColonialParade
Sunday5/17
Nova Arts
- Woods
- Saintseneca
- Thanya Iyer
- Habitat
- Nova One
- Edsel Axle
- Mary Elizabeth Remington
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About · Since 2008
The Thing
The Thing in the Spring was founded in 2008 by Eric Gagne, Mary Goldthwaite, and Ryan Wilson in Peterborough, NH. Over the years it was incorporated into a nonprofit called The Glass Museum and stewarded by a generous and capable board of directors. After one last big show in September 2021, Long Live the Thing, that nonprofit was dissolved, and The Thing now calls Nova Arts home.
The mission of bringing the outside world in, and of connecting myriad undergrounds in accessible ways, was always part of The Thing in the Spring. Those ideas are central to what Nova Arts is about as well, so it’s quite the perfect fit. We now run Nova and The Thing with a new board of directors, and we are still fiscally sponsored by Arts Alive.
Photographs by Elisabeth Fuchsia (2013 to 2019), Tim Gurczak (2008 to 2012), and Cait Molloy (2011). Images from The Thing in Keene are by Jim Murphy.
Visiting · Keene NH
Where and how
Nova Arts
48 Emerald Street, Keene NH
Indoor and outdoor stages, on a block shared with a café, a coffee roaster, a flower shop, a record shop, and an open art studio.
The Colonial Theatre
95 Main Street, Keene NH
Home of the Saturday headline show, co-presented with the Colonial Performing Arts Center.
Is it all ages?
Yes. Every show is all ages, so read the descriptions and use your judgement about what suits your group. If you're over 21 and want a drink, bring ID.
What's the policy on behavior?
This is a safe space. Racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, and ableism will not be tolerated.
Can I get a refund?
Music and event tickets are non-refundable. Thanks for understanding.
Is there a pay-what-you-can option?
Every ticketed Nova show has one. See Access For All.
What else is there to do?
Stay for the day. The block at 48 Emerald Street has food, coffee, flowers, and records; downtown Keene is a short walk; and there's the rail trail, swimming holes, and Peterborough or Brattleboro nearby.
Underwrite The Thing
If you or your business would like to help bring three days of music and art to downtown Keene, we'd love to talk.