The Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom is a seasonal live music venue right on the boardwalk, seating around 2,000. Despite the name it has never had anything to do with gambling — "casino" was nineteenth-century New England terminology for a public entertainment hall. The venue operates from late spring through early fall, with a calendar that mixes nostalgia acts, classic rock, country, and occasional comedy headliners.
The building has been through several incarnations since its 1899 opening but has maintained its role as the anchor of Hampton Beach entertainment. Tickets are typically general admission on the floor and reserved in the balcony. The boardwalk location means you can hear the show spilling out into the street, and concertgoers often continue the evening at the bars and restaurants nearby. Check the schedule before planning a visit — dates vary year to year.