Special Events & Trips

Discover Scotland: April 19-28, 2027

Highlights: Bagpipe Demonstration, Whisky Tasting, Isle of Skye, Loch Ness, Orkney Islands, Dunrobin Castle, Sheepdog Demonstration, Edinburgh Castle, Scottish Cooking Demonstration

Information Session Recording

Double - $5,799 per person | Single - $6,899 

More information: Discover Scotland with The Portsmouth Senior Activity Center 

Canadian Rockies & Glacier National Park: September 10-16, 2027

Highlights: Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, Waterton Lakes National Park, Glacier National Park, Going-to-the-Sun Road, Banff, Athabasca Glacier, Lake Louise, Heritage Park Historic Village

In-person information session at the Senior Activity Center: Wednesday, September 23 at 1:00pm

Double - $5,099 per person | Single - $6,299 More information: Canadian Rockies & Glacier National Park with The Portsmouth Senior Activity Center

Come for lively music and free ice cream! Each month will feature musicians that will make you want to dance out of your seat. Bring a friend to visit the center for the first time or meet your regular crew. Free; everyone welcome.

No need to RSVP, just show up!

• Friday, September 4 at 3pm: Carol Coronis - Seafaring Tunes & Greek Music

• Friday, September 25 at 2pm: Josef Nocera - Youthful and energetic renditions of hits from the 50's and 60's

• Friday, October 23 at 4pm: Peggo & Paul Hodes with Kent Allyn - feel good tunes 

Location: Portsmouth Senior Activity Center

Three Fall Walks to explore the trails around in Portsmouth.

Registration for residents begins on Mon, August 24 at 9:00pm. Nonresidents on September 8.

Guide: Local natural history walks with Steve Miller. An experienced guide with 40+ years as an environmental educator, scientific diving officer, and a Masters in Ecosystem Ecology. 20 person limit per walk. Ages 12+ welcome.

Free for Portsmouth Residents | $10 Nonresidents

Pierce Island and the Piscataqua River is the heart of Portsmouth. Learn about tides and explore the trails to view the surrounding salt marshes and harbor activities. 

• Saturday, September 26 from 9:00-11:00am
• Location: Meet in the parking lot by the Portsmouth Outdoor Pool on Pierce Island Road

Salt Marsh Exploration at Urban Forestry Center is best visited in fall to explore the coastal salt marshes. We'll focus on the plants and animals that live in the marsh, the ecology of the marsh, and the survival strategies employed by these species. 

• Saturday, October 31 from 9:00-11:00am 
• Location: Meet in the parking lot of the Urban Forestry Center

Sagamore Headlands along Urban Forestry. The Urban Forestry Center mirrors the Sagamore Headlands along Sagamore Creek and offers many opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Explore the trails and focus on tree identification and natural history. 

• Saturday, November 14 from 9:00-11:00am 

• Location: Meet in the parking lot of the Urban Forestry Center near the visitor center

  Register Here

14th Annual Seacoast Veterans Conference & Resource Fair

• Saturday, September 19. 8:00am-1:30pm (hosted by Seacoast Veterans Conference Committee)

Location: Community Campus | Free; everyone welcome

Veterans Breakfast & Quilts of Valor Ceremony: French toast breakfast with ceremony to honor all veterans. All who served welcome to attend. Quilts of Valor will present handmade quilts to nominated veterans.

• Tuesday, November 10. 9:00am Breakfast | 9:30am Remarks & Thanks | 10:00am Quilt ceremony

Location: Senior Activity Center. FREE and open to all who served.

Veterans Day Remembrance Ceremony

• Wednesday, November 11 at 11:00am

Location: Soldiers & Sailors Monument at Goodwin Park on Islington Street. Free; Everyone Welcome

Grandparents or grandfriends, bring the kids to the Senior Activity Center for fun and treats. 

Carnival Games: Studios2Go onsite with 7 inflatable carnival game stations. Play familiar games with your grandchildren. Pizza, too!

• Wednesday, September 23, 4:00-6:00pm

Location: Senior Activity Center. Residents $10 per family | Nonresidents $15 per family

Grandparent Gingerbread House Making: Grandparents, bring your grandkids or grand-friends of any age to craft a gingerbread house together - all ages welcome. Pre-registration Required.

• Wednesday, December 2, 4:30pm

Location: Senior Activity Center. Residents $10 per family | Nonresidents $15 per family

REGISTER HERE

6th Annual Fall Family Fun Fest: Join us for the Rec’s annual Fall celebration. Everyone Welcome. Costumes encouraged! Music, games, s’mores fire pit, food trucks, and lots of fun for the whole family.

• Saturday, October 24 from 11:00am-2:00pm
• Location: Community Campus
• Free; Everyone welcome

Portsmouth Trick or Treat: October 30 from 5:00-8:00pm

Halloween Parade:  October 31 at 7:00pm. Starts at Peirce Island. Organized by private non-profit group, please visit their website at www.portsmouthhalloweenparade.org

Splash away the winter blues with fun, games and music in the pool! Ages 4+. 3:30-5:00pm.

Preregistration required. These Fridays sell out quickly!

Children under 45" must be accompanied in the water by an adult. 

• Friday, November 6
• Friday, January 8 (Technically the 2nd Friday of the month...but the 1st is a holiday)
• Friday, February 5 - Sign-ups start January 4
• Friday, March 5 - Sign-ups start January 4

Location: Portsmouth Indoor Pool. Residents Free | Nonresidents $10

Group Rec trips on a coach bus. Let us do the driving and you have all the fun!

New York City Day Trip: 

Leaving early from Portsmouth, we arrive in midtown Manhattan late morning; giving you time to shop, sight-see, take in a show, visit a museum, or just enjoy the city. Travel in style via coach bus, complete with wifi, power at every seat, and restroom on board. Open to all ages, but those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Cost includes round trip transportation and driver gratuities. Bus is not handicap accessible. Residents $100 | Nonresidents $110

• Saturday, November 14

  Depart from the Senior Activity Center at 5:30am
  Drop off location in New York: Behind St. Patrick's Cathedral, at Madison & 50th St. Usual arrival time in New York is 10:30/11:00am. Pick up location is the same as drop off.
  Depart from New York at 7:30pm to return home. Usual arrival back in NH is midnight.

Boston Holiday Pops: 

Gather your loved ones and join us for an afternoon with the Boston Pops! Keith Lockhart leads his orchestra in festive favorites and enchanting new tunes. Let Holiday Pops bring sparkle and joy to your festive celebrations. Price includes an Balcony level seat and round trip coach bus service to the Boston Opera House. Residents $115 | Nonresidents $125

• Saturday, December 12

  Depart from the Senior Activity Center at 1:00pm for 3:00pm show. Should be back to Portsmouth about 6:30pm.

Family & Teen Ski Trip: 

Join the Portsmouth Recreation Department this February for a day on the slopes of Pat’s Peak in Henniker, NH. Experience the thrill of skiing in the heart of New England with a trip that includes transportation, lift tickets, and rentals if needed. Whether you’re a seasoned skier or trying it for the first time, this adventure promises fun for everyone. 

Sign up now and hit the slopes with us! Price includes lift ticket, rental, and coach bus transportation to and from the mountain. Ski/ride lesson can be added at the mountain for an additional $20. 

Grades 6-12 can attend on their own; Grades K-5 with a grown-up. Residents $105 | Nonresidents $120

• Monday, February 22 (Snow date Thursday, February 25)

Kids shoot FOWL shots to try to bring home a Thanksgiving surprise. Parents stay on site to cheer kiddos on (or help rebound balls).

• Saturday, November 21
  • Grades K-1 9:00am 
  • Grades 2-3 9:45am 
  • Grade 4-5 10:30am

Location: Connie Bean Gym. Event is free, but we ask everyone to bring donations for a food drive. Food is donated to local food pantries - let’s fill those pantry shelves!

No reservation needed - just show up.

Every year Santa asks the Rec Department to be his mail carrier. We love the responsibility! The more personalized your letter to Santa, the more personal his response can be. Don't forget to include return address so Santa knows where to mail his reply. FREE

• Santa’s Letters will be mailed home December 1-20
• Make sure to get your letters to Santa in time for a response

Mail your letters to 100 Campus Drive, Portsmouth, NH 03801 

-or- 

Look for Santa's mailbox at the Community Campus or Connie Bean Center.

First Saturday of December - every year.

Saturday, December 5, 2026

The Portsmouth Holiday Parade is an annual favorite for people across the seacoast! Free and open to all. 

5:00-5:30pm: The evening begins in Market Square with the Mayor and City Council hosting the Tree Lighting Ceremony 

6:00pm: The parade then kicks off from Islington Street (Goodwin Park) and marches down Islington St., arriving in Market Square approximately 20-30 minutes later. 

For complete spectator information, street closures and how to participate in the Holiday Parade Page, please click on the link.

NEW online registration offered in 2026! Deadline for participation is Mon, November 23.

Portsmouth Recreation is Supercalifragilisticexpialidociously excited to host a kids field trip to see Mary Poppins, the Music Hall’s 2026 holiday musical on December’s Early Release day. 

Transportation from the Portsmouth Elementary Schools is available. If you plan on utilizing the bussing option from Dondero, Little Harbour, or New Franklin, please update your Pick-Up Patrol account. 

Kids K-5 can join us for this Jolly Holiday!

• Wednesday, December 9, 1:30pm

Location: Community Campus. Residents $55 | Nonresidents $65

New in 2026, Portsmouth Recreation is hosting a Polar Express themed party. We’ll make paper snowflakes, drink hot chocolate, and read the Polar Express.

• Thursday, December 17. 5:30-7:00pm

Location: Community Campus Gym. Resident $5 | Nonresident $15

New in 2026, Portsmouth Recreation is hosting a Pre-K party with a fairy and dragon theme. Children (and parents) can come dressed in themed attire and be ready to have some fun. Crafts, Music, Storytelling & Snacks. When signing up your children, please let us know how many adults will be joining them.

• Saturday, January 9. 10:00-11:30am

Location: Community Campus Gym. Resident $5 | Nonresident $15

Portsmouth Rec’s Annual Valentine’s Dance with DJ & dancing. This year we’re adding pizza & subs for dinner and moving the date to Friday night! Fancy attire encouraged.

• NEW - Dance is moving to a Friday Night! Friday, February 5, 6:00-8:00pm

Location: Community Campus Gym. $30 per family | $35 at the door.

An afternoon of jazz music and special time with friends.

• Friday, February 12 at 4:00pm

Location: Senior Activity Center. 

Resident $5 | Nonresident $10 pay at the door

Portsmouth’s annual tribute to the love we have for our community! Let’s show ourselves, our friends & families, our businesses, and each other some love as we decorate the tree in Market Square with Valentines. Create your own or use our templates. Individuals, families and businesses are welcome to contribute valentines. The more creative - the better!

Valentines can be dropped off or mailed to Community Campus, 100 Campus Drive

• Hearts available online, at the Senior Center, or at the Campus as of January 11.
• Deadline to submit hearts is Friday, February 5
• Hearts hung on tree Monday, February 8 (thanks to your feedback, we are hanging them for the whole week!)
• Hearts displayed on the tree February 8 - February 15

Save the Date!

• Saturday, March 20 (rain date: March 27)

Location: Langdon Park (across from City Hall)

More details to come in early 2027