Special Events & Trips

• Sign ups for fall/winter activities begin on Monday, August 18 at 9:00am for residents. Nonresident sign ups begin on Monday, August 25 at 9:00am.
• Basketball sign ups begin on Tues, September 2 at 9:00am.
• Sign ups for The Big E have already started

The Big E - The 4th Largest Fair in North America

• Saturday, September 20
• 8:00am Departure | 7:30pm Return
• $80 Resident | $85 Nonresident

Coach Bus to and from the fair and admission is included. Let the Rec do the driving and parking while you and your family enjoy the fair.

The Big E is the largest event on the East Coast and the fourth largest fair in North America. Attendees can enjoy hours of free entertainment and attractions, terrific food, plus the best that New England—and beyond—has to offer. Highlights include authentic New Orleans Mardi Gras in The Big Parade, an immersive Ireland adventure in the International Plaza’s Dingle Peninsula Showcase, North American Midway, as well as countless educational opportunities from the Avenue of States to Storrowton Village Museum, Farm-A-Rama and more. The Big E offers a diverse and vibrant experience to visitors from throughout the country. CLICK HERE for more information about The Big E.

Resource fair with vendor tables, local activities, balance tests, health info and more. 

• Thursday, September 18, 9:00am-12:00pm
• FREE and open to the public; No pre-registration needed, just show up
• Location: Community Campus

Vendor sign-ups have begun. Reach out to senior center at 603-610-4433

• Birds and the Fall Migration: Saturday, September 20, 6:30am-8:30am
• Salt Marsh Exploration: Saturday, October 4, 9:00am-10:00am
• The Hidden Parcel: Saturday, October 25, 9:00am-11:00am

All natural history programs are FREE but do require registration.

Birds and the Fall Migration: Saturday, September 20 from 6:30 - 8:30am

• Bird behavior and migration are wonders of our natural world. Learn why birds migrate, how they find resources to survive migration, and explore some of Portsmouth’s coastal birding spots & great conservation land. We will walk to the inner harbor and the trails on the Portsmouth conservation land and the Creek Farm next door. Family program with children 12 and older, 20-person limit, approximately a 2-mile walk. Bring binoculars.
• Location: Meet at the Wentworth Coolidge Mansion

Salt Marsh Exploration: Saturday, October 4 from 9:00 – 10:00am

• Fall is the best time to explore our coastal salt marshes. We’ll explore the salt marsh at the Urban Forestry Center and learn about the plants and animals that inhabit the marsh. Together, we will learn species survival strategies and general ecology of the salt marsh. 20-person limit, family program with children 12 and older.
• Location: Meet in the parking lot of the Urban Forestry Center

The Hidden Parcel: Saturday, October 25, 9:00 - 11:00am

• Explore one of Steve’s favorite public parcels of land! We’ll learn about this local wildlife corridor; the trees, walking trails and pond. 20-person limit, family program with children 12 and older.
• Location: Meet at the Park & Ride on Rt 33, Portsmouth (across from The Great Bog) 

Instructor: Steve Miller 

Steve is a member of the Portsmouth Recreation Department staff and works as a Lifeguard at the Indoor Pool. He has over 40 years’ experience as an environmental educator, providing science-based training and resources to municipal decision makers, as well as developing and implementing outdoor programming on marine ecology/natural history for students in grade school through adults. He earned a MS in Ecosystem Ecology and Wildlife, and a BS in Zoology.

Register Here

Grandparent & Grandchild Video Gaming & Pizza Party Night: Are you a grandparent of older kiddos who love to play video games? Do you wonder what they are talking about when they speak about video games? Studios2Go will be onsite to teach grandparents and grand-friends alike what Mario Kart and Minecraft games are all about! We’ll then step onto the Video Game truck to play each game with the kids. Pizza, too! 

• Wednesday, September 24, 4:00pm-6:00pm
• Location: Senior Activity Center.
• Fee: Residents $10 per family | Nonresidents $15 per family
• RSVP Required: 603-610-4433

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 3, 4:30pm
• Location: Senior Activity Center.
• Residents $10 per family | Nonresidents $15 per family
• RSVP Required: 603-610-4433

Grand Splash! Grandparent & Me Open Swim (early release school day): Play, connection, and creating joyful memories together in a warm, welcoming pool. This is a dedicated time for grandparents and little ones to splash, float, and have fun on an early release day from Portsmouth schools. 

• Ages 5-12 years (with grandparent or caregiver).
• Wednesday December 10, 1:30-2:45pm
• Location: Portsmouth Indoor Pool.
• Residents $10 per family | Nonresidents $15 per family
• Pre-registration Required 603-610-4433

Haunted Trail: Join us for a Family Friendly Spooky Walk to kick off Halloween! Trail closes before it turns dark.

• Friday, October 17 from 4:00-7:00pm
• Location: Community Campus Trail
• Free for everyone; no pre-registration required

5th 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 25 from 11:00am-2:00pm
• Location: Community Campus Field
• Free; Everyone welcome

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

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

Pre-registration Required!

Splash away the winter blues with fun, games and music in the pool! Children under 45" must be accompanied in the water by an adult. Changing rooms on site.

• Friday, November 7
• Friday, December 5
• Friday, January 2
• Friday, February 6

Time: 3:30-5:00pm

Location: Portsmouth Indoor Pool. 

Fee: Residents Free (Preregistration required) | Nonresidents $5 (Preregistration required)

Register Here

• Saturday, October 4 from 8am-12:30pm
• Location: Community Campus
• Free; everyone welcome; No pre-registration needed, just show up!

French toast breakfast with ceremony to honor all veterans. All who served welcome to attend. 

• Thursday, November 13, 9:00am Breakfast | 9:30am Remarks & Thanks | 10:00am Quilt ceremony
• Location: Senior Activity Center, 125 Cottage Street, Portsmouth
• FREE and open to all who served
• RSVP Required: 603-610-4433

Register Here

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

• Saturday, November 22
• 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 our annual food drive. Food is donated to local food pantries.
• Registration not required - just show up!

Thanksgiving Luncheon & Craft Fair at Community Campus: Combine your holiday shopping and a Thanksgiving meal. 

• Thursday, November 20. | Craft Fair 9:30am-1:30pm | Lunch Served 11:30am
• Location: Community Campus.
• Lunch: Residents $7 | Nonresidents $10. Craft Fair is free to attend.
• RSVP Required: 603-610-4433

Holiday Luncheon: Homemade Ham Dinner with festive holiday music and entertainment. 

• Thursday, December 18, 11:30am Lunch Served (doors open at 10:00am)
• Location: Community Campus
• Residents $7 | Nonresidents $10
• RSVP REquired: 603-610-4433

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!

• Send in/drop off your letters anytime after November 26
• Letters will be mailed home December 1-20
• Following December 20, the ride to and from the North Pole is too long for a timely response. The Elves try, but no guarantees.

Mail your letters to Santa's Mailbox, Community Campus, 100 Campus Drive or look for Santa's mailbox at the Community Campus or Connie Bean.

First Saturday of December - every year.

Saturday, December 6, 2025

The Portsmouth Holiday Parade is an annual favorite for people across the seacoast! The parade takes place each year on the 1st Saturday of December. The event is free and open to all. The evening begins in Market Square with the Mayor and City Council hosting the Tree Lighting Ceremony from 5:00-5:30pm. The parade then kicks off at 6:00pm and marches down Islington St., arriving in Market Square approximately 20-30 minutes later.

Check out the Holiday Parade Page for all the information.

SAVE THE DATE: Friday, December 12

Stay tuned for more details

Group trip to The Music Hall in downtown Portsmouth to see the Broadway musical production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. Bus transportation from Senior Activity Center to front door of Music Hall. No hassles with parking or traffic. Ages 12+ welcome.

• Wednesday, December 17
• 12:45pm departure for 1:30pm show
• $75 per person; inclues ticket and transportation

The Ogunquit Playhouse’s production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas returns to The Music Hall this holiday season. Packed full of dazzling dance numbers, iconic songs such as “Happy Holiday,” “Sisters,” “Blue Skies,” and the beloved title song, as well as actors straight from Broadway, you aren’t going to want to miss this “holiday card come to life.”

The magic of Broadway swings into the Historic Theater with spectacular dance numbers, nostalgic songs, and a few surprises that are sure to wow you.

Register Here

Ring in the New Year in style and countdown to “midnight” with a New Year’s Eve Premiere Brunch Cruise aboard the Odyssey on the Boston Harbor. 

• Wednesday, December 31, leaving the Senior Activity Center at 9:00am
• Residents $132 | Nonresident $142
• Complete flyer at Senior Activity Center. RSVP Required: 603-610-4433

Lego Discovery Center AND Museum of Ice Cream

SAVE THE DATE: Monday, January 19 (MLK Jr Day)

Stay tuned for more details

Portsmouth’s annual tribute to the love we have for our community! Let’s show ourselves, each other, and our community 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.

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

• Hearts available online, at the senior center or at the campus as of January 12.
• Deadline to submit hearts is Monday, February 9
• Hearts hung on tree Friday, February 13 by noonish
• Hearts displayed on the tree February 13 - February 16

This is Portsmouth Rec's longstanding annual dance for fathers/daughters, mothers/sons, grandparents/grandchildren to dress up and enjoy a family friendly dance party. Our DJ plays popular kids music along with traditional group dance hits. The Rec lays out the red carpet, provides a self-serve photo shoot and light refreshments. Come dressed to impress and in your dancing shoes. 

• Saturday, February 7 from 6:00-8:00pm
• Location: Community Campus Gym
• $20 per family | $25 at the door
• Light refreshments served

Portsmouth’s summer spectacular. Everyone Welcome! Street closures and parking information will be available closer to the event.

• SUMMER 2026 - More information to come.

  Thursday, July 3 at 9:15pm

  • Rain Date: July 5

Location: South Mill Pond/Parrott & Junkins Ave area. Free; Open to the public.

July 2026 - TBA

Ages 50+ welcome. Hot dogs & Hamburgers served. Help us celebrate summer and seniors!

RSVP required 603-610-4433

• Thursday, July 24 at 11:30am

Location: Community Campus Gymnasium