Special Events & Trips

Just one more left! 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

Join us for a taste of summer in the winter.  Enjoy 9 holes of mini golf in the Community Campus gym and then snack on some treats after your game.  This event is free, but there is a suggested donation of $5 per person with all funds going towards sponsoring children in need to attend Recreation summer camps.  Have fun and raise money for others in your community.

REGISTER HERE: Portsmouth Recreation Department: Mini Golf Pop Up

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

  REGISTER HERE: Portsmouth Recreation Department: Be My Valentine Dance

  

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.

2026 Templates 

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

  

Portsmouth Recreation's Spring Pop-up Event: Magic Fred

Saturday, March 14 at 10:00am

Location: Community Campus Gymnasium

FREE; Everyone welcome. No registration needed, just show up!

Portsmouth Recreation's annual egg hunt at Langdon Park.

Bring your own basket to run around the park collecting eggs. Our furry, bunny friend just might make an appearance. While we love the older siblings to be on site to “help”, please note this event is for the little kids. 

• Saturday, March 28
  • Sensory Sensitive Hunt for Preschool - Grade 2: 10:00am 
  • Preschool Ages: 10:30am 
  • Grades K-2: 11:00am

Location: Langdon Park (across from City Hall on Junkins Ave). Free; Everyone Welcome.

No registration needed, just show up!

Enjoy a traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner or Boneless Chicken while listening to your favorite Irish tunes from DJ Mark Rich. A fantastic Irish show that will include Irish Step Dancers to kick off our St. Patrick’s season. 

RSVP required.

• Wednesday, March 11, leaving at 10:30am

Location: Castleton, Windham, NH.  $131 residents | $141 nonresidents

Coach bus departing from Senior Activity Center. 

St. Patrick’s Senior Luncheon featuring Brian Corcoran. Celebrate with a homemade Corned Beef Lunch and tunes of solo artist Brian Corcoran. Tap your toes or get up and dance as you let the Luck o’ the Irish take lead on this awesome day. 

RSVP required.

• Thursday, March 12 at 11:00am
  • Corned Beef Luncheon Served at 11:30am
  • Concert and Dancing from 12:00pm - 2:00pm

Location: Community Campus. $15 residents | $20 nonresidents. Pay at the door.

Enjoy a full day on your own in the Big Apple! Get dropped off in the middle of Manhatten, minutes from Rockefeller Center, Times Square & Broadway, and Central Park. You’ll have time to see a show, shop, explore museums, and so much more. Open to all ages, but children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

• Saturday, April 18, Leave Portsmouth at 5:30am

Location: Leave from Senior Activity Center. $105 residents | $115 nonresidents

The beloved annual clothing swap returns! Bring clothing, shoes and accessories from your wardrobe that you’re ready to swap for new-to-you items. Attendees bring a bag of clothing to drop off then “shop” and take home new-to-you clothes. Don’t have a bag to swap?...come shop anyway. All clothing must be in good condition.

Volunteers needed! Email Brinn at bsullivan@portsmouthnh.gov

• Saturday, April 25. 10:00am - 2:00pm

Location: Community Campus Gymnasium. Free

No registration needed, just show up!

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. 

No need to RSVP, just show up!

• Friday, May 1: 3 Shades of Gray, 3:00pm
• Friday, May 15: North River Music, 3:00pm
• Friday, May 22: The Reminisants, 3:00pm
• Friday, July 17: Special EVENING Summer Party - Bad Penny, 6:00pm

• Friday, July 31: 2 of Us Beatles Acoustic Duo, 4:00pm

  Location: Portsmouth Senior Activity Center. Free.

The City of Portsmouth announces the following Memorial Day 2026 observances:

• Friday, May 22, 11:00am
  • Annual Wreath-Laying Ceremony will be held in Prescott Park by the anchor sculpture. The ceremony includes a wreath-laying on the Piscataqua River to honor those service members lost at sea. This event will be rain or shine.
• Monday, May 25: Services will be announced closer to the event

Bring your bikes to ride the obstacle course, take a group ride into the neighborhood for a “rules of the road” ride, and biking information tables. Hosted by Seacoast Area Bike Riders and Portsmouth Recreation. This is a fun way for children and families to learn more about biking opportunities in our area as well as safety resources.

• Sunday, May 31, 1:00 - 3:00pm

Location: Dondero School – back parking lot (outside event). Free; Everyone welcome.

No registration needed - just show up!

Grandparent/Grandchild events return this summer! Grandparents or grandfriends, bring the kids to the Senior Activity Center for outdoor fun and treats. Each event will feature an outside activity on our front lawn with ice cream!

• Annual Foam Party
  • Wednesday, June 3. 4:00pm - 5:30pm
• The Silver Circus: One Man Circus Show
  • Friday, August 14. 4:00pm - 5:30pm

Location: Senior Activity Center. $10 per family

REGISTER HERE

Featuring The GemsTones Band

Live music for dancing! Heavy hors d ’oeuvres and appetizers served with a couple fun surprises to kick off summer. Wear your favorite 50's attire!  

RSVP required by calling 603-610-4433 or stop by the Senior Activity Center.

• Friday, June 26. 4:00 - 6:00pm

Location: Senior Activity Center. $10 residents | $15 nonresidents. Pay at the door.

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

Celebrating America's 250th - a spectacular fireworks display sponsored by Wilcox Industries.

• Thursday, July 3 at 9:15pm
  • Rain Date: July 5

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

Visit the City’s website for parking and street closure information closer to the event

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

• Thursday, July 16, 11:30am

RSVP required 603-610-4433. Pay at the door.

Location: Community Campus Gymnasium. $7 resident | $10 nonresident

The New Hampshire Senior Games (NHSG) gives active, older adults the opportunity to compete with peers in a variety of activities and, more importantly, to enhance their fitness, health and quality of life. Table Tennis is just one of the many games offered each year. 

For more information on this and other senior games, visit www.nhseniorgames.org

• Saturday August 15. Warmup at 9:00am; Tournament begins at 9:30am
  • Round Robin tournament hosted by NH Senior Games.

Location: Community Campus

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

First Saturday of December - every year.

Saturday, December 5, 2026

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.