Special Events & Trips

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.

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

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

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.

Feast your eyes on the beautiful costumes and amazing footwork of the Nutcracker. The audience gets to enjoy watching the holiday celebrations of Clara's friends and family, followed by a glimpse into her dream world. There, Nutcrackers battle rats, fairies dance, and culinary delights come to life. 
Price includes an Orchestra level seat, round trip coach bus service to the Boston Opera House and all gratuities. 

Friday, December 12. Leaving from the Senior Activity Center at 5:30pm for the 7:30pm show. Run time is approx. two hours with intermission.

Residents $91 | Nonresidents $101

Register Here

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 - FULL
• 12:45pm departure for 1:30pm show
• $75 per person; includes 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 $151 | Nonresident $161
• Complete flyer at Senior Activity Center. RSVP Required: 603-610-4433

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 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

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

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