Yearly Events
Listed below are the events the Recreation Department holds throughout every year. The date listed is for the next time this event will happen. For more information on these events, please see the event calendar page, or call the Recreation Department at 427-1547.
Father-
Daughter Valentine's Day Dance
The Portsmouth Recreation Department cordially invites all girls in grades K-5 and their dads (or grandfathers, uncles, brother, or any other special adult!) to attend our 24th Annual Father-Daughter Valentine Dance on Saturday, February 9, 2019 from 6:00-8:30 pm at the Portsmouth Middle School Cafeteria.
Easter Egg Hunt
Come join the Recreation Department in an old fashioned Easter Egg Hunt, to be held on Saturday, April 13, 2019. The hunt is held at Langdon Park, located across from City Hall on Junkins Ave. During the hunt there will also be face painting, activities and a visit from the Easter Bunny! There will be separate hunts for preschoolers only and for children in grades K-2.
Mother-Son Dance 
The Portsmouth Recreation Department will be sponsoring a Mother-Son Dance on Saturday, May 12, 2018 from 6:00-8:00pm at the Portsmouth Middle School Cafe. All mothers (or sisters, grandmothers, aunts or any other special adult!) and sons in grades K-5 are invited to attend. Cost is $15 per couple and includes a Hawaiian Lei for all.
2018 Summer Registration Night
Registration for residents for youth sports and camps will be May 29- June 1 from 5:00-8:00pm at the Connie Bean Recreation Center. Eligible non-residents may register on Thursday, May 31.
Beginning Monday, June 4, all registrations will more to the Spinnaker Point Adult Recreation Center.
You may sign up only one family at a time. If you are unable to attend, you may send someone in your place who is not already registering a child.
Fourth of July Fireworks 
The City of Portsmouth and Wilcox Industries will be sponsoring the annual fireworks display on Tuesday, July 3, 2018 at the South Mill Pond across from Portsmouth City Hall beginning at 9:15pm. (Rain date is Thursday, July 5 at 9:15pm). Portsmouth has a long-standing tradition of hosting one of the seacoast area's finest fireworks displays!
Senior Center Summer Cookout
Thursday, July 26, 2018 at 12:00pm at the Community Campus Gym. The cost is $7.00 per person. Arrive anytime after 10:30am to socialize. Reservations are required by calling the Senior Activity Center at 603-610-4433.
Special thanks to Wentworth Senior Living for their sponsorship of the Senior Luncheon Program.
New York City Family Shopping Day
Saturday, November 10, 2018. Come with your family or friends and spend the day in New York City for holiday shopping and sightseeing. Children are welcome on this trip but must be accompanied by an adult. We will depart from Portsmouth High School at 5:30am and return at approximately 12:00am. Cost is $80 per person and includes round trip deluxe coach bus service.
Senior Center Thanksgiving Lunch & Craft Fair
Thursday, November 15, 2018 at 12:00pm at the Community Campus Gym. Arrive anytime after 10:30am to socialize. Reservations are required by calling the Senior Activity Center at 603-610-4433.
Special Thanks to Wentworth Senior Living for their sponsorship of the Senior Luncheon Program.
Turkey Shoot
Join the Portsmouth Recreation Department for the 27th annual Turkey Shoot on Saturday, November 18, 2018 from 9:00am-12:00pm. This event is for Portsmouth Residents only. Admission is FREE, but we ask everyone to bring a non-perishable food item that will be donated to a local food pantry.
This year the kids will bring home the turkey! Children grades K-5 are divided by grade and shoot basketball FOWL shots to try and win a big turkey for Thanksgiving Dinner!
Letters to Santa 
Write a letter to Santa Claus between December 1-20 and receive a personalized letter in your mailbox from Santa!
Please send your letters to:
Santa Claus, North Pole 155 Parrott Ave. Portsmouth, NH 03801
Portsmouth Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting
Join the Mayor and Portsmouth City Council to ring in the Holiday Season!
Saturday, December 1, 2018
The Tree Lighting Ceremony will begin at 5:20pm in Market Square, with the tree itself lit at 5:30pm. The parade begins its march down Islington St. at 6:00pm.
For more information visit the Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting page.