Halloween Events
Celebrate Halloween in Portsmouth
Fall in Portsmouth and the Seacoast is a special time of year for us. Check out some spooky-fun events and things to do for all ages in October and the Halloween season.
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Portsmouth Halloween Parade - October 31, 7 p.m.
Everyone is invited to dress up, gather at Pierce Island by Prescott Park, and march. No sign-up required. The Parade is NOT a city-sponsored event. It is entirely funded and put on by the community, which rallies a number of benefits to raise funds to cover expenses of insurance, permits and police escort. Hundreds march in costume, thousands cheer from the sidelines, it’s always a spectacle from either side of the curb. — Friday, October 31 at 7 pm
Ghosts on the Banke
Step into Halloween magic as you trick-or-treat outdoors from house to historic house, guided by the glow of carved pumpkins, candle boxes, and string lights in Portsmouth’s oldest waterfront neighborhood. Meet wayward pirates and a mysterious fortune-teller, listen to ghostly tales echoing through the night, and warm up by the All Hallows Bonfire. Create giant spider webs, dance to haunting tunes, and play games for prizes. Dare to knock on the witch’s door and ask for a treat—if you’re brave enough!
Scarecrows of the Port
SCARECROWS OF THE PORT is a grass-roots event, and is the culmination of ideas brought forth by representatives of the following organizations: Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce; Downtown Business Association; West End Business Association; State Street Business Association; Deer Street Merchants Association; Tenants Association at Pease; and Seacoast Buy Local.
Early October Through October 31, 2025
Coven’s Cauldron Beer Release at Loaded Question*
Loaded Question 909 Islington St, Portsmouth, NH, United States
Loaded Question is creating a dark lager called Coven’s Cauldron in support of the Portsmouth Halloween Parade! It releases on Sun Sept 28, but will be available all season!
An evening with Lady Luck Burlesque*
3S Artspace 319 Vaughan St, Portsmouth, NH, United States
3S Artspace warmly welcomes Lady Luck Burlesque to our stage for a fundraising show to support the Portsmouth Halloween Parade of 2025!
Join us for an extraordinary evening of mesmerizing performances and captivating glamour as Lady Luck Burlesque and Bunny Wonderland take center stage. With a legacy spanning over 13 years, Lady Luck Burlesque has consistently filled venues throughout the Seacoast region. Adorned in opulent costumes and choreographed with finesse, Lady Luck Burlesque pays homage to the art of seduction in its most dazzling form. Prepare to be spellbound by the poise, grace, and unwavering confidence of their dancers as they embody sensuality with sophistication and charm. Proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to the Portsmouth Halloween Parade & Lady Luck Burlesque!
Munster Mash
Cheese Louise 76 Congress St, Portsmouth, NH, United StatesJoin us at Cheese Louise in Portsmouth NH for a Munster Mash celebrating the Portsmouth Halloween Parade. Come get your cheesy fix while supporting the parade!
The 20th (I Gotta) Rock Show*
The Press Room 77 Daniel St, Portsmouth, NH, United StatesAbout (I Gotta) Rock! Show The tradition continues on Friday Oct 10th when the 20th Annual (I Gotta) Rock! Show returns to the stage of The Press Room. The Rock Show includes the much-anticipated announcement of our next Grand Marshal, kick-ass raffle prizes, and of course, fantastic music! Bands: North Village and Kourchera
Tattoo Flash Day
Grim North Tattoo and Piercing 167 High St, Portsmouth, NH, United StatesLet’s get Halloween started early! Grim North is hosting a walk in tattoo flash day to raise money for the Portsmouth Halloween Parade. Show up to this walk in tattoo event on Sat October 11st. Pick a tattoo design from over 100 designs and the profits go to the Halloween parade.
New England Curiosities: Spooky Art Fair*
Fox Run Mall 50 Fox Run Road, Newington, NH, United StatesArt fair at New England Curiosities in the mall at Fox run. A collaboration with New England Curiosities and WSCA. There will be a live DJ and radio broadcast! Come support your local artists and the Portsmouth Halloween Parade. The Portsmouth Halloween Parade is a 501(c)3 grassroots, all-inclusive celebration of community, creativity, and free expression that walks, stalks, dances, trumpets, and drums its way through downtown Portsmouth each year on October 31st at 7 pm. Everyone is invited to dress up, gather at Peirce Island, and march. No sign-up is required.
The Parade is independently organized – it is not a City-sponsored event. It is entirely funded and put on by the community, which rallies many benefits to raise funds to cover expenses of insurance, permits, and police detail. Hundreds march in costume, thousands cheer from the sidelines, it’s always a spectacle from either side of the curb.
Bartenders after Dark*
BRGR Bar 34 Portwalk Place, Portsmouth, NH, United StatesJoin the good fiends at BRGR Bar for Bartenders After Dark! There’ll be a cocktail competition, music, and raffle, with a portion of proceeds benefitting the Portsmouth Halloween Parade.
Scary-oke*
Daniel Street Tavern 111 Daniel St, Portsmouth, NH, United StatesJoin us for scary-oke to benefit the Portsmouth Halloween Parade! Wear your costume and join us at the Daniel Street Tavern for a night of ghoulish fun singing your heart out. Portsmouth Halloween Parade merchandise and tickets for raffle prizes will be for sale. Jell-O shot sales will also benefit the parade!
Pumpkin SMASH*
Portsmouth Farmers’ Market 1 Junkins Ave, Portsmouth, NH, United StatesSMASH a pumpkin – it’s that easy. Pick a pumpkin from the pile, choose from an arsenal of mallets, two-by-fours, or the trusty ol’ Louisville Slugger, and swing away.
Dover’s Witches Market*
Dover City Hall Auditorium 288 Central Ave, Dover, NH, United StatesThe Dover’s Witches Market is a FREE annual event that is located at the Dover City Hall Auditorium and outside along the mystical paths of Central Avenue in Dover, New Hampshire.
Flatbread Community Night
Flatbread Company Portsmouth 138 Congress St, Portsmouth, NH, United StatesCommunity night at Flatbread Pizza benefit will benefit the Portsmouth Halloween Parade. You come hungry, Flatbread will provide the pizza for dining in or take out.
Undead Beat Night
The Press Room 77 Daniel St, Portsmouth, NH, United StatesOpen mic readings of horrific tales old and new, curses, wailings, and all things Spooken-word. Come and share your prose with us. Raffle prizes, beverages, costumes, and all-around great fun!
7th Annual Halloween Costume Paddle Contest
Pierce Island Boat Ramp Pierce Island Rd, Portsmouth, NH, United StatesSeacoast Paddleboard Club has teamed up with the Portsmouth Halloween Parade & Seven Rivers Paddling to host the 7th Annual Halloween Costume Paddle Contest on Sunday, October 26, 2025. Costume Paddle Contest Details: Open to all paddle craft, this freakishly fun paddle event will start at 12 pm.
Jumbo Circus Peanuts Halloween Bash
Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club 135 Congress Street, Portsmouth, NH, United StatesIt doesn’t get any more local than this. The Jumbo Circus Peanuts originally formed to be the marching band for the inaugural Portsmouth Halloween Parade in 1995. That parade started at South Mill Pond and ended at Vaughan Mall, known these days as Jimmy’s back parking lot. Now, some 30 years down the road and for the first time since 2018, the two entities are getting back together for a very special Monday night at Jimmy’s with all proceeds going to the PHP. The JCP will be opening their trick or treat bag of funk, soul, and horn-driven rock & roll for a night of dancing and revelry. Costumes are strongly encouraged.