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.
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. — Thursday, October 31 at 7 pm
Friday, October 11 – Scary-oke
Join 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. A portion of all Jell-O shot sales will also benefit the parade!
@ 8:00pm
Saturday, October 12 – Tattoo Flash Day
Let’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 Saturday, October 12th. Pick a tattoo design from over 100 designs.
11:00am – 6:00pm
Sunday, October 13 – Art Market at WSCA Portsmouth Community Radio
Featuring a wide variety of local artists and vendors! And acoustic performers for ambiance! Free attendance to the public – support local artists working as artists by checking out this art market hosted by our local community radio station!
12:00pm – 5:00pm
Monday, October 14 – Bartenders After Dark
Join 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.
@ 10:00pm
Saturday, October 19 – Pumpkin Smash
SMASH 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. A Portsmouth tradition that has become the October catharsis of choice for young and old alike. SMASHing implements and personal protective equipment (PPE) supplied!
CHANGE FROM PREVIOUS YEARS: due to the increased difficulty in procuring pumpkins to SMASH, we now offer two options:
- BYOP (bring your own pumpkin) $5/SMASH
- Choose your own pumpkin $10/SMASH
We will have raffle baskets with goodies supplied by the vendors at the market, and if you haven’t gotten your new t-shirt or hoodie, you can pick one up here! All proceeds go to the Portsmouth Halloween Parade.
Rain Date: Sat Oct 26
8:00am – 12:00pm
Saturday, October 19 & 20 – Arkham Goth Night
Join us for Arkham – Portsmouth’s new goth-industrial-dark night – hosted by PINZ. Specialty goth/dark inspired late night menu. Minimum all black but creative attire encouraged.
21+ | $10 suggested donation
October 19 @ 9:30pm – October 20 @1:00am
Tuesday, October 22 – Flatbread Community Night
Community night at Flatbread Pizza benefit will benefit the Portsmouth Halloween Parade on Wednesday, October 12th. You come hungry, Flatbread will provide the pizza for dining in or take out.
Take Out: 3 – 9pm
Dine In: 4 – 9pm
Sunday, October 27 – Halloween Costume Paddle Contest & Park Cleanup
Seacoast Paddleboard Club has teamed up with the Portsmouth Halloween Parade to host the 7th Annual Halloween Costume Paddle Contest & Park Cleanup at Peirce Island on Sunday, October 27, 2024.
Peirce Island Cleanup: In an effort to protect our playground, SPC will host a one hour island cleanup beforehand. The cleanup is open to the public and bags, and gloves will be provided.
Costume Paddle Contest: Open to all paddle craft, this freakishly fun paddle will depart from the Pierce Island boat ramp. While participating in this leisurely paddle parade, participants will have a chance to shock, spook, and delight our costume judges for a chance to win some amazing prizes!
Registration for this event is $15 for SPC members and $25 for non-members and all proceeds go directly to supporting the Portsmouth Halloween Parade.
9:00am – 11:30am
Wednesday, October 30 – Undead Beat Night
Open 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!
Hosted by Bruce Pingree (our very first Grand Marshal!) and accompanied by The (always fabulous) Beat Night Band.
7:00pm – 9:30pm
Thursday, October 24 – Sunday, October 27 – Ghosts on the Banke
Ghosts on the Banke is a family-friendly Halloween trick-or-treat event hosted by the Strawbery Banke Museum! This event is held regardless of weather and includes jack-o-lantern lit pathways through the historic Strawbery Banke, activities, and prize games!
Strawbery Banke Museum, 14 Hancock St, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
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Thursday, October 24, 2024, 6:00–7:30 PM
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Friday, October 25, 2024, 5:00–6:30 PM
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Friday, October 25, 2024, 6:30–8:00 PM
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Saturday, October 26, 2024, 5:00–6:30 PM – 20% of Tickets Left!
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Saturday, October 26, 2024, 6:30–8:00 PM
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Sunday, October 27, 2024, 6:00–7:30 PM
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.
Through October 31, 2024
