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. — Monday, October 31 at 7 pm
Saturday, October 1 – (I Gotta) Rock Show
The annual tradition continues on Saturday, Oct. 1st, at 7pm (doors) when the 17th annual (I Gotta) Rock! Show/PHP fundraiser returns to the stage of The Press Room. The Rock Show is includes the much anticipated announcement of our 2022 Grand Marshal, kick-ass raffle prizes, and of course, music!
The Press Room, 77 Daniel St, Portsmouth, NH
Sunday, October 2 – Legends, Ghosts & Graves Tour
Hosted by “Portsmouth Hauntings” author Roxie Zwicker, this is an extended ghost tour that visits historical sites that may be populated by ghosts and ghouls galore! Listen to Roxie as she tells tales of times past and recounts journal entries depicting the bone-chilling experiences of Portsmouth residents long past.
The Press Room, 77 Daniel St, Portsmouth, NH
Monday, October 3 – Bartenders After Dark
Come join us for a cocktail competition between 3 local bartenders as we go over the bridge to Kittery’s Corner Pub. The cocktails will be judged by a panel of judges and one bartender will be named the PHP Spirit Master! A limited number of all 3 cocktails will be available for purchase by attendees.
The Corner Pub, 4 Wallingford Sq, Kittery, ME
Wednesday, October 12 – 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.
Flatbread Pizza, 138 Congress St, Portsmouth, NH
4:00 pm-8:00 pm
Thursday, October 13 – 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!
Daniel Street Tavern, 111 Daniel St, Portsmouth, NH
Wednesday, October 19 – Beats with Benefits
The Wilder’s Beats with Benefits is every Wednesday. This month, the Portsmouth Halloween Parade is the beneficiary of a portion of sales made on those Wednesdays. We’ll converge in costume to enjoy the beats as well as the great food and drinks served there.
The Wilder, 174 Fleet St, Portsmouth, NH
Saturday, October 22 – Pumpkin Smash!
Smash a pumpkin, support the parade! 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 Halloween tradition that has become the October catharsis of choice for young and old alike. Smashing implements supplied!
Portsmouth Farmers’ Market, City Hall, 1 Junkins Ave, Portsmouth, NH
8:00 am-12:00 pm
Wednesday, October 26 – Pumpkin Carving Party at Loaded Question
Come enjoy a beer and carve a pumpkin at Loaded Question Brewing. There will be a spooky prize for the best designed pumpkin!
Loaded Question Brewing, 909 Islington St, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
6:00 pm-9:00 pm
Thursday, October 27 – Undead Beat Night
Ancient wailings, withering curses and the scribblings of madmen living, dead and otherwise all converge to curdle your blood and spoil your beer. Great fun! Open mic! Bring your most frightening poetic ramblings. Sharing is scaring. Raffle prizes, beverages, costumes and all around great fun! Accompanied by a spectacularly spooky soundtrack from The Beat Night Band.
Portsmouth Book and Bar, 40 Pleasant St, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
7:00 pm-9:00 pm
Friday, October 28 – Historic Portsmouth Legends & Ghosts Walk
This is a special Halloween-themed walking tour hosted by author, Roxie J Zwicker. Roxie will be in full costume with themed treat bags and ghoulish gifts as she guides participants through the spookier side of Portsmouth!
North Church, 2 Congress St, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
7:00 pm-8:45 pm
Friday, October 28 – Halloween Party & Costume Contest at Loaded Question
Looking for somewhere to show off your costume? Stop by Loaded Question’s Halloween party and costume contest; you bring the fear they will bring the beer.
Loaded Question Brewing, 909 Islington St, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
5:00 pm-9:00 pm
Friday, October 28 – 2022 Costumes for a Cause
The long-awaited Costumes for a Cause, hosted at The Envio by Victoria’s Victory, is an evening filled with costumes, food, and drinks aimed to raise awareness for the Victory Program. The Victory Program benefits those living with disabilities due to injury or diagnosis. Purchase tickets to this event here!
Rooftop at The Envio, 299 Vaughn St, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
7:00 pm-11:00 pm
Friday, October 28 & Saturday October 29 – 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!
This event is currently sold out for the 2022 season.
Sign up for the emailing list here to be notified when ticket sales begin for events like Ghosts on the Banke and more! You can find more information about Strawbery Banke Museum and their annual events on their website.
Strawbery Banke Museum, 14 Hancock St, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
5:30 pm-8:00 pm
Saturday, October 29 – Dog-Tober-Fest at Cisco Brewery
Cisco Brewery and Plover Robes want to wish you a Happy Howl-o-ween at their special Dog-Tober-Fest event. There will be an adoption meet & greet sponsored by New England Lab Rescue and face painting which is sure to be paws-itively fun! Be sure to stick around after the event to hear some live music by People Like You.
Cisco Brewers Portsmouth, 35 Corporate Dr, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
12:00 pm-4:00 pm
Saturday, October 29 – Gaslight in Wonderland Halloween Party
Come celebrate Halloween in style at the Gaslight! There will be a costume contest with $1000 in cash and prizes. If you miss this event you would be as crazy as the Mad Hatter!
Presale tickets are $20, $25 for tickets at the door, and $50 for VIP.
Portsmouth Gas Light Co., 64 Market St, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
8:00 pm-11:55 pm
Saturday, October 29 – The Lounge at Sol presents Masquerade Ball
Enter into a night of mystery and enchantment celebrating the spirit of Halloween and the season of autumn. The event will include a selection of Sol hors d’oeuvres, complementary champagne and dessert. A cash bar will be open featuring specialty crafted cocktails.
Featured entertainment will include: Living Art by Ten31, magic by Dewayne Hill, and music from Rasa String Quartet.
General admission ticket is $100. Upgrades to a VIP table (4 seats) will be available at an additional price of $100.
Sol Southern Kitchen and Lounge, 111 State St, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
8:00 pm-11:59 pm
Sunday, October 30 – Spooky Paddle Costume Contest
We are psyched to announce that Seacoast Paddleboard Club is hosting its Annual Seacoast Costume Parade & Contest at Pierce Island on Sunday October 30, 2022 which will support the parade.
Open to all paddle craft, this freakishly fun paddle will depart from the Pierce Island boat ramp at 10:00 am. 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!
Peirce Island, Peirce Island, Portsmouth, NH
10:00 am-11:30 am
Monday, October 31 – Costume Contest at STREET Portsmouth
Wear a costume and get 50% of your bill and the chance to win a $50 gift certificate to STREET if your costume is spook-tacular!
STREET Portsmouth, 801 Islington St, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
11:30 am-9:00 pm
Monday, October 31 – Dr. Gasp & the Eeks at the Press Room
Dan Blakeslee is Doctor Gasp in October. Come see Dr. Gasp & the Eeks with Cirque Desolate at the Press Room after the Halloween Parade!
The Press Room, 77 Daniel St, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
9:00 pm-12:00 pm
Monday, October 31 – Spooky Speakeasy
Join the staff of Ore Nell’s after the Portsmouth Halloween Parade for some spooky cocktails, small bites, and giveaways!
Ore Nell’s BBQ, 2 Badgers Island West, Kittery, Maine
9:00 pm-12:00 am
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, 2022
