Family events in Portsmouth, NH

Explore the lead-up to the American Revolution on a 90 minute guided walk through downtown Portsmouth. Trace the story from the 1774 siege at Fort William and Mary to the historic shipyards along the Piscataqua River, then visit the assembly halls and taverns where local patriots organized for revolution. Along the way, hear about figures such as John Langdon, William Whipple, John Paul Jones, and others who helped shape the struggle for liberty. The route covers about one mile on city sidewalks and through parks, and the tour runs rain or shine. Tickets are $15 for members and $25 for nonmembers. For more information, call (603) 436-3205.

RGC Theatre returns this summer with a Princess Party for Josie’s Family Jams, presented by ConvenientMD. This live show for children celebrates beloved princess songs with onstage performances, group sing along moments, and playful interaction. Performers share familiar melodies and stories centered on bravery and kindness, creating a welcoming experience for princess fans of all ages. The event takes place in the park at the Prescott Park Arts Festival in Portsmouth. No reservations are required, and a donation is recommended.

Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella, presented by Service Credit Union, brings a beloved fairy tale to life on the Wilcox Main Stage at the Prescott Park Arts Festival by the Portsmouth waterfront. The season includes select matinee performances and shows with ASL support. There is a recommended donation of $12. Royal Reservations are available for groups of up to eight and include a reserved space in the park, discounts on special merchandise, refreshments, a photo with Cinderella's pumpkin carriage, and a special acknowledgment before the show. Most performances take place Thursday through Sunday. This family friendly production invites a relaxed night in the park, and bringing a blanket is a simple way to settle in for a bit of theatrical magic. Attendance does not require reservations, though options are available to hold a spot.

Catch Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella, a Broadway-style musical with songs from the original and a fresh, modern retelling of the classic story. The show includes reserved seating options, including table and blanket reservations, with different seating/placement rules for each. General admission donations do not include reserved seating.

Relive the fun of a school book fair at a beach book fair presented by The Booktenders and YBBC. Browse tables to discover new reads while enjoying a drink, with non alcoholic options available. There will be books for kids, so families are welcome. York Beach Eats Food Truck will be on site, and live music with Paul Richard follows the fair. Parking options include a nearby town lot with app based payment, areas around the ball field, street parking, and spots near Ellis Park and Short Sands. You can also arrive by bike and use the available rack, or simply come on foot.

Dive into a night of Dungeons & Dragons at Diversions, where both newcomers and seasoned players can join a table and step into the current adventure. The adult table requires a free reservation, and capacity is limited, so booking ahead secures your seat for that session. The kids table, designed for pre-teens, accepts walk-ins in order of arrival, with limited space and no guarantee of a spot for everyone. These games are hosted by private groups that use the space and welcome new players, and they are not coordinated by Diversions staff. Nearby parking options include the Masonic Temple Lot at Middle St and Miller St at no cost, the Foundry Garage for $1 per hour, and the Worth Lot behind the store for $2 per hour for the first three hours and $5 per hour for each additional hour.

All summer long, Monday Bingo Night blends classic bingo with music-based rounds for a lively twist. Participation is free, with prizes awarded to winners each round, and the atmosphere welcomes all ages. The York Beach Eats Food Truck will be serving tasty eats.

A PG-rated adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic unfolds in Georgian England, following the Bennet sisters as love, class, and first impressions reshape their lives. Elizabeth, played by Keira Knightley, matches wits with the reserved Mr. Darcy, portrayed by Matthew Macfadyen, while Jane, portrayed by Rosamund Pike, captures the attention of Mr. Bingley, played by Simon Woods. Mary, Kitty, and Lydia are brought to the screen by Talulah Riley, Carey Mulligan, and Jena Malone as new neighbors spark romance and upheaval in their community. At its heart is the notion that the person you resist most may be the very one you cannot be without.

Dive into a fish themed summer camp with three creative sessions. Participants will decorate a sardine platter, hand build a clay fish wind chime, and paint a fish of their own design. The full three day option costs $90, and a single day spot is available for $40. To arrange a single day reservation, call 603-431-7682.

A high-spirited children's music party led by Mr. Aaron invites both kids and grown-ups to move and dance. The set features songs such as All My Friends Are Giants, The Bog, and Gravity Can't Hold Me Down, delivered with the lively presence that led New Hampshire Magazine to name him the best children's performer. With years of stage experience, he brings creativity and enthusiasm to concerts, albums, and videos. Beyond family shows, he records music, offers private lessons, and teaches weekly music and art classes at his Rattlebox Kids classroom in Concord, New Hampshire. He also tours with the 90s alt-rock group Luscious Jackson and has appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman and on VH1.

Children 7 years and older can explore fiber arts with Miss Nikki in a one and a half hour felting class that teaches them to shape playful felt figures. All supplies are provided, and protective finger covers are included to help keep little hands safe while they create.

Starting middle school can feel like stepping into a new world, so this program helps incoming sixth graders at Portsmouth Middle School get ready. Enjoy free pizza and hear candid guidance from students who have already been through it. Learn how lunch periods work, what to expect from changing social dynamics, and why your locker combination should never be shared. Participants receive practical tips and a take-home survival kit. Students entering grades 7, 8, or 9 can volunteer to pass along their experience to new students. Volunteers also receive a survival kit and a special thank you item. Registration is required.

A weekly board game night welcomes players who enjoy everything from light to heavy strategy. Bring a favorite from home or try the in-store demos. Attend with a friend or come solo, everyone is welcome. Outside food is permitted. Please be considerate of others’ games and belongings and help keep the play space clean. Alcohol is not allowed. Nearby parking options include a free lot about a five minute walk away, a garage at approximately one dollar per hour about a six minute walk away, and a lot directly behind the store that costs two dollars per hour for the first three hours and five dollars per hour for each additional hour.

Part of the Tuesdays on the Terrace outdoor summer concert series, Kids' Rock Night brings live music to Strawbery Banke amid historic homes and gardens. The Clemenzi Crusaders perform with Sages Entertainment, offering a lively set with acoustic and Americana influences and more. Bring a blanket or lawn chair to relax on the grass and enjoy the show. Admission is free for members, $8 for nonmembers, and free for children under 3. Concerts take place rain or shine. If weather becomes an issue, the performance moves to the lecture hall in the Lawrence J. Yerdon Visitors Center, where seating is limited.

A welcoming gathering with opportunities to connect, play, make simple crafts, and enjoy story time. A light snack is offered. The group meets at The Family Center at Families First in Portsmouth.

Make midweek more fun with a bowling-and-bites special at Bowl-O-Rama. For $25 per person, enjoy 1.5 hours of unlimited bowling with shoe rental included, plus your choice of a small two-topping pizza or a classic burger. It is a relaxed way to share some friendly competition and a satisfying meal in one stop.

Family Value Night at Bowl-O-Rama Family Fun Center packs bowling, food, and arcade fun into one easy outing. For $19.95 per person, the deal includes two hours of candlepin bowling with shoe rental, plus a large slice of pizza and a fountain soda. It is designed for families, friend groups, date nights, and after-school plans looking for an affordable way to have fun together. Enjoy time on the lanes, grab a bite and a drink, then explore the arcade for a relaxed, all-in-one experience.

The Loading Dock Concert Series at 3S Artspace welcomes Dave Hunter and the Seven Hundred for an outdoor, all-ages show that is free to attend, with a suggested donation of $12. This summer run of Thursday performances highlights rising regional artists and longtime favorites in a relaxed setting where drinks are available and the music pairs with a Portsmouth evening outdoors. Formed in 2025 after two decades of original music making in the Northeast, the band revives standout songs from Dave Hunter’s former award-winning group, The Molenes, while unveiling new material in an amped-up Americana style. The Molenes released three albums and an EP between 2005 and 2015, drew praise on numerous year-end lists for Americana and alt country, reached the Top 40 on the Americana Music Association radio chart and the Top 20 on the Freeform American Roots chart, placed songs in films and network television, and earned airplay and reviews in more than a dozen countries. Listeners and critics alike were drawn to the group’s energetic playing and vivid storytelling rooted in the byways and overlooked corners of American life. Dave Hunter leads on guitar and vocals, joined by Chris Kelly on guitar and vocals, Steve Barlock on bass and vocals, and Joe Welsh on drums and vocals. The group is recording toward a full-length release planned for July 2026, following the singles It Made the Greatest Sound and Leaving Westbrook, with a debut album titled Tamp That Fever Down slated for mid-summer 2026. You can sample much of the set by revisiting The Molenes’ albums Good Times Comin’, Songs of Sin and Redemption, and This Car is Big on major streaming platforms while the new release takes shape. While attending a concert in the series, the Gallery, Lobby Gallery, and Shop at 3S are open to explore, and the galleries are always free to the public. The Loading Dock Concert Series is supported by St. Mary’s Bank, with additional support from grants through the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation and its Geoffrey E. Clark and Martha Fuller Clark Fund, and the Little Bay Fund, along with lead sponsors AC Hotel Portsmouth, The Brook, The Kane Company and Tidemark, Katzman Contemporary Projects, Raka, Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Hotel, and Stirling Brandworks.

Enjoy a summer outdoor concert on the Loading Dock featuring Dave Hunter and the Seven Hundred. Doors open at 6:30 PM, with the show starting at 7:00 PM. This is an all-ages event with first-come seating and lawn space, and beverages will be available. The concert runs about 1.5 hours, and it’s rain or shine.