Events in Portsmouth today

Taco Tuesday by the sea at Shearwater Restaurant at Stage Neck Inn serves a rotating mix of $5 taco specials alongside tequila-based cocktail specials. Take in harbor views and a calm coastal vibe as you sip and savor. Whether winding down after a beach day or seeking a midweek dinner in York Harbor, this laid-back outing makes it easy to gather and enjoy summer flavors by the water.

This weekly board game get-together welcomes players of all experience levels to explore titles ranging from light to heavy strategy. Bring a favorite from home or try the in-store demo games. Come with a friend or arrive solo, everyone is welcome. Outside food is permitted, and attendees are asked to respect others’ games and belongings and to help keep the play space clean. Alcohol is not allowed. Nearby parking options include the Masonic Temple Lot at the corner of Middle St and Miller St with free parking about a five minute walk away, the Foundry Garage at one dollar per hour about a six minute walk, and the Worth Lot behind the store at two dollars per hour for the first three hours then five dollars per hour for each additional hour.

Garden Studies is a three week watercolor workshop in Portsmouth for anyone who adores botanicals and wants to explore the garden’s most colorful subjects. Rather than focusing on foliage and greens, this series highlights florals, decorative details, and expressive watercolor approaches. Each session concludes with a finished piece as you experiment with color, composition, layering, and mixed media. Week one features folk art inspired florals with metallic accents, building skills in layering, simple botanical shapes, line work, and embellishment using gel pens for a decorative floral painting. Week two dives into a lush garden bouquet with loose, dynamic brushwork, vibrant blooms, balanced arrangements, and the happy surprises watercolor can create. Week three focuses on orchids, simplifying their forms to achieve luminous petals, rich color variation, and refined compositions in a vivid orchid study. There is no prerequisite, though an introductory class such as Introduction to Watercolor or Watercolor 101 is encouraged. Class sizes are kept small for personalized instruction. Registration is final, and there are no refunds, credits, transfers, make up classes, or rescheduling for missed sessions or scheduling conflicts. Please register only if you can attend all three classes, and note that completing registration confirms a commitment to all three sessions. An optional Workshop Starter Kit is available, offered at $60 with a retail value of $90, so you can take home the same professional quality materials used in class and save over $30. The kit includes Dr. Ph. Martin’s Hydrus Watercolor Set #1, two professional mop brushes, a Happy Painter accessory pouch, and five sheets of premium watercolor paper. Select the Workshop + Starter Kit option when registering and it will be ready for you at the workshop.

With over 100 million albums sold and more than 50 singles on the UK charts, UB40 brings its reggae pop legacy to life with a set that blends beloved hits like Red Red Wine and I Can’t Help Falling in Love With You with U.S. favorites Here I Am and The Way You Do The Things You Do. The performance also features new material and refreshed classics from UB45, their 45th anniversary album that peaked at number 5 in the UK. The nine piece lineup includes co-founders Robin Campbell, Jimmy Brown, Earl Falconer and Norman Hassan with lead vocalist Matt Doyle, joined by Martin Meredith, Laurence Parry, Ian Thompson, Jahred Gordon, backing vocalist Matt Campbell and permanent guest emcee Gilly G. Tickets are priced at $69, $79, $99, $109 and $129, with VIP options at $323.50 and $519.

UB40 kicks off the fall run in Portsmouth with a classic theater show at The Music Hall, where the intimate, focused acoustics complement the band’s melodic sensibilities. Signature songs come through with crisp clarity as the crowd echoes each familiar chorus. The set flows at a measured, smooth pace, making Portsmouth a polished opening chapter for this leg of the tour.

Take part in a no cost community yoga session that welcomes everyone, no matter your experience, ability, or body type. Sessions are held each Wednesday when the weather cooperates and an instructor is available. The group gathers on the grass between the gazebo and the pavilion, and a purple yoga flag will help you spot the location.

A friendly morning group offers opportunities to connect, enjoy playtime, make simple crafts, and listen to stories. A light snack is provided.

This intermediate woodturning class guides students in turning a freshly cut log into a unique bowl. It starts with selecting a log and cutting it into a bowl blank on the bandsaw, then moves to safely mounting the blank on the lathe and shaping it with a variety of tools while the wood is still wet. Instruction focuses on technique, safety, and creativity while working with unprocessed material. After the bowl has dried, a no-cost second session can be booked to refine the shape and complete the finish. Prior turning experience is strongly recommended because the class builds on fundamentals such as tool control and lathe setup. The class is led by instructor Brian Bridwell. Please bring safety goggles and hearing protection. Registration closes two days in advance, and refunds are available up to seven days before the start. Active members receive 25 percent off the class list price with code MEMBER.

Riftbound, the League of Legends trading card game, is the focus of a weekly Nexus Night built around free, open casual play. Players bring their own constructed decks and face off in friendly matchups with others. Every attendee receives a Nexus Night promo pack. Questions about other events are welcome.

Enjoy a casual night of bowling and a bite at Bowl-O-Rama. For $25 per person, the deal covers 90 minutes of unlimited bowling, shoe rental, and a choice between a small two-topping pizza or a classic burger. It blends lighthearted competition with an easy meal, making group outings simple.

Bill Charlap Trio appears at Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club, led by Grammy Award winning pianist Bill Charlap. He has collaborated with Dee Dee Bridgewater, Wynton Marsalis, Ron Carter, Tony Bennett, Gerry Mulligan, Houston Person, Barbra Streisand, and Phil Woods, and is known for insightful solo and trio interpretations of the American Songbook, with recordings honoring Leonard Bernstein, George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Richard Rodgers, Cole Porter, Hoagy Carmichael, and Duke Ellington. His discography includes multiple Grammy-nominated projects such as Uptown Downtown, Somewhere: The Songs of Leonard Bernstein, and Live at the Village Vanguard, and Notes from New York earned a five star review in DownBeat magazine. Recent releases include Street of Dreams and And Then Again on Blue Note, along with the Grammy-nominated Elemental with Dee Dee Bridgewater, and his collaboration with Tony Bennett on The Silver Lining received the Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. Charlap tours internationally and performs regularly at New York institutions including Jazz at Lincoln Center, Birdland, and the Village Vanguard. He directed the Jazz in July Festival at the 92nd Street Y from 2005 to 2023 and serves as Director of Jazz Studies at William Paterson University. A New York City native who began piano at age three, he is the son of Broadway composer Moose Charlap and singer Sandy Stewart, and he frequently appears in piano duo concerts with Renee Rosnes, including their Blue Note recording Double Portrait.

TopHouse brings a night of genre-blurring acoustic energy to 3S Artspace, joined by Katie Lynne Sharbaugh. Expect driving, foot-stomping songs alongside heartfelt ballads, blending the punch of rock with the spirit of old-time bluegrass. This is an all-ages, standing show. Tickets are $22 for members, $25 for general admission in advance, and $30 on the day of the show. 3S Artspace receives partial support from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, with lead sponsors including AC Hotel Portsmouth, The Brook, The Fabulous Find, The Kane Company/Tidemark, Katzman Contemporary Projects, Raka, Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Hotel, and Stirling Brandworks.

At Shearwater Restaurant at Stage Neck Inn, Clam, Claw & Crush Thursdays celebrates the flavors of the Maine coast with a weekly dining special served all day for lunch and dinner. Enjoy fresh seafood, craft cocktails, and waterside seating in York Harbor. The featured $35 Lobster Roll & Seafood Chowder Special pairs a classic Maine lobster roll with a hearty, richly flavored seafood chowder for a satisfying coastal duo. To round out the meal, $10 drink specials offer a rotating mix of refreshing cocktails, wine, and beer, created to complement the menu and suit an afternoon or evening by the water. Whether it is a leisurely midday meal, a quick stop after work, or a relaxed dinner with ocean views, this Thursday favorite offers a true taste of Maine at a standout value.

Family Value Night at Bowl-O-Rama Family Fun Center in Portsmouth, NH features a package priced at $19.95 per person that includes two hours of candlepin bowling with shoe rental, along with a large slice of pizza and a fountain soda. The arcade offers additional entertainment, and the format suits families, groups of friends, date nights, and after school plans.

Star Wars: Unlimited Weekly Play at Diversions Puzzles & Games offers a simple, flexible way to enjoy the game on a regular basis. Sessions continue from each new set’s release and can be a short tournament or a relaxed meetup, depending on the store. With player consensus, the format can be casual constructed 1v1, Twin Suns, or draft. Participation is supported by a special Organized Play kit, and players can earn a unique promo pack each week they take part. Nearby parking includes a free lot about a five minute walk away, a garage about a six minute walk at one dollar per hour, and a lot directly behind the store that costs two dollars per hour for the first three hours, then five dollars per hour for each additional hour.

A welcoming introduction to machine embroidery for beginners. Get hands-on with a Brother embroidery machine while learning setup, safe operation, and how to use different hoop attachments. The session includes a quick orientation to Floriani embroidery software available in the Textiles Lab. Everyone will create a simple polytwill patch with a short phrase, whether that becomes a name tag, a merit badge, or something playful. For practice, the class starts with provided polytwill patches, and successful completion grants full access to the embroidery machine. For safety, avoid loose long hair or clothing since participants will handle sharp tools and needles. Led by instructor Anna Morse. An estimated materials cost of $5 per person covers polytwill, stabilizer, and thread provided for the class. Registration closes two days in advance. Refunds are available up to seven days before the class. Active members receive 25 percent off the list price with code MEMBER.

Historian and curator Dr. Kimberly Alexander traces how an everyday purchase became a political statement during the Revolutionary era. Focusing on footwear, she explains how American women advanced boycott efforts by choosing locally made shoes and by repairing pairs they already owned, actions that weakened British industry and supported the movement for independence. Dr. Alexander serves as Senior Lecturer in the University of New Hampshire History Department and directs Museum Studies. She previously held curatorial posts at the MIT Museum, the Peabody Essex Museum, and Strawbery Banke Museum. Her scholarship centers on material culture and dress history, and her books include Treasures Afoot: Shoe Stories from the Georgian Era and Fashioning the New England Family. This talk is part of the Revolutionary Portsmouth Lecture Series, a collaboration between Strawbery Banke Museum and Portsmouth Historical Society. Lectures rotate between the two venues, so please confirm the location when registering. Admission per lecture is $15 for SBM and PHS members and $20 for nonmembers. Buy three full-price tickets, then receive additional tickets at 25 percent off with code REV250.

Five for Fighting brings a string quartet to The Music Hall for an evening highlighting the songwriting of John Ondrasik, with Lace & Lee opening. A Grammy nominee with multi-platinum success, Ondrasik is known for Superman (It’s Not Easy), 100 Years, The Riddle, Chances, World, and Easy Tonight, drawing from six studio albums including America Town, The Battle for Everything, and the top 10 release Two Lights. His songs have surpassed a billion streams and appeared in more than 350 film, TV, and commercial placements such as The Blind Side, Hawaii Five-0, The Sopranos, and Code Black. He also performed Superman at the 2001 Concert for New York alongside an all-star roster. A pianist since childhood, taught by his mother, he tours in formats that range from solo to rock band to this string quartet setting. Lace & Lee are a folk rock duo shaped by the storytelling spirit of the 60s and 70s, mixing humor with Celtic-tinged harmonies. Caroline Lace and Olivia Lee began making music together at NYU Tisch and have toured with Five for Fighting. Ticket options range from $35 to $70. Supported by Music Series sponsors McFarland Hyundai, Raka Creative, and 92.5 The River.

At Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club, harmonica legend Charlie Musselwhite teams with acclaimed trio GA-20 for a blues collaboration that honors the roots while pushing ahead. Musselwhite, a Grammy winner with more than six decades on stage, is a seminal figure in Chicago blues. GA-20, founded in 2018, has climbed quickly with several Billboard Blues number ones and a raw, high-energy take on classic electric blues. Their joint album, Blues Now on New West Records, captures their live-in-the-room spark as they mix original songs with fresh interpretations of time-honored tunes. United by a deep commitment to the style and a spirit of exploration, they lean into grit, groove, and improvisation, creating an intergenerational conversation that keeps the blues vivid and current.

Infinity Song brings its world tour to 3S Artspace for an all-ages, standing performance. The New York City soft rock quartet of siblings Abraham, Angel, Israel, and Momo Boyd weaves tight harmonies, airy lyrics, and elegant guitar lines to create a transportive sound onstage and in the studio. Raised in a large musical family, the group was homeschooled in academics and music by parents who founded the Boys & Girls Choirs of Detroit, and they have been performing since early childhood. Their roots in classical, gospel, and jazz, along with influences that include Pat Methany, Marvin Gaye, and The Winans Family, inform their style. The story traces back to 2006, when their father, John Boyd, moved the family from Detroit to New York. They played throughout the city, from the Metropolitan Museum of Art to Times Square, with Bethesda Fountain in Central Park serving as a regular stage for more than a decade, building a dedicated following that eventually led to an introduction to JAY-Z. In 2016, Roc Nation signed the band, and in 2020 their debut album Mad Love, paired with a wave of viral videos, drew millions of views and attention from major figures in Hollywood. Their recent phase, which they call Metamorphosis, expands the palette with soft rock, pop, and soulful colors. The viral rise of Hater’s Anthem brought a nod from Doja Cat and widespread sharing, inspiring comparisons to celebrated 70s groups like Fifth Dimension, The Mamas and The Papas, and ABBA. Follow-up singles Slow Burn and Sinking Boat also caught fire online. A successful 2024 world run followed, including sold-out dates in Los Angeles, Toronto, London, Manchester, Brussels, Berlin, and Paris, as well as appearances at festivals such as Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, and Pitchfork Paris. A recent live album captures the vitality of their shows and builds momentum for the next chapter. Admission is $26 for members, $28 for general admission in advance, or $32 for general admission on the day of the show. 3S Artspace receives support in part from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, with additional backing from AC Hotel Portsmouth, The Brook, The Fabulous Find, The Kane Company and Tidemark, Katzman Contemporary Projects, Raka, Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Hotel, and Stirling Brandworks.

Spend an evening playing Magic: the Gathering in the Commander format. This free gathering welcomes both new and experienced players. Participants should bring their own Commander deck, and it is recommended to call ahead to ask about decks that may be available for purchase. Please check in inside the store upon arrival. In Commander, each deck includes one legendary creature as the commander plus 99 other cards, with only one copy of any card except basic lands, and every card must match the commander’s color identity. Games seat two to six players in a free-for-all. Each player starts at 40 life, commanders begin in the command zone, turns proceed clockwise, and the last player remaining wins. Parking options include a free lot at the Masonic Temple about a five-minute walk away, the Foundry Garage at an hourly rate, and the Worth Lot behind the store with a lower hourly rate for the first three hours and a higher rate for each additional hour.

Enjoy a rare behind the scenes look at the John Paul Jones House, a noted Portsmouth landmark. This approximately 90 minute tour opens areas that are typically off limits, including attic rooms that once served as family bedrooms and now protect stored collections. Staff share insights into the everyday work of caring for a historic site. The experience also features a guided walkthrough of the house and a curator led visit to the special exhibition “Revolutionary Portsmouth.”

A reception celebrates Darlene Furbush Ouellett and Sensory Perception, an exhibition of paintings and mixed media that translate her sense of place into visual form, drawing on time in the garden, hikes, ocean walks, and the small wonders noticed along the way. Complimentary wine and light snacks will be available. Ouellett grew up in southern Connecticut near New York City in a home immersed in art and nature, with early exposure to working artists through her mother, an art and antique collector. After raising her family she returned to her practice, earning a BFA from the University of New Hampshire, receiving the Corinne Trippetti scholarship, and winning Best of Show awards in regional exhibitions. She has worked as an artist, curator, juror, mentor, and teacher, and her work appears in collections across the United States and internationally. Admission is free and open to the public.

Explore the basics of wheel throwing in a supportive studio during a single-session, beginner workshop. A short demonstration starts things off, then you will take a seat at the wheel to make your own pieces. Over 90 minutes, expect individual coaching as you practice centering, shaping, and forming a few simple creations while getting comfortable with the process. Clay is reclaimed at the end unless you decide to keep a favorite. For $20 per piece, staff will handle trimming, glazing, and firing so it is ready to use at home. You will select a glaze color before leaving, and finished work will be available for pickup in about 3 to 5 weeks. No prior experience is required. Wear clothing that can get a little messy and bring your curiosity.

Bad at Math performs live at Thirsty Moose Taphouse - Portsmouth.

Discover a bustling Portsmouth farmers market filled with farm-fresh produce, locally raised meats, dairy, prepared foods, baked treats, and distinctive handmade items. Each week features community guests and live music from talented Seacoast musicians. Shoppers using SNAP can visit the Market Info booth to receive tokens, with a dollar-for-dollar match available through Granite State Market Match. Portable restrooms are available across the street at the South Mill Pond Playground, which also offers a shaded picnic area for enjoying market finds. Pets are not permitted, but service animals are always welcome. Parking is offered in the City Hall Lower Lot with signage at the entrance, with additional parking across the street at the South Mill Pond Playground and accessible spaces directly in front of the City Hall building. An interactive market map is available to see which vendors will be attending.

Equine First Aid Education at Reining Hope offers a two-course learning experience created for horse owners, enthusiasts, and equine professionals. With practical, hands-on training led by expert instructors, participants develop the confidence and skills to respond when a horse needs immediate care. The first session focuses on equine health and emergency first aid, including how to recognize and manage common crises, communicate clearly with veterinarians, and provide prompt support that safeguards a horse’s well-being. The advanced session builds on those fundamentals with deeper work in trauma response, strategies to reduce the risk of injury, and thorough planning for emergencies.

The 26th annual Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival brings sea songs, community singing, and maritime traditions to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It opens in Market Square with a roaming chorus of chantey singers moving through downtown, then unfolds across the city with concerts and workshops at cozy venues. A big concert anchors Saturday night, followed by more music and learning sessions on Sunday. Featured performers include JD & The Stonemasons, Tom Kastle, Sara Grey with Kieron Means and Dave MacLurg, Castlebay, Sea Dogs, London Julie, Dirty Blue Shirts, David Coller with Diane Chodkowski, and Cate Clifford. Some workshops are participatory, inviting voices to join in on choruses, while others share stories and insights about life at sea through song. The festival is family friendly and free to attend, with donations welcomed to support the music. Portions of the program will also be available to watch online, and additional details will be announced.

Compete for the title at the Disney Lorcana Attack of the Vines Set Championship, a tournament that crowns one undefeated player at the end. Players can register through the Ravensburger Play Hub. The entry fee of $25 is paid in store at check in, participation is capped at 32 players, check in opens one hour before the start, and no decklist submission is needed. Swiss rounds are played as best of three with 60 minutes per round. The number of Swiss rounds depends on attendance, followed by best of three playoffs in single elimination until a champion is determined. With 8 or fewer participants there are three Swiss rounds and no cut. With 9 to 16 participants there are four Swiss rounds then a cut to the top four. With 17 to 32 participants there are five Swiss rounds then a cut to the top eight. Prizes include the official awards plus three booster packs per attendee added to a shared prize pool that is distributed among the top eight, with quantities based on turnout. Additional prizes and promos may be announced on the day. Every participant receives a Rapunzel promo card and booster packs, and also receives one Wilds Unknown booster pack. First place earns a Mike & Sully Champion playmat, a Rapunzel foil promo card, and booster packs. Second place receives an Attack of the Vines character playmat, a Rapunzel foil promo, and booster packs. Third through eighth place receive a Rapunzel foil promo and booster packs. This event uses the Constructed Core format. Bring one deck built in advance with at least 60 cards. There is no maximum deck size, but the deck must be easy to shuffle without help. Decks may include cards from no more than two ink colors, and no more than four copies of any card with the same full English name. All released cards are legal, the same deck must be used throughout, and officially banned cards are not allowed. For full policy details, refer to the official tournament rules.

The event features Ronnie Earl & The Broadcasters.

Enjoy a live performance from Alterego at Thirsty Moose Taphouse - Portsmouth.

Marking its eighteenth year, the Celebrate Pink 5K run and walk at Portsmouth Middle School honors breast cancer patients and survivors. This five-kilometer event recognizes courage, grace, and resilience at every step.

Coastal Sundays set a relaxed tone at Shearwater Restaurant at Stage Neck Inn, where brunch features sweet breakfast favorites, savory classics, and handcrafted cocktails, all enjoyed with York Harbor in view. This is a weekly offering. A separate lunch menu is not available on Sundays.

Build a solid foundation in MIG welding while getting comfortable with key equipment in the metal shop. Guided by instructor Neil Rudnick, participants will practice with a MIG welder and learn to operate supporting tools such as the drill press, vertical, horizontal and portable band saws, and angle grinders. Safety is emphasized throughout, and those who complete the class will be cleared to use the PCMS metalworking facilities. This beginner friendly course is intended for those with little or no prior shop experience and is recommended before taking additional welding or machining classes. Plan for about four hours of instruction, and consider allowing up to an extra hour afterward for additional hands-on time with the welder. Reviewing the Miller MIG Welding Handbook in advance is encouraged. Wear non synthetic clothing like cotton or canvas, along with long pants, a long sleeve shirt, and closed toe footwear such as boots. Bring a hair tie for long hair, light duty work gloves, safety glasses, and hearing protection. Registration closes two days before the event, and refunds are available up to seven days before the start. Active members receive 25 percent off the list price with code MEMBER.

Classical guitarist William Ghezzi presents a free concert at Portsmouth Public Library as part of Guitar Sundays. His career spans solo recitals and collaborations with orchestras, chamber groups, choruses, dance companies, and theater productions, with past appearances that include the Montpelier Chamber Orchestra, the Harry Partch Ensemble, and the Philadelphia Guitar Ensemble. He has commissioned many new works for solo guitar and chamber combinations and frequently performs in duo and ensemble formats. A graduate of Temple University, he studied with Peter Segal and Anna Kotsarenko, and later with Phillip de Fremery, Eliot Fisk, and Vladimir Mikulka. He teaches privately in West Lebanon, New Hampshire. His recordings and performance videos can be found on major audio and video platforms, and his latest release, Portfolio, is available for streaming. Guitar Sundays is a monthly, family friendly series that highlights classical guitarists from the Seacoast, the Greater Boston area, and from around the country. Concerts are free and open to the public. The program is co-presented by Portsmouth Music and Arts Center and Portsmouth Public Library, in association with the Boston Classical Guitar Society, and is curated by Mitch Shuldman.

Lighthouses and Legends offers an evening with views of the ocean, tasty food and beverages, engaging conversation, and acoustic music, all centered on celebrating York Public Library and its community. The gathering recognizes 25 years in the library’s current building and the many accomplishments achieved there. Special guest Micah Johnson, a former Major League Baseball player who became an artist and best-selling children’s book author, will be featured. Tickets are $75 per person and include two drink tickets. Complimentary admission is available to York Public Library Association Supporting Members at the $500 level or higher (Literature Lover, Library Advocate, or Lifelong Learner). Members at those levels can RSVP to Jane at 207-363-2818 ext. 1016 or jshoffman@yorkpubliclibrary.org, and anyone unsure of membership status can reach out for assistance.

Monsterwatch brings a surge of distortion and adrenaline to The Press Room with a raw, high-energy performance. The Seattle psych-punk trio fuses garage rock, post-punk, grunge, and fuzz-laced psychedelia into songs driven by blistering riffs, anthemic hooks, and a fierce DIY spirit. Their live shows are known for feeling chaotic yet tightly executed, a combination that has earned them a strong reputation in the Pacific Northwest underground. This all ages event is priced at $15 in advance and $18 on the day of the show.

Clipper Tavern hosts a karaoke night with KJ-Dave-O. Attendees can take the mic and enjoy food from the kitchen along with a selection of drinks. A happy hour is also part of the evening.