Portsmouth holiday events 2026

Craft or holiday market · Portsmouth

Seacoast Artisans Fine Arts & Craft Show$8

10am to 4pm · Great Bay Community College, 320 Corporate Drive

Juried one-day indoor show of fine art and fine craft; children 14 and under are free.

Craft or holiday market · Portsmouth

Handmade in the Harbor$10

Sat 10am to 5pm; Sun 10am to 4pm · Jimmy's Jazz Club, 135 Congress Street

League of NH Craftsmen pop-up with 30+ juried makers: ceramics, textiles, wood, metal and more.

Craft or holiday market · Portsmouth

Form + Function Artisan FairFree

3S Artspace, 319 Vaughan Street

Free artisan fair at 3S Artspace in downtown Portsmouth for handmade holiday gifts.

Thanksgiving weekend · Portsmouth

Gingerbread House Contest ExhibitionFreeKid-friendly

Daily 10am to 5pm; Fridays in December until 7pm · Portsmouth Historical Society, 10 Middle St

The 36th annual gingerbread house contest fills the Portsmouth Historical Society galleries. This year's theme is UFOs: Unidentified Frosted Objects. Opening reception Friday, Dec 4, 5:30 to 7:30pm.

Starts Fri, Nov 27

Thanksgiving weekend · Portsmouth

Jimmy DunnSee event page

The Music Hall Lounge

Grab friends for Jimmy Dunn at The Music Hall Lounge in Portsmouth. It's on Saturday, Nov 28.

Thanksgiving weekend · Portsmouth

Nate SmithSee event page

Jimmy's Jazz and Blues Club

Live music night: Nate Smith plays Jimmy's Jazz and Blues Club in Portsmouth. It's on Saturday, Nov 28.

Thanksgiving weekend · Portsmouth

Foxglove 'Maybe a Daydream' Record Release ShowSee event page

3S Artspace

Foxglove 'Maybe a Daydream' Record Release Show brings live music to a spot on Artspace in Portsmouth. It's on Saturday, Nov 28.

Thanksgiving weekend · Portsmouth

PSO Family Matinee: String SecretsKid-friendly

3pm · Portsmouth Public Library, 175 Parrott Ave

Portsmouth Symphony musicians give an interactive, kid-friendly tour of the string family.

Tree lighting · Portsmouth

Candlelight StrollSee event page

14 Hancock St

Strawbery Banke's historic houses glow by candlelight for its holiday stroll, with period decorations, music and seasonal treats across three December weekends.

Three December weekends, Fri to Sun

Craft or holiday market · Portsmouth

Port City Makerspace 3rd Annual Winter MarketSee event page

11am to 4pm · Port City Makerspace, 68 Morning St (both days, Dec 5 and 6)

Browse handmade goods at Port City Makerspace 3rd Annual Winter Market in Portsmouth (Port City Makerspace). It's on Saturday, Dec 5.

Holiday lights · Portsmouth

Portsmouth Illuminated Holiday Parade & Tree LightingFreeKid-friendly

Tree lighting 5pm in Market Square; parade 6pm · Downtown Portsmouth (Market Square; parade starts at Goodwin Park on Islington St)

The city lights its tree in Market Square, then the illuminated parade marches down Islington Street into the square about half an hour later.

Holiday show · Portsmouth

The Bean Tones: A Holiday SpecialSee event page

7:30pm to 9pm · Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club, 135 Congress St

Seasonal fun: The Bean Tones: A Holiday Special, at Jimmy's Jazz and Blues Club in Portsmouth. It's on Friday, Dec 18.