Portsmouth
Halloween Parade

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About the Parade

Marching for the 31st time, the Portsmouth Halloween Parade is a grassroots, all-inclusive celebration of community, creativity and free expression that walks, stalks, dances, trumpets and drums its way through downtown Portsmouth each year on

October 31st at 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.

Upcoming Events

Portsmouth ended October with its seasonal roar Thursday night and the Halloween muses of this great community shared their visions and stories for us all to enjoy. The downtown became a wondrous frontier filled with music, magic, lights, and shadows around every bend. The streets were full of witches and monsters and other strange creatures. The sidewalks bulged with viewers, many of whom felt a fluttering of excitement typically reserved for opening presents. They strained their necks to see, and everything was so much that it burst beyond the frame of vision. The night was pierced with shouts of delight, admiration and surprise. There was much clapping and laughter.

To the participants, viewers, volunteers and supporters of The Portsmouth Halloween Parade, we say

THANK YOU

Underneath the vast compass of you all, our spirit as a community that can create and celebrate together was renewed.

HOW CAN I HELP?

This parade doesn’t happen without community support. If you enjoyed yourself at the Portsmouth Halloween Parade, consider making a donation. We’re a 501(c)(3) so we’ll send you confirmation of your donation for your taxes at year end. Or if you prefer to wear your PHP (Portsmouth Halloween Parade) Pride, check out our T-shirts and hoodies printed locally by Black Sheep Printing. They will help keep you spooky all year long. And if you want to be in the know about our FUNdraising events, sign up for our mailing list.

Before You March...

We are thrilled to have you join our parade! No signup is required to march in the parade, however there are some things to know before you go!

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Sign Up to Receive Email Updates

Get on our email list to receive occasional updates* about the parade and all the FUNdraising events we have coming up.

* Once or twice a week during Halloween season followed by long months of awkward blissful silence.

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