Who says children aren’t in charge? Each year on the first Sunday of May, Downtown Portsmouth becomes headquarters for children of all ages with the celebration of Children’s Day. An estimated 5,000+ “children” visit Portsmouth to take part in an afternoon of fun on the Seacoast.
This Festival combines family-friendly activities, entertainment and usually, an ice cream sundae – all sponsored, hosted and supported by the Downtown Merchants, area companies, civic organizations and volunteers of the Seacoast. The day is filled with something for everyone.
How does it work? Pro Portsmouth creates a map and kids of all ages follow the alphabet ’round town. From A to Z, they can visit shops and restaurants, head to the Block Party on Pleasant and enjoy all sorts of fun activities and entertainment.
Performance Schedule – Pleasant Street:
12:15 – 1:00
Juggler Extraordinaire: Bryson Lang
1:15 – 2:15
Musical Fun with Friend Andrea
2:30 – 3:30
Dance to the Music with TJ Wheeler!
The FULL Children’s Day 2026 Line-Up
A NOON KICK-OFF… Welcome to Children’s Day!
B Hang out at the Pleasant Street Block Party!!
Grab a Children’s Day map and be on your way at the Pro Portsmouth Information Booth and be sure to sign up for a Fantastic Free Raffle (must be present at 3:30pm for raffle drawing held at the Block Party Performance Area) We want you to dance and be dazzled!
• Check out the Pleasant Street performances by:
Bryson Lang, Juggler Extraordinaire! 12:15 – 1:00
Musical Fun with Friend Andrea 1:15 – 2:15
Get up and groove with TJ Wheeler! 2:30 – 3:30
• Stop by to see our 2026 Program Partner, Wentworth-Douglass
Hospital, for some Children’s Day fun…create a pinwheel!
• The Seacoast Waldorf School says stop by and make your own crown.
• The Girl Scouts of the Green & White Mountains predict a day of fun as they invite you to play games!
• Stop by the HAVEN tent on Pleasant Street and create some Thumb Print Art.
• Create a seed ball with the Portsmouth High School ECO Club on Pleasant Street.
• The Seacoast Science Center joins us with lots of marine-themed activities, including a rocky shore themed sensory bin. Spin their trivia whee for fun prizes.
• Lots happening with the Seacoast Community School who will have a fun activity station.
• Meet our friends from the Portsmouth Public Library and check out their Mobile Library!
• Temple Israel’s Early Learning Center & Hebrew School invite you to scratch art animals.
• Say hi to the Portsmouth Police & Police Explorers on Pleasant and check out their patrol motorcycle.
• Get fitted for a bicycle helmet from The Kiwanis Club of the Seacoast!
• Space, the final frontier…the New Hampshire Astronomical Society will be on hand to provide safe views of an increasingly active sun, including sunspots and solar activity.
C SO many things are happening at the North Church in Market Square! Sticker puzzles, create your own postcards and other creative and sensory activities!
D Make sure to visit the Portsmouth Fire Department on Court Street – check out the antique firetruck and say hello to your friends there, our Portsmouth Firefighters!
E Stop in at Kilwins, on 20 Congress Street, for some free popcorn. (while supplies last.)
F Stop by at Gus & Ruby Letterpress and design your own postcard – 29 Congress Street
G Hey kids, the folks at the Spice & Tea Exchange (63 Congress Street) invite you to explore herbs and spices, and make your own dream pouch.
H Stop into Cheese Louise at 76 Congress Street for oard games, card games and coloring pages galore! $5 grilled cheese (The Vermonter) and chips (children under 12y)
I Create a peace flag, design a pizza box, at the Flatbread Company – 138 Congress Street.
J The Portsmouth Historical Society, at 10 Middle Street, is offering free admission to their exhibits for children and young people under the age of 18. Create a piece for their Young Artists Contest!
K Meet children’s author, Larry Daley, for Storytime, Activities and a Scavenger Hunt celebrating his new book, “Float” at G. Willikers! – 13 Market Street.
L Meet local author, Tabiatha D’Agata, who’ll lead a fun bookmark craft at Portsmouth Book Nook, 32 Daniel Street.
M Create a Feathered Friend headband at Perch + Petal by Bell Farm – 105 Daniel Street.
N Sweeten your day at Izzy’s Frozen Yogurt, 33 Bow Street with free sprinkles and a kindness sticker!
O Curious George spends the afternoon at Treehouse Toys – 143 Market Street. Stop by and say hello!
P Head over to Annabelle’s Ice Cream at 49 Ceres Street for FREE SPRINKLES and a free mini Disney character.
Q Attrezzi Parking Lot Activity Area: (corner of Hanover & Market):
• Grab an Activity Map at our HQ!
• Jump Around! Inflatable fun with the Obstacle Course
and Skee Ball!
• Can you Hoola-Hoop?
FINALE
Join us for the Grand Finale at the Block Party Performance Area 3:30pm
We will announce the Raffle Winners at 3:45pm!
Be there to win great Prizes including Gift Certificates, special Family Passes to Seacoast activities, museums, restaurants and more.
