Portsmouth Pride

Portsmouth Pride is organized by New Hampshire Outright, a Seacoast LGBTQ+ youth organization. The day begins with a history and crafts gathering at the John Paul Jones House, followed by a parade from downtown to Strawbery Banke Museum, where a Pride marketplace is held. Related June events include a youth Pride party, an art exhibition by LGBTQ+ youth, and a drag brunch.

New Hampshire Outright began as Seacoast Outright and has grown into a statewide nonprofit that serves, supports and advocates for LGBTQIA+ youth and their allies. Its programs include peer support groups, a parent group, an after-school arts program, a Little Outrighters group and events such as Alphabet Prom and a Halloween party. Portsmouth Pride is its largest public event.

The morning starts at the John Paul Jones House, run with the Portsmouth Historical Society, where visitors can view artifacts from the city's LGBTQ+ history and make mini flags and buttons on the lawn. The parade gathers outside 40 Pleasant Street around noon, then travels down State Street and Atkinson Street to Strawbery Banke. No registration is needed, and both groups and individuals can march.

At Strawbery Banke, the marketplace brings together more than 100 local artisans, nonprofits and businesses, and a mainstage hosts speeches and performances. A ticketed after party has been held at The Hawthorn in the West End. Other events around the month have included a Pride kickoff with the Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth, a youth art show at the Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery, a Youth Pride Party for ages 13 to 18, a garden evening at the Sarah Orne Jewett House with Historic New England, and a drag brunch at The Music Hall Lounge.

Pride events celebrate LGBTQ+ people and mark the Stonewall uprising of June 1969. Most combine a parade or march with a festival of performers, community groups, vendors and food.

Portsmouth Pride has included parade, marketplace, youth events and drag brunch.

The organizer has not announced dates for 2027 yet. In 2026 it was held June 20, 2026. It usually falls third Saturday of June.