PORTSMOUTH — Strawbery Banke Museum invites families to trick-or-treat safely in the historic Puddle Dock neighborhood at Ghosts on the Banke, now expanded to two weekends: Oct. 17–18 & 24–25, 2025. Arrival times begin at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., and the event concludes at 8 p.m. Tickets are now on sale and available online at StrawberyBanke.org/ghosts.

Step into Halloween magic as you stroll along the Museum’s lanes illuminated by hundreds of carved pumpkins, candle boxes, and string lights, guiding lost souls through the night. Enjoy the haunting sounds of ghost ships lost in the river’s fog, warm up by the All Hallows Bonfire, and immerse yourself in spooky ghost stories. Brave visitors can even knock on the witch’s door for a treat… if they dare.

Tickets for this safe trick-or-treating experience are $16 for nonmember and $8 for members. Children under a year old are free. 

Ghosts on the Banke occurs rain or shine. While the event is spooky, it is geared toward children under 12, and all ages are welcome. Visitors are encouraged to dress warmly and in costume and enjoy the festive fall atmosphere.

Onsite parking at Strawbery Banke Museum, 14 Hancock St., Portsmouth, is reserved for visitors with handicap-accessible placards, first-come, first-served.

"Ghosts on the Banke is a wonderful way for families to experience the excitement of Halloween while exploring the historic Puddle Dock neighborhood," said Linnea Grim, president and CEO, Thomas W. Haas Endowed Chair. "The Museum is excited to offer two weekends of family-friendly fun where families can trick-or-treat safely along candlelit lanes, discover centuries of local history, and enjoy a magical fall evening together."

Ghosts on the Banke is sponsored in part by Arcove Architects, Atlantic Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, Bangor Savings Bank, D.F. Richard, Harbour Women’s Health, Lincoln Financial, Lonza, M&T Bank, New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, Newburyport Bank, Piscataqua Savings Bank, Portwalk Place, The Puddle Dock Restaurant, R.M. Davis, Seacoast United, and TOUR Golf & Grill.

For more information about Ghosts on the Banke and Strawbery Banke Museum, or to purchase tickets, visit StrawberyBanke.org. 

About Strawbery Banke Museum

Strawbery Banke Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is a nearly 10-acre history museum in downtown Portsmouth, NH, interpreting over 350 years of history—from Indigenous peoples to the present day. The Museum features historic houses on their original sites, heirloom gardens, traditional crafts, and costumed roleplayers sharing stories of Puddle Dock residents. Strawbery Banke welcomes visitors, members, schoolchildren, and volunteers year-round for daily programs, exhibits, skating, and signature events. Funding is provided in part by the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation; the Institute of Museum and Library Services; the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy Demands Wisdom; and the New Hampshire Land and Community Heritage Investment Program.