Portsmouth Chowder Festival

About This Event

Picture this: you're sitting in beautiful waterfront Prescott Park on the first Saturday of June, sampling incredible chowders from the region's best restaurants while live music drifts across Portsmouth Harbor. The WOKQ Chowder Festival is where New England chowder dreams come true — we're talking Smoked Scallop Chowder, Manhattan varieties, even Spicy Seafood Chowder, all competing for the coveted Golden Ladle award. What makes this special? It's not just about the chowder (though that's phenomenal). You'll find fresh-shucked oysters on the half shell, family activities like giant lawn games, and that perfect coastal atmosphere that makes you want to stay all day. The park itself is free to explore, so even if the chowder portion sells out, you can still soak up the seaside vibes. After 37 years, this festival has become a true New England institution — the kind of authentic local experience that makes flying to a destination completely worth it.