This year the Portsmouth Free Public Library changed how it sells tickets to its 25th annual Taste of Portsmouth. Tickets cost $25, they are sold only at the library's Circulation Desk, payment is cash or check, the library is limiting how many it sells, and none will be sold at the door on November 13. In 2024 it worked differently. Tickets cost $30 and you could buy them in advance or at the door, according to the Newport Daily News.
The rest of Portsmouth's winter calendar works the same way. Ragged Island Brewing's barn concerts hold 100 tickets per show. Glen Manor House's December gala takes 130 guests and confirms seats when your check arrives in the mail. The best nights out between now and March happen in small rooms, and you get in by acting early, often in person or by mail. The free events happen too, and most of them land on two Sundays in December.
How each one sells, side by side
| Event | Date | Price | Capacity | How tickets are sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Taste of Portsmouth, Portsmouth Free Public Library | Fri., Nov. 13, 7 to 9 p.m. | $25 | Limited, number not published | In person at the Circulation Desk, cash or check, advance only |
| Barn Sessions, Ragged Island Brewing | Weekly shows, Nov. 7 through Mar. 28, 6:30 to 9 p.m. | $14 to $35, depending on the band | 100 per show | Online through Eventbrite |
| Mistletoe Madness, Glen Manor House | Fri., Dec. 4, 7 to 11 p.m. | $125 per guest | 130 guests | Online request form, then a check by mail, confirmed in the order payments arrive |
Two of these three can't be bought on the night. The third, the Barn Sessions, sells online but caps each show at 100 tickets. Each one has its own way in, so the sections below take them in date order.
The library desk, before November 13
The Taste is the library's own fundraiser. The library's event listing describes it as an evening of wine and beer samples and food from "some of Portsmouth's most popular restaurants," with a live auction and raffle baskets. It's held in the Mello Program Room at 2658 East Main Road. The library hasn't published which restaurants are pouring and plating this year, so expect to be surprised.
This year's $25 price matches the 22nd annual event in 2023, as listed on Quahog.org. The library calls it special anniversary pricing and says that's the reason it's limiting ticket numbers. So the lower price and the closed door go together. More people will want a ticket, and there are fewer to go around.
What matters most is when the desk is staffed. The library's hours page lists these regular hours:
- Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m.
If you commute off the island, the Monday through Wednesday evening hours and the Sunday afternoon hours are your easiest chances. Bring cash or a checkbook, because the desk doesn't take cards for this. Questions go to [email protected] or (401) 683-9457. A quick call before you drive over is a good idea, since the ticket supply is capped.
A 100-seat barn on Bristol Ferry Road
Ragged Island Brewing's Barn Sessions series started its 2026 to 2027 season on November 7. Shows run from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at 54 Bristol Ferry Road, mostly on Saturdays, with a few Friday nights in December. The brewery says only 100 tickets are available per show and prices run $14 to $35 depending on the band.
Here are the shows through January. The prices are the starting "from" amounts on the brewery's Eventbrite organizer page, not final checkout totals.
| Date | Band | Listed from |
|---|---|---|
| Nov. 14 | Diamond Blues, a Jerry Garcia Band tribute | $18.49 |
| Nov. 21 | Chelley Knight and the Dope Things | $13.21 |
| Nov. 28 | Oblivious Fools, playing the songs of Phish | $13.21 |
| Dec. 4 | Conscious Band | $13.21 |
| Dec. 5 | Eddy's Shoe | $18.49 |
| Dec. 11 | Take it to the Bridge | $23.76 |
| Dec. 12 | Petty Larceny | $18.49 |
| Jan. 9 | Real Weird | $18.49 |
| Jan. 16 | Funkademic | $13.21 |
| Jan. 23 | Every Breath You Take | $23.76 |
| Jan. 30 | Playing Dead | $29.04 |
The November 14 show is Diamond Blues' fourth time at Ragged Island, according to the brewery. The series continues into late winter with Morrissey BLVD on February 6, DMB Project on February 13, Little Lies on February 20, World on Fire on March 6, The Carson Daily on March 13, PJ Last Exit on March 20 and Ladies of the 80's on March 28.
One practical tip: buy from the organizer page linked above, not from the individual "Get Tickets" buttons on the brewery's schedule. A few of those buttons still point to last season's event listings.
Ragged Island lists taproom hours of noon to 9 p.m. daily. Its events page lists trivia from 6 to 8 p.m. on November 12 and 19 and December 3, 10 and 17. It also lists taproom music from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Kate Virginia plays November 13 and December 11, The Naticks play November 20 and December 18, and Dave Alves plays December 4. If a Barn Sessions show sells out, the brewery itself is still open that night.
Glen Manor's ticket starts with a form and a stamp
Mistletoe Madness takes place Friday, December 4, from 7 to 11 p.m. at Glen Manor House, 3 Frank Coelho Drive. Glen Manor's ticket request page lists $125 per guest and a capacity of 130. Filling out the form doesn't confirm a reservation. Payment goes separately by check through the mail, and tickets are confirmed in the order payments arrive.
Because seats go in the order checks arrive, the date you mail yours matters more than the date you send the form. Proceeds support the Friends of the Glen Manor and the ongoing preservation of the house. Glen Manor also welcomes donations from people who can't attend.
December 4 is also crowded on the island. The same Friday has Conscious Band in the Ragged Island barn and Dave Alves in the taproom. If you're choosing between them, the Glen Manor ticket is the one that takes longest to lock in.
Sunday, December 6 needs no ticket at all
Two days after the gala, both venues open their doors for free on the same afternoon.
Glen Manor's annual Christmas Open House runs from 1:30 to 4 p.m. that Sunday. The Glen Manor events page describes "extraordinary decorations and Yuletide cheer," local talent and entertainment, and Santa arriving at 2:45 p.m. for pictures. Discover Newport lists it as open to the public.
The Holiday Market at Ragged Island runs from noon to 5 p.m. the same day. It's a free event with local vendors, gift items, plant sales and food trucks. The brewery has spread the market over two Sundays this year, so it comes back December 13 with the same hours.
The two schedules fit together well:
- Arrive at the market when it opens at noon, while the vendor tables are fully stocked.
- Get to Glen Manor by 1:30, or at least before 2:45 if the kids want a photo with Santa.
- Head back to Ragged Island before the market closes at 5, or save your shopping for the second market Sunday, December 13.
If you want something before December, the Portsmouth Arts Guild holds the opening reception for its Holiday Show 2026 on Saturday, November 21, from 1 to 4 p.m. The Arts Guild's site has the details. That evening, Chelley Knight and the Dope Things play the barn at 6:30.
Get to the library desk, with cash or a check, before November 13. Buy Barn Sessions seats on Eventbrite while the 100 are still available, and put your Mistletoe Madness check in the mail early. The free events on December 6 and 13 just need a spot on your calendar.
I'm always glad to compare notes with neighbors about which Portsmouth evenings are worth planning around. If you're new to the island, a seasonal renter, or hosting family over the holidays and want a local's read on the season, Brenton Reef Realty is a good place to start. Contact Schuyler for a local market consult.
