WHAT IF…

Friday, May 9, 2025 at The Music Hall

One of the biggest TEDx events in the country, TEDxPortsmouth is an immersive, full-day event showcasing a diverse lineup of inspiring speakers, rousing artistic performances, local food and more. This 100% volunteer-run annual event is where the Seacoast comes together to connect and explore big ideas — science, the arts, the environment, humanity, entrepreneurship — in a shared experience emphasizing community, conversation, and inspiration. TEDxPortsmouth garners not only a huge local following, but a global reach with speaker videos generating more than a million views (and counting!).

The design for the 2025’s “What If” is shown to the left.

The design for the 2025’s “What If” is shown above.

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NEW THIS YEAR!

You can buy a ticket to join us at The Music Hall Lounge (across the street) for the official Watch Party, where the event will be live-streamed on multiple screens—the next best thing to being at the Historic Theater! This is a nice opportunity to enjoy all of the TEDxPortsmouth amenities like coffee, snacks, and lunch, just as you would at the Historic Theater!

Buy tickets to the official Watch Party at the Music Hall Lounge here!

Get Tickets - Watch Party

“The speakers were informative, intriguing, and entertaining. I left smarter, wiser, and more aware.“

“I have already recommended TEDxPortsmouth to colleagues and friends. It was an inspiring experience. Every year I say, “That was the best TEDx I’ve been to.” And every year it gets better.”

“Engaging ideas and people. This is how communities grow and develop.“

“I was blown away by the content provided by all the other speakers as well. I traveled from another state and took several days off from work to attend. Wonderful experience.”

“For someone who is community-minded and intellectually curious, there is nothing like it.“

“I think anytime someone has the opportunity to attend, they should.“

“I would go back again tomorrow if they were hosting another but guess I’ll have to wait until next year.“

“The Portsmouth coordinators did a fabulous job of putting on a professional event with a wide variety of informative, inspirational, and entertaining talks and performances!“

From our Blog

Students & Educators Day 2025

by TEDxPortsmouth | Apr 3, 2025

What If… students and educators could experience TEDxPortsmouth for FREE?
On Thursday, May 8, 2025 you can!
Seacoast area educators are invited to bring groups of engaged students in grades 8-12 to the first ever TEDxPortsmouth Students & Educators day at The Music Hall. Here you’ll get a unique, behind the scenes viewing of TEDxPortsmouth during our full dress rehearsal, the day before the main event.

Taking TEDx to the Top! How They Sold Out Tickets In 25 Minutes

by TEDxPortsmouth | Aug 12, 2024

In this episode of Granite Goodness, we meet Anna and Kaarin, the self described locomotive management duo behind TEDx Portsmouth. Anna (the freight train) and Kaarin (the brakes) share their...

Anna Goldsmith on Creative Leadership, Partnerships and TEDx

by TEDxPortsmouth | Mar 4, 2024

Anna Goldsmith, the producer and licensee of TEDxPortsmouth, was recently featured on the Authentic Leadership For Everyday People podcast.

Anna Goldsmith is the founder of The Hired Pens,...

Meet the 2025 Speakers

See our amazing line-up

Watch talks from our last event

Get excited for this year

What is TEDx?

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Our event is called TEDxPortsmouth, where x = independently organized TED event. At our TEDxPortsmouth event, TED Talks video and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organized.