Holiday Events
More information is being added as we get updates from all participating organizations!
Based on the cherished 2003 New Line Cinema hit, Elf features an enchanting collection of songs by Tony Award nominees Matthew Sklar (The Wedding Singer) and Chad Beguelin (Disney's Aladdin on Broadway). The delightful musical is brought to life with a witty book crafted by Tony Award winners Thomas Meehan (Annie, The Producers, Hairspray) and Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone). This festive production captures the magic of the beloved film while adding a fresh and vibrant twist, making it a perfect holiday experience for audiences of all ages.
The Ogunquit Playhouse’s production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas returns to The Music Hall this holiday season. Packed full of dazzling dance numbers, iconic songs such as “Happy Holiday,” “Sisters,” “Blue Skies,” and the beloved title song, as well as actors straight from Broadway, you aren’t going to want to miss this “holiday card come to life.” The magic of Broadway swings into the Historic Theater with spectacular dance numbers, nostalgic songs, and a few surprises that are sure to wow you.
Candlelight Stroll
Presented by Strawbery Banke Museum.
14 Hancock St, Portsmouth, NH
Friday, December 5, & 12 2025
Saturdays, December 6, 13, & 20, 2025
Sunday, December 7, 14, & 21, 2025
Member ticket sales begin on Monday, October 22, 2025, at 10 AM.
Public ticket sales begin on Monday, November 3, 2025, at 10 AM.
*Please note - Due to extreme weather conditions forecasted for Friday, December 19, 2025—including sustained high winds and gusts of up to 50 mph—we have made the difficult decision to cancel Candlelight Stroll for Friday evening.
Candlelight Stroll is a large, complex outdoor event that spans the Museum’s campus and involves historic buildings, temporary infrastructure, live performances, and hundreds of staff and volunteers. In light of these factors, and with guest safety and experience as our top priorities, we believe it is necessary to err on the side of caution.
Candlelight Stroll will proceed as scheduled on Saturday, December 20, and Sunday, December 21.
Guests who purchased Friday tickets have been contacted directly with additional information. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. We hope to welcome you to the Museum soon.
*
Candlelight Stroll invites visitors to step into the past and experience 350+ years of seasonal and holiday traditions in the Puddle Dock neighborhood. The Museum’s furnished historic houses are adorned with handmade decorations created from greens and dried flowers from the Museum’s heirloom gardens. Visitors call upon the many families who once lived in the waterfront neighborhood – portrayed by costumed roleplayers – who share stories, customs, and seasonal traditions. While traveling from house to historic house, the glow of hundreds of candle lanterns and string lights illuminate the way as guests enjoy seasonal greetings from wandering musicians and performers who recreate the traditions of times past. Additionally enjoy hot apple cider, a warming bonfire, and Ice Dance International’s Currier and Ives Vintage Christmas Skaters for several performances each night of this treasured event. Performances by the Vintage Christmas Skaters are weather-dependent. Please note that parking is unavailable on-site for Candlelight Stroll as the small Museum lot is reserved for handicapped accessible needs on a first-come, first-served basis.
Gingerbread House Contest Presented by Portsmouth Historical Society
10 Middle St, Portsmouth, NH
Friday, November 28 - Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Step into a world where gingerbread meets imagination! For 2025, we’re looking for bold, unexpected creations in The Great Gingerbread Experiment. We invite bakers, builders, and dreamers of all ages to stretch the boundaries of confectionery– to craft sculptures, scenes, and sweet surprises that defy the traditional roof and walls. Whether you’re experimenting with a new kind of structure, using an edible material you’ve never tried before, or knocking down the gingerbread walls altogether, we want to see your most innovative designs come to life. Embrace creativity and join us for a season of playful experimentation in gingerbread like never before.
Jane Monheit The Merriest Holiday Show Presented by Jimmy's Jazz Club
135 Congress St, Portsmouth, NH
Sunday, December 21st 7pm and 9:30pm
One of jazz’s most beloved voices, Jane Monheit returns with a warm and enchanting holiday project designed to stir feelings of nostalgia, family, and home. The Merriest is a personal collection hand-picked by Jane herself, expressing her love for the season in a way that feels like a gift from her to listeners. With lush orchestrations, intimate vocals, and timeless songs, Jane invites everyone to celebrate the merriest season of all. A self-described Christmas fanatic, Jane has released two highly acclaimed seasonal albums: The Season (2005) and The Merriest (2022). Each December, she tours to widespread acclaim, bringing her bright, swinging holiday show to audiences across the country. With fresh arrangements of classic favorites and joyful performances, Jane’s holiday shows have become a cherished tradition, delighting fans of all ages and cementing her status as one of jazz?s most enchanting vocalists. Lineup: Max Haymer (piano), Neal Miner (bass), Rick Montalbano (drums)
Warren Wolf’s Christmas Vibes Presented by Jimmy's Jazz Club
135 Congress St, Portsmouth, NH
Tuesday, December 23rd 7:30pm
Warren Wolf is a versatile Baltimore-based musician with over 20 years of experience as a vibraphonist, drummer, and composer. He began his musical journey at age three, studying under his father and later attending the prestigious Peabody Preparatory. After high school at the Baltimore School for the Arts, he studied at Berklee College of Music under renowned vibraphonist Dave Samuels. Wolf has collaborated with notable artists like Christian McBride and Karriem Riggins and has led several recordings, including the R&B-infused Reincarnation and the breezy Convergence. He became an instructor at Berklee in 2003, teaching vibraphone, drums, and beginners’ keyboard classes, while remaining active in Boston’s jazz scene. Join us for an unforgettable evening of music featuring Warren Wolf on vibes, Imani Grace on vocals, and Alex Brown on piano!
Ye Merry Gentlmen Presented by Jimmy's Jazz Club
105 Marcy St, Portsmouth, NH
Friday, November 15 - Sunday, November 30
It’s Christmas Eve, and this family is on a mission: to finally convince 50-year-old George that Santa Claus isn’t real. But George isn’t backing down—he has a few surprises of his own that might just change everything. This heartwarming new play is a joyful reminder that believing can bring a little magic into our lives… especially during the holidays. A decade after its first production, Ye Merry Gentlemen returns with some of the original script and original cast—now ten years older, and maybe a little wiser. Get ready to laugh, feel, and leave with your heart full. Warning for grownups: in this holiday comedy, all characters but one question the existence of Santa Claus. Though the play ends in a spirit of wonder, we recommend caution for families with young believers.
Juston McKinney’s Comedy Year In Review 2025 Presented by The Music Hall
28 Chestnut St, Portsmouth, NH
Friday, December 26 - Monday, December 29
End the year with laughter as the Seacoast’s own Juston McKinney performs what have become annual must-see shows at The Music Hall! Juston has multiple appearances on the Tonight Show, Conan O’Brien, and both a half-hour special and a one-hour special on Comedy Central. He also has two one-hour specials you can currently see right now on Amazon Prime! Throw in some appearances at the TD Garden for Comics Come Home, a Showtime special with Rob Gronkowski, and you can see why NH Magazine named him “Best of New Hampshire” and The New York Times called him “Destined for stardom.” Have the last laugh of 2025 with Juston as he uses multimedia to dish on his New England life and looks back at the year that was.
A Christmas Carol Presented by Players' Ring Theatre
105 Marcy St, Portsmouth, NH
Select Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays at 7pm Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30pm
By popular demand, this dream-like production returns after last year’s sold-out (but cut short!) run! An adaptation true to Dickens’ charming, chucklesome, yet unforgettably haunting tale. Tailor-made for the Players Ring’s intimate setting, this holiday production embraces theatricality, a bit of sleight-of-hand, and narration by a pair of unlikely (and sometimes unwilling) fools.
Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra
50 Andrew Jarvis, Portsmouth, NH
Sunday, December 21, 2025
Celebrate the magic of the season with the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra’s Family Holiday Pops! – a beloved annual tradition that delights audiences of all ages. This joyful celebration will delight audiences of all ages with a festive blend of holiday classics and wintertime favorites. On Saturday, December 21st, Portsmouth favorite Monte Bohanan will bring The Night Before Christmas to life as our special guest narrator, making this performance a magical experience for audiences young and old. And no holiday concert would be complete without a spirited holiday sing-along, inviting everyone to join in the music-making and cheer. Gather your family and friends and make Family Holiday Pops! part of your holiday tradition. This heartwarming concert is sure to leave you filled with joy, laughter, and the spirit of the season!
Enjoy the delight of outdoor ice skating at Strawbery Banke’s professionally maintained outdoor rink in the heart of downtown Portsmouth. Daily public skating. Private parties. Skating lessons. Skate rentals and sharpening services are available.
Online ticketing not yet available for the 2025-2026 season.
First Night Portsmouth
Presented by Pro Portsmouth
28 Chestnut St, Portsmouth, NH
Wednesday, December 31, 2025 from 2 PM to 8 PM
Pro Portsmouth became a member of the First Night Alliance in 1986 when it produced First Night Portsmouth on the Seacoast.
This celebration gives our Community the opportunity to come together as one, reflecting on the year that has passed and looking forward with hope and great anticipation to the year ahead.
The date – never changes: December 31st!