Holiday Festivities
Celebrate the holidays in one of the world's Christmas capitals!
“For all the beauty Portsmouth offers during the summer, the holiday season just may be its finest time of year. The Christmas spirit you find here isn’t garish or overblown. It’s tasteful and subtle, more vintage than big-box store.” — Yankee Magazine
The holidays in New England are cozy and beautiful, and Portsmouth is no exception. Take a holiday tour around town, or drive through Portsmouth and its neighboring towns for Christmas lights sight-seeing and wintertime fun. See below for some of our recommendations of places to see and things to do!
City of Portsmouth Tree Lighting & Parade
Portsmouth’s annual Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting is back!
Saturday, December 3, 2022
- 5:00 Portsmouth Middle & High School Holiday Ensemble
- 5:30pm Tree Lighting in Market Square
6:00pm Parade step off from Islington Street/Summer Street
People wishing to participate in the parade are welcome to email Brian Sullivan at bsullivan@cityofportsmouth.com. Visit the City of Portsmouth website for more information!
Spectators, please note that there will be a parking ban in downtown on parade night.
Rain date: Sun, Dec 4. Same times.
Keep an eye on the Facebook Page for up to date information.
Eat
Please continue to check back for more details on Holiday dinner offerings.
The Beach Plum
You’re on the Nice List! Enjoy The Beach Plum’s holiday arctic swirl before 12/24.
Also 25% off Gift Cards
The Carriage House
Offering early Christmas Eve dinner from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Closed on Christmas Day
Christmas Day Buffet & Dinner - Wentworth by the Sea
Enjoy Christmas Day Buffet or Dinner at Wentworth by the Sea.
BUFFET
Wentworth Ballroom
Serving: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Enjoy a seemingly endless display of mouth-watering delicacies, a crystalline ice sculpture, complimentary champagne, delectable dessert displays and more!
Ikko Sushi & Steakhouse Portsmouth
Open Christmas Eve until 9:30 p.m. and Christmas Day from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
The Library Restaurant
Open Christmas Eve closed on Christmas Day
Open New Year’s Eve
Shearwater Restaurant at the Stage Neck Inn
Offering a prix fixed Christmas dinner from 1 to 4 p.m. at $109.95 per person plus tax and 20% service charge.
Santa Sunday Brunch - Wentworth by the Sea
Every Sunday before Christmas for a bit of holiday magic.
Reservations are required. Make yours at 603-422-7322
PLAY
Please check back for more details on Holiday dinner offerings.
Vintage Christmas in Portsmouth
A month long celebration of the holiday season with shows, strolls, shopping and more!
Visit the website below for details!
32nd Annual Gingerbread House Contest & Scavenger Hunt
Exhibition dates: The show at Portsmouth Historical Society, as well as the downtown scavenger hunt, will be on display from Friday, November 25, through Thursday, December 22.
Gingerbread House Contest registration and applications to be one of the downtown storefronts will be open on September 25.
Discover Portsmouth Welcome Center open daily, 10 am – 5 pm.
43rd Annual Candlelight Stroll at Strawbery Banke Museum
Candlelight Stroll
Saturdays: December 3, 10, 17, 2022, 5-9 PM
Sundays: December 4, 11, 18, 2022, 4-8 PM
An outdoor-only experience to be held in rain, snow, or starlight.
Member Ticket Sales: Monday, October 24, 2022 at 10 AM
Public Ticket Sales: Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at 10 AM
THIS EVENT SELLS OUT QUICKLY.
Labrie Family Skate at Puddle Dock Pond
Provides seasonal outdoor ice skating at the heart of the 10-acre living history museum. The rink operates seven days a week, 9 am to 9 pm throughout December and on New Year’s Day, and the months of January and February. (Weather permitting)
Weather permitting; the rink is open daily from 9 AM to 9 PM, except for Christmas Day and shortened hours on Christmas Eve.
Target opening date for the 2022-2023 season (weather dependent): “Frozen Friday,” November 25, 2022, 9 AM.
Visit the website below for more information and to purchase tickets.
The Music Hall
The Music Hall:
Elf The Musical presented by The Ogunquit Playhouse at The Music Hall beginning Wednesday, November 30 to Sunday, December 18.
Juston McKinney: A Year in Review 2022 – (Multiple Dates)
December 26 & 27 • 7 PM
December 28 & 29 • 8 PM
The Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra New Year’s Eve Champagne Pops! – Saturday, December 31 • 8 PM
The Music Hall Lounge:
Kat Wright – Saturday, December 3 • 8 PM
Ante Duvekot – Thursday, December 8 • 7:30 PM
The Player's Ring
The Adventures of Sleepyhead by Gemma Soldati – November 25-27, 2022
A Christmas Carol Adapted & Directed by Michael J Tobin – December 2-22, 2022
Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra
Holiday Pops Concert
Saturday December 18th, 2021, 7:30pm
Sunday December 19th, 2021, 3pm, Portsmouth High School
New Year’s Eve Champagne Pops – Saturday, December 31 • 8 PM, The Music Hall
The Seacoast Rep
A Christmas Story – November 17, 2022 – December 23, 2022
Judy’s Scary Little Christmas – November 30, 2022 – December 21, 2022
Wentworth By The Sea Illumination
Free of Charge! Everyone is welcome.
Highlights Include…
– Santa’s arrival by sleigh
– Crafts and games for children
– Unveiling of our giant gingerbread house
– Portsmouth high school marching band
– Ceremonial hotel lighting!
Rooftop at the Envio Holiday Cocktail Class
Join the staff of the Envio as they host an exciting two-hour special holiday cocktail class! This interactive experience will include a brief history presentation, the ins-and-outs of building a proper Holiday cocktail. In this class you will be crafting three different Holiday cocktails. This class also includes an appetizer, a full-size entrée, and a delicious dessert.
Price is $120 (tax included) per person. Does not include gratuity.
STAY
Portsmouth has many warm & inviting lodging properties to enjoy during your holiday getaway.
AC Hotel, Hampton Inn & Suites, Residence Inn Portsmouth Waterfront - Holiday Shopping Package
Take advantage of the tax-free shopping in New Hampshire as you prepare for the holiday season or for a fun weekend away! The Portsmouth Shopping Package receives 10% off in select stores and up to 25% off your stay in the AC Hotel Portsmouth, Hampton Inn & Suites Portsmouth Downtown, or Residence Inn Portsmouth Downtown.
Book One Night and Receive 10% off Your Stay- Book Two Nights and Receive 15% off Your Stay
- Book Three Nights and Receive 25% off Your Stay
- Guests at all three hotels can enjoy 20% food and beverage at the AC Lounge (located on the first floor of the AC Hotel Portsmouth)
Hampton Inn & Suites Portsmouth Downtown - The Elf Experience
Portsmouth is a top destination to visit during the holiday season, and seeing the Portsmouth Music Hall’s show is a staple activity. Continue the magic of the show at our hotel with the “The Elf Experience Package”!
Each guest room will receive the Elf’s four main food groups: Candy, Candy Canes, Candy Corn and Syrup, and each child will be greeted with their very own Elf to take home. Guests will also be able to enjoy elf coloring pages, crafts, and the selfie with an Elfie station!
Whether you’re visiting the show or not, let the holiday magic start here!
AC Hotel Portsmouth - NYE Lazy Sunday Package
Enjoy a lazy Sunday at the AC Hotel Portsmouth. After taking advantage of complimentary valet parking, treat yourself to a delicious brunch for two at the Rooftop at the Envio, take your time during brunch and checkout late at 4:00 PM.
Included:
- Brunch for Two ($60 Value) on Sunday
- Late Checkout at 4:00 p.m.
- Overnight Valet Parking until 4:00 p.m. ($40 Value)
Good Dog Gallery
Grab your stocking it is time to go shopping!
On December 10th and 11th, Good Dog Gallery is hosting a Stocking Stuffer Weekend. You can bring your own or use a store-provided stocking to receive a 20% discount on whatever you can fit in your stocking!
–
Starting Monday, November 21st, Good Dog Gallery will be activating their Giving Tree where customers can donate $3 to put their dog or cats name on one of our paw ornaments that will hang on our tree.
Good Dog Gallery will be donating all proceeds to Little Angels Service Dogs in Bartlett, NH. They raise and train dogs to assist children and adults with a variety of disabilities such as Epilepsy, Autism, and PTSD. It takes approximately $35,000 to prepare one dog and the waitlist is approximately 24 months at this point in time.
Good Dog Gallery will match every donation!
