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
The Christmas parade has been cancelled for 2020 due to COVID-19.
Click here to view the Christmas tree in Market Square, best viewed after 4 pm!
Eat
Anneke Jans
Offering a Holiday/Christmas dinner menu. Available for pre-order beginning 12/12-12/22. Dinners come with warming instruction and are for curbside pick up Wednesday 12/23 3-8pm or 12/24 10 am – noon.
Offering a special New Years Eve menu is for 12/30 & 12/31. A Two night celebration so more can enjoy! Reservations only.
BRGR Bar
Open Christmas Eve Until 4 PM.
Offering Brunch Menu, with specials on Bloody Mary & Mimosa Kits
10% off gift cards for December, and 20% off on Christmas Eve.
Adult milkshakes include Egg Nog and Candy Cane!
The Beach Plum
Offering a special holiday 25% gift card bonus!
Offering a FREE pint of ice cream with any $50 purchase in store or gift card purchase.
Flatbread Pizza
Ore Nell's BBQ
Takeout orders now being accepted through Thursday, Dec. 17 for Ore Nell’s Christmas package to pick up on Dec. 24 between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Packages feed 4 people for $149.99 plus tax and include oak-smoked prime rib, a trio of sauces, fried Brussels sprouts, roasted potatoes, butternut squash and apple casserole, Hawaiian rolls and cinnamon whiskey bread pudding.
Add on anything from their regular menu, too. Order on their website!
Roundabout Diner
Offering a special Holiday Dinner To Go Menu
Christmas Eve – close at 3pm
Christmas Day – Closed
Row 34
Online offer of 20% off all gift card purchases of $100 or more when you use the code GC2020 at check out. In person: For every $100 dollars spent you will receive a $20 gift certificate.
Offering a Malts and Merriments box. Each day leading up to Christmas, a beer lover gets to unwrap a beer to celebrate!
There are 12 wrapped beers that are not items on our current menu and were purchased specifically for this event. Each box is $75 dollars and can be purchased through the 23rd. If any one has questions about this they can reach out to Rhiannon Higgins, she is our bar manager and beer connoisseur — her email is rhiggins@row34.com.
Row 34 is going to be closed from December 21st to December 30th. Will Reopen on New Year’s Eve!
SALT Kitchen & Bar
Offering Christmas Day dinner is from 1 to 8 p.m.
Four courses with a choice in each course is $64.95 per person plus tax and tip and $25.95 for kids under 12.
Click here for details!
Three Chimney's Inn - Ffrost Sawyer Tavern
Offering a special Holiday To Go Menu
All orders must be placed by December 15th for December 23 pick up!
Throwback Brewery
Offering Holiday supper for four to take home for $165.
Orders must be in by Dec. 20 for pickup or delivery on Dec. 24 between noon and 4 p.m.
York Harbor Inn
Offering Christmas dinner to go. Order by Dec. 17 at 3 p.m. for Pickup on Dec. 23 between 1 and 5 p.m.
Family-style dinner serves 4 to 6 with choices like prime rib roast or roast turkey with slides and dessert.
Dinner for 2 also available e as well and that includes choices like beef Wellington, lobster stuffed chicken and a Tuscan seafood bake with sides and dessert.
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Vintage Christmas in Portsmouth
A month long celebration of the holiday season with shows, strolls, shopping and more!
Visit the website below for details!
30th Annual Gingerbread House Contest & Exhibition
Portsmouth Historical Society celebrates the 30th Annual Gingerbread House Contest and Exhibition from November 20 through December 22, 2020
Take a walk through Market Square and see all the houses on display in storefront windows! Visit all locations, collect the stamps, and turn in your stamp sheet for a chance to win a $100 gift certificate to Cure or the Roundabout Diner!
Downtown Scavenger Hunt
Discover Portsmouth Welcome Center open daily, 10 am – 5 pm.
41st Annual Candlelight Stroll Under the Stars at Strawbery Banke Museum
Friday Dec. 11 & 18, 4-8 PM
Saturday Dec. 12 & 19, 4-8 PM
Sunday Dec. 13 & 20, 4-8 PM
An outdoor-only experience. One-hour, self-guided tours departing every 30-minutes. The last self-guided tour departs at 7 PM.
During Candlelight Stroll Under the Stars, Dec 11, 12, 13, & 18, 19, 20, skaters can purchase skating-only tickets — it is not necessary to purchase a Candlelight Stroll Under the Stars ticket to skate.
Get all the details on the website below.
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.
Visit the website below for more information and to purchasse tickets.
The Music Hall - Holiday Medley
Intimate & elegant cabaret shows, festive films, and the classic holiday programming you love at The Music Hall!
Don’t miss the annual Holiday Auction, starting on Nov. 8, and new this year, The Holiday Co-op Shoppe in partnership with Malloy Events.
The Players Ring - A Christmas Carol
A one man production harkening to the days when Dickens himself would travel the world, reading his work aloud.
November 27 – December 20
The Seacoast Rep - Winter Wonderettes
The Wonderettes are back, and just in time for the Holidays! The four fabulous, hilarious Wonderettes take you iconic 60’s versions of classic holiday tunes like “Jingle Bell Rock”, “Winter Wonderland”, “Santa Clause is Comin’ to Town” and more.
Enjoy the show live or livestreamed.
November 27 – December 19
Wentworth By The Sea Illumination
This special, traditional event at the Wentworth will also include an appearance by Santa in his sleigh, with elves to take Christmas lists from children! There will also be live music and carolers for the enjoyment of guests. And another favorite tradition of the resort will also continue – the unveiling of the Gingerbread House! This annual creation is always a favorite with hotel guests and locals who look forward to marveling at the over-sized, magical gingerbread house made by the talented chefs of Wentworth by the Sea.
Tuesday, December 1, 2020 at 5 PM.
The Wentworth by the Sea will also be conducting their annual Toy Drive once again this year. Toy drop off will be December 1st through December 17th. Toys can be dropped off only Monday – Thursday from 11:30am to 4pm. Anyone bringing an unwrapped, unopened gift to help support children of the Seacoast will receive 10% off at SALT! (Alcohol excluded).
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Lodging Deals
Portsmouth has many warm & inviting lodging properties to enjoy during your holiday getaway.
Click the button below for lodging deals!
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Shop local this holiday season!
Check out shopping page for gift inspiration!
