Holidays on parade in Seacoast towns: Community events this week
105th Christmas Fair now through Dec. 4
KITTERY - Kittery Point Church's 105th Christmas Fair is a ‘Merry & Bright’ Online Market with curbside pickup this year. The First Congregational Church, located on Pepperrell Road in Kittery Point, has crafted a hybrid event. The online market is live now at kitterypointucc.org and open for shopping through Dec. 2. Then, grab your purchases curbside at the historic Kittery Point church on Saturday, Dec. 4 from 3 to 7 p.m. and enjoy the “Merry & Bright” light display.
23rd annual Exeter Festival of Trees Dec. 1 and 2
EXETER — This year, the Exeter Town Hall doors will be open Dec. 1 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Dec. 2, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the 23rd annual Festival of Trees. All visitors are being asked to wear masks inside the hall, a limited number of people will be allowed entry at a time, and hand sanitizer will be made available.
Santa comes to Exeter Dec. 2
EXETER — Santa and his helpers are taking over Front Street in Exeter on Thursday, Dec. 2 from 4 to 8 p.m. Santa arrives promptly at 5 p.m. so don’t be late. Enjoy a free night of music, train rides, lights, hot cocoa, singalongs and more.
'A Christmas Carol' at Garrison Players opens Dec. 2
ROLLINSFORD — Performance dates for Charles Dickens’ "A Christmas Carol" are Dec. 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18 at 8 p.m. and Dec. 5, 12, 19 at 2 p.m. at Garrison Players Arts Center, 449 Roberts ROAD, Rollinsford. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students. At the request of the performers, proof of vaccination will be required. Visit www.garrisonplayers.org, or email boxoffice@garrisonplayers.org, or call 603-750-4278 for details, tickets, and volunteer opportunities.
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Rochester Chamber Tree Lighting Dec. 3
ROCHESTER — The Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce will hold its Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, Dec. 3 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Central Square in downtown Rochester. A program of family activities will also take place including a reading of 'The Night Before Christmas;' dance performances and caroling will be conducted by Studio 109 Dance, Voice & Drama, cookies and hot chocolate, a very special visit from Santa Claus, and more.
Rochester Main Street Festival of Trees Dec. 3 and 4
ROCHESTER — Rochester Main Street will present the annual Festival of Trees on Dec. 3, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Dec. 4, from 4 to 8 p.m. in the greenhouse at Studley’s Flower Gardens, 82 Wakefield St. This festive event offers the public an opportunity to win dozens of wonderfully decorated trees donated by area businesses and organizations. The trees often include valuable gifts in addition to beautiful decorations. Saturday’s portion will include holiday music and a visit from Santa 5 to 7 p.m. Admission is $5 each day and includes five raffle tickets for the drawings. Children enter free. Additional raffle tickets are available for purchase. All drawings are pulled Saturday at 7 p.m. Winners do not need to be present to win. If not present, winners will receive a phone call and must respond. Winners can collect the winnings after the event concludes Saturday or on Sunday, Dec. 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Unclaimed trees and gifts by 1 p.m. Sunday will be forfeited. More information at www.rochestermainstreet.org/events.
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Dover’s Festival of Trees Dec. 3
DOVER – The 12th annual Dover Festival of Trees will take Friday, Dec. 3 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Rivermill at Dover Landing. The event is free and open to the public.
The festival features more than 35 elaborate trees available through silent and live auction or raffle drawing. The event also includes live choir performances, refreshments, free goodie bags for kids and a visit from Santa (sponsored by J.T. Travis Blacktop Services). The main attraction will be the Raffle Tree, which will be fully decorated with hundreds of dollars in gift cards to local restaurants and retailers. Tickets for the raffle tree will be $5 each, or five for $20. The Festival of Trees is a fundraiser that benefits the Dover Chamber’s City Lights Committee, a volunteer group of residents and Chamber members dedicated to illuminating downtown Dover during the holiday season and hanging American flags on Central Avenue during the summer months. For more information on Festival of Trees, call (603) 742-2218 or visit www.dovernh.org/fot.
Button Factory 35th Open Studios Dec. 3 to 5
PORTSMOUTH — The Button Factory Open Studios will hold a preview showcasing Button Factory tenants only on Friday night, Dec. 3, from 5 to 8 p.m. Then Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 4 and 5, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. will also feature visiting guest artists hosted inside some studios at 855 Islington St., Portsmouth. The event is free and open to the public. More info at www.buttonfactorystudios.com.
December Astronomy Club meeting Dec. 3
KENNEBUNK, Maine — The Astronomical Society of Northern New England (ASNNE) will hold its monthly meeting on Friday, Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m. at the New School, 38 York St., Kennebunk. The Business Meeting, also open to the public, commences at 6:45 p.m. The December meeting agenda includes: Bernie Reim's "What's Up for the Month" and the ever popular "Astro Shorts" where attendees and members share questions, activities, news and observations. if skies are clear, members may go to the Talmage Observatory at Starfield for an observing session. More info visit www.ASNNE.org.
Dover Tree Lighting Dec. 3
DOVER - The annual Christmas Tree Lighting in Henry Law Park will begin at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 3. Nancy Gurick will lead attendees in singing popular Christmas songs around the tree, and will be joined by Seacoast Men of Harmony. Everyone is encouraged to attend this family tradition and to bring a weather-appropriate ornament to hang on the tree. For information, contact the Recreation Department at 603-516-6401.
Somersworth-Berwick Christmas Parade Dec. 4
SOMERSWORTH — The Somersworth- Berwick Christmas Parade will take place Saturday, Dec. 4 at 1:30 p.m. The theme for this year's parade will be “Joy to the World.” This year the parade will start at 1:30 p.m.
Hampton Christmas Parade Dec. 4
The Experience Hampton annual Holiday Parade will take place at 1 p.m. on Dec. 4. The theme is “Holiday Memories.” For more information, visit www.experiencehampton.org/holidayparade.
Somersworth Festival Association Craft Fair Dec. 4
SOMERSWORTH - The Somersworth Festival Association Craft Fair will take place Saturday, Dec. 4 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Somersworth High School on Memorial Drive.
'It's a Jazzy Holiday' concert Dec. 4
DOVER - St.Thomas' Episcopal Church "Concerts in the Castle" presents "It's a Jazzy Holiday!" featuring The Fourth Street Jazz Choir, conducted by Wendell S Purrington and accompanied by pianist, Kathy Fink, and drummer, Mark Adams on Saturday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. at the church on the corner of Locust and Hale streets. Suggested donation is $12 for adults and $10 for seniors and students, and will be accepted at the door. Masks are required for all who attend.
Exeter Holiday Parade Dec. 4
EXETER — The Exeter Holiday Parade will step off from Osram on Portsmouth Avenue at 5:30 p.m. and wind its way to High Street, passing the Bandstand on Water Street before dispersing along Swasey Parkway. Awards for various parade units will be given out in front of the Bandstand. The theme is “Celebrate.”
Jingle All The Way 5K Dec. 4
PORTSMOUTH — The Jingle All The Way 5K at Cisco Brewers will take place Saturday Dec. 4. After the race, runners and walkers gather together for an awesome post-race party with live music, entertainment, food and drinks. The race benefits the Greg Hill Foundation, whose mission is to support local families who have incurred a recent tragedy. This year proceeds will benefit the family of the late State Troooper Jesse Sherrill. Register online at https://runsignup.com/Race/Register/?raceId=81882.
Portsmouth annual Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting Dec. 4
PORTSMOUTH — Portsmouth's annual Holiday Parade, Tree Lighting and Food Drive is back Saturday, Dec. 4. At 5:30 p.m. Tree Lighting in Market Square; 6 p.m. parade steps off from Islington Street; 4 to 7 p.m. Non-perishable food drop off at Market Square parade platform. Spectators, please note that there will be a parking ban in downtown on parade night. Rain date is Sunday, Dec. 5, same times.
Annual Kittery Holiday Parade Dec. 4
KITTERY, Maine — The annual Kittery Holiday Parade will take place on Saturday, Dec. 4. The theme is "Celebrating Our History - Kittery's 375th Anniversary". The parade will step off from Post Office Square at 3 p.m. and conclude at John Paul Jones Park with the tree lighting. The parade is being sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of The Seacoast. To register for the parade, go to www.seacoastkiwanis.com. If you have questions about the parade, contact Frank Dennett at 207-475-2063 or send an e-mail to parade@seacoastkiwanis.com.
Rochester Holiday Parade Dec. 5
ROCHESTER — The Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce Holiday Parade with the theme this year of “A Comic Book Christmas” will take place on Sunday, Dec. 5, at 3 p.m. The parade route will begin on Wakefield Street by the triangle at the entrance to the Spaulding High School and proceed south on Wakefield Street, turn right onto Union Street, turn left onto North Main Street, to South Main Street, and disband in front of the Rochester Common.
Enter Dover Rotary Holiday Decorations Contest by Dec. 6
DOVER — Dover Rotarian elves will be visiting decorated homes in Dover on Dec. 13 and Dec. 14 looking for winners in their second Annual Rotary Club of Dover Holiday Decorations Contest. Deadline to enter: Dec. 6. Visit facebook.com/Rotary-Club-of-Dover-Holiday-Decorations-Contest or email jfmunro1954@gmail.com. Winners will be chosen on Dec. 15. No fee to enter. Prizes will be awarded.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Events in Kittery, Rochester, Somersworth, Exeter, Dover, Portsmouth NH
