Holidays on the Seacoast: Our list of parades, Santa breakfasts, tree festivals and more
From holiday concerts to Christmas wreath sales to parades and tree lightings, community members around the Seacoast are gearing up for the holidays. Here's a list of events and efforts around the Seacoast. If you'd like your event included, please send a press release and a photo if possible to news@seacoastonline.com and we'll keep updating this list throughout the holiday season.
Citywide Neighborhood Committee Annual Holiday Lights Contest
PORTSMOUTH — The Citywide Neighborhood Committee announces the return of the Neighborhood Holiday Lights Contest, to give residents a way to celebrate together this holiday season. The registration period is through Dec. 10.
Contest details are as follows:
The contest is open to every Portsmouth resident. There are three categories this year and the judges will select which one is most appropriate for each entry they view: Traditional Light Display; Creative Light Display and Kids’ Choice.
The top three winners each receive a $500 gift certificate, with preference given to first-time winners. Honorable mention winners each receive a $25 gift card.
Residents are invited to register to participate in the contest by completing the form on the Holiday Lights Contest 2022 webpage: https://www.cityofportsmouth.com/city/holiday-lights-contest or, for a printable pdf of the entry form and more information, go to: https://www.cityofportsmouth.com/sites/default/files/2022-11/revHoliday%20Lights%20Entry%20Form%202022.pdf. Print the form, scan it and email it to hotline@cityofportsmouth.com or mail c/o City Manager’s Office, City Hall, One Junkins Avenue, Portsmouth NH 03801.
Contest entries will be judged by school-aged children, who will be driven through their assigned neighborhoods (not their own) to make their choices of the best holiday lights displays. Judging will take place between Dec. 11 and 19. The Committee will create a map of the Holiday Lights Contest entries, available on the Holiday Lights Contest webpage after Dec. 10.
Portsmouth ProMusica to present two holiday concerts
Portsmouth ProMusic will present two concerts titled "J.S. Bach & Friends … Sleepers, Wake! (Cantata No. 140) and Carols of the Season with Chamber Orchestra. The first will be Friday, Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Mary's Church, 25 Chestnut St., Dover and the second will be 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 10 at Immaculate Conception Church, 98 Summer St., Portsmouth. Tickets are in advance $15, $13 for seniors and students; at the door, $20, and $15 for seniors and students. Tickets are available at portsmouthpromusica.org/tickets.
11th Annual Christmas Fireworks Display
KENNEBUNKPORT, Maine — Enjoy our Prelude extravaganza on Friday, Dec. 9 at 6:15 p.m., in the cove. Fireworks can be viewed from the Mathew Lanigan Bridge and surrounding areas.
3rd Annual Christmas Drive Thru and After Party
GREENLAND — Bethany Church will be hosting their third annual Christmas Drive Thru and After Party on Friday, Dec. 9 and Saturday, Dec. 10, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Come ready to drive through our parking lot to see over 40,000 Christmas lights and the best displays yet. Come celebrate at our Charlie Brown Christmas after party with delicious cookies, hot cocoa, a photo op, and a craft for kids, with ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ playing as you visit! This event is free. To find out more about our Christmas Drive Thru and After Party, or a list of other events happening this holiday season, please visit www.bethanychurch.com.
The Stocking Elves Stuffing Event
RYE — Holiday stockings for less fortunate kids, started by a local Mom and her three boys. Our amazing team of Seacoast kids and their families are committed to helping others. We believe in 'active giving', and are a completely kid-led organization. We build Holiday stockings for less fortunate kids and teens in the Seacoast area. 100% of donations and stockings are donated to Operation Blessing in Portsmouth.
The event will be held on Dec. 9 from 3 to 5 p.m. and Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., outside at the Rye Elementary School parking lot. We will have a DJ, coffee, hot chocolate, and some small snacks. Kids will be dressed up in holiday cheer stuffing the stockings on site. We will be stuffing over 1,600 stockings.
14th annual Gingerbread Build
DURHAM — On Belay’s annual gingerbread build fundraising event is back in person after two years as a remote event. On Saturday, Dec. 10, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., join more than 400 kids and adults at Oyster River High School Cafeteria as they gather to start the holiday season and build the most amazing creations out of graham crackers and crazy amounts of sugar! Every team will be supplied a building kits. You are also welcome to bring your own additional gingerbread house building materials to really make your house stand out. The will be prizes, music and fun! Registration is $30 per team before Dec. 5, or $40 per team at the door. Team size is up to four people per kit. Register at on-belay.org.
Jingle Bell Extravaganza
DOVER — Enjoy a special ticketed holiday event at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire on Sunday, Dec. 11, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. or 3 to 4:30 p.m. Meet Santa for a photo opportunity outside on the museum’s Play Patio and receive a special gift. Engage in hands-on holiday craft activities and a magical science experiment all while exploring the museum’s many interactive exhibits. On your way out, grab a special treat to enjoy on your way home. Pajamas are welcome. Reserve spots early. Space is limited. Cost is $15, members or $20, non-members, per person and children under 12 months of age are free. To learn more or to register, visit https://childrens-museum.org/.../events/jingle-bell-express.
The Funky Divas of Gospel Christmas Concert
HAMPTON — Hampton United Methodist Church, 525 Lafayette Road, Hampton, N.H., will host The Funky Divas of Gospel Christmas Concert at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec.11. This one-hour concert which will feature familiar holiday songs and carols as well as the vocal harmonies the Divas are known for with the traditional and nostalgic music of the season. This concert is suitable for all ages. A free-will offering will be collected. All proceeds from this concert will support the outreach and mission programs of the church. For more info, contact the church office at 603-926-2702 or email at hamptonumc@myfairpoint.com.
Kensington Congregational Church welcomes the Nottingham Brass Quintet
KENSINGTON – Renewing a favorite holiday tradition, the Nottingham Brass Quintet will play for Sunday morning worship Dec. 11 at Kensington Congregational Church, 108 Amesbury Road, Kensington. The Brass begin playing an opening prelude set at 9:40 a.m. Worship begins at 10 a.m.
The annual tradition of having “The Brass” play during the church season of Advent goes back many years. Guests may park across Osgood Street in the town lot or in the church lot.
Rock My Soul Holiday Shows
DOVER — Rock My Soul, a highly acclaimed, 30-member choir and band, will perform Rockin’ Soulful Holiday Concerts at several locations in N.H. The shows will take place at St. John’s Methodist Church in Dover, N.H., at 5 p.m., on Sunday, Dec. 11; Orchard Chapel as part of the 12 Nights of Christmas Concert Series in Hampton Falls at 7 p.m., on Friday, Dec. 16; and at the First United Methodist Church in Portsmouth, at 7 p.m., on Saturday, Dec. 17. CDs (including a new digital Christmas album) will be available for sale, along with refreshments and other merchandise. Early advance discount ticket purchase is advised. To purchase advance tickets for the Dec. 11 show in Dover, and the Dec. 17 show in Portsmouth, visit www.projectmusicworks.org or call 207-450-8016. For the Dec. 16 show at Orchard Chapel, visit thewordbarn.com or text 603-244-0202. Ticket prices vary depending on the venue the show is held in.
The Seacoast Wind Ensemble performs Winter Community Concert
YORK, Maine — The Seacoast Wind Ensemble will perform a Winter Community Concert on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 3 p.m. at the York Community Center at York High School Auditorium in York, Maine. SWE performs under the direction of Dr. Mark Stickney.
The program will include “Sleigh Ride,” “Rhapsody for Hanukkah,” “A Christmas Festival,” and more holiday favorites including a sing-a-long.
Tickets are $15 for adults, $13 for those 12 and under or 50 and over. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. You may register at yorkparksandrec.org or call our office at 207-363-1040. Masks are not required inside the building at this time.
Candlelight Caroling 2022
RYE BEACH — St. Andrew's-by-the Sea is hosting its annual caroling event. Although the chapel is usually buttoned up for the winter, we will open it back up for one magical night of Candlelight Caroling on Friday, Dec. 16, at 5 p.m.. All are welcome but dress warm, we have no heat! There will be hot cider and treats, too. All are welcome to celebrate this wonderful season with us. (Free-will donations gratefully accepted.)
Santa’s Castle returns to Dover
DOVER — Dover Youth to Youth is hosting its 15th annual Santa’s Castle at the McConnell Center in downtown Dover for three days during the Christmas season. Each night children and their families will be able to walk through several rooms in Santa’s Castle and meet Santa and many of his elves.
Youth to Youth students acting as elves will guide visitors through Rudolph’s stable, Santa’s toy room, Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen and other parts of the Castle. The tour culminates with a visit with Santa. Along the tour, children will be entertained by the elves and will collect small gifts in each room. Families are welcome to bring a camera and take pictures or video during the tour, and with Santa.
During the first weekend, the event will be held on Friday, Dec. 16, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 17, from 2 to 6:30 pm. The Castle will conclude on Friday, Dec. 23, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. In order to attend, pre-registration is required. Groups making a reservation must be no larger than six and include family members only. To increase everyone’s safety, groups attending will be spaced out more than in past years. To make a reservation visit: http://dovery2y.org/newsevents/santas-castle/
Santa’s Castle is designed for children ages nine and under, but the whole family is invited. The cost is a flat fee of $25 per reservation. Proceeds support the drug and alcohol prevention activities of Dover Youth to Youth. Entrance to Santa’s Castle will be from the Saint Thomas Street side of the McConnell Center (Door #7). Parking is available in the parking lot located behind the Dover Public Library and on the street by the Dover District Court.
For additional information, go to the Dover Santa’s Castle Facebook page, Youth to Youth’s web site at www.DoverY2Y.org or call the Dover Police Department’s Community Outreach Bureau at 603-516-1501.
2nd Annual Small Town, Bright Lights contest
RYE — The Rye PTA and Partners Bank invite Rye members to decorate their house for a chance to win a $200 cash prize for 1st place, $100 for second place. There is a $15 entry fee to enter and all cash will be donated to Gift of Warmth as we know that the need for fuel assistance this year is especially important for those in need.
We have a people's choice award this year and the winner will receive a Summer Session gift card. If you don't want to decorate, you can just make a donation that will go toward Gift of Warmth. We will be providing an app that navigates you to each home in the contest. Local community members will be judging and deciding on the winners. Judging happens Dec. 17 to Dec. 20. Winners announced on Dec. 21.
Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra presents Family Holiday Pops!
PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra will perform two Family Holiday Pops! concerts on Saturday, Dec. 17, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 18, at 3 p.m. at Portsmouth High School in Portsmouth. An annual family favorite appropriate for all ages, this year’s Family Holiday Pops! performance features the Portsmouth High School Concert Choir and Percussion Ensemble. Individual general admission Holiday Family Pops! tickets are $30 for adults; $25 for seniors; and $15 students. More information and tickets available at www.portsmouthsymphony.org.
Wreaths of Remembrance in Fremont
FREMONT – On Saturday, Dec. 17, at 12 p.m., a Wreath of Remembrance will be placed at the Veterans Memorial Monument in front of the Fremont Town Hall as a part of the Wreaths Across America Program. The Peoples United Methodist Church will lead a brief service honoring our troops both past and present. Refreshments will be served following the ceremony. All are welcome.
Wreaths of Remembrance in East Kingston
EAST KINGSTON – On Saturday, Dec. 17, at 12 p.m., a Wreath of Remembrance will be placed at the Veterans Memorial Stone outside of the East Kingston Library on Maplevale Road as a part of the Wreaths Across America Program. The East Kingston Community United Methodist Church will lead a brief service honoring our troops both past and present. Refreshments will be served at the library following the ceremony. All are welcome.
Funky Divas of Gospel concert
FARMINGTON — First Congregational Church is holding a celebratory holiday concert on Dec. 17, at 3 p.m. The Funky Divas of Gospel will be performing at the First Congregational Church in Farmington in a special concert. Suggested donation of $10 per person. Children admitted free. For more information visit www.farmingtonnhucc.org.
Sugar Plum Cookie Walk
HAMPTON — The Hampton United Methodist Church, 525 Lafayette Road (Route 1), Hampton, will hold The Sugar Plum Cookie Walk on Sunday, Dec. 18, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Masks optional. There'll be dozens of holiday cookies and squares as well as candy. The cookies are $6 per pound and candy is $10 per pound. More info, go to hamptonnhumc.org, call 603-926-2702 or email hamptonumc@myfairpoint.net.
New Year’s Eve Champagne Pops
PORTSMOUTH — The Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra will ring in 2023 with a New Year’s Eve Champagne Pops concert on Saturday, Dec. 31, at 8 p.m. at The Music Hall in Portsmouth, N.H. The concert features special guest conductor Dr. Dirk Hillyer and guest vocalist Ben DiScipio. Individual tickets for the New Year’s Eve concert are $38. For more information and tickets, visit www.portsmouthsymphony.org.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: 2022 Seacoast holiday parades, Santa breakfasts, tree festivals, more
