Ready to ring in 2023?: Here's where to celebrate New Year's Eve in Seacoast
It's time to make your plans for New Year's Eve. There are many ways to welcome the new year from concerts to family fun to dance parties. Here are some of the many events going on at local venues and restaurants.
If you'd like us to include your celebration, please send the information to news@seacoastonline.com. Here's to a wonderful 2023 to you and your family.
New Year's Eve Champagne Pops with Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra
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. The concert features special guest conductor Dr. Dirk Hillyer and guest vocalist Ben DiScipio.
The concert, which will also kick off Portsmouth's 400th anniversary year of festivities, will include favorites from Stephen Sondheim and Cole Porter along with highlights from "Les Miserables," "Gypsy," and "Carmen." Audiences can expect Duke Ellington to “pop” in as well.
Hillyer is an award-winning conductor and musician who has performed for more than two decades on both the regional and national stage. His experiences range from the classical genre to “pops” music of Broadway and film, including two national tours for Disney’s “Disney-in-Concert.” The Hillyer Festival Orchestra has given 150 performances over the past 23 years on the North Shore and in Boston, including playing Boston’s Hatch Shell on the Esplanade for five consecutive years.
Guest vocalist, tenor Ben DiScipio is the winner of Boston’s highest musical theater award and brings a variety of talent in Broadway, operetta and jazz to this year’s Champagne Pops! performance.
Individual tickets for the New Year’s Eve concert are $38. For more information about the PSO’s 25th season or to purchase tickets, visit portsmouthsymphony.org.
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First of the 400th Gala in Dover at City Hall
Dover400 invites the public to the First of the 400th Gala event celebrating Dover's 400th anniversary in 2023. The gala will take place from 6:30 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, Dec. 31 at Dover City Hall. The black tie optional event will feature hors d'oeuvres by Mezzanine Catering, dancing to the Black Agnes Band, fireworks at 9 p.m. and a champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are $75 and available at dover400.org.
First Night Portsmouth includes fireworks
This year’s First Night Portsmouth 2023 focuses on the great outdoors, and features ice sculpture and fireworks. The carving and setup of the ice art begins at 2 p.m. in Market Square in Portsmouth. The fireworks, which are set off over South Mill Pond, will take place at 7:30 p.m. The events are free and open to the public. Watch proportsmouth.org for updates on parking specials at the city's parking garages and street closures for the fireworks and other First Night information.
Gatsby-esque New Year's Eve Jazzboree at Jimmy's Jazz and Blues Club
Jimmy's Jazz & Blues Club in Portsmouth will host a Great Gatsby-styled New Year's Eve Jazzboree on Saturday, Dec. 31. There'll be an all-star orchestra filling the room with high-energy swing dance music, an extensive buffet menu and glasses that just keep clinking. There's also a MONA VIP option for welcome champagne, oysters, caviar, shrimp cocktail and hors d'oeuvres in the Museum of New Art. Doors open at 7 p.m. for the Jazzboree. Tickets are $375 and more information about the menu and music at jimmysoncongress.com. Doors open at 5 p.m. for the MONA VIP event, which is a $50 donation to the museum with the purchase of a Jazzboree ticket. For any questions, call the Box Office at 888-603-5299 or email boxoffice@jimmysoncongress.com.
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Rockspring’s New Year’s Eve Party
High-energy string bank Rockspring will host a New Year's Eve Party at The Music Hall Lounge in Portsmouth. The party starts at 10 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31. General admission tickets are $40 and available at themusichall.org.
NYE 2022: Ski Party at the Press Room
The Press Room in Portsmouth will host a New Year's Eve 2022: Ski Party at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31 upstairs. The party will bring the slopes to Portsmouth and feature with DJ Chad Banks and Adrienne Mack Davis accompanied by Andrew Morrisey and Joey Bonenfant. It'll be disco balls and ski goggles, and snowboarders are also welcome. Tickets are $40 in advance, $50 day of show and available at pressroomnh.com.
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Rodney Norman headlines comedy show at McCue's Comedy Club
This New Year’s Eve say gooodbye to 2022 with an hilarious night of laughter at McCue's Comedy Club in the Roundabout Diner at 580 Portsmouth Traffic Circle. Headliner will be Rodney Norman whose videos have millions of views worldwide online and who has won several New England comedy festivals. "Honest and unassuming, his humor will catch you off guard and leave you laughing days later. Rodney Norman is more than an entertainer, he is an experience," according to press info about the show. Host will be Liam Hales. The venue features free parking and dinner is available in the restaurant before the show. Doors open at 7 p.m. for the 8 p.m. snow. Tickets are $30 at portsmouthnhtickets.com.
DJ Disco Johnny B. Groovy and his Soul Sister at Rockingham Ballroom
A New Year's Eve Party with DJ Disco Johnny B. Groovy and his Soul Sister playing all genres of dance music from old favorites to today's best will take over the Rockingham Ballroom in Newmarket on Saturday, Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. There'll dancing, party items, healthy late-night food, desserts, sodas and waters. There will be a complimentary champagne toast but otherwise this party is BYOB. The fun continues to 1 a.m. Tickets are $30. The Ballroom is located at 22 Ash Swamp Road, Newmarket. Tickets and more info at rockinballroom.club
New Year's Eve party at American Legion
The Frank E. Booma Post 6 American Legion, 96 Islingston St. in Portsmouth, will host a New Year's Eve Party from 8 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, Dec. 31 with Echo Brook rocking in the new year. Guests welcome.
New Year's Eve Pre-Game Party at WSCA radion station
WSCA Community Radio will host a New Year's Eve Pre-Game Party from 7:30 pm. to 11 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 31. The party is 21-plus and BYBO. Exotic Family Records will present another showcase at the radio studio at 909 Islington St. in Portsmouth. More info at wscafm.org.
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Rocky Horror Show Live at Repertory Theatre
The Seacoast Repertory Theatre continues its tradition of presenting "The Rocky Horror Show Live" at 11:59 p.m. on New Year's Eve. (They also present it on Christmas Day night at 11:59 p.m. every year.) A Red Light Series Mainstage production, the Rocky Show brings the Time Warp to town. This show will feature special holiday twists and a champagne toast. Tickets range from $32 to $48 and are available at seacoastrep.org.
See 'First Night' play at The Players' Ring
The Players' Ring in Portsmouth will present "First Night," a romantic comedy by Jack Neary, the author of "Moonglow." In the bright, warm comedy about dreams, life, and love, Danny Fleming had convinced himself that life’s dreams can’t be anything more than dreams. Then back into his life walks his eighth-grade flame, Meredith O’Connor, only now she's Sister Meredith Louise, and it becomes a New Year’s Eve to remember. The New York Post review of this play said, "You can't help cheering." The performance will feature John Manning and Jocelyn Duford. Showtimes are Fridays and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. General Admission: $27, $24 for students and seniors 65-plus, and available at playersring.org/events/firstnight. Neighboring Puddle Dock restaurant is offering a 10% discount on food and free parking to Players' Ring patrons. Visit their website to reserve, and present your ticket when you ask for your check.
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Family New Year with earlier midnights at the Children's Museum
The Children's Museum of New Hampshire will present a Family New Year's Eve on Dec. 31. Its annual daytime celebration is a long-time family favorite. Parents, children and extended families can ring in the new year together while the sun is shining. There are two "countdowns to midnight," one at 10:30 a.m. during the morning play session and the second at 2 p.m. during the afternoon play session, that will make you feel like you're in Times Square.
Everyone receives a noisemaker and gets to create their own sparkly party hat and enjoy a New Year photo booth. As "midnight" draws closer, guests gather in the center of the Children's Museum of New Hampshire beneath a glitter ball hung 30 feet up. We count backwards from 20 as the ball begins its descent, then New Year wishes are launched from our Build-It-Fly-It towers when the clock strikes 12. The Museum closes early at 3:30 p.m. on New Year's Eve. Cost is museum admission for the morning or afternoon session. Visit Family New Year's Eve Celebration at Children's Museum of NH to reserve your spot at childrensmuseum.org.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Things to do on New Year's Eve in Portsmouth NH area to welcome 2023
