Vintage Christmas Holiday Weekend in Portsmouth NH 2023
Thank you to local New England travel blogger Jess Litras for allowing us to share her Vintage Christmas Holiday experience in Portsmouth NH. Head up to Portsmouth whether for a day trip or a weekend, its less than 90 minutes from the South Shore.
Welcome to Vintage Christmas in Portsmouth, NH, a classic holiday celebration 🎄✨
Portsmouth was given the title as one of the country’s “Top Holiday Destinations” and by Yankee Magazine “The historic seaside town of Portsmouth shines especially bright at Christmastime.”
I had been wanting to visit Portsmouth and it’s just as magical as I expected it to be. Between the galleries, shops, restaurants, breweries, hotels, holiday decor, outdoor skating and overall magic in the air, it makes for an excellent town to visit during the holidays.
Here’s a few suggestions:
WHERE TO EAT
☕️ Popovers On the Square
🥩 Toscana Italian Chophouse & Wine Bar
🍹 Martingale Wharf
WHAT TO DO
🎄 Admire the town tree and festive decor
🎨 Check out the art galleries
🛍️ Shop downtown in Market Square
⛸️ Labrie Family Skate at Puddle Dock Pond
🍪 Discover Pourtsmouth Gingerbread House Exhibit
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2023 holiday events
Candlelight Stroll
Saturday, December 2, 2023, 5-9 PM –
Sunday, December 3, 2023, 4-8 PM
Friday, December 8, 2023, 5-9 PM
Saturday, December 9, 2023, 5-9 PM –
Sunday, December 10, 2023, 4-8 PM
Friday, December 15, 2023, 5-9 PM
Saturday, December 16, 2023, 5-9 PM –
Sunday, December 17, 2023, 4-8 PM
As Strawbery Banke celebrates Portsmouth NH’s quadricentennial, Candlelight Stroll invites visitors to step into the past and experience 400 years of seasonal and holiday traditions in the Puddle Dock neighborhood.
The Museum’s furnished historic houses are adorned with handmade decorations created from greens and dried flowers from the Museum’s heirloom gardens. Visitors call upon the many families who once lived in the waterfront neighborhood – portrayed by costumed roleplayers – who share stories, customs, and seasonal traditions. While traveling from house to historic house, the glow of hundreds of lighted candle lanterns light the way as guests enjoy seasonal greetings from wandering musicians and performers who recreate the traditions of times past.
Additionally enjoy hot apple cider, a warming bonfire, an old-fashioned holiday shopping experience at Pickwick’s at the Banke, and Ice Dance International’s Currier and Ives Vintage Skaters for several performances each night (Fridays and Saturdays at 6:00 & 7:30 PM & Sundays at 5:00 & 6:30 PM) of this treasured event.
Enjoy seasonal outdoor ice skating
Labrie Family Skate at Puddle Dock Pond at Strawbery Banke Museum brings people together to enjoy traditional New England outdoor ice skating. The Museum aims to provide safe skating for everyone.
The rink offers daily public skating, adaptive ice time, private rink rentals, skating lessons, and pick-up pond hockey on a professionally maintained ice surface supported by a chilling system and Zamboni.
Ice skate rentals, training aids, and skate sharpening services are also available.
Labrie Family Skate at Puddle Dock Pond is an outdoor skating rink and ice conditions change frequently. Like and follow the Labrie Family Skate at Puddle Dock Pond Facebook Page for the most up-to-date schedule, closings, and changes, and/or call the rink at 603.422.0600 during the skating season.
2023 Holiday Tree-Lighting and Illuminated Holiday Parade
The City’s 2023 Holiday Tree-Lighting and Illuminated Holiday Parade will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2023 (this is a rain, snow, or shine event) starting at 5 pm. Portsmouth’s Tree Lighting ceremony takes place on the first Saturday in December each year from 5 to 5:30 pm, followed by the annual Illuminated Holiday Parade. The City’s Department of Public Works will begin installing the tree in Market Square on Monday, November 20 and continue decorating on the following day. This year’s holiday tree was donated by Pease Development Authority (PDA) from a property leased by Pioneer New Hampshire, LLC. The City of Portsmouth Parks and Greenery Division will replant at the location next spring with a 10-foot evergreen and appropriate drainage.
The annual Illuminated Holiday Parade celebrates this year’s Portsmouth NH 400 anniversary by sharing the theme “History Lights Our Way.” The parade route begins at Plaza 800 on Islington Street at 6 pm and proceeds downtown via Congress Street, continuing through Market Square to Pleasant Street, crossing State Street before concluding on Junkins Avenue.
The City is working with Access Navigators to provide a wheelchair-accessible seated viewing area for the parade. This area is on the sidewalk along Islington Street between Maplewood and Bridge Street, and is reserved for people who have difficulty standing, along with their companions. Space and seating are limited and available on a first-come basis. Nearby public parking includes the Bridge Street Lot, Worth Lot, and Foundry Garage. Access Navigators will provide assistance and holiday cheer.
Shop & Stroll – The City’s holiday festivities on December 2nd have a new element of celebration this year. The first “Shop & Stroll” event will take place immediately after the parade, with Market Square and surrounding side streets kept closed to vehicular traffic until 9 pm to allow for wider pedestrian access to shops and restaurants. Retail shops will stay open later and create welcoming environments to connect with shoppers in a festive and more personal way. Join us for music, Christmas carolers, and open-air entertainment for all ages available for residents, visitors, and shoppers alike. Look for street entertainers, music by DJ Skooch, carolers and MORE! Visit
Where to say agt Vintage Christmas Holiday Weekend Portsmouth NH
🏨 Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Hotel
Hotel Review: Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Hotel
It was our first time visiting Portsmouth, NH and what better than to visit during Christmastime. The hotel was filled with festive decor, felt warm and comfortable in every corner, offered a coffee and hot chocolate bar as well as several onsite amenities that made our stay more enjoyable.
Sheraton Portsmouth Harborside Hotel is located in a prime location downtown with access to all the shopping, dining and main attractions. The hotel offers a cozy onsite restaurant, fitness center, indoor pool, meeting space, fresh coffee and tea, a convenience store & gift shop, event & meeting space, daily housekeeping and more.
Between the lively lobby, grand staircase leading upstairs, welcome cheese board & Pellegrino, comfortable bed with Netflix streaming available and the proximity to downtown, it made for the perfect holiday weekend in Portsmouth.
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Make sure you check your her posts on Fairmount Copley and the Lennox Hotel during the Christmas holiday season.
