Vintage Christmas Events in Portsmouth

Photo by David J. Murray/Clear Eye Photo

One town in New Hampshire really pulls out all the stops for Christmas with a month of events ranging from musical performances to ice skating.

Vintage Christmas once again showcases the magical Candlelight Stroll, now in its 46th year, at Strawbery Banke Museum and live small gathering holiday shows at The Music Hall’s landmark Historic Theater and the intimate Music Hall Loft on Congress Street. It all takes place in elegant and festive downtown Portsmouth, which also happens to have some excellent independent stores for Christmas shopping.

Here are a few of this year’s events:

November 28 through December 30: 35th Annual Gingerbread House Contest

Celebrate the sweetest season by joining Portsmouth Historical Society for the 35th Annual Gingerbread House Contest and Exhibition. Gingerbread creations will be displayed at the Discover Portsmouth Welcome Center and throughout downtown in the windows of shops and restaurants. This year’s theme is “Holiday Memories.” Vote for your favorite designs in the People’s Choice awards and participate in a downtown scavenger hunt with a chance to win a gift card to a variety of Portsmouth retail locations.

Every day in December: Labrie Family Skate

The entire family will love skating at Strawbery Banke’s Puddle Dock Pond, a seasonal outdoor ice skating rink at the heart of the 10-acre living history museum. Puddle Dock Pond at Strawbery Banke opens in late November/early December (weather permitting) and will be in full operation seven days a week. Make sure to check their Facebook page for closures and changes to their weekly schedule.

Puddle Dock Pond offers 12,500 square feet of professionally maintained ice surface combining an 80-by-125-foot oval and a 60-foot diameter circle, all surrounded by a post and rail fence. A seasonal pavilion houses ticketing and skate rentals. Puddle Dock Pond offers public skating (including several free sessions each week) and skating lessons for all ages. Skate rentals, sharpening services and private pond rentals are available.

Weekends in December: The Candlelight Stroll

In the spirit of a truly Vintage Christmas, Strawbery Banke Museum welcomes visitors to travel through over 300 years of daily life in the waterfront neighborhood of Puddle Dock. This year, Strawbery Banke returns to its classic tour of its furnished historic houses, featuring handmade decorations and costumed performers roleplaying as the families who once lived in the neighborhood’s houses.

The museum grounds glow with hundreds of lighted candle lanterns, and house doors and railings are adorned with live greens, dried flowers and herbs collected from the museum gardens. Visitors stroll along candlelit pathways, absorbing the season’s greetings of past and present.

Step back in time at the delightful Strawbery Banke Museum Candlelight Stroll

Ticket prices for the Strawbery Banke Candlelight Stroll are $35 for adults and $17 for children. Tickets can be purchased online at strawberybanke.org or by phone at (603) 433-1107. All tickets MUST be purchased in advance.

December 3- December 21: White Christmas

The Ogunquit Playhouse’s production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas returns to The Music Hall this holiday season. Packed full of dazzling dance numbers, iconic songs such as “Happy Holiday,” “Sisters,” “Blue Skies,” and the beloved title song, as well as actors straight from Broadway, you aren’t going to want to miss this “holiday card come to life.” The magic of Broadway swings into the Historic Theater with spectacular dance numbers, nostalgic songs, and a few surprises that are sure to wow you. Don’t miss this opportunity to be swept away by the sheer joy of Broadway at its finest.

Tickets prices vary. The Music Hall, 28 Chestnut St. Visit their website for tickets and more information.

Learn More

Want even more Vintage Christmas information and events? Click here for a complete schedule and more information.