Christmas Parades, Tree Lightings and Holiday Strolls

2024 dates for our favorite Christmas parades and community holiday events in New Hampshire

November 18, 2024

New Hampshire Magazine Staff,

The Manchester Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 4 p.m.

Explore New Hampshire’s top Christmas events, including parades, tree lightings, and holiday strolls. Find festive celebrations, family-friendly activities, and magical winter traditions happening across the Granite State this holiday season!

We do our best to keep this list robust and accurate, but mistakes do happen. If we’ve missed your town’s event or an event needs to be corrected, please e-mail Morgen at morgenc@yankeepub.com with the information.

The information below is organized in alpha order by town or city name.

Concord, NH Christmas Parade

The annual Concord Christmas Parade will be on Saturday, November 23, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. The parade route is from Hazen Drive, up Loudon Road, to Canterbury Road, and then cross Pembroke Road.

Additionally, the Christmas tree lighting in Concord will take place at the Statehouse City Plaza from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, November 29, 2024. After Santa arrives, fireworks will be set off and there will be music, charity vendors, a burn barrel to toast marshmallows, hot beverages, and food vendors.

More information: facebook.com

Conway Village tree lighting

The Conway Village tree lighting is on Saturday, November 29, 2024 at 4 p.m.

More information: mtwashingtonvalley.org

Derry, NH Nutfield Holiday Parade

The annual Holiday Parade in Derry is on Saturday, November 30, 2024 at 1 p.m.

More information: Greater Derry Londonderry Chamber of Commerce

Dover, NH holiday parade

The annual Dover holiday parade is on Sunday, December 1, 2024. This year’s theme: “Tales from the Nutcracker,” will celebrate the classic holiday story and its beloved characters bringing the Nutcracker to life for parade viewers.

More information: facebook.com/doverholidayparade

The Dover Holiday Stroll shopping and dining event will be held on Thursday, December 12, 2024 from 4-8 p.m. More information here: facebook.com

Durham, NH Frost Fest

Welcome the winter season with Durham Recreation’s annual celebration on Saturday, December 7, 2024 from 6 to 8 p.m. on Main Street in Durham. Enjoy s’mores, cookie decorating, ice sculpting, a bonfire and a visit from Santa.

More information: durhamrec.recdesk.com

Exeter, NH Christmas parade

The traditional Holiday Parade in Exeter is on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 5:30 p.m. This year’s theme: “Holidays through the eyes of a child.”

More information: exeternhholidayparade.org

Goffstown, NH Tree Lighting

Goffstown’s Friday Night Under the Lights event will be held on Friday, December 6, 2024 from 5 to 8 p.m. in Goffstown Village.

More information: goffstownmainstreet.org/fridaylights

Hampstead, NH Christmas parade

The annual Hampstead Christmas Parade is scheduled for Sunday, December 8, 2024 at 1 p.m. This year’s theme: “A Storybook Christmas.”

More information: facebook.com

Hampton, NH Christmas parade

The Experience Hampton Christmas Parade scheduled for Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 1 p.m. and takes place in downtown Hampton. This year’s theme: “Vision of Sugarplums.”

More information: experiencehampton.org

Lebanon, NH Holiday and Winter CelebrationHappenings

‘Tis the Season Lebanon’s Downtown Winter Celebration takes place on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at Colburn Park. The carnival portion of the day kicks off at 12 p.m., including a Santa’s Tour of Lebanon and West Lebanon. Additionally, earlier in the day, there is a craft fair and holiday bazaar.

More information: lebanonnh.gov

Littleton, NH holiday parade

The 37th Annual Christmas Parade in Littleton is on Friday, November 29, 2024, and begins at noon.

More information: Facebook

Manchester, NH Christmas parade

The Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 4 p.m. and takes place on Elm Street in downtown Manchester immediately following the Santa Claus Shuffle (3k race and walk begins at 3 p.m.).

More information: millenniumrunning.com/santa

Merrimack, NH Christmas parade and tree lighting

The 31st Annual Holiday Parade in Merrimack is being held on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at 3 p.m. Immediately following the parade, the Merrimack Tree Lighting will be held at 3:45 p.m. in Abbie Griffin Park.

More information: merrimackparksandrec.org

Nashua, NH Holiday Stroll

The 29th Annual Holiday Stroll in Nashua is on Saturday, November 30, 2024 from 4-9 p.m. and kicks off at Main Street from City Hall.

More information: downtownnashua.org/holidaystroll

New Boston, NH Tree Lighting

The Tree Lighting on the Gazebo and S’mores with Santa event at the New Boston Town Common is on Saturday, December 7, 2024 from 4 to 6 p.m. Inclement weather date is Sunday, December 8, 2024.

More information: newbostonnh.gov

North Conway, NH Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting

North Conway’s Holiday Festival is on Saturday, December 7, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and features a Christmas tree lighting, peppermint guessing contest, live caroling and holiday light show and tunnel.

More information: settlersgreen.com

Nottingham, NH Christmas Parade and Craft Workshop

The town of Nottingham Holiday Parade and Party is Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 10 a.m. Families are invited to stop into the Town Hall Gym after the parade to build and create holiday gifts for friends and family. Each craft has a small fee and all proceeds will benefit the event and those who participate. Please bring cash to this event if you plan on creating.

More information: nottingham-nh.gov/

Portsmouth, NH Christmas parade and tree lighting

Festivities for the Portsmouth holiday celebration and stroll kicks off on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at at 5 p.m. with the Portsmouth Middle and High School Holiday Ensemble, followed by the tree lighting in Market Square at 5:30 p.m. The Portsmouth Illuminated Holiday Parade begins at 6 p.m. from the Goodwin Park area on Islington Street.

More information: cityorportsmouth.com

Rochester, NH parade

The annual Rochester Holiday Parade will be held on Sunday, December 8, 2024 from 3-4:30 p.m. The parade will begin at the triangle by the R.W. Creteau Regional Technology Center, travel south on Wakefield Street, turn onto Union Street and then turn south on North Main Street and proceed through South Main Street, disbanding around the Rochester Commons. The holiday tree lighting in Rochester is on Friday, December 6, 2024 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

More information: rochesternh.org

Rye, NH Christmas parade and candlelight walk

Rye’s Christmas Parade and Candlelight Walk is on Sunday, December 1, 2024 at 1 p.m. The parade starts at Webster at Rye on Washington Road and ends at Rye Junior High. The annual tree lighting in Rye will be on Saturday, November 30 from 3-5 p.m. at Parsons Field at 500 Washington Road.

More information: town.rye.nh.us