More information is being added as we get updates from all our participating organizations!
Strawbery Banke Museum presents
Candlelight Stroll Under the Stars
Strawbery Banke Museum • 14 Hancock St
Saturdays: December 4, 11, 18, 2021, 5-9 PM – SOLD OUT!
Sundays: December 5, 12, 19, 2021, 4-8 PM – SOLD OUT!
** Candlelight Stroll Under the Stars is sold out for all nights of the event. Please visit the Museum for outdoor ice skating at Labrie Family Skate at Puddle Dock Pond. For more information, ice conditions, and schedule, visit StrawberyBanke.org/Skate.cfm**
An outdoor-only experience to be held in rain, snow, or starlight.
Experience over 300+ years of holiday and seasonal traditions in the historic Puddle Dock neighborhood. For the second year, Strawbery Banke presents “Candlelight Stroll Under the Stars,” focusing on the lights, wreaths, roleplayers, and magic on the exteriors of the museum’s historic buildings.
The museum grounds glow with hundreds of lighted candle lanterns, and house doors and railings are adorned with handmade decorations crafted from live greens and dried flowers and herbs collected from the museum gardens. Visitors stroll along candlelit pathways and are greeted along the way by costumed roleplayers and performers who recreate the traditions of times past.
Be sure to catch Ice Dance International‘s Vintage Skaters as they perform at various times in the evening at Labrie Family Skate at Puddle Dock Pond!
COVID-19 precautions followed. Tickets are limited. For more information, COVID-19 protocols, and tickets, visit StrawberyBanke.org/events/candlelight-stroll.cfm
Michael Feinstein: Home for the Holidays
Saturday, December 4 • 2pm
The Music Hall • 28 Chestnut St
Tickets and information
Join Michael and his band as they bring you Home for the Holidays. This show will feature favorites that are sure to put you in the Yuletide spirit! You can also expect to hear classics by Gershwin and Cole Porter, as well as other seasonal surprises performed as only Michael can.
Michael Feinstein has built a dazzling career over the last three decades bringing the music of the Great American songbook to the world. From recordings that have earned him five Grammy Award nominations to his Emmy nominated PBS specials, his acclaimed NPR series and concerts spanning the globe—in addition to his appearances at iconic venues such as The White House, Buckingham Palace, Hollywood Bowl, Carnegie Hall, and Sydney Opera House—his work as an educator and archivist define Feinstein as one of the most important musical forces of our time.
Portsmouth Historical Society presents the 31st Annual Gingerbread House Contest
Discover Portsmouth Welcome Center • 10 Middle St
More information coming soon!
Celebrate the sweetest season, by joining Portsmouth Historical Society for the 31st Annual Gingerbread House Contest and Exhibition from November 26 through December 22, 2021. Once again, everyone is getting a little sugar, as completed contestant creations are displayed in downtown shop windows. This year’s theme, “Our favorite New Hampshire things” compliments the Portsmouth Historical Society’s photography exhibition, “NH Now: A Photographic Diary of Life in the Granite State.”
Important Gingerbread House Contest Dates:
- Entry Registration Deadline: Monday, November 15, 2021.
- Completed Entry Drop-Off Deadline: Delivered to Discover Portsmouth Welcome Center, 10 Middle St, Portsmouth, on Saturday, November 20 & Sunday, November 21, 2021 between 10 AM and 5 PM.
- Exhibition Dates: At Portsmouth Historical Society & Downtown Businesses. Friday, November 26 through Wednesday, December 22, 2021.
- Opening Receptions & Announcement of Judges’ Awards: Concides with Vintage Christmas in Portsmouth kick-off. Friday, December 3 from 5:30 to 8 PM. Complimentary cider and cookies.
- Pick-up Dates: Those wishing to pick up gingerbread houses may do so on either Thursday, December 23, 2021, from 10 AM-5PM or Friday, December 24, 2021, 10 AM-12 PM.
For more information, visit Portsmouthhistory.org/exhibitions/gingerbread/
Stage Door Cabaret at The Music Hall
Thursday, December 9 – Saturday, December 18, 2021
The Music Hall • 28 Chestnut St
Celebrate the holiday season with our elegant Stage Door Cabaret series, featuring world-renowned artists in a speakeasy, martini bar atmosphere. Enjoy an intimate layout arranged on the historic stage with professional table service.
A Sinatra Christmas with Rich DiMare
Thu., December 9 • 6pm & 8pm
Wed., December 15 • 6pm
Nat Zegree
Fri., December 10 • 8pm
Shemekia Copeland
Sat., December 11 • 7pm
Twisted Pine
Sun., December 12 • 8pm
Sharon Jones Quartet
Thu., December 16 • 6pm
Great Bay Philharmonic String Quartet
Fri., December 17 • 8pm
Honeysuckle
Sat., December 18 • 8pm
COVID-19 protocols followed. For more information and tickets, visit www.themusichall.org/series/music/stage-door-cabaret/
Labrie Family Skate at Puddle Dock Pond
at Strawbery Banke Museum
Strawbery Banke Museum • 14 Hancock St
Daily Public Skating, December-February
Information & Ice Schedule
Enjoy the delight of outdoor ice skating at Strawbery Banke’s professionally maintained outdoor ice-skating rink in the heart of downtown Portsmouth. Daily public skating. Private parties. Skating lessons. Skate rentals and sharpening services are available.
For more information, ice schedule, and ice conditions, visit StrawberyBanke.org/Skate.cfm
Juston McKinney’s Year in Review: 2021
Sunday, December 26, 2021, 6 PM, Monday, December 27, 2021, 6 PM, & Tuesday, December 28, 2021, 7 PM
The Music Hall • Historic Theater • 28 Chestnut Street
Tickets & Information
End the year with laughter as the Seacoast’s own Juston McKinney performs his Year in Review at The Music Hall.
Juston has a just-released Amazon Prime Video special Parentally Challenged and he’s filmed a Showtime special with Rob Gronkowski. He has been a guest on The Tonight Show and performed in two Comedy Central specials, including his own one-hour show. He was recently named Best (Comedian) of NH by New Hampshire Magazine. Have the last laugh of 2020 with Juston as he dishes on New England life and looks back at the year that was.
COVID-19 protocols followed. For more information and tickets, visit TheMusicHall.org/events/juston-mckinney-a-year-in-review-2021/
The Music Hall presents: The Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra New Year’s Eve Champagne Pops!
Friday, December 31 2021, 8:00pm
The Music Hall • Historic Theater • 28 Chestnut Street
Tickets & Information
Ring in the new year in style with the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra’s cheerful sounds. In this concert filled with celebration and excitement, we’ll usher 2021 out and welcome a fresh start together.
Pro Portsmouth presents: First Night Portsmouth
Thanks to our community answering the call, Pro Portsmouth will present a New Year’s Eve Fireworks display, as well as ice sculptures in Market Square.
More details
Presented by:
In partnership with
The Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth
The City of Portsmouth
Portsmouth Historical Society
Yankee Magazine