“One of the Top Ten Things Not to Miss in New England”
– Boston Globe
This new classic holiday tradition in New Hampshire’s oldest waterfront town – a collaboration of The Music Hall (the landmark Victorian era theater) and Strawbery Banke Museum (a ten-acre living history museum in the heart of Portsmouth) - is heading into its fourth year and will continue to feature “Strolls, Shows, and Stayovers.” That’s the Candlelight Stroll that Strawbery Banke hosts, the live holiday shows in the Music Hall’s restored theater, and the stayovers at area hotels and inns. Back by popular demand will be the free Vintage Christmas Trolley to shuttle patrons around the historic seaport each Saturday and Sunday afternoon and evening.
Vintage Christmas Schedule:
Click on the links below to find out more and buy tickets.
EACH WEEKDAY IN DECEMBER* 10am–2pm
Holiday House Tours Strawbery Banke
Experience centuries of winter traditions in this 90-minute tour of five historic houses - hot cider and hearth cooking!
* except 12/24, 12/25, 12/31
FIRST WEEKEND
Tuesday, December 2
5pm: "Illumination" of Wentworth by the Sea
Wednesday, December 3
Saturday, December 6
1:30-10:30pm: Vintage Christmas Trolley 15 minute route
4pm & 8pm: The Music Hall Presents All is Calm
5pm: Holiday Tree Lighting in Market Square
5pm: Scene@Five: High Tea will All is Calm Director Peter Rothstein (Music Hall members and guests only).
6pm: Vintage Christmas Holiday Parade
4-9pm: Candlelight Stroll at Strawbery Banke
Sunday, December 7
10am - 2pm: Winter Wonderland Brunch at Wentworth by the Sea
1:30-10:30pm: Vintage Christmas Trolley 15 minute route
4-9pm: Candlelight Stroll at Strawbery Banke
SECOND WEEKEND
Thursday, December 11
7pm: Ballet New England Presents: An 1836 Portsmouth
Nutcracker at The Music Hall
Friday, December 12
7pm: Ballet New England Presents: An 1836 Portsmouth
Nutcracker at The Music Hall
Saturday, December 13
1:30-10:30pm: Vintage Christmas Trolley 15 minute route
4-9pm: Candlelight Stroll at Strawbery Banke
10am: Ballet New England Presents: Nutcracker in a Nutshell at The Music Hall
2pm: Ballet New England Presents: An 1836 Portsmouth
Nutcracker at The Music Hall
7pm: Ballet New England Presents: An 1836 Portsmouth
Nutcracker at The Music Hall
Sunday, December 14
10am - 2pm: Winter Wonderland Brunch at Wentworth by the Sea
1:30-10:30pm: Vintage Christmas Trolley 15 minute route
3pm & 7pm: The Music Hall Presents
Kenneth Kiesler conducts the Holiday Pops
4-9pm: Candlelight Stroll at Strawbery Banke
THIRD WEEKEND
Thursday, December 18
12:30pm: Music Hall Historic Tour
7:30pm: Writers on a New England Stage: Wally Lamb
Friday, December 19
7pm: The Music Hall Presents: Messiah Sing!
7pm: Big Little Holiday Party + Dueling Pianos Dinner Show at the Sheraton
Saturday, December 20
1:30-10:30pm: Vintage Christmas Trolley 15 minute route
12pm: Met@The Music Hall Presents: Massanet’s Thaïs
4-9pm: Candlelight Stroll at Strawbery Banke
Sunday, December 21
1:30-10:30pm: Vintage Christmas Trolley 15 minute route
2pm & 7pm: The Music Hall Presents: Leahy Family Celtic Christmas
4-9pm: Candlelight Stroll at Strawbery Banke
Thursday, December 25
11am - 5pm: Festive Christmas Brunch at Wentworth by the Sea
1 - 10pm: Festive Christmas Dinner at Wentworth by the Sea
Tuesday, December 30
7pm: The Music Hall WildCard Movie: Across the Universe
Wednesday, December 31
First Night Portsmouth
5 - 11pm: New Year's Eve Dinner at Wentworth by the Sea
7:30pm - 12:30am: Grand New Year's Eve Celebration "Snow Flake Ball" at Wentworth by the Sea
Thursday, January 1
10am - 2pm: New Year's Day Brunch at Wentworth by the Sea
RESERVATIONS
Shows:
Tickets for all Music Hall holiday shows can be purchased at The Music Hall box office (28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth), on the phone at 603.436.2400, or online at www.themusichall.org.
Strolls:
Ticket prices for the Strawbery Banke Candlelight Stroll are $18 for adults, $10 for children, and $40 for families ($2 discount for tickets purchased before Dec. 1). Tickets can be purchased online at www.strawberybanke.org or by phone at 603.433.1107.
Tickets may be used any night of the Stroll.
Stayovers:
Hilton Garden Inn Portsmouth Downtown
Sheraton Harborside Portsmouth Hotel
Wentworth by the Sea
Group Sales:
Group ticket sales are available for most shows at a discounted rate and can be purchased by calling 603.433.3100 x25, Monday through Friday noon to 6pm.
Visit The Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce for more information
City provides free Vintage Christmas Trolley:
The trolley scheduled route – to run the first three weekends of December on Saturday and Sunday from 1:30-10:30pm– is a quick 15-minute loop of the downtown with several stops to jump on/off for shopping, and to get a bite to eat and drink. Day visitors will be able to park at various lots around town and jump on the trolley, while overnight visitors will be able to walk out their hotel door to the trolley stops. The City of Portsmouth provides the free trolley run by COAST, Cooperative Alliance for Seacoast Transportation.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Directions, Tickets (individual and group rates), Restaurant suggestions, everything that you need to come and have a great time!
FIND OUT MORE!
MAP/DIRECTIONS/PRINTABLE ITINERARY
A map with the trolley route and parking as well as the whole schedule of events available as a pdf
Vintage Christmas Presenting Sponsors:
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Vintage Christmas Lead Sponsors:
Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce
Hilton Garden Inn Portsmouth Downtown
Sheraton Harborside Portsmouth Hotel
Wentworth by the Sea