Holiday season is upon us — as evidenced by the many festive events happening on the Seacoast this weekend. Here’s a dozen of the highlights.
Candlelight Stroll at Strawbery Banke
Experience 350-plus years of seasonal traditions at Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth. The Candlelight Stroll features handmade decorations, costumed role-players, wandering performers, ice dances, a bonfire, and hundreds of candle lanterns. It takes place on weekends from Dec. 6-22. Tickets are $16-$32. Learn more here.
Button Factory Open Studios 2024
Get your holiday shopping done while supporting local artists at the 37th Button Factory Open Studios in Portsmouth this weekend. Resident artists will open their doors on Friday from 5-8 p.m., coinciding with Art ‘Round Town. Invited guest artists and craftsmen will join the festivities on Saturday and Sunday from 11-5 p.m. Learn more here.
Holiday concerts at The Orchard Chapel
The Word Barn’s 12 Nights of Christmas series continues this weekend at The Orchard Chapel in Hampton Falls, starting with the Kat & Brett Holiday Show (featuring Vermont songbirds Kat Wright and Brett Hughes) on Friday from 7-9 p.m. ($25). Roots orchestra Dustbowl Revival follows on Saturday from 8-9 p.m. ($32). Learn more here.
Live music on the Button Factory Stage
Grungy Mass.-based rock band Parachute Club headlines a show on the Button Factory Stage with guests Mold and Shoulder at WSCA Radio in Portsmouth on Friday from 7-10 p.m. ($10-$15). Retro soul singer Jill McCracken (pictured) follows with opener Liza Lynehand (of Planet Parlor) on Saturday from 7-10 p.m. ($10-$15). Learn more here.
Quadruple bill at The Stone Church
How much rock ‘n’ roll can The Stone Church squeeze into one night? Looks like we’re gonna find out. Local favorites the Tim McCoy Rock Quartet will headline a quadruple-bill concert in Newmarket with special guests Creatures, Them Dewlap Boys, and Savor the Silence on Friday starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15-$20. Learn more here.
‘A Christmas Carol’ at The Players’ Ring
The Players’ Ring’s annual production of “A Christmas Carol” is a long-held Portsmouth tradition. This year’s laugh-a-minute adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic is on stage Dec. 6-23; show times this weekend are Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2:30 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $25-$32. Learn more here.
The Bang Group’s ‘Nut/Cracked’
The Bang Group turns a sugar-coated ballet into a percussive piece of dance theater with “Nut/Cracked.” The company’s unique, jazzy adaptation of “The Nutcracker” returns to The Dance Hall in Kittery this weekend. Show times are Friday and Saturday from 7-8:30 p.m. and Sunday from 3-5 p.m. Tickets are $15-$30. Learn more here.
‘A Child’s Christmas in Wales’ at Garrison Players
Based on Dylan Thomas’ short story, “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” involves childhood memories, ghosts, music, snow, and the holidays. It’s on stage at the Garrison Players Arts Center in Rollinsford Dec. 6-15. Show times are Fridays from 7:30- 9 p.m. Saturdays from 4-5:30 p.m., and Sundays from 2-3:30 p.m. Tickets are $15-$22. Learn more here.
Portsmouth Illuminated Holiday Parade
Bundle up and head into downtown Portsmouth on Saturday for the annual tree lighting ceremony in Market Square at 5:30 p.m. The Portsmouth Illuminated Holiday Parade follows, stepping off from Islington Street at 6 p.m. This year’s theme is “Let it Glow.” Afterward, hang around for downtown shopping and strolling. Learn more here.
Con Tutti: Sending You Light!
The singers of Con Tutti will be joined by a storyteller, a visual artist, and a string trio for their upcoming winter solstice concert at South Church in Portsmouth. Featuring sea shanties, pub tunes, Newfoundland dance music, and more, “Sending You Light” takes place on Saturday from 7:30-9 p.m. Tickets are $20. Learn more here.
Sounds of the Seacoast: Holly Jolly Cabaret
Enjoy seasonal favorites and standards — plus raffles, snacks, and a visit from Santa — during A Holly Jolly Cabaret in Eliot. The award-winning Sounds of the Seacoast Women’s Barbershop Chorus will present its holiday performance at the Regatta Conference Center on Sunday from 3-5 p.m. Tickets are $10-$20. Learn more here.
Rock My Soul Rockin’ Holiday Concert
The Rock My Soul choir and band continues its 2024 holiday tour with a spirit-soaring evening of R&B, pop, soul, and doo-wop flavored arrangements of Christmas carols and holiday favorites (complete with horns) at the First Parish Federated Church of South Berwick on Sunday from 4-6 p.m. Tickets are $5-$25. Learn more here.
See the full calendar for more local events.