When Christmas is on the horizon, we start to focus on ways to fully enjoy the season. Of course, just being in New Hampshire is a great way to appreciate all the sparkle and joy that comes with this time of year. But when you need that added dose of cheer, visit one of the most celebratory towns in the state. Portsmouth is a fantastic New Hampshire Christmas town that’ll add another level of brightness to your holiday season.

Throughout the year, Portsmouth, New Hampshire is a great place to visit. As it's one of the most well-known destinations in New Hampshire, many of the tourists who flock to the Granite State make a point of including it in their summer visits. But, we'd argue that winter is the best time to visit. It's one of the best Christmas towns in New Hampshire, after all!
vintagechristmasnh.org
The entire city gets decked out for the holidays, which means just walking through the streets can fill you with the spirit of the season. But, there are also plenty of fun events to take part in as well.
Vintage Christmas in Portsmouth / Facebook
One of the most notable events is the annual Vintage Christmas Celebration put on by the Strawbery Banke Museum and The Music Hall.
vintagechristmasnh.org
In addition to the beautiful Candlelight Stroll, there are also musical performances, ice skating performances, and an old-fashioned Christmas shopping experience.
jjandames / Flickr

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During the Candlelight Stroll, visitors can experience the holiday traditions of the past, with each historic house featuring handmade decorations representing a different theme. Visit a family preparing for a Hanukkah celebration in 1919, a family and their servants getting ready to celebrate a Victorian Christmas, and more.
vintagechristmasnh.org
The annual tree-lighting and illuminated holiday parade are typically held on the first Saturday of December, with full details available at the City of Portsmouth website.
Vintage Christmas in Portsmouth / Facebook
In the past, there has even been a free vintage Christmas trolley making 15-minute loops of the downtown area. It stops at hotels, The Music Hall, and the Strawbery Banke Museum, in addition to parking lots and garages around town. To learn about this season's Christmas trolley, visit the COAST website.
Vintage Christmas in Portsmouth / Facebook
While there are a ton of events to take part in, simply meandering the streets once the lights are twinkling is a great way to take it all in.
Vintage Christmas in Portsmouth / Facebook
Even the waterfront lights up in holiday cheer!
silly_little_man / Flickr

Are you looking forward to a Portsmouth, NH Christmas? To see all of the Christmas events planned for the city of Portsmouth, check out the official Portsmouth Vintage Christmas website.

If you’re looking for a place to stay in Portsmouth, we’d recommend taking a look at The Sailmaker’s House, a beautiful and highly-rated inn located in the heart of downtown Portsmouth.

For more ways to make your Christmas in New Hampshire magical, check out this lineup of six of the best Christmas lights displays in New Hampshire.

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Christmas In New Hampshire

Meghan Byers | November 04, 2022

What are some other magical Christmas towns in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire is brimming with holiday cheer, from its small towns to its bigger cities. Some other Christmas towns in New Hampshire are:

  • Nashua, New Hampshire, which takes part in the holiday season with its annual Holiday Stroll, a candlelit procession featuring tree lighting, food, vendors, live performances, and more.
  • Jackson, New Hampshire is a must-visit for anyone who loves Christmas, since not only is it a picture-perfect Christmas village, but it also is home to the Christmas Farm Inn, which celebrates the holiday all year round.
  • Enfield, where the La Salette shrine plays host to over ten acres of Christmas lights each night during the holiday season. It's the perfect destination if you love holiday lights.

 

What are some winter activities to do in New Hampshire?

Some winter activities to do in New Hampshire are:

  • horseback riding in the snow
  • magical winter hikes through shining blankets of white
  • skiing
  • snowboarding
  • snow tubing
  • horse-drawn sleigh rides

 

There’s something to be said for curling up by the fire with a cup of hot cocoa on a cold and blustery day. But just because there’s a chill in the air and snow on the ground doesn’t mean you have to stay indoors. There are so many outdoor winter activities in New Hampshire to enjoy. So bundle up and get out there!

What are the best holiday light displays in New Hampshire?

We’ve mentioned the impressive acres of lights at the La Salette shrine in Enfield, but that’s not the only dazzling lights display worth visiting in New Hampshire this season. Here are some more of the best holiday light displays in New Hampshire:

  • Santa’s Village in Jefferson has a wonderful display of lights to celebrate the season on which the theme park was based.
  • For a fun drive-through holiday lights experience, visit the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudoun, which features a 150-foot tunnel of lights and over 500 displays and 80 scenes, all put together for a memorable evening of holiday fun.
  • Whitney and Nic's Winter Wonderland in Nashua has tens of thousands of lights to admire.

 

Visit our rundown of more of the best Christmas lights displays in New Hampshire.

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