Though hints started dropping as early as Halloween, holiday season really begins during the first weekend of December. That’s when many local communities host their annual parades, tree lightings, and other holiday festivities. Here’s a roundup of some of the upcoming highlights.
Exeter Festival of Trees
Date/Time: Wednesday, Nov. 30, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. & Thursday, Dec. 1, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Location: Exeter Town Hall
Website: www.exeterareacharitablefoundation.org/festivaloftrees
Dover Festival of Trees
Date/Time: Friday, Dec. 2, 4-8 p.m.
Location: Rivermill at Dover Landing
Website: www.dovernh.org/festival-of-trees
Rochester Holiday Tree Lighting
Date/Time: Friday, Dec. 2, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Location: Central Square, Downtown Rochester
Website: https://business.rochesternh.org/events/details/holiday-tree-lighting-2022-8126
New Castle Village Christmas Fair
Date/Time: Saturday, Dec. 3, 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Location: New Castle Recreation Building
Hampton Holiday Parade
Date/Time: Saturday, Dec. 3, 1 p.m.
Location: Starts at North Hampton/Hampton town line and ends at Winnacunnet Road
Theme: “Holiday Memories”
Website: www.experiencehampton.org/holidayparade
Berwick/Somersworth Holiday Parade
Date/Time: Saturday, Dec. 3, 1:30-4 p.m.
Location: Berwick Town Hall
Theme: “Home for the Holidays”
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/601024568433413
Kittery Holiday Parade
Date/Time: Saturday, Dec. 3, 3 p.m.
Location: Post Office Square
Theme: “Holiday Fun”
Website: https://www.kitteryme.gov/home/events/75651
York Festival of Lights Parade
Date/Time: Saturday, Dec. 3, 4:30-5:45 p.m.
Location: Starts at Fosters Clambakes and ends at Village Elementary
Website: https://www.yorkparksandrec.org/events/special-events/
Exeter Holiday Parade
Date/Time: Saturday, Dec. 3, 5:30 p.m.
Location: Starts at the OSRAM Plant and ends at Swasey Parkway
Website: http://www.exeternhholidayparade.com/
Portsmouth Illuminated Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting
Date/Time: Saturday, Dec. 3, 5-7 p.m.
Location: Starts on Islington Street and travels through Market Square
Website: https://www.cityofportsmouth.com/city/illuminated-holiday-parade-tree-lighting
Rye Holiday Parade
Date/Time: Sunday, Dec. 4, 3-6 p.m.
Location: Starts at Webster at Rye on Washington Road and ends at Rye Junior High School
Website: https://www.ryenh400.org/events/roseti-community-meeting-4mxcn
Brentwood Holiday Stroll
Date/Time: Friday & Saturday, Dec. 9 & 10, 5-9 p.m.
Location: Brentwood Recreation Center
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/2106667562827889/2108469809314331/
See the full calendar for more local festivities.