Portsmouth and other Seacoast towns hold their 2021 holiday parades and festivities in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Here’s a roundup of town-sanctioned holiday happenings.
Exeter Festival of Trees
Date/Time: Wednesday, Dec. 1, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. & Thursday, Dec. 2, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Location: Exeter Town Hall
Website: www.exeterareacharitablefoundation.org/festivaloftrees
Dover Festival of Trees
Date/Time: Friday, Dec. 3, 4-8 p.m.
Location: Rivermill at Dover Landing
Website: www.dovernh.org/festival-of-trees
Rochester Holiday Tree Lighting
Date/Time: Friday, Dec. 3, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Location: Central Square, Downtown Rochester
Website: https://business.rochesternh.org/events/details/holiday-tree-lighting-7940
Hampton Holiday Parade
Date/Time: Saturday, Dec. 4, 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. 4, 1:30 p.m.
Location: TBA
Theme: “Joy to the World”
Website: www.facebook.com/events/903133320635026
Kittery Holiday Parade
Date/Time: Saturday, Dec. 4, 3 p.m.
Location: Starts at Post Office Square and ends at John Paul Jones Park
Theme: “Celebrating Our History – Kittery’s 375th Anniversary”
Website: www.kitteryme.gov/home/events/69326
Exeter Holiday Parade
Date/Time: Saturday, Dec. 4, 5:30 p.m.
Location: Starts on Portsmouth Ave. near Exeter Lumber and goes through downtown on Water Street
Theme: “Celebrate!”
Website: https://exeterholidayparade.org/
Portsmouth Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting
Date/Time: Saturday, Dec. 4, 6 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. 5, 1 p.m.
Location: Starts at Webster at Rye on Washington Road and ends at Rye Junior High School
Website: www.town.rye.nh.us/home/events/30326
Brentwood Holiday Stroll
Date/Time: Friday & Saturday, Dec. 10 & 11, 5-9 p.m.
Location: Brentwood Recreation Center
Website: www.facebook.com/events/1609591239393469
See the full calendar for more local festivities.