Gear up for an amazing holiday season in Portsmouth with our ultimate festive guide! From Portsmouth old-timers to fresh faces, our guide illuminates the path to holiday cheer.
Popular events during this time include "Winter Wonderland: The Coleman Nursery Collection," featuring beautifully crafted displays that evoke the spirit of the season. Another highlight is the "Holiday Tree Lighting," which transforms the city square into a luminous gathering place, creating a joyful atmosphere. And the "Snow Wonders" event is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing enchanting winter-themed displays. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Portsmouth
- Winter Wonderland: The Coleman Nursery Collection
- Snow Wonders
- Holiday Tree Lighting
- Visits with Santa at Winter Wonderland
- Tidewater Concert Band Holiday Concert
- Tidewater Winds Ensemble Holiday Concert
- Holiday Nights at City Park
- Shop Small Market at Cure Coffeehouse
- Olde Towne Holiday Lights
- Holiday Wonder Walk (Hampton)
See these and even more events listed below!
Portsmouth Holiday Light Displays
Winter Wonderland: The Coleman Nursery Collection
What to Expect:
Animated holiday scenes with intricate details.
Description:
The Coleman Nursery Collection at the Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center offers a nostalgic holiday display featuring animated scenes, Christmas trees, lights, ice skaters, children sledding, and more. This event is a visual treat for all ages, showcasing a Victorian chalet and caroling villagers.
Where: Portsmouth | More Info: Winter Wonderland: The Coleman Nursery Collection
Holiday Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Wheelchair-accessible viewing area and festive street entertainment.
Description:
The annual Illuminated Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting in Portsmouth, NH, features a 40-foot holiday tree, music, and a parade celebrating the city's 400th anniversary with the theme "History Lights Our Way."
Where: Portsmouth | More Info: Holiday Tree Lighting
Holiday Nights at City Park
What to Expect:
Train ride to see holiday lights.
Description:
Holiday Nights at City Park features a train ride aboard the Pokey Smokey to see holiday lights, food vendors, an illuminated playground, and various holiday activities. Check out some of the Coleman Collection pieces not displayed at the Winter Wonderland exhibit.
Where: Portsmouth | More Info: Holiday Nights at City Park
Olde Towne Holiday Lights
What to Expect:
Progressive city lighting with festive activities and characters.
Description:
Join Olde Towne for a festive holiday celebration featuring a snowy tree lighting, face painting, holiday characters, and Santa's arrival. Enjoy Christmas music, make-and-take activities, and a pyrotechnic display. Visit the Coleman Collection Nativity Scene and take family photos with holiday characters.
Where: Portsmouth | More Info: Olde Towne Holiday Lights
Holiday Wonder Walk
What to Expect:
Dazzling holiday lights and themed props along a scenic water trail.
Description:
The Holiday Wonder Walk at Coliseum Central features dazzling lights and seasonal decorations along Hampton's Water Walk Trail. The event includes lighted displays, themed props, food vendors, holiday crafters, and special surprises. Visitors can stroll the trail at their leisure, enjoying the festive atmosphere.
Where: Hampton | More Info: Holiday Wonder Walk
Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Grand illumination of park with festive decorations and live music.
Description:
The Festival of Lights at Sleepy Hole Park features a grand illumination of the park with festive decorations and live music, creating a vibrant atmosphere for all to enjoy.
Where: Suffolk | More Info: Festival of Lights
Holiday Lights at the Beach
What to Expect:
Largest and longest curved LED Light Tunnel in the U.S.
Description:
Drive through a spectacular display of holiday lights featuring jumping fish, musical crabs, lively elves, and joyous penguins against the moonlit Atlantic Ocean backdrop. The event includes a Surfing Santa, color-changing archways, luminous fixtures honoring the Armed Forces community, and a 40-foot dancing-light Christmas tree.
Where: Virginia Beach | More Info: Holiday Lights at the Beach
Deck the Hall
What to Expect:
Interactive drive-through light display with holiday themes.
Description:
Drive through a spectacular holiday light display featuring over 50,000 lights, showcasing festive holiday themes from the comfort of your car.
Where: Chesapeake | More Info: Deck the Hall
Portsmouth Holiday Markets and Shopping
Shop Small Market at Cure Coffeehouse
What to Expect:
Local vendors showcase diverse products.
Description:
Shop Small Market at Cure Coffeehouse features local vendors from across Hampton Roads, offering a variety of unique products and experiences.
Where: Portsmouth | More Info: Shop Small Market at Cure Coffeehouse
Portsmouth Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Visits with Santa at Winter Wonderland
What to Expect:
Interactive Santa meet-and-greets in a festive holiday setting.
Description:
Visit Santa at Winter Wonderland, where children can meet the jolly figure amidst animated scenes of Christmas trees, lights, ice skaters, and more.
Where: Portsmouth | More Info: Visits with Santa at Winter Wonderland
Tidewater Concert Band Holiday Concert
What to Expect:
Professional holiday concert by a renowned concert band.
Description:
Tidewater Concert Band presents a holiday concert featuring a blend of traditional and contemporary music, performed by a talented ensemble of musicians.
Where: Portsmouth | More Info: Tidewater Concert Band Holiday Concert
Tidewater Winds Ensemble Holiday Concert
What to Expect:
Holiday jazz quartet performance with vocalist Danielle Roby.
Description:
Tidewater Winds Ensemble Holiday Concert features a blend of traditional and contemporary music performed by a professional concert band, accompanied by festive food offerings and a lively atmosphere.
Where: Portsmouth | More Info: Tidewater Winds Ensemble Holiday Concert
Snowglobe Spectacular
What to Expect:
Live performances inside life-size snow globes with Santa appearances.
Description:
Snowglobe Spectacular at Town Center features life-size snow globes filled with artistic, unique, and creative Christmas scenes. Enjoy live performances by violinists, dancing ballerinas, and royal musicians. Visit Santa in his Covid-safe North Pole Snow Globe and explore giant sparkling holiday ornaments and a mesmerizing dancing light display.
Where: Virginia Beach | More Info: Snowglobe Spectacular
Portsmouth Other Holiday Activities
Snow Wonders
What to Expect:
Snowfall and live music in a festive setting.
Description:
Snow Wonders is a free seasonal event where snow falls from the sky, and music fills the air, creating nostalgic memories. Join us on the Middle Street Mall outside the Children's Museum of Virginia every Saturday at 6pm from November 25th until December 30th.
Where: Portsmouth | More Info: Snow Wonders
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Norfolk (1 miles)
- Chesapeake (2 miles)
- Portsmouth Heights (4 miles)
- Newport News (12 miles)
- Hampton (14 miles)
- East Hampton (14 miles)
- Suffolk (18 miles)
- Virginia Beach (18 miles)
- South Suffolk (18 miles)