Christmas Parades, Tree Lightings and Holiday Strolls

2023 dates for our favorite Christmas parades and community holiday events in New Hampshire
Manchester Christmas Parade

The Manchester Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 4 p.m.

Santa Claus will be coming to New Hampshire soon! Here are dates and times for some of our favorite Christmas parades, tree lightings and downtown holiday strolls.

We do our best to keep this list robust and accurate, but mistakes do happen. If we’ve missed your town’s event or an event needs to be corrected, please e-mail Morgen at morgenc@yankeepub.com with the information.

The information below is organized in alpha order by town or city name.

Concord, NH Christmas Parade

The annual Concord Christmas Parade will be on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. The parade route is from Hazen Drive, up Loudon Road, to Canterbury Road, and then cross Pembroke Road.

Additionally, the Christmas tree lighting in Concord will take place at the Statehouse City Plaza from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, November 24. After Santa arrives, fireworks will be set off and there will be music, charity vendors, a burn barrel to toast marshmallows, hot beverages, and food vendors.

More information: facebook.com


Claremont Holiday Lighting & Santa Procession

The Claremont Fire Department is delivering Santa to Broad Street Park on Sunday, December 3, 2023, at 6 p.m. for the Holiday Lighting Ceremony. Following the ceremony, Santa will be escorted around town by a variety of Claremont vehicles in a parade-like fashion.

More information: claremontnh.com


Derry, NH Nutfield Holiday Parade

The annual Holiday Parade in Derry is on Saturday, November 25, 2023 at 1 p.m.

More information: Greater Derry Londonderry Chamber of Commerce


Dover, NH holiday parade

The annual Dover holiday parade is on Sunday, November 26, 2023.

More information: facebook.com/doverholidayparade


Durham, NH Frost Fest

Welcome the winter season with Durham Recreation’s annual celebration on Saturday, December 2, 2023 from 6 to 8 p.m. on Main Street in Durham. Enjoy s’mores, cookie decorating, ice sculpting, a bonfire and a visit from Santa.

More information: durhamrec.recdesk.com


Exeter, NH Christmas parade

The traditional Holiday Parade in Exeter is on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.

More information: exeterholidayparade.org


Goffstown, NH Tree Lighting

Goffstown’s Friday Night Under the Lights event will be held on Friday, December 1, 2023 from 5 to 8 p.m. in Goffstown Village.

More information: goffstownmainstreet.org/fridaylights


Hampstead, NH Christmas parade

The annual Hampstead Christmas Parade is scheduled for Sunday, December 10, 2023 at 1 p.m. This year’s theme, “A Colonial Christmas,” will celebrate the town’s 275th birthday.

More information: facebook.com


Hampton, NH Christmas parade

The Experience Hampton Christmas Parade scheduled for Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 1 p.m. and takes place in downtown Hampton. This year’s theme is “Surfboards & Snowglobes” will pay homage to the beach, holidays, and the lifestyle that living in a seaside town encapsulates.

More information: experiencehampton.org


Lebanon, NH Holiday Happenings

‘Tis the Season Lebanon’s Downtown Winter Celebration takes place on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at Colburn Park. The carnival portion of the day kicks off at 12 p.m., including a Santa’s Tour of Lebanon and West Lebanon. Additionally, earlier in the day, there is a craft fair and holiday bazaar.

More information: lebanonnh.gov


Littleton, NH holiday parade

The 35th Annual Christmas Parade in Littleton is on Friday, November 24, 2023, and begins at noon. This year’s theme is “12 Days of Christmas.”

More information: Facebook


Manchester, NH Christmas parade

The Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at 4 p.m. and takes place on Elm Street in downtown Manchester immediately following the Santa Claus Shuffle (3k race and walk begins at 3 p.m.).

More information: millenniumrunning.com/santa


Merrimack, NH Christmas parade and tree lighting

The 30th Annual Holiday Parade in Merrimack is being held on Sunday, December 3, 2023 at 3 p.m. Immediately following the parade, the Merrimack Tree Lighting will be held at 3:45 p.m. in Abbie Griffin Park.

More information: merrimackparksandrec.org


Nashua, NH Holiday Stroll

The Annual Holiday Stroll in Nashua is on Saturday, November 25, 2023 from 4-9 p.m. and kicks off at Main Street from City Hall. Additionally,pictures with Santa will take place from 1 -4 p.m. at the Nashua Center for the Arts.

More information: downtownnashua.org/holidaystroll


New Boston, NH Tree Lighting

The Tree Lighting on the Gazebo and S’mores with Santa event at the New Boston Town Common is on Saturday, December 2, 2023 from 4 to 6 p.m. Inclement weather date is Sunday, December 3, 2023.

More information: newbostonnh.gov


North Conway, NH Holiday Festival and Tree Lighting

North Conway’s Holiday Festival is on Saturday, December 2, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and features a Christmas tree lighting, peppermint guessing contest, live caroling and holiday light show and tunnel.

More information: settlersgreen.com


Nottingham, NH Christmas parade and party

The town of Nottingham Holiday Parade and Party is Saturday, December 2, 2023, at 10 a.m.

More information: nottingham-nh.gov/


Portsmouth, NH Christmas parade and tree lighting

Festivities for the Portsmouth holiday celebration kicks off on Saturday, December 2, 2023 at at 5 p.m. with the Portsmouth Middle and High School Holiday Ensemble, followed by the tree lighting in Market Square at 5:30 p.m. The Portsmouth Illuminated Holiday Parade begins at 6 p.m. from the Goodwin Park area on Islington Street.

More information: cityorportsmouth.com


Rochester, NH parade

“The Polar Express” Rochester Holiday Parade will be held on Sunday, December 3, 2023 from 3-4:30 p.m. The parade will begin at the triangle by the R.W. Creteau Regional Technology Center, travel south on Wakefield Street, turn onto Union Street and then turn south on North Main Street and proceed through South Main Street, disbanding around the Rochester Commons. The holiday tree lighting in Rochester is on Friday, December 1, 2023 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

More information: rochesternh.org


Rye, NH Christmas parade and candlelight walk

Rye’s “Past, Present and Future” Christmas Parade and Candlelight Walk is on Sunday, December 4, 2023 at 3 p.m. The parade starts at Webster at Rye on Washington Road and ends at Rye Junior High.

More information: ryenh400.org


Salem, NH Christmas parade

The 52nd Annual Holiday Parade in Salem is scheduled for Sunday, November 26, 2023 at 1 p.m. This year’s theme: superheroes.

More information: salemnhparade.org


Stratham, NH tree lighting

The Stratham Christmas tree lighting is scheduled for Sunday, December 3, 2023 and will be held at the Stratham Fire Station.

More information: strathamnh.gov


Wolfeboro, NH Christmas parade

The Christmas in Wolfeboro Parade is on Saturday, November 25, 2023 from 3-4 p.m. on Main Street.

More information: wolfeborochamber.com


Categories: Family-friendly things to do, Holiday Guide Events