NH and ME Seacoast Holiday and Christmas Parades 2022

Christmas and Holiday Parade season is here, with the first of the parades scheduled for Dover and Newburyport on Saturday, November 27.

Most events are scheduled for Saturday, December 3.

Parade times and dates are subject to change without notice in this report.

Amesbury

Saturday, December 3 - The Amesbury Holiday Parade steps off at 3 p.m. with the theme Holidays Around the World.

Berwick/Somersworth

Saturday, December 3: The Berwick/Somersworth Holiday Parade is the only Seacoast parade to run through two states. It steps off Saturday, December 3 at 1:30 p.m. in Berwick, and ends on the other side of the Salmon Falls River in Somersworth.

Dover Christmas Parade (Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce)

Dover

Sunday, November 27: The annual Dover Holiday Parade returns, thanks to the efforts of Cocheco Friends who took on the job of organizing the parade. This year's parade steps off at 3 p.m. with the theme “Holiday Countdown to Celebrating our Past, Present, and Future.”

Durham

Saturday, December 3: Durham's Frost Fest begins at 6 p.m. Saturday on Main Street with a bonfire, s'mores, crafts, activities, ice sculptures, and more.

Exeter

Saturday, December 3 - The parade steps off at 5:30 p.m. from the OSRAM Plant at 131 Portsmouth Avenue and heads to the end of High Street, straight onto Water Street passing the bandstand, and ending at the entrance to Swasey Parkway.

Hampstead

Saturday, December 11 - The Hampstead Lions Club's Winter Wonderland parade steps off at 1 p.m. Sunday on Main Street.

Hampton

Saturday, December 3 - Hampton's parade steps off Saturday at 1 p.m. near the Hampton/North Hampton Town Line, ending at Winnacunnet Road. Several businesses along the route are hosting parade viewing parties.

This year's theme, "It's Only a Movie," honors the memory of Daniel "Desi" Lanio, Hampton's "unofficial" mayor who died in January at the age of 70. Parade organizers said he was always a supporter of the parade.

Kittery

Saturday, December 3 - The Kiwanis Club of the Seacoast's Holiday Parade celebrates "Holiday Fun" and begins at 3 p.m. The parade ends at John Paul Jones Park with a tree lighting.

Santa arrives on a U.S. Coast Guard boat for the Newburyport Santa Parade (Newburyport Chamber of Commerce)

Newburyport

Sunday, November 27 - The Newburyport Rotary Club Santa Parade and Tree Lighting starts at 3 p.m. at 36 Merrimac Steet in downtown Newburyport as Santa & Mrs. Claus arrive on a U.S. Coard Guard boat. The parade ends with the annual tree lighting and carols.

Nottingham

Saturday, December 3 - The parade steps off Saturday at 10 a.m., beginning and ending at the community center.

Portsmouth

Saturday, December 3 - The City of Portsmouth's festivities begins Saturday at 5 p.m. with the tree lighting ceremony in Market Square, followed by the illuminated holiday parade stepping off at 6 p.m. at Plaza 800 on Islington Street.

No parking is allowed on the parade route after 3 p.m. on Saturday. The Foundry Place Garage will offer a special $3 flat fee covering 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Rain/snow date is Sunday, December 4.

Band in a past Rochester Holiday Parade (City of Rochester)

Rochester

Sunday, December 4 - The Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce's Holiday Parade steps off at 3 p.m. at the triangle by the R.W. Creteau Regional Technology Center.

Rain/snow date is Monday, December 5.

Rye

Sunday, December 4 - Rye's parade, themed A Vintage Rye Christmas, is Sunday at 3 p.m. starting behind Webster at Rye on Washington Street and ending at the Rye town common. The festivities end with the lighting of the Parsons Field tree.