The Jolliest Seacoast Holiday Parades! And when to catch them rolling on by in 2022!
The seacoast communities are all ready to celebrate the winter holidays! Several towns are kicking off the season with a Santa parade and other wonderful festive activities for families and children of all ages. Check out what’s going on in your local area!
New Hampshire
Dover Holiday Parade
Sunday, November, 27, 2022; 3:00pm
Cochecho Friends is proud to announce the return of the Dover Holiday Parade. This year’s theme is “Holiday Countdown to Celebrating our Past, Present, and Future.”
Exeter Holiday Parade
Saturday, December 3, 2022; 5:30pm
This year’s theme is Toys, Trains and Candy Canes. This annual event has been the highlight of the holiday season for decades in Exeter. The parade begins on Portsmouth Avenue at OSRAM, makes a right on High St., continues onto Water Street, ending at Swasey Parkway. Be sure to get there early to find a prime spot to watch all the action and welcome Santa Claus to Exeter!
Hampton Holiday Parade
Saturday, December 3, 2022; 1:00pm
“It’s Only a Movie” – the fun starts at 1pm as floats, bands, entertainers, marchers make their way through down Route 1 into Downtown Hampton. Be on the lookout for Mrs. Clause, she loves the parade along with Santa. Mark your calendar for all of Hampton’s Holiday Events!
Portsmouth Holiday Tree Lighting & Parade
Saturday, December 3, 2022; 5:00-5:30pm/6pm
Enjoy the spirit of Christmas in downtown Portsmouth beginning with holiday music at 5pm. Catch the lighting of the Christmas Tree at 5:30pm, followed by the parade at 6pm. The parade marches down Islington St. through Market Square. This year’s theme is “Illuminated Holiday.” Rain Date is Sunday, December 4th.
Nottingham Holiday Parade
Saturday, December 3, 2022; 10:00am
It’s beginning to look a lot like winter!! Join us on December 4th to bring in the holiday season. The route starts and ends at the community center. Town residents can watch the parade at the town hall, library, Liars Paradise etc. You don’t want to miss out!
Rochester Holiday Parade
Sunday, December 4, 2022; 3:00pm
The theme of this year’s parade will be “A Rock & Roll Christmas” and entries are invited to decorate their floats with the theme. Rochester’s Holiday Parade is held each year to kick-off the holiday season in Rochester. Rochester boasts one of the most spectacular parades. From marching units, youth, organization and commercial floats, VIPs, color guard and marching units, equestrians and marching bands.
Rye Holiday Parade & Candlelight Stroll
Sunday, December 4, 2021; 3:00pm
“Vintage Rye Holiday Parade” is the theme! This year will be a little different, as the Holiday Parade will be the kick off of the Town of Rye’s 400th Anniversary celebration. After the Parade there will be a candle light stroll through the center of Town and end with a tree lighting ceremony at Parsons Field, sponsored by the Rye400 Committee and the Rye Historical Society.
Stratham Holiday Parade & Open House
Saturday, December 17, 2022; 5:00pm
See the Lights4Lives Parade Route Here!
Gather at Statham Hill Park following parade for an open house filled with ice skating, bonfire and snacks!
Maine
Somersworth/Berwick Holiday Parade
Saturday, December 10, 2022; 1:30pm (rescheduled due to rain)
This year’s parade theme is “Home for the Holidays.” The route will start at Wilson St. in Berwick. It will follow onto Allen St. and Sawmill Hill Rd. and enter Somersworth on Market St. The parade will then head up High St, turn onto Constitutional Ave. and finish on Main St. in front of the Somersworth Plaza.
Kittery Holiday Parade
Sunday, December 4, 2022; 3:00pm
The Kiwanis Club of The Seacoast is sponsoring the annual Kittery Holiday Parade this year. This year’s theme is “Celebrating Our History- Kittery’s 375th Anniversary.” The parade will step off from Post Office Square at 3PM, follow the traditional parade route through downtown Kittery, and conclude at the John Paul Jones Park with the tree lighting.
York Festival of Lights Parade
Saturday, December 3, 2022; 4:30pm
The parade will consist of marching bands, floats, clowns, antique cars, public service organizations, business establishments and much more. There are many other holiday events happening too. Check the Festival of Lights committee’s calendar for more information!
Massachusetts
Amesbury Holiday Parade
Saturday, December 3, 2022; 3:30pm
Rain or shine the town of Amesbury is proud to bring you the 58th annual Holiday Parade. The theme this year is: Community! The parade will begin at 3:30pm EST from the intersection of Sparhawk and Greenleaf Street. All parade participants will be lined up on Greenleaf Street.
Santa Parade & Tree Lighting in Newburyport
Sunday, November 27, 2022; 3:30pm-6:00pm
As the holiday season approaches, Santa & Mrs. Claus arrive in the most fitting way for this seaport town by US Coast Guard boat! Welcome Santa on the Sunday after Thanksgiving as he and Mrs. Claus dock at the boardwalk and begin to parade through downtown Newburyport, then gather in Market Square for the annual Christmas tree lighting and carols.
Did we forget something? Send your town’s holiday plans to us and we’ll add them!
