Strawbery Banke Candlelight Stroll

Strawbery Banke Museum's Candlelight Stroll lights up the historic Puddle Dock neighborhood in Portsmouth for three weekends in December 2026: December 4–6, 11–13 and 18–20. Candle boxes and string lights line the grounds, and the furnished historic houses, spanning the late 18th century through the 1950s, are decorated with greens and dried flowers from the museum's heirloom gardens. Costumed roleplayers share the holiday customs of the families who lived there, carolers and musicians perform outside, Victorian skaters give ice-dance performances, and there is warm cider and a Grove of Sponsored Holiday Trees. Horse-drawn carriage rides return in 2026, included with admission on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are sold by arrival window: Fridays 5:30–5:59 or 6–6:30 PM, Saturdays 4:30–5:29 or 5:30–6:29 PM (both close at 8:30 PM), and Sundays 2–2:59 or 3–3:59 PM (closes 6:30 PM). Public early-bird prices run through October 31 ($32 adult Friday/Sunday, $35 Saturday; $16 and $17.50 for ages 3–17); regular prices from November 1 are $35/$38 adult and $17.50/$19 child. Under 3 is free but still needs a ticket, and family and member rates are available. There is no on-site parking: park downtown and walk, or take the free Vintage Christmas trolley on Saturdays and Sundays. The event goes on rain or snow.