Labrie Family Skate at Puddle Dock Pond
Old-fashioned outdoor fun.Skates & entrance through the Tyco Visitors Center.Extra fee to skate.
Pickwick’s at the Banke – Gookin House
Shop a selection of the local, historical, whimsical, and wondrous at Strawbery Banke’s official museum store.
The Figtree Kitchen – TYCOVisitorsCenter
Featuring fine foods, light meals, homemade soups, delectable desserts, coffee & more.
Holiday Dinners in Historic Pitt TavernSold Out.
Enjoy a festive historic atmosphere with Pickwick’s Mercantile and Chef Evan Mallettserving up traditional meals and tavern drinks in a revolutionary atmosphere.
Advance tickets required.
Meet the Inhabitants of Puddle Dock
Chat with costumed characters from ages past as they stroll the streets.
Runnymede Farm Horses & RidersSaturday Only.
Spreading holiday cheer in Victorian fashion.
Horse Drawn Carriage Rides – Beside Lowd House
Bundle up and go for a ride down candlelit streets. Last ride sets out 15minutes before closing.
Holiday House for Members – Walsh House
Strawbery Banke Members enjoy holiday beverages, snacks and musical entertainment all evening.
Candlelight Kids Treasure Hunt – Visitors Center
Pick up your guide at the museum entrance then return to the TYCO Visitors Center to collect a prize.
Saint Nicholas
Greet Saint Nicholas as he passes along the candlelit lanes handing out peppermint treats.
Cider Shed–Stable
Warm up with live music & hot cider!
2016
Gift from the Sea
Friday & Saturdays 5:00 – 9:00
Sundays 4:00 – 8:00
Craft Demonstrations
Textiles - Cotton Tenant North
Fiber arts, from fluff to cloth. Try your hand at weaving.
Garden Bounty - Cotton Tenant South
More than just salads, learn about plant uses through history, watch wreath-making tutorials, & make a botanical card to send to a friend.
Cooper–Dinsmore Shop
Ron Raiselis and Glenn Lael demonstrate traditional woodworking.
Maritime – The Boatshop at Strawbery Banke
Climb aboard a boat in the shop, learn to tie knots and make your own cedar-shaving garland.
Traditional Foodways – Wheelwright House
Warm up and enjoy the savory smells of an 18th century meal prepared over the open hearth.
Hands-on Craft -Wheelwright House
Make a paper boat with the children of Captain John Wheelwright.
Tinsmith –Jones House
Gorgeous handmade lanterns and ornaments craftedby George and Carol Monte are available for sale.
Exhibits
Winn House
Architectural styles and building construction.
Lowd House
Early craftsmen’s tools.
Sherburne House
17th century house construction.
Yeaton House
Port of Portsmouth: War, Trade & Travel
Gift from the Sea
Families in this neighborhood have always had a close connection to the water outside our doors. The river and the ocean were a source of food, transportation, a means of communication and occupation. Join us as we celebrate the season and our many gifts from the sea.
Follow the Story
Goodwin House – 1870 Youthful Ocean Adventures
The Goodwin family gathers on Christmas Eve to hear stories of Mr. Goodwin’s youth on a sailing ship and make gifts and ornaments from shells they collected.
ChaseHouse – 1815 Light Entertainment on Dark Nights
Mrs. Chase is preparing a festive dinner party while her grandchildren dance and play in the parlor.
Rider-Wood House – 1845Family From Afar
The Rider-Wood family is celebrating the arrival of their sister in Portsmouth after a long journey from England.
Aldrich Memorial– 1908 in a warm, light room
Mrs. Aldrich reflects on the family’s Christmas traditions, and on her late husband’s poetry in the Thomas Bailey Aldrich Memorial.
ShapiroHouse – 1919 Hanukkah Traditions
On the seventh night of Hanukkah the Shapiro family celebrates by eating traditional foods and playing special Hanukkah games.
AbbottHouse & Store– 1943 Home for the Holidays
Mrs. Abbott’s grandson is on leave from the Navy for Christmas. He is catching up with family and neighbors while watching the shop.
Shapley-DriscoHouse -
1795 – Faraway Fashions
Mrs. Shapleyand her daughters are keeping up with the latest fashions from Europe by looking at prints from Paris. Can she and her daughters agree on the new gowns?
1955 –Ocean Bounty
Mrs. Day is making a seafood chowder for supper while the children are playing games of Battleship and Go Fish.
Performance Schedule
Saturday, December 10
Live Band - Cider Shed, Stable
5:00 – 9:00 Jeff Warner & Friends
Victorian Skaters – Labrie Family Skate
6:00 7:00 Doug Webster, Artistic Director
Sponsored by Heinemann
Perry Alley Theatre – Carter Center Gallery
Fairy Tale puppet show - 5:30, 6:15, 7:00, 7:45, 8:30
Magic of the Steelgraves– Winn House
Victorian Parlor Magic - 5:30, 6:15, 7:00, 7:45
Harpsicord Music– Walsh House*
5:30 - 6:45, 7:15 - 8:30Richard Spicer* For Members Only
Piano Music – TYCO Visitors Center
5:00-7:00 Matt Dustin
7:00-9:00 Alix Martin
Holiday Carols – Aldrich Garden
5:30 & 6:30Granite State Chorale
6:157:00Sounds of the Seacoast
7:30 & 8:15Portsmouth High School
5:45 & 7:45Shanty BONES
Stories by the Fire – Bonfire on Puddle Dock
5:45 & 7:30 Dawn Coutu reads from Portsmouth’s past
Sunday, December 11
Live Band - Cider Shed, Stable
4:00 –5:45Gary Szredzienski
6:15 – 8:00Jose Lescano & Jennifer Yeaton-Parris
Victorian Skaters – Labrie Family Skate
5:00 6:00 Doug Webster, Artistic Director
Sponsored by Heinemann
Perry Alley Theatre – Carter Center Gallery
Fairy Tale puppet show - 4:30, 5:15, 6:00, 6:45, 7:30
Magic of the Steelgraves– Winn House
Victorian Parlor Magic - 4:30, 5:15, 6:00, 6:45
Harpsicord Music– Walsh House*
4:30 - 5:45, 6:15 - 7:30Richard Spicer* For Members Only
Piano Music – TYCO Visitors Center
4:00-6:00 Tony McManus
6:00-8:00 Lawrence Yedron
Holiday Carols – Aldrich Garden
5:15 & 6:00Dover High School
6:15 & 7:15Arts in Reach
6:45 & 7:30Rhythm of NH Show Chorus
Strolling Musicians – Patriot Fife & Drum
Stories by the Fire – Bonfire on Puddle Dock
4:45 & 6:30 Dawn Coutu reads from Portsmouth’s past