Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting to Bring the 2022 Christmas Cheer

The 2022 Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting is right around the corner!

Holiday parades and tree lightings are the unofficial kickoff to the holidays in whatever town you're in.

Let me be the first to tell you that going to these parades matters.

Whether you think your child will remember or not, going to the parade matters. Whether you have to force your teenager to get in the car or not, going to the parade matters. And, whether it is sunny and 75 or snowy and -10, showing up to the parade matters.

These are where family memories are made. I remember going annually to the Merrimac, Massachusetts Santa Parade.

1. The entire town went. 2. It was so fun and festive. 3. It gave me memories as a kid that I hold onto now as an adult.

According to the city of Portsmouth website, the parade officially starts in Market Square at 6:00 PM on Saturday, December 3, 2022.

The tree lighting will be just before the parade at 5:30 PM, also right downtown in Market Square. Before that, the Portsmouth High School and Middle School Ensemble will be performing at 5 PM.

Last year I went to the Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting with my wife and two friends. I did not regret it.

It instantly put a smile on my face, brought back many nostalgic memories from the holiday parades when I was a kid, and put me in the Christmas mood.

These are the kind of memories you will not want to miss out on with your family or friends.

There will be many road closures and traffic issues surrounding Market Square beginning at 4:00 PM on Saturday, December 3, 2022.

Click here for details from the Portsmouth Police Department about street closures and detours as the parade date nears.