Plenty of time left to celebrate the holidays in Portsmouth

Back by popular demand, there will be a free Vintage Christmas Trolley to shuttle patrons around the historic seaport each Saturday and Sunday afternoon and evening during the Vintage events. New this year are hotel packages at the Hilton and Sheraton which include tickets to strolls and shows. (Contact the hotels through the links below and look for the Vintage Christmas Package.)

Strawbery Banke

With nearly 7,000 visitors in attendance at last year's event and two successful weekends under its belt, Strawbery Banke is gearing up for the final weekend of the 30th annual Candlelight Stroll. The Stroll takes place on Saturday and Sunday, December 19-20 from 4:00 to 9:00 pm.

The Candlelight Stroll showcases 350 years of seasonal and holiday traditions against the backdrop of the Museum's furnished historic houses. This Saturday and Sunday, the Museum grounds will glow with hundreds of luminaria, the houses will be adorned in period-appropriate holiday finery of live greens and dried flowers, and the scents and sounds of the season abound. As visitors stroll from house to historic house, costumed role players demonstrate the traditions of times past, inviting guests to indulge their senses and sensibilities in a visit to simpler times. The Museum's annual gingerbread house contest will showcase the architectural confections of many talented individuals and groups.. Music of all kinds, past and present, will heighten the holiday mood throughout the museum. Visitors can stroll the Museum's candlelit grounds on foot, or travel in style in a horse-drawn carriage. A toasty bonfire crackles throughout the event to warm frosty fingers and toes. Complimentary traditional refreshments and hot apple cider are offered at the Cider Shed. Pitt Tavern, which was visited in its heyday by such luminaries as George Washington, John Hancock, and the Marquis de Lafayette, will serve up savory hot soups and fresh baked goods throughout the evening. Traditional hearth cooking demonstrations, crafts demonstrations, and winter crafts for kids provide interactive fun for young and old alike.

Now an annual holiday tradition for many families, the Candlelight Stroll provides a charming, intergenerational return to the roots of America's most treasured holiday activities and customs. "The beautiful, lively, and festive atmosphere of the event combined with the rich history of the Puddle Dock neighborhood really make the Candlelight Stroll a unique way to celebrate the season with friends and family," states Strawbery Banke Museum president Lawrence Yerdon. "It's a magical holiday experience and we hope you'll join us as we celebrate the 30th year of the Candlelight Stroll."

Ticket for these magical evenings can be purchased online for $20 for adults, $10 for children and $40 for families.

The Music Hall

Activities and shows at The Music Hall include Offenbach's Les Contes D'Hoffmanon on Saturday, December 19 at 1pm. In this show, Tony Award winner Bartlett Sher (South Pacific) directs this new production, returning after the triumph of his Met Barber of Seville. Offenbach’s fictionalized take on the life and loves of the German Romantic writer E.T.A. Hoffmann is a fascinating psychological journey. Met Music Director James Levine conducts star tenor Rolando Villazón in the tour-de-force title role, with Anna Netrebko as the tragic Antonia, Elena Garanca as the ambiguous Nicklausse, and René Pape as the demonic four villains.

Tickets for this show are available online $27 for adults and $15 for children.

Also on Saturday, December 19, there will be an 8pm performance of Clara's Dream: A Jazz Nutcracker. This high-voltage swinging and sophisticated adaptation of Tchaikovsky's fairy tale ballet is a joyous jazz and tap celebration.

Tickets for this show are available online for $38 for adults and $30 cor children.

On Sunday, December 20, there will be two special performances of Natalie MacMaster: Christmas in Cape Breton; there will be a 2pm and 7pm show. The Cape Breton fiddler brings foot-tapping rave-ups, heart-wrenching ballads, world-class step dancing and fiddling fireworks on Celtic melodies and Christmas carols. Equally at home on the concert stage or at a Folk festival, Natalie is one of the most versatile and exciting young musicians on the Folk and Celtic music scenes, often performing with Alison Krauss, the Chieftans, Paul Simon, and most recently, Yo-Yo Ma.

Ticket for this show are available online for $43 for adults and $34 for children.