Local Christmas Events

With the holidays around the corner, there will be several things to do in or around Portsmouth to get in the holiday spirit. From Christmas parades to plays, there will be something to interest everyone.

Portsmouth Events

Winterfest (Nov. 26-Dec. 31): According to the Friends of Portsmouth Facebook page, “The Hallmark-like magic of the Friends of Portsmouth Winterfest is back for the 2021 season!” The event will be held at Market Square Park. At Winterfest, there will be skating, lights, carriage rides and a vendor village. 

The 29th Annual Christmas Gift to Portsmouth (Nov. 29): Starting at 7 p.m., The Sonshine School of Evangelism will present the annual “Christmas gift” to the Portsmouth area. This event will be located at the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts at SSU. The Vern Riffe Center for the Arts Facebook page states that the “‘Christmas Gift’ is given to the community in order to uplift our area with a first-class concert in a first- class venue!” The performances include Portsmouth West Choir, Stephen Foster, Brian Goins and River Road, Jeff Bush, the trio of Art Bush, Tracy Tooley, Dan Bentley, and the Diggles Family. Admission is free, but a ticket is required.

Cirque-Frozen Nutcracker (Dec. 3, 4 and 5): The Vern Riffe Center for the Arts website describes this as a play where “Anna and Elsa meet the Nutcracker Prince in this adventurous romp through Arendelle. All of your favorite characters are on hand to weave the Nutcracker story into a whimsical and enchanting icy escapade.” This event is located at the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts. Showtimes and tickets can be found here.

Helen Welch: A Carpenter’s Christmas (Dec. 7): According to the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts website, “This December, Helen Welch, will take you on a nostalgic, musical journey of Carpenter’s classics and Christmas songs guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit.” Welch will be singing songs such as Merry Christmas Darling and Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. This event is at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here.

Portsmouth Wind Symphony Christmas Concert (Dec. 11): The Portsmouth Wind Symphony website states that “concerts are performed by an accomplished ensemble of fifty local and regional musicians and are entertaining for all ages.” This concert is located at the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts and will start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here. 

Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage (Dec. 14): According to The Vern Riffe Center for the Arts website, “Everyone’s favorite holiday classic comes to life as Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus, and the whole Peanuts gang produce their own Christmas play and ultimately learn the true meaning of the season.” In the final song of the play, audience members are invited to sing along. This play includes “everyone’s favorite scenes and expands on the original storyline with more fun, more music, and more true Christmas spirit.” This play will be at the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts at 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here.

Events near Portsmouth

Ashland, Kentucky Annual Christmas Parade (Nov. 23): The Winter Wonderland of Lights website states that in downtown Ashland, there will be a Christmas parade showcasing the theme of “Christmas Miracle.” The parade will begin at 7 p.m.

The Christmas Cave (Friday-Saturday, Nov. 19-Dec. 18.): The Christmas Cave is located at the White Gravel Mines in Minford, Ohio. The White Gravel Mines website describes the Christmas Cave as “a self-guided light display presented uniquely in the beautiful and mysterious passageways of an underground mine.” Admission to the Christmas Cave is free, but a $1 per person donation at the entrance is appreciated. All proceeds go toward additions and improvements for White Gravel Mines community events. The gate opens at 4 p.m. and closes at 10 p.m. 

New Boston Christmas Parade (Dec. 4): The Christmas parade will return this year in New Boston, Ohio. The parade will begin at 6 p.m. For more information, call 740-456-4103.