Since New Year’s Day falls on a Monday, we have a full weekend until New Year’s Eve on Sunday, December 31st, marking the end of 2023 and the start of 2024. Discover how Seacoast celebrates New Year’s Eve with events for adults, kids, and families. , too. Get your tickets or book early.
Fireworks on opening night in Portsmouth 2024
This year’s First Night Portsmouth will kick off the party with an ice sculpture carving in the market square at 2pm. Fireworks will go off at South Mill Pond in Portsmouth at 7:30 p.m. All are free, but downtown, street parking, and on-site metered parking will be in effect on New Year’s Eve from noon to 8 p.m. For the first time this year, Portsmouth Public Library will have 25 marked parking spaces on-site. If you want to park there, you must be on Parrot Avenue by 7 p.m. At 7 p.m., barricades will be set up to allow pedestrians to get into position to view the fireworks. Portsmouth Police will announce additional road closures as First Night approaches. Check out profilesmouth.org.
Players Ring presents “First Night” Show
Act Out returns the holiday comedy “First Night” to Portsmouth’s Players Ring Theater for performances on December 29 and 30 at 7:30 p.m., and on New Year’s Eve at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. A series of performances will be held. He reunites with his eighth grade sweetheart, Meredith O’Connor (now Sister Meredith Louise), and it becomes a New Year’s Eve he will never forget. Tickets at playersring.org/shows/firstnight.
Seacoast Rep Presents “The Rocky Horror Picture Show Live”
In a long-standing holiday tradition, Seacoast Repertory Theater will present “The Rocky Horror Show Live” at the theater, 125 Bow Street, Portsmouth, on Sunday, Dec. 31, at 11:59 p.m. Tickets are $35 to $60 at seacoastrep.org.
Comedian performs at MacQ’s in Portsmouth
McCue’s Comedy Club, located inside the Roundabout Diner in Portsmouth Transportation Circle, will celebrate New Year’s Eve with comedian and actor Frank Santorelli at 8 p.m. Santorelli is also known for his role as George the Bartender on The Sopranos and a recurring role on No No. Make an Appointment” and “Meet the Parent”. Comics Caroline Cooke and Casey McNeil will also appear. Tickets for this 21+ show are $30 at portsmouthnhtickets.com/events/new-years-eve-at-mccues-comedy-club-12-31-2023.
Comedian Bob Marley at the Rochester Opera House
Comedian Bob Marley will close out the year with a series of shows at the Rochester Opera House in Rochester from December 26th to 31st. On New Year’s Eve, there will be performances at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tickets are $42.50 to $45 and can be purchased at rochesteroperahouse.com.
Ashworth-by-the-Sea Gala
Spend an evening of fun at the Ashworth by the Sea Hotel in Hampton Beach. The New Year’s Eve gala will include an appearance by the Midtown Horns, a cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres, a three-course surf and turf dinner, a late-night champagne toast, and a morning champagne breakfast. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Reservations and rates are available at ashworthhotel.com/specials.
York Harbor Inn offers fire and ice
Enjoy your weekend at York Harbor Inn in York. Its Fire and Ice New Year’s Weekend package includes a two-night stay, cold-as-ice outdoor cocktail hour, five-course gourmet dinner, followed by live band and dancing on New Year’s Eve, and brunch on New Year’s Day. For pricing and reservations, visit yorkharborrin.com/special_package/new-years-eve-package/.
Harsh promadillo dance party
On New Year’s Eve, Portsmouth’s 3S Artspace will host the Harsh Promadillo Dance Party on Sunday, December 31st at 9pm. Doors open at 8 p.m. Harsh Promadillo is a semi-annual prom-themed dance party. Dress up in fancy clothes and have fun. The prom king and queen will be crowned. Tickets for his 21+ shows range from $22 to $29 and are available at eventbrite.com/e/harsh-armadillo-new-years-eve-party-tickets-746144878417.
Dover’s Strand offers comedy, music, food and drink
The Strand in Dover will host comedian Dave Sheehan, new wave tribute band Neon Wave, finger food, drinks, balloon drops, and new music from 8pm to 2am on Sunday, December 31st. will host a New Year’s party featuring a live streaming of the ball drop. York City. Tickets range from $45 to $80 and can be purchased at thestrandover.com.
Music and Dinner at Clay Hill Farm
Clay Hill Farm on Cape Neddick in York, Maine, will have two seatings on New Year’s Eve, with the first seating from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. featuring a piano performance by Katherine Mayfield; Second seating will feature dancing with dinner reservations from 7 to 9 p.m. From 8pm to 11pm there will be a live performance by his band The Honeybees, and from 11pm to midnight his DJ Countdown His Party will be hosted by Scott Langlois. Visit clayhillfarm.com/nye.
Party at the Gaslight Company
The New Year’s Eve Winter Wonderland Party at Portsmouth Gas Light Company begins Sunday at 8 p.m. Packages range from $65 to $125 at portsmouthnhtickets.com/events/new-years-eve-Winter-wonderland-party-2023-12-31-2023 and include party favors, hand-delivered hors d’oeuvres, champagne toast, and late night Includes a buffet. VIP tickets include many upgrades.
Rockspring at The Music Hall Lounge
Rock Springs’ New Year’s Eve Party will be held at The Music Hall Lounge in Portsmouth at 9 p.m. Rockspring is a high-energy string band that plays originals as well as electric covers. Tickets range from $42 to $52 and can be purchased at themusichall.org/events/rockspring-nye.
Ogunquit Piano Bar Performers
Ring in the new year at Ogunquit’s Front Porch Piano Bar & Restaurant, enjoy dinner in the lounge or dining room, then spend the night singing at the upstairs piano bar. Jeff Mitchell will be performing from 2 to 5 p.m. Reservations are required for dinner for Michelle Curry from 5pm to 9pm and Keith Bellander from 9pm to 1am, but seating at the piano bar is first come, first served.
To reserve a table, email info@thefrontporchogt.com or call (207) 646-4005.
Racing Retro New Year’s Eve at Rockingham Ballroom
Newmarket’s Rockingham Ballroom, which celebrates its 90th anniversary in 2024, will host a Lace Retro New Year’s Eve celebration and dance from 7pm to 1am on December 31st, featuring DJ Johnny B. Groovy and his ‘s Soul Sister is scheduled to sing the song ‘. From the 60’s to today. Includes party favors, a healthy late-night meal, a dessert table, and a glass of champagne at midnight during the live stream of the drop of the ball. Soft drinks and water will be provided, but please bring your own drink of choice. Tickets are $40 at rockinballroom.club.
Seabrook Reds Redemption Band
Red’s Kitchen + Tavern in Seabrook will host a 2023 New Year’s Eve Party Night featuring the Redemption Band from 8pm to 1am. Visit seabrook.redskitchenandtavern.com/seabrook-red-s-kitchen-and-tavern-events.
Early Beatles Tribute 60’s Dance Party at Jonathan’s
Jonathan’s in Ogunquit is hosting a 60’s dance party for NYE Dinner & Show. Studio Two – Two shows featuring early Beatles tributes (one at 7 p.m., one at 10 p.m.) Tickets are $100 and include a $25 dinner credit. It was used in the downstairs dining room before the show. $16 show credit to purchase a drink or dessert and coffee upstairs before the show. Purchase tickets at ticket.jonathansogunquit.com/orderticketsvenue.asp?p=1244 and make dinner reservations by calling 207-646-4777. The night before Dec. 30, Jonathan’s will host the “Elton John Experience,” which aired on America’s Got Talent.
The Fools at Blue Ocean Music Hall
Blue Ocean Music Hall in Salisbury, Massachusetts will host a New Year’s Eve bash featuring The Fools with Psychedelic Relics on Sunday, December 31st. Dinner will be held at 7pm and the show will be held at 9pm. Tickets for events of 21 or more people are $99. That wrap; $35 for the show only, available at blueoceanhall.com/event/new-years-eve-bash-2/.
New Year’s Eve Bash on Main Street Ogunquit
The New Year’s Eve Bash on Main Street Ogunquit will feature fun, dancing and treats on Sunday, Dec. 31 from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. There will be his two dance floors with DJs Aga and Ken, a midnight champagne toast, a pizza party and entertaining. Tickets are $25 in advance. Admission for this 21+ person event is $30. For tickets and more information, visit mainestreetogunquit.com/.
NH Children’s Museum in Dover offers early ball drop
The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire in Dover is off to an early start to celebrate the culmination of its 40th anniversary. The countdown to the New Year on December 31st will be held twice. The first time is at 10:30 a.m. during the morning play session from 9 a.m. to noon, and the second time is at 2 p.m. during the afternoon play session from 12:30 to 3 p.m. 30 minutes in the afternoon everyone gets a noise maker, makes a sparkly party hat and joins in the countdown. Tickets are standard paid admission fees for public play sessions. This event is free to museum members. For more information, visit childrens-museum.org/things-to-do/events/family-new-years-eve-celebration.
Snappin Eve for Kids at Snapology in Dover
Snapology of Dover will host Snappin Eve for ages 7 to 12 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. There will be STEAM games, robot building, mini workshops, a Lego Masters competition, as well as food, drinks, prizes and a dance party for kids while parents go out to celebrate. Price is $49 at snapology.com/new-hampshire-dover.
Family party at Auspicious Brew
Auspicious Brew will be hosting its 3rd Annual Family Friendly New Year Celebration on Saturday, December 30th from 5pm to 9pm. This free event will feature snacks and crafts for kids, a photo booth and drink specials for all ages. Auspicious Brew is located at Washington Street Mills in Dover. Visit ausciousbrew.com.
early new year celebration
The Music Hall Presents Dose Saturday, Dec. 30, 8 p.m. Tickets range from $70 to $105 at themusichall.org/events/dawes.
strand of dover is hosting a New Year’s Eve party with pizza, drinks and dancing from 8:30pm to 1am in the Franklin Ballroom. Tickets are $25 at thestrandover.com.
Museum of American Independence in Exeter Folsom Tavern will “celebrate like it’s 1774,” where guests will enjoy food, drinks, and colonial-era entertainment including an 18th-century night of live music, live period music, and a colonial-era card tournament. can do. The party will be held on Saturday, December 30th from 6pm to 9pm. Colonial attire is recommended. Tickets are $100 and available at independentmuseum.org/event/new-years-in-the-tavern.
Are there any other New Year’s Eve events? Request to be added to this list by emailing your information to news@seacoastonline.com or news@fosters.com.