New Year's Eve 2023 in Seacoast NH and Maine: Here's list of local events to welcome 2024
With New Year’s Day falling on a Monday, there’s a whole weekend leading up to New Year’s Eve on Sunday, Dec. 31 to send off 2023 and welcome 2024. Here’s how the Seacoast will celebrate New Year’s Eve with events for adults and kids and families, too. Get your ticket or make your reservation soon.
First Night Portsmouth 2024 features fireworks
This year’s First Night Portsmouth will start the party at 2 p.m. with the carving of ice sculptures in Market Square. The fireworks will begin popping at 7:30 p.m. over South Mill Pond in Portsmouth. It’s all free, but downtown, on-street, and lot metered parking will be in effect from noon to 8 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. In a first this year, there will be a designated handicapped-accessible parking area, in the Portsmouth Public Library lot with 25 marked spaces. Those wishing to park there will need to access Parrott Avenue before 7 p.m. as barricades will go up then so pedestrians can get in position for viewing the fireworks. Portsmouth police will announce additional road closures closer to First Night. Check out proportsmouth.org.
Players' Ring offers 'First Night' show
Acting Out brings its holiday comedy “First Night” back to the Players' Ring Theatre in Portsmouth for four shows Dec. 29 and 30 at 7:30 p.m., and New Year's Eve at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. A despairing Danny Fleming reconnects with his eighth-grade flame Meredith O’Connor, who is now Sister Meredith Louise, and it becomes a New Year’s Eve he’ll never forget. Tickets at playersring.org/shows/firstnight.
Seacoast Rep presents 'The Rocky Horror Show Live'
In a longtime holiday tradition, the Seacoast Repertory Theatre will present “The Rocky Horror Show Live” on Sunday, Dec. 31 at 11:59 p.m. at the theater at 125 Bow St., Portsmouth. Tickets are $35 to $60 at seacoastrep.org.
Comedians to perform at McCue's in Portsmouth
McCue’s Comedy Club inside the Roundabout Diner at the Portsmouth traffic circle celebrates New Year’s Eve at 8 p.m. with comedian and actor Frank Santorelli, who is also well-known for his recurring role as George The Bartender in “The Sopranos” and roles in “No Reservations” and “Meet The Parents.” Comics Caroline Cooke and Casey McNeal will also perform. Tickets for this 21-plus show are $30 at portsmouthnhtickets.com/events/new-years-eve-at-mccues-comedy-club-12-31-2023.
Comedian Bob Marley at Rochester Opera House
Comedian Bob Marley will close out the year with a series of shows Dec. 26-31 at the Rochester Opera House in Rochester. On New Year’s Eve, he’ll perform at 5 and 8 p.m. Tickets are $42.50 to $45 and available at rochesteroperahouse.com.
Gala at Ashworth by the Sea
Make a night of it at Ashworth by the Sea Hotel in Hampton Beach. Its New Year's Eve Gala will feature The Midtown Horns, a cocktail hour with hors d'oeuvres, a three-course surf and turf dinner, a midnight champagne toast and a champagne breakfast in the morning. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Reservations and rates available at ashworthhotel.com/specials.
York Harbor Inn offers Fire and Ice
You can make a weekend of it at the York Harbor Inn in York. Its Fire and Ice New Year’s Weekend package includes two-night stay, a Cold As Ice Outdoor Cocktail Hour and five-course gourmet dinner followed by a live band and dancing on New Year’s Eve and a New Year’s Day Brunch. Visit yorkharborinn.com/special_package/new-years-eve-package/ for rates and reservations.
Harsh Promadillo dance party
It will be a Harsh Promadillo dance party on New Year's Eve at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth on Sunday, Dec. 31 at 9 p.m. Doors open at 8 p.m. Harsh Promadillo is a semi-annual prom-themed dance party. Dress loud and have fun with it. A prom king-queen will be crowned. Tickets are $22 to $29 for this 21-plus show and are available at eventbrite.com/e/harsh-promadillo-harsh-armadillo-new-years-eve-party-tickets-746144878417.
The Strand in Dover offers comedy, music, food, drinks
The Strand in Dover will host a New Year’s party on Sunday, Dec. 31 from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. featuring comedian Dave Sheehan, New Wave tribute band Neon Wave, finger foods, drinks, balloon drop and live streaming of the ball drop from New York City. Tickets are $45 to $80 and available at thestranddover.com.
Music and dinner at Clay Hill Farm
Clay Hill Farm in Cape Neddick in York, Maine, will host two seatings on New Year’s Eve, the first at 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. will feature Katherine Mayfield on piano and the second will feature dinner reservations from 7 to 9 p.m., dancing with live band The Honeybees from 8 to 11 p.m. and DJ Countdown Party with Scott Langlois runs from 11 p.m. to midnight. Visit clayhillfarm.com/nye.
Party at Gas Light Co.
New Year’s Eve Winter Wonderland Party at the Portsmouth Gas Light Co. begins at 8 p.m. on Sunday. Packages range from $65 to $125 at portsmouthnhtickets.com/events/new-years-eve-winter-wonderland-party-2023-12-31-2023 and include party favors, passed hors d’oeuvres, champagne toast and late night buffet. VIP tickets include lots of upgrades.
Rockspring at The Music Hall Lounge
Rockspring’s New Year’s Eve party will take place at The Music Hall Lounge in Portsmouth at 9 p..m. Rockspring is a high energy string band that performs originals as well as electric covers. Tickets are $42 to $52 and available at themusichall.org/events/rockspring-nye.
Piano Bar performers in Ogunquit
Ring in the New Year at The Front Porch Piano Bar & Restaurant in Ogunquit with dinner in the lounge or dining room, and then sing the night away in the Piano Bar upstairs. Performers will be Jeff Mitchell from 2 to 5 p.m.; Michelle Currie from 5 to 9 p.m. and Keith Belander from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Dinner reservation required, but piano bar seating is first-come, first-served.
Email info@thefrontporchogt.com or call (207) 646-4005 to reserve a table.
Race Retro New Year’s Eve at Rockingham Ballroom
The Rockingham Ballroom in Newmarket, which will celebrate its 90th anniversary in 2024, will host a Race Retro New Year’s Eve Celebration and Dance on Dec. 31 from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. DJ Johnny B Groovy and his Soul Sister will spin songs from the ‘60s to today. Party favors, healthy late night food, dessert table and midnight glass of champagne during the livestream of the ball drop are included. Soft drinks and waters available, but bring your own choice of beverage. Tickets are $40 at rockinballroom.club.
Redemption Band at Red's in Seabrook
Red’s Kitchen + Tavern in Seabrook will host a New Year’s Eve 2023 Party Night featuring Redemption Band from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Visit seabrook.redskitchenandtavern.com/seabrook-red-s-kitchen-and-tavern-events.
Early Beatles Tribute '60s dance party at Jonathan's
Jonathan’s in Ogunquit will host a ‘60s dance party for its NYE Dinner & A Show featuring Studio Two – The Early Beatles Tribute for two shows, one at 7 p.m., the other at 10 p.m. Tickets are $100 and include a $25 dinner credit to be used downstairs in the dining room before the show; a $16 show credit for drinks or dessert and coffee upstairs before the show. Purchase tickets at tickets.jonathansogunquit.com/orderticketsvenue.asp?p=1244 then make a dinner reservation by calling 207-646-4777. The night before on Dec. 30, Jonathan’s has “The Elton John Experience” as seen 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, Dec. 31. Dinner will be at 7 p.m. and show at 9 p.m. Tickets for the 21-plus event are $99 for the package; $35 just for the show, and available at blueoceanhall.com/event/new-years-eve-bash-2/.
New Year’s Eve Bash at Mainestreet Ogunquit
The New Year’s Eve Bash at Mainestreet Ogunquit will feature fun, dancing and treats on Sunday, Dec. 31 from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.. There’ll be two dance floors with DJs Aga and Ken, midnight champagne toast, pizza party and favors. Tickets are $25 in advance; $30 at the door for this 21-plus event. Visit mainestreetogunquit.com/ for tickets and more info.
Children's Museum of NH in Dover offers early ball drop
The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire in Dover gets an early start celebrating the culmination of its 40th anniversary year. It will mark two countdowns to the new year on Dec. 31: one at 10:30 a.m. during the morning play session from 9 a.m. to noon and the other at 2 p.m. during the afternoon play session, which runs from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. Everyone gets a noisemaker and creates a sparkly party hat to join in the countdowns. Tickets are the standard paid admission for the play session for the general public. The event is free to museum members. More info, childrens-museum.org/things-to-do/events/family-new-years-eve-celebration.
Snap-pin Eve for kids at Snapology in Dover
It’ll be a New Year’s Snap-pin Eve for ages 7 to 12 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Snapology of Dover. There’ll be STEAM games, robotic builds, mini-workshops and a Lego Masters competition as well as food, drinks, prizes and a dance party for the kids while the parents go out to celebrate. Cost is $49 at snapology.com/new-hampshire-dover.
Family friendly party at Auspicious Brew
Auspicious Brew will host its third annual Family Friendly New Year Celebration on Saturday, Dec. 30 from 5 to 9 p.m. This free event will features snacks and crafts for kids, a photo booth and drink specials for all ages. Auspicious Brew is located in the Washington Street Mills in Dover. Visit auspiciousbrew.com.
Celebrating early on New Year’s weekend
The Music Hall presents Dawes on Saturday, Dec. 30 at 8 p.m. Tickets range $70 to $105 at themusichall.org/events/dawes.
The Strand in Dover will throw an Eve of New Year’s Eve Party with pizza, drinks and dancing in its Franklin Ballroom from 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets are $25 at thestranddover.com.
American Independence Museum in Exeter will “celebrate like it’s 1774” at Folsom Tavern where guests can enjoy food, drink, and colonial pastimes with 18th century evening victuals, live period music, a colonial card tournament, and more. The party runs from 6 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 30. Colonial dress encouraged. Tickets are $100 and available at independencemuseum.org/event/new-years-in-the-tavern.
Do you have more New Year's Eve events? Email information to news@seacoastonline.com or news@fosters.com and request to be added to this list.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: New Year's Eve 2023 events in Seacoast NH, Maine to welcome 2024
