Family fun for whenever
Santa at the farm
• Charmingfare Farm (774 High St., Candia, visitthefarm.com) will hold Santa’s Christmas runs Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 22, plus Christmas Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 24. Pick a time when you buy tickets for either a four-person or a 10-person sleigh ride or an express option. The event includes a stop at the North Pole, Mrs. Claus’ Bakery, a visit to the barnyard, an opportunity to shop for Christmas trees, a campfire, a special mailbox for letters to Santa and the big man himself, according to the website.
Santa on the air
• Londonderry Access Center TV (281 Mammoth Road) will host Santa Live 2024 on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 1 to 3 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be present in the studio and the event will be broadcast live on television. The event is free of charge and operates on a first come, first served basis. Refreshments and coloring activities are provided for children while they wait to meet the magical elf. Each child will receive a gift and candy cane. Parents are allowed to take pictures during the visit. Visit facebook.com/LondonderryAccessTV.
Santa in the air
• Santa Claus will helicopter in to make a stop at the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire (27 Navigator Road, Londonderry, aviationmuseumofnh.org) on Saturday, Dec. 14, according to the Museum’s website. Santa is slated for touchdown at 11 a.m. and is scheduled to stay for two hours and leave by fire truck at 1 p.m. The event will feature hot chocolate, coffee, doughnuts and other fun holiday treats. Those coming by to catch Santa at the Aviation Museum are asked to arrive at the museum by 10:45 a.m. The museum will be open and free to visitors from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. although admission will be charged from 1 to 4 p.m.
Santa from space
• Meet and get a photo with Astronaut Santa at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center (2 Institute Drive in Concord; starhop.com) on Sunday, Dec. 15, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The center is open that day from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission costs $13 for adults, $12 for ages 13 through college and 62+, $10 for ages 3 to 12 (general admission tickets do not include planetarium shows).
Holiday shows
• Get ready for the Mr. Aaron Holiday special. A holiday party from the local family entertainer will take place on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 11 a.m. at the BNH stage (16 S. Main St., Concord). This will be an interactive family concert great for kids ages 1 through 10. Songs will include holiday classics and Mr. Aaron originals, and participants will be able to “dance off some of that December-candy-canes-and-presents energy,” according to the event’s website. Tickets are $16 online, including fees. Visit mraaronmusic.com or ccanh.com.
• Safe Haven Ballet presents The Grinch as a ballet, choreographed by Miranda Bailey, at the Chubb Theatre (44 S. Main St., Concord, ccanh.com) on Sunday, Dec. 15, at 4:30 p.m. Ticket prices range from $31 to $44. The Grinch is a unique interactive experience for audience members of all ages. In addition to the performance component of the production, according to the event’s website, audiences can look forward to a demonstration on different dance forms and theater etiquette. Visit ccanh.com or call 225-1111.
Meet the dancers
• Kimball Jenkins (266 N. Main St., Concord; kimballjenkins.com) will hold two Holiday Tea Meet and Greet events on Saturday, Dec. 14, and Sunday, Dec. 15, at 2 p.m. featuring a light lunch and tea, holiday crafts and dancers from Safe Haven Ballet holiday productions. On Dec. 14, meet The Nutcracker’s Sugar Plum Fairy and friends. And on Dec. 15, meet The Grinch, as well as Cindy Lou Who and friends. Tickets cost $40 for ages 13+ and $30 for ages 2 to 12, and can be purchased via the Kimball Jenkins website under “events.”
Save the date for princesses
• The Derryfield Restaurant (625 Mammoth Road in Manchester; thederryfield.com) will hold a Royal Princess Breakfast on Saturday, March 1, at 9 a.m. Tickets cost $55 for adults and $40 for children; a $65 VIP ticket for kids will get early admission, a group photo opportunity with all of the princesses and their own tiara. See the website for a link to tickets.