A community of crafters
In praise of making stuff and meeting people
By Zachary Lewis
listings@hippopress.com
“Craft,” the word itself, encompasses a wide variety of hands-on activities that you, a loved one, a friend, or even a frenemy can partake in together or separately. In fact, a real craft community has woven together.
Following along with the almighty easel to Bob Ross re-runs on YouTube all by me onesies is a swell way to spend a Sunday morning but one can not live solely by crafting alone.
Where should the curious crafters go? Studio 550 is a swell choice. Located on Elm Street in downtown Manchester, Studio 550 was founded by and is run by Monica Leap, who provides a space for crafters to congregate.
“I can’t say everybody likes being around other people, but I think people enjoy doing things together,” Leap said. “And when you are making something with your hands, it occupies a different kind of brain space and it puts you in a different kind of presence…whether you’re painting, working with clay, stained glass, drawing or whatever, it requires your presence. So when you’re doing them together in a group, you’re all in it together.”
Crafting takes you out of your head and into the present moment and allows for space to strike up a conversation. Studio 550 offers a wide range of art classes and workshops on drawing, pottery, watercolor painting, acrylic painting, introductory drawing, stained glass, clay hand-sculpting and more.
“In November,” Leap said, “we have a visiting artist coming named Lisa Orr. She’s an artist from Massachusetts who’s been working in clay for over 40 years. She makes some really funky, ornate stuff that is actually really functional and just sucks you in when you’re looking at it in person.”
Studio 550 also has its Hands-On Holiday Market in December, a market that is only possible through the contribution of many.
“It happens the week before Christmas and it’s just members and people that create their work here selling their work for a week-long market. We just take over our 2D painting studio and turn it into a browsing space, so you don’t have to socialize. You don’t have to talk with the vendor. It gives our students a low-stakes way to start selling their work and to start presenting their work to the public. It’s usually very impressive what they can come up with,” Leap said.
Cheering you on
Another righteous way to craft down with family and friends is at the Bedford Canvas Roadshow. I asked the owner, Casey Wilson, why she thought people liked to get together to craft.
“Well, I think one thing, especially for businesses and people that aren’t crafters, is it’s something that gets them out of that comfort zone,” Wilson said. “I think a lot of people are like, I’m not an artist, I can’t do it, there’s no way it’s going to look just as good as the example, but when they come out and we show them, kind of get them out of their comfort zone of what they think they can do and really show them that they can do it, it’s kind of a really wow factor to see that explored.”
That winning feeling makes one social too.
“People can talk, mingle, kind of see what other people are doing, and hopefully make a friend,” Wilson said.
Bedford Canvas Roadshow will be well into its holiday as you read these words.
“We’ve already switched on to our winter Christmas kind of vibe. So it’s going to be all winter and Christmas projects but they’re always changing. Our seagrass trees were really popular last year, so that always catches a lot of people’s interest during that holiday season,” she said.
Wilson spoke on the positivity in the studio: “When you’re at the studio, not only do you have the instructor there to help you, root you on, but you also could have the whole class giving you suggestions and helping you. Saying, how that looks great or that kind of thing. We’re almost like our own cheerleaders in a sense.”
Crafters can learn how to create crushed glass snow globes, tumble sea glass holiday trees, knit snowmen, and do other crafts in November. Some more opportunities to make friends as well as crafts could take place at a knit blanket workshop, wood workshops, resin workshops and much more.
Getting together
Other venues exist where the art itself is a pleasant visitor alongside the crafter. Another pleasant visitor is the wine. Wine on Main in Concord hosts a plethora, and I mean a plethora, of fun arts and crafts events.
“We definitely do wine events like wine classes and like food and wine pairing events, but we do like a large amount of crafting activities as well,” Emma Stetson, the owner of Wine on Main, said. “Specifically, we work with a friend of mine. Her name is Stephanie, but she goes by the moniker The Funky Squid. She and her family also own Averill House Vineyards in Brookline, New Hampshire. She is also a professional crafter. So she comes here at least once a month to do some kind of fun craft. We pair it with a wine tasting, usually including four wines from around the world, and light snacks,” Stetson said.
Some of the offerings include the wine bag tote workshop coming up on Thursday, Nov. 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. as well as a glass sweater ornament creation extravaganza on Dec. 2 with plenty more.
“We’ve had a lot of new people move to Concord who have come here and said, ‘I’ve recently come to Concord and I’m looking to meet people.’ So I’ll say, come to one of our crafting nights because there are lots of people who come by themselves and people who come to make friends, and they do. It’s become a great place to meet people and especially for new people coming to Concord to make friends and become part of the community,” Stetson said.
Sure, it’s perfectly acceptable to stay at home and stare at the yarn crumpled in your bedroom corner, but it’s also a swell idea to interact with the living and crochet the world’s largest scarf.
Enjoying the journey
The process should be enjoyable, and completion is not necessarily the main goal nor is producing what you originally set out to create. Crafting is a journey. Meg Locker, the founder of New Hampshire Craft Club, is a fan of the crafting journey.
“I like imperfect crafting,” Locker said. “Stuff like scrapbooking, where there’s no specific desired outcome. It just kind of becomes whatever it becomes over the course of the event. So scrapbooking and mosaics and anything that’s like hands-on and doesn’t need to be perfect.”
Locker started the Craft Club in May 2025, “which feels like it was so long ago,” she said. “Our business model at the time was everything we do is completely mobile.” Catering to the majority of the state, she is now happy to report she’ll be opening a new studio in Concord (check their websites for the most up-to-date information).
New Hampshire Craft Club will be exploring the many threads of fiber arts in November.
“So things like knitting, crocheting. It’s very much a ‘come as you are’ sort of thing. You don’t need to have a defined skill. You don’t need to be what I call a capital-A artist, overly knowledgeable and skillful in fine arts. It’s meant to be, first and foremost, an opportunity to get out of the house and do something with people in your community. Secondary to that, we want everyone to leave every event with something fun that they can say, ‘Hey, I made this with my own hands.’ If you’re ever curious, feel free to stop by. I’m very responsive online, so send me an email, message me on Instagram. We just want to build this community.”
Continuing on this same spool of thought, the craft community, like any other, is built one thread at a time, although it is a lot more fun to say it in a crafting context.
Touch moss
Dash of Creativity is another excellent crafting endeavour where Granite Staters can sew together. Founded by Dasha Randlett, Dash of Creativity has spiced up breweries, libraries and other venues all across New England. Her selections can be found through Eventbrite or her Facebook page.
“I really started out with crochet and macrame,” Randlett said. “That’s really where my foundation is, but since then I’ve been doing a lot of different things.”
“Macrame is, I guess I’d call it the art of knot tying. You have strings that are set up in a configuration and then you just make specific kinds of knots and patterns. Then by doing that repetitively, you’ll end up with an image or a design,” Randlett said.
“I think it’s nice to actually go out in the real world and actually do something with your hands and feel accomplished,” Randlett said. “For instance, with bows, embroidery, and crochet, a lot of people have never done it. Once they actually have done it, it’s like, oh, that was actually really fun. And it was actually a really enjoyable experience.” These good vibes are a major component in the naturally occurring friendship fabrication that goes on during Dasha’s crafting workshops.
Penumbra in Concord also contains a wonderful curation of crafting events. Alison Murphy and Alyssa McClary are the married team behind the crafty plant store where one could meet a friend making a terrarium or even a kokedama.
“It’s a Japanese word and it’s like a moss and soil ball,” McClary said. “You pick out a plant and then we show you how to make the moss ball. Then you wind it up in a bunch of twine or fishing line, and you can hang it and it’s super cool.” This workshop will be held on Thursday, Nov. 12.
Another project is succulent centerpieces for Thanksgiving, which will take place on the week of Thanksgiving. A personal favorite of McClary’s have been needle felting projects that they have hosted in the past.
“Needle felting is, you get raw wool [fleece] and take these, they have these special different kinds of needles and you just stab it repeatedly until it’s become this solid mass and yeah, I find it incredibly therapeutic.” The relaxation produced allows crafters to be open to meeting others while they create cuddly little supernatural critters.
“We have had an artist at the store,” McClary said, “who makes needle-felted characters. She made a bunch of ghosts for Halloween. She’ll make little gnome guys at Christmas, whatever strikes her. … You turn this raw, stringy felt into this compact mass of whatever you want to make. It’s pretty cool.”
Buy crafts
Holiday season is craft fair season
Compiled by Amy Diaz
adiaz@hippopress.com
Here are some of the crafts fairs, arts markets, open studios and other arts and artisan and crafter promoting events in the holiday season. Have an event not mentioned here? Let us know at adiaz@hippopress.com.
• Manchester Craft Market at the Mall of NH, 1500 S. Willow St. in Manchester, features the works of several area makers, artists and craftspeople, according to manchestercraftmarket.com, where you can find a list of the makers. The shop is open Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., the website said.
• The Craftworkers’ Guild in Bedford has two shopping opportunities at its location in Oliver Kendall House, behind the Bedford Public Library on Meetinghouse Road in Bedford, according to its website, thecraftworkersguild.org. The November Hearth & Home Shop will run Thursday, Oct. 29, through Sunday, Nov. 22, open Thursdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the website said. The Holiday Shop is open Friday, Nov. 27, through Sunday, Dec. 20, open Wednesdays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the website said. “Handcrafts in our shop include fashion accessories, fabric & fiber arts, jewelry, home decor, art glass, pottery & ceramic arts, painting & photography, gourmet & goodie treats, children’s goods, cards & papercraft, soaps, lotions and candles, woodenware, metalwork, knitwear and blankets,” and more, the website said.
• The Concord Arts Market (concordartsmarket.org) and others will participate in the Concord Art Walk, the final First Friday event of the season in downtown Concord, on Friday, Nov. 6, from 4 to 8 p.m., according to firstfridayconcord.com. Concord Arts Market will set up with 20+ vendors on Capitol Street, the website said. Arts Alley, Kimball Jenkins and other Concord locations will also be participating, the website said.
• The First Church of Nashua, 1 Concord St. in Nashua, will hold its Holiday Fair & Silent Auction on Friday, Nov. 6, from 4 to 7 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring a Santa visit from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday; a Friday night dinner from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. and a Saturday lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; a thrift shop from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday; homemade goodies, gift baskets, craft items and more, according to a church flyer.
• Merrimack Knights of Columbus Fall Craft Fair will be held at Mastricola Upper Elementary School, 26 Baboosic Lake Road in Merrimack, on Friday, Nov. 6, from 5 to 8 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring more than 40 crafters, a bake table, a chance auction, a food counter and more, according to an email from event organizers.
• Grace Episocopal Church, 30 Eastman St. in Concord, will hold its annual St. Nicholas Fair on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring “fresh-baked Christmas goodies, crafts, jewelry, children’s fun,” a cookie walk and more, according to an email from the church. See graceeastconcord.org.
• The Nashua YMCA of the YMCA of Greater Nashua, 24 Stadium Drive in Nashua, will hold its Fall Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature concessions, kids’ activities, local vendors and more, according to nmymca.org/fall-craft-fair.
• Scout Troop 101 Craft Fair will take place Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Raymond High School, 45 Harriman Hill Road in Raymond, featuring more than 75 local crafters and artisans plus hot foods and baked goods, according to a Facebook page for the event.
• The Hampstead Mother’s Club 40th Annual Craft Fair will take place on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hampstead Middle School, 28 School St. in Hampstead, featuring more than 80 local artisans, according to hampsteadmothersclub.org.
• The Granite State Choral Society will hold a Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the James W. Foley Memorial Community Center, 150 Wakefield St. in Rochester, according to gschoralsociety.org.
• The Route 3 Art Trail will run Saturday, Nov. 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring a self-guided tour of locations in Concord, Franklin, Boscawen and Penacook, according to a press release. Find a map and schedule at route3arttrail.com. See the story on page 14.
• The Third Annual Holiday Craft & Artisan Show will take place at the Capital City Sports Complex, 10 Garvins Falls Road in Concord, on Saturday, Nov. 7, and Sunday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring 125 exhibitors of “jewelry … seasonal décor, gourmet treats, art, clothing, woodwork, home goods, and more,” according to an event email. Admission costs $7 (which covers both days) and is free for kids 14 and under and for everyone after 3 p.m. on Sunday, the email said. The event will also feature craft brews and cocktails, live music, lunch and more, the release said. See gnecraftartisanshows.com.
• The Assumption Greek Orthodox Church Ladies Philoptochos Society will hold its annual Fall Bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 8, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the church hall at 111 Island Pond Road in Manchester, featuring Greek food and pastry as well as raffles and vendors. Visit assumptionnh.org.
• Paper Jam, a zine and print fest, will take place at The Millspace, 55 Main St. in Newmarket, millspace.org, on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., “bringing together artists, writers, printmakers, and indie publishers from across the Seacoast and greater New England,” according to the website.
• The Bedford Handmade Fair will take place Sunday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bedford High School, 47 Nashua Road in Bedford, featuring local artists, crafters and artisans, according to a press release. See sites.google.com/bedfordnhk12.net/bedfordhandmade/home.
• Lil’ Iguana’s Children’s Safety Foundation will hold its annual Craft Fair & Raffle on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Nashua High School North, 8 Titan Way in Nashua, according to liliguanausa.org/craft-fair. The event will feature more than “150 crafters, vendors and area businesses” as well as a raffle room, the website said.
• St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 335 Smyth Road in Manchester, will hold its Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring crafts and homemade goods, a cookie walk and bake sale, a silent auction and more, according to a flyer on the church’s Facebook page. See stpaulsumcnh.org.
• Bow Mills United Methodist Church, 505 South St. in Bow, will hold its annual Snowman Fair on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The day will feature crafts to make for kids, holiday crafts for sale, baked goods and a silent auction and more, according to bowmillsumc.org.
• United Church of Penacook, at Community Drive and Canal Street in Penacook, will hold its annual Christmas Fair on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. featuring a bake sale, holiday decorations, home decor and pottery, knitted items, jams and jellies, jewelry and handbags, quilts and fabric crafts and toys and pet gifts, according to a flyer on the church’s Facebook page.
• Pembroke Academy, 209 Academy Road in Pembroke, will host the Pembroke Academy DECA business and marketing club’s Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., according to a flyer on the Facebook page for the Spartan Market, which provides the school’s branded gear and will be open at the fair, the post said.
• The Christmas Craft Fair at St. Elizabeth Seton, 190 Meetinghouse Road in Bedford, will take place on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring 50 vendors, raffle baskets and more, according to stelizabethsetonchurch.org.
• The 36th Annual Memorial High School Booster Club Craft Fair will take place Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Memorial High School, 1 Crusader Way in Manchester, in the gym, mini gym, cafeteria and hallway, according to a Facebook post about the event at facebook.com/events/1774901677192151. The fair will feature 215+ booths, a raffle table, 50/50 drawing, The Whoopie Pie Wagon from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Burstin’ Kernel and Tom’s Travelin’ Coffee Truck, and more, according to the post.
• Main Street United Methodist Church, 154 Main St. in Nashua, will hold its Fall Fair on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring craft items, baked goods, a cookie walk, Grandma’s Attic, food and more, according to a post on the church’s Facebook page.
• Londonderry United Methodist Church, 258 Mammoth Road in Londonderry, will hold its ’Tis the Season Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to the church newsletter at londonderryumc.org. The event will feature more than 40 artisan and food vendors as well as Hangryz Food Truck and Roy’s Empanadas, a silent auction and more, the flyer said.
• St. Charles Borromeo, 300 N. Route 25 in Meredith, will hold its Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to stcharlesnh.org.
• Concord Hospital will hold its 40th Annual Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the hospital, 250 Pleasant St. in Concord, according a hospital flyer. The event will feature “100+ tables of handmade creations,” raffles and more, the flyer said.
• Seacoast Artisans present the 27th annual Holiday Fine Arts & Crafts Show on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Great Bay Community College, 320 Corporate Drive at Pease Trade Port in Portsmouth, according to seacoastartisansshows.com. Admission costs $8 and kids ages 14 and under get in free, the website said.
• The League of NH Craftsmen will present Handmade in the Harbor, described as a “38 talented League craftsmen for an intimate, curated showcase of exceptional handmade work,” at Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club, 135 Congress St. in Portsmouth, on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to a press release. See nhcrafts.org to purchase tickets.
• The YMCA Allard Center of Goffstown, 116 Goffstown Back Road, will hold a Holiday Arts Market Monday, Nov. 23, through Thursday, Dec. 24, with a baked goods auction Nov. 16 through Nov. 23, according to an email from the Goffstown YMCA. See graniteymca.org.
• The Southern NH Chamber of Commerce will host a Small Biz Marketplace Expo at the Plaistow Community YMCA, 175 Plaistow Road in Plaistow, on Wednesday, Nov. 18, from 3 to 7 p.m., featuring unique products, one-of-a-kind gifts, and special finds from local small businesses, according to a post on the Southern NH Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page.
• Concord Handmade — A Holiday Popup Shop, which will feature “artwork and handmade goods from more than 40 artists and makers throughout New England,” will open for the season on Friday, Nov. 20, at 10 N. State St. in Concord, according to an organizer email. Find Concord Handmade on Facebook for updates.
• The Bedford Women’s Club will hold its Festival of Trees and Holiday Market on Friday, Nov. 20, from 4 to 6 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 21, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Presbyterian Church, 4 Chad Road in Bedford, according to a club flyer. See bedfordwomensclub.org.
• St. Patrick Church, 34 Amherst St. in Milford, will hold its Church Fair on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to an email. The fair will feature homemade baked goods, handmade quilts, Christmas trees, holiday decor, food concessions and more, the email said.
• The United Methodist Women of Hampton United Methodist Church, 525 Lafayette Road in Hampton, will hold their annual Christmas Fair on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to a press release. The event will include food for dine-in and takeout, a bake and treat shop, a silent auction, craft corner, Woodland Pines wreaths and baskets and more, the release said.
• The 44th Annual Holiday Craft Fair at Thorntons Ferry School. 134 Camp Sargent Road in Merrimack, will take place on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and feature more than 70 vendors, a silent auction, baked goods, Mr. and Mrs. Claus and more, according to facebook.com/TFSPTTF.
• Saint Catherine of Siena School, 206 North St. in Manchester, will hold its Holiday Fair on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 22, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the school gym, according to saintcatherineparishnh.com.
• Holiday Fair from the Women’s Association at Congregational Church of Amherst, 11 Church St. in Amherst, will run Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring crafts, wreaths and ornaments, raffle baskets, holiday arrangements, baked goods, food, jewelry, collectibles and more, according to ccamherst.org.
• The Church of St. Patrick, 34 Amherst St. in Milford, will hold a Church Fair on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to spccnh.org/events.
• The PTO at New Searles Elementary School, 39 Shady Lane in Nashua, will hold a Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring games, crafts, raffles and more, according to the PTO’s Facebook.
• The 15th Annual Community Holiday Craft Fair at Meredith Community Center, 1 Circle Drive in Meredith, will be held on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature more than 45 local crafters, a bake sale, lunch and raffles, according to an email from Meredith Parks and Recreation Department.
• The Pelham High School Craft Fair, 87 Marsh Road in Pelham, will be Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and will feature more than 45 vendors, according to the event’s Facebook page.
• St. Anne Parish, 26 Emerson Ave. in Hampstead, will hold its Christmas Fair on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 22, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., according to the church’s Facebook page. The fair will feature a raffle, silent auction, crafters, baked goods, themed gift baskets and more, the flyer on the post said.
• The Picker Artists, 3 Pine St. in Nashua, will hold their Holiday Open Studios on Saturday, Nov. 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to the Picker Artists Facebook page. “Explore our studios, meet our artists, and get a behind-the-scenes look at their creativity,” the post said.
• Holiday Fine Craft & Artisan Show on the Seacoast takes place Saturday, Nov. 21, and Sunday, Nov. 22, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, at Rim Sports Complex, 311 Winnacunnet Road in Hampton, according to GNECraftArtisanShows.com. The event will feature 135 exhibitors, food trucks, live music, Santa and more, the website said. Admission costs $5, valid both days; ages 14 and under get in free, the website said.
• The Portsmouth Holiday Arts Tour featuring seven home studios in Portsmouth with 14 local artists will be held Saturday, Nov. 21, and Sunday, Nov. 22, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to a press release. See the map and more information at portsmouthartstour.com.
• The Derry Third Annual Holiday Sip and Shop at Fody’s Tavern, 187½ Rockingham Road in Derry, will take place Sunday, Nov. 22, from noon to 5 p.m. and feature crafters and vendors, according to the Facebook page for New England Vendor Events.
• The Great New England Holiday Craft Market will take place Friday, Nov. 27, and Saturday, Nov. 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the LaBelle Winery, 14 Route 111 in Derry, according to labellewinery.com, where you can RSVP.
• Exeter Holiday Parade Craft Fair will take place on Saturday, Nov. 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Historic Exeter Town Hall, 10 Front St. in Exeter, according to a press release. The fair will feature two floors of “craft items from local crafters and artisans,” the release said.
• Deck the Shelves Bookish Holiday Market held by Bookish Bliss Books will take place Saturday, Nov. 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at DoubleTree Expo Center, 700 Elm St. in Manchester, according to a post on Bookish Bliss Books’ Instagram. The event will feature 100+ makers and crafters, 40+ local authors, door prizes, raffles and more, the post said.
• Winter Members Show & Sale 2026 at Two Villages Art Society, 846 Main St. in Contoocook, twovillagesart.org, will be on display Saturday, Nov. 28, through Saturday, Dec. 26, according to the website. The show features works from more than 50 artist members, the website said. The gallery is open Thursdays through Sundays, noon to 4 p.m. with an opening reception held Saturday, Dec. 5, from noon to 2 p.m., the website said.
• The Nashua 12th Annual Holiday Craft Fair will take place at Broad Street Elementary School, 390 Broad St. in Nashua, on Sunday, Nov. 29, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to the Facebook page for New England Vendor Events. The event will feature more than 50 crafters and vendors plus photo opportunities with Santa, the post said.
• NH Alt Market will take place Sunday, Nov. 29, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Millspace, 55 Main St. in Newmarket, according to millspace.org.
• A Holiday Market at To Share Brewing, 720 Union St. in Manchester, will take place on Sunday, Nov. 29, from 1 to 6 p.m. and feature artists, artisans, makers and more, according to the brewery.
• The Artisan Nook at Kimball Jenkins, 266 N. Main St. in Concord, will run Thursday, Dec. 3, through Sunday, Dec. 20, with shopping hours Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 8 p.m. (through 10 p.m. on Dec. 4) and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m., according to kimballjenkins.com. “Visit our pop-up holiday showcase of locally made fine art and craft items featuring local artisans,” the website said.
• The Contoocook Artisans Holiday Craft Fair “featuring 30+ local artisans” will take place Friday, Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the American Legion Post 81, E.R. Montgomery Event Center, 169 Bound Tree Road in Contoocook, according to an organizer email. Email ContoocookArtisansNH@Gmail.com with questions.
• Manchester Makers Market Co. will present the 2026 Manchester Christmas Food, Crafts & Holiday Market on Friday, Dec. 4, through Sunday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Center of NH Expo, 650 Elm St. in Manchester, according to the eventbrite.com page for the event.
• The Atkinson Garden Club will hold its Greens and Gifts Sale on Friday, Dec. 4, and Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Atkinson Community Center, 4 Main St. in Atkinson, featuring fresh greens in holiday decorations as well as other items, according to atkinsongardenclub.com, where you can pre-order wreaths, kissing balls and more.
• The UNH Makers Expo, featuring items made by UNH students, staff and faculty, will take place Friday, Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Granite State Room at the New Hampshire Memorial Union on the campus in Durham, according to students.unh.edu. “Engineers who knit! IT folks doing scratch prints! Jewelry from biologists! It’s a great way to support local artisans and get some holiday shopping done,” the website said.
• Concord Arts Market will present Giftopolis at Midnight Merriment on Friday, Dec. 4, from 5 to 11 p.m. at the Eagle Square Atrium in downtown Concord, according an email from an organizer. Concord Arts Market is also creating a Give A Little Art Holiday Gift Guide, which will be at concordartsmarket.org/give-a-little-art, the email said.
• The 49th Annual Pine Hill Holiday Fair will take place at High Mowing School, Pine Hill Campus, 77 Pine HIll Drive in Wilton, on Friday, Dec. 4, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. (adults only) and on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to an email from organizers. Saturday will feature children’s activities, a puppet show, a circus performance, music, treats and more, the email said. See highmowing.org/holidayfair.
• The Longmeadow Church Ladies Circle will hold its 48th Annual Snowflake Fair on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 4 Wilson’s Crossing in Auburn, according to the fair’s eventbrite.com page.
• The First Baptist Church, 121 Manchester St. in Nashua, will hold its Christmas Fair and Food Extravaganza on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., with an all-day buffet, a Christmas gift shop, a Santa visit from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., kids’ activities, home-baked pies and more, according to fbcnashua.org.
• The Holiday Craft Fair at Brookline Event Center, 32 Proctor Hill Road in Brookline, will take place Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with free admission, according to brooklineeventcenter.com/our-events.
• The PTO at Beaver Meadow School, 40 Sewalls Falls Road in Concord, will hold its annual Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, Dec. 5, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to the PTO’s Facebook page. The event will also feature baked goods and raffles, the post said.
• The Amherst Lions Club will hold its 46th Annual Craft Fair & Silent Auction on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Amherst Middle School, 16 Cross Road in Amherst, according to the Amherst Lions Club Facebook page.
• St. Patrick Parish, 12 Main St. in Pelham, will hold its Christmas Craft Fair on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring local crafters, homemade baked goods, raffles and more, according to an email.
• The Somersworth Festival Association will host its Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Somersworth High School, 11 Memorial Drive in Somersworth, according to nhfestivals.org
• The 37th annual Christmas in Strafford, featuring more than 50 artists and craftspeople across about 30 locations (stores, studios and other locations), is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 5, and Sunday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days.
• The 5th Annual Grinnell Elementary Craft Fair, held by the Grinnell School PTA, will take place at 6 Grinnell Road in Derry, on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring “unique handmade items, gifts, crafts and products from talented local vendors and makers,” according to a post on the PTA’s Facebook page.
• The Animal Rescue League of NH, 545 Route 101, Bedford, will hold a Holiday Fair Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring pet photos with Santa or the Grinch (by appointment), craft vendors, tree sales, a bake sale and more, according to rescueleague.org.
• The Unitarian Universalist Church of Manchester, 669 Union St. in Manchester, will hold its Holiday Faire on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. according to uumanchester.org.
• Searles Castle at Windham, 23 Searles Road, will hold a Searles Castle Christmas Market on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., featuring “local vendors, unique gifts, festive treats, holiday cheer” and more, according to a post on the Searles Castle at NHC Events Facebook page.
• Local vendors are part of Merrymaking on West Merrimack, an event featuring food, music, family fun and vendors in Manchester on Sunday, Dec. 6, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to merrymakingmht.com.
• The Holiday Sip and Shop at the Bedford Event Center, 379 S. River Road in Bedford, will take place Thursday, Dec. 10, from 6 to 9 p.m., according to the center’s Facebook page.
• Warner Historical Society will hold its annual Holiday Artisans event and Barn Sale at the Upton Chandler Museum House in Warner on Friday, Dec. 11, from 5 to 7 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to an organizer email.
• The Milford 4th Annual Holiday Craft Fair will take place at VFW Post 4368, 1 VFW Way in Milford, on Saturday, Dec. 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to the Facebook page for New England Vendor Events. The event will feature more than 50 crafters and vendors plus photo opportunities with Santa, the post said.
• The PTO at Main Dunstable Elementary School, 20 Whitford Road in Nashua, will hold its second annual Holiday Fair on Saturday, Dec. 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring local artisans and crafters, raffles and silent auctions, baked goods, kids’ activities and a Santa meet-and-greet photo opportunity, according to an email.
• The NH Audubon’s McLane Center, 84 Silk Farm Road in Concord, will hold its Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, Dec. 12, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to nhaudubon.org.
• The Concord Arts Market will hold a Merry Little Market at the Carriage House of Kimball Jenkins, 266 N. Main St. in Concord, on Saturday, Dec. 12, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to kimballjenkins.com.
• The 15th Annual Wrong Brain Holidaze Bizaare will take place Saturday, Dec. 12, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Community Campus Gymnasium, 100 Campus Drive in Portsmouth, according to a post on the Wrong Brain Facebook page. The post describes the event as a “multimedia arts open market and creative celebration.” See wrongbrain.net.
• Bishop Brady High School 25 Columbus Ave. in Concord will hold a Craft Fair on Saturday, Dec. 12, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to bishopbrady.edu.
• The New Hampshire World Christmas Market will take place Saturday, Dec. 12, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 13, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Owl’s Nest Resort in Thornton, according to nhworldchristmasmarket.com, where you can purchase tickets.
• Studio 550, 550 Elm St. in Manchester, 550arts.com, will hold its Handmade Holiday Market of pottery, stained glass, paintings, ornaments, cards and stickers Monday, Dec. 14, through Saturday, Dec. 19, from noon to 8 p.m. each day, according to a post on the studio’s Facebook page. The studio will sell 50+ Cups for a Cause, mugs and cups to raise funds for the International Institute of New England, the post said.
• Sip, Shop, Celebrate will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 15, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Kimball Jenkins in Concord and feature the sale of items from local artisans, according to an event description from a participant. See kimballjenkins.com for updates.
• The Holly Jolly Craft Fair, held by Joyce’s Craft Shows, will take place Saturday, Dec. 19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at DoubleTree by Hilton, 2 Somerset Parkway in Nashua, according to joycescraftshows.com.
• The Holly Jolly Hooksett Festival & Vendor Fair held by Spirit and Soul Events LLC will take place Saturday, Dec. 19, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Hooksett Town Hall, 35 Main St. in Hooksett, according to the Spirit and Soul Events Facebook page. The event will feature food, games, prizes, a DJ, a children’s dance party, vendors and more, the post said.
• NH Alt Market will take place Sunday, Dec. 20, noon to 4 p.m. at the Millspace, 55 Main St. in Newmarket, according to millspace.org. “Shop unique gifts from local artists, makers, and creatives featuring handmade art, jewelry, oddities, witchy wares, holiday décor, and one-of-a-kind treasures you won’t find in big-box stores,” the website said.
A sample of upcoming events
Check with each business or organization for event specifics and for many more events.
Studio 550
550 Elm St., Manchester, 232-5597, 550arts.com
– Date Night in the Pottery Studio: Fridays and Saturday nights at 6 p.m., runs 1 hour 15 minutes, $35
– One-Day Workshop: Loose Watercolor Painting November: Mmm Pastries! with East Corner Studio, Saturday, Nov. 7, noon, two hours at $55, 15+
Canvas Road Show
25 S. River Road, Bedford, 913-9217, thecanvasroadshow.com
– Crushed Glass Snow Globes: Friday, Nov. 6, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., $56 per 11” globe. 12+
– Light-Up Tumbled Sea Glass Holiday Tree: Friday, Nov. 13, noon to 2 p.m., $58 -$78 depending on size of tree, 12+
Wine on Main
9 N. Main St., Concord, 897-5828, wineonmainnh.com
– Wine Bottle Tote Workshop & Wine Tasting with bagmaker George S. Wallace: Thursday, Nov. 12, 6 to 8 p.m., $75 per person, 21+ and limited to 18 people.
– Holiday Sweater Fused Glass Art Workshop & Wine Tasting with Nancy from True Colors Glassworks: Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 6 p.m., $50 per person, 21+ and limited to 20 people.
New Hampshire Craft Club
Studio at 117 Manchester St., Unit 5B, nhcraftclub.com
– Knitting & Crochet Club: in the studio, free on Thursday, Nov 5, and Thursday, Dec. 3, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
– Gingerbread Doormats: at The Gathering Grounds, 104 Route 13, Brookline, $30 on Friday Nov. 20, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Dash of Creativity
Check their Facebook and Eventbrite pages
– Mystery Books & Brews: Crochet Bookmark Night: at Tideline Public House in Durham, Thursday, Nov. 5, from 6 to 8 p.m.; register at eventbrite.com.
– Beginner Finger Crochet at Stark Brewery: Create a Cozy Chunky Blanket: Monday, Nov. 9, at 6 p.m. at Stark Brewing Co., Manchester; register at eventbrite.com.
– Stitch & Stories: Beginner Embroidery at Reedmor Books & Brews in Portsmouth on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 6 to 8 p.m.; register at eventbrite.com.
Penumbra
10 N. State St., Concord, 731-9469, penumbra.shop/events
– Make Your Own Kokedama: Thursday, Nov. 12, $45 per person; all classes begin at 6:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
– Succulent Centerpiece Making: Sunday, Nov. 22, at 4:30 p.m. or Tuesday, Nov. 24, at 6:30 p.m., $45.