Holiday Guide 2025

From Thanksgiving eve to New Year’s Day, Hippo’s annual Holiday Guide offers you a look at the celebrations, community gatherings and more taking place over the next few weeks. Is there some holiday cheer we missed? Let us know at adiaz@hippopress.com. Now get out your calendar and plan a season of fun.

Quality of Life 25/11/27

Thanksgiving meals

At least eight churches, synagogues and other community groups have worked together preparing to serve a free Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, Nov. 27, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Derry. And in a Nov. 20 press release Harbor Care Health and Wellness Center of Nashua announced that a number of prominent New Hampshire politicians, including Gov. Kelly Ayotte, U.S. Sens. Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan, U.S. Reps. Maggie Goodlander and Chris Pappas, and Nashua Mayor Jim Donchess, would work the buffet line serving Thanksgiving meals at its Free Thanksgiving Community Dinner on Tuesday, Nov. 25.

QOL score: +1

Comment: Speaking of getting food to the people who need it: in Bow, according to an online article by WMUR, local police officers were flagged down at the Alltown truck stop on Saturday, Nov. 15: “Officers said a truck driver flagged them down because he unexpectedly had too many chickens,” the story read. “According to police, he had around 250 whole chickens that were perfectly good to use, but he had nowhere to bring them.” WMUR reported a happy resolution, with the chickens going to the Friendly Kitchen in Concord.

Mittens and food help

Merrimack County Savings Bank is collecting new handmade or store-bought mittens, hats and scarves as part of its Annual Mitten Tree Drive, according to a press release. “For every item collected, The Merrimack will donate $2 to be distributed” to Bow Food Pantry, Friends of Forgotten Children (Concord), Henniker Food Pantry, Hopkinton Food Pantry, Hooksett Food Pantry, Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter, Shepard’s Pantry (Windham) and Twin Rivers Food Pantry (Franklin), the release said. “Winters in New Hampshire can be rough, especially for our neighbors in need,” said Linda Lorden, President of The Merrimack, in the press release. “When you make a donation to our Mitten Tree Drive, you’re not only providing warmth — you’re supporting local food pantries.”

QOL score: +1

Comment: Drop off items at any one of the bank’s nine locations, which are listed with their hours at themerrimack.com/locations, the release said.

Rabid raccoon

In a Nov. 19 Facebook post, the Nashua Division of Public Health and Community Services announced that a raccoon recently captured near Westgate Village in Nashua has tested positive for rabies. “While there’s no immediate threat to the community,” the statement read, “residents are urged to use extra caution around wildlife.” The agency advised local residents to keep pets on a leash and supervised outdoors, to never approach or feed wild animals, and to watch for animals displaying “unusual aggression, confusion, or ‘drunk-like’ movement.”

QOL score: -1

Comment: Report suspicious animal sightings to Nashua Animal Control at 594-3500. For possible exposure concerns, call 589-4500 (option 2).

QOL score: 72

Net change: +1

QOL this week: 73

What’s affecting your Quality of Life here in New Hampshire?

Let us know at news@hippopress.com.

News & Notes 25/11/27

Winter parking

Manchester’s odd/even overnight on-street parking begins Monday, Dec. 1, at 1 a.m. and runs through Wednesday, April 15, at 6 p.m., according to a press release from the city’s Department of Public Works. “Where parking is normally allowed on a street, the Overnight Winter Parking restriction permits vehicles to be parked only on the odd-numbered address side of a street on odd-numbered calendar months, and only on the even-numbered address side of a street on even-numbered calendar months, beginning after 1 a.m. and until 6 a.m. This means you must park on the even side of the street during the month of December, and in January you must park on the odd side of the street, etc. If parking is presently allowed on only one side of the street during the day, parking will be permitted on that side of the street every night,” the release said. No on-street parking is allowed during snow emergencies; sign up for snow emergency notifications and find a map of where to park during emergencies at manchesternh.gov/snow.

Scam season

Eversource sent out an email on Nov. 17 warning that “scam activity increases this time of year.” Common scams include “a call, without prior notification, demanding immediate payment to avoid a shutoff”; a call claiming “that you overpaid a bill” and the person needs bank account or credit card information for a refund; “text messages requesting personal information,” and “deposit to exchange your utility meter,” according to eversource.com. “If something seems suspicious, contact us immediately and report the incident to your local law enforcement,” the website said. “We will also never ask for payment via gift card, pre-paid debit card or Bitcoin,” the email said.

New speakers

New Hampshire Humanities announced a new slate of programs in its “Humanities To Go” speaker bureau available for libraries, historical societies and other nonprofit organizations, according to a press release. Programs include “How the Constitution Helps Us Disagree” with Meg Mott; “Portraits of a Revolution” with Inez McDermott; “Tales From the Spice Rack: Exploring the People and Places Behind the Ingredients That Flavor Our Food” with Laura Tilghman; “Welcome Our Robot Overlords! Living with Artificial Intelligence” with James Kelly, and more, the release said. See nhhumanities.org/htg.

Canterbury Shaker Village will give its final tours of the season on Saturday, Nov. 29, and Sunday, Nov. 30, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.: “tours at the Village will be closed for the winter season starting December 1st. Hiking trails will remain open,” the November newsletter said. Christmas at Canterbury will take place on Saturday, Dec. 6; see shakers.org.

Kimball Jenkins, 266 N. Main St. in Concord, will hold its annual KJ’s Jingle and Mingle on Thursday, Dec. 11, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Mansion, according to kimballjenkins.com, where you can purchase tickets. The evening will feature illuminated grounds, “festive fare, libations, and lively entertainment as well as raffles and a silent auction,” the website said.

“If you can’t get enough ABBA then do we have a dance party for you,” says the post about Gimme Gimme Disco, an event slated for Saturday, Nov. 29, at 9 p.m. at Jewel Music Venue in Manchester, on Jewel’s Facebook page. It’s a DJ-based dance party playing the songs of ABBA and other disco hits from the ’70s and ‘80s, and disco attire is encouraged, said the post, where you can find a link to purchase tickets.

This Week 25/11/27

Thursday, Nov. 20

“Roses are Red, Violets are Pink, Yellow, Purple” is the topic for the Manchester Garden Club’s November meeting, to be held at noon today at St. Hedwig Parish Hall (147 Walnut St., Manchester). Guests are welcome to attend to learn about the club (a small donation would be appreciated). Visit manchesternhgardenclub.weebly.com.

Thursday, Nov. 20

There will be a live recording of th podcast Granite Goodness tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Rex Theatre in Manchester. Co-hosts Andy DeMeo and Corinne Benfield will lead a discussion with guests Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander; Steve Turner, founder of Bring Back the Trades; and Shana Brunye, COO of Bring Back the Trades. See palacetheatre.org for tickets.

Thursday, Nov. 20

Gibson’s Bookstore (45 S. Main St., Concord, 224-0562, gibsonsbookstore.com) host Holiday Recs with Publisher Reps tonight at 6:30 p.m.. Representatives of book publishers will be on hand to share the titles they are most excited about.

Friday, Nov. 21

The Community Players of Concord will perform The Addams Family Musicaltonight at the Concord City Auditorium (2 Prince St., Concord, 228-2793, theaudi.org) at 7 p.m., with additional performances tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 22, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 23, at 2 pm. Tickets are $22 for adults, and $20 for juniors to age 17 and seniors 65+, online at communityplayersofconcord.org. Community Players pictured; Danielle Martin (Grandma), Nora McBurnett (Morticia), Bennett Schriver (Lurch), Christopher Graham (Gomez), Emmett Smith (Pugsley) and Annie Lelio (Wednesday). Courtesy photo by Michael von Redlich.

Friday, Nov. 21

Country music star Randy Travis will perform this evening at 7:30 p.m. at the Chubb Theatre (Chubb Theatre at CCA, 44 S. Main St., Concord, 225-1111, ccanh.com). Tickets start at $58 .

Saturday, Nov. 22

The Picker Artists, 3 Pine St. in Nashua, will host their annual holiday open house on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. , according to pickerartists.com.

Saturday, Nov. 22

The New Hampshire Master Chorale (nhmasterchorale.org) presents a concert of spiritual music for a secular age tonight at 7:30 p.m. in Saint Paul’s Church (21 Centre St., Concord, 224-2523, stpaulsconcord.org). General admission tickets are $33.

Saturday, Nov. 22

The Nashua Chamber Orchestra (809-7245, nco-music.org) opens its 2025-’26 season tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Nashua Community College (505 Amherst St., Nashua, 578-8900, nashuacc.edu), with an additional performance tomorrow, Sunday, Nov. 23, at 3 p.m. on the Milford Oval. See nco-music.org for tickets.

Save the Date! Wednesday, Dec. 10
One of the greatest rock bands of the ’70s, Heart, will perform at SNHU Arena (555 Elm St., Manchester, 644-5000, snhuarena.com) at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 10, as part of their Royal Flush 2025 Tour, with special guest Starship. Tickets start at $76 through ticketmaster.com.

Featured Photo: Heart

In praise of cranberries — 11/20/2025

On the cover

The shloop of a cranberry cylinder sliding out of its can is a very satisfying sound. But that’s not all cranberries can be. John Fladd offers more ideas for working cranberries into your cooking and cocktail making.

Also on the cover: Michael Witthaus takes a look at The Eleventh Letter Writing Gallery in Concord (page 14) and talks to Jim Messina ahead of two New Hampshire shows this weekend (page 23). Back in the food world, John Fladd talks to organizers at the Holy Trinity Cathetral Frozen Polish Food sale (page 18).

Read the e-edition

A graphic the shape of the state of New Hampshire, filled in with the New Hampshire flag made up of the crest of New Hampshire on a blue field.
Toys The New Hampshire State Police will collect new, unwrapped toys through Friday, Dec. 12, as part of their annual ...
Pats keep rolling
The Big Story – Pats Tied for Best Record in NFL: They remind me of the 2013 Red Sox, who ...
A graphic the shape of the state of New Hampshire, filled in with the New Hampshire flag made up of the crest of New Hampshire on a blue field.
Light show As reported by WMUR in a Nov. 12 online article, the northern lights were visible in many communities ...
A cow wearing a black winter jacket stands amid the snow on a farm
Thursday, Nov. 20 “Roses are Red, Violets are Pink, Yellow, Purple” is the topic for the Manchester Garden Club’s November ...
Cranberry berry background close-up on white, isolated. The view from top
Even more uses for this tart and tasty berry By John Fladd jfladd@hippopress.com For many of us, the question “cranberry ...
A woman stands smiling in front of a neat bookshelf and dresser.
Writing Gallery opens in Concord By Michael Witthaus mwitthaus@hippopress.com A new space featuring works of art accompanied by text both ...
A large and colorful collection of antique coin bank books.
Dear Donna, I have a quilt that I believe my mom’s mother made. This would make it from the 1940s ...
Family fun for whenever Gobble gobble • Merrimack Parks and Recreation will hold Turkey Quest: The Great Wasserman Scavenger Hunt ...
Red round icon that reads Weekly Dish
• Zonta holiday auction and dinner: The Zonta Club of Concord, NH (zontaclubofconcordnh.org) will hold its 33rd annual Holiday Auction ...
A table filled with all assortment of fancy food platters and green and white decorations.
Holy Trinity holds its annual frozen food sale By John Fladd jfladd@hippopress.com For the parishioners at Holy Trinity Cathedral in ...
Wayne Wilkinson, Holly Tunes (self-released/Bandcamp) & Premik Russell Tubbs & Margee Minier-Tubbs, “The Bells” (Margetoile Records)
Wayne Wilkinson, Holly Tunes (self-released/Bandcamp) It’s that time of year when I complain that no one’s been sending me holiday-time ...
A book titled "Wreck", with a stark white title against the backdrop of an American house
(Harper, 224 pages) When my son was little and found it hard to sit through movies, he once announced in ...
• Old friends: Legend is that fiddler Michael Doucet ditched rock and began BeauSoleil after hearing “Cajun Woman” by Fairport ...
Two male singers shout and smile as they hold electric guitars under harsh stage lights.
Six decades on, Jim Messina still playing great By Michael Witthaus mwitthaus@hippopress.com Don’t do drugs. Jim Messina can provide plenty ...

Kiddie Pool 25/11/20

Family fun for whenever

Gobble gobble

• Merrimack Parks and Recreation will hold Turkey Quest: The Great Wasserman Scavenger Hunt on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 10 a.m. to noon in Wasserman Park, according to merrimackparksandrec.org, where you can register in advance (which is required). Admission costs $10 per family/group, the website said. “Your mission: explore the park on foot, uncover hidden clues, and capture creative photos of special items,” the website said.

Hit the ice

Public ice skating at JFK Memorial Coliseum, 303 Beech St. in Manchester, in November runs Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. (no skating on Nov. 20 and Nov. 27) and Saturdays and Sundays from 2 to 4 p.m., according to a flyer posted on the Manchester Parks and Recreation department Facebook page. Looking to work out some Thanksgiving week energy? Public skate is also available Wednesday, Nov. 26, and Friday, Nov. 28, both from 12:30 to 2 p.m., the post said. Admission costs include $5 per person entry and $5 skate rental, cash only, the post said. See manchesternh.gov.

• Public ice skating is also available at Douglas N. Everett Arena, 15 Loudon Road in Concord, Tuesdays through Fridays, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (closed Nov. 27); Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Sundays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m, and Mondays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and, through Dec. 8, 6:30 to 8 p.m., according to concordnh.gov/921/Ice-Skating-Stick-Practice. Admission costs include $6 for entry and $6 for skate rentals; see the website for punch passes and information on sharpening and helmet rentals.

Holiday storytime

• Author/illustrator Matt Tavares will be at Gibson’s Bookstore, 45 S. Main St. in Concord on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 2 p.m. for a storytime event for his new picture book Dasher and the Polar Bear, according to a press release. “One bright night just before Christmas, Dasher the reindeer is out admiring the stunning colors of the northern lights when she meets George, a sweet polar bear.,” the release said. See gibsonsbookstore.com.

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