Category: Cover Stories

Jazz, rock, Celtic music and more

Compiled by Amy Diaz
adiaz@hippopress.com

From rocking holiday shows to celebrations with a Celtic flavor, here is some music to keep the season bright.

• The Stone Church Music Club, 5 Granite St. in Newmarket, stonechurchrocks.com, will present its annual Turkey Jam with Truffle on Friday, Nov. 28, at 7 p.m.

• After Thanksgiving Night Out, described as a “chance to swap the cozy couch for the dance floor and celebrate with a variety of music, dazzling lights, and great company,” will take place at the Lakeport Opera House, 781 Union Ave. in Laconia, lakeportopera.com, on Saturday, Nov. 29, at 7 p.m.

• The Word Barn in Exeter, thewordbarn.com, will hold its 12 Nights of Christmas Series at the Orchard Chapel, 143 Exeter Road in Hampton Falls. The shows include Halley Neal and Sam Robbins on Saturday, Nov. 29, at 7 p.m.; Mr. Sun Play Duke Ellington’s The Nutcracker on Sunday, Nov. 30, at 7 p.m.; An Irish Christmas With John Doyle and Cathie Ryan on Thursday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m.; A Winter’s Evening with Ryanhood on Friday, Dec. 5 at 7 p.m.; Hannah Juanita and The Hardliners on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m.; Harrison Goodell with a full band on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m.; A Cape Breton Christmas with Còig on Thursday, Dec. 11, at 7 p.m.; A Nova Scotia Christmas with Cassie & Maggie on Friday, Dec. 12, at 7 p.m.; Scottish Fish Holiday Show on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 7 p.m.; A Celtic Christmas with Lunasa on Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 8 p.m.; Kat & Brett Holiday Show with Tyler Bolles & Will Seeders on Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 7 p.m.; Jordan TW Trio Celtic Christmas on Thursday, Dec. 18, at 7 p.m., and a Charlie Brown Christmas with Heather Pierson Trio on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 7 p.m.

• Viva Las Elvis: Christmas Tribute Concert will take place at LaBelle Winery, 14 Route 111 in Derry, labellewinery.com, on Sunday, Nov. 30, at 1 p.m.

• The Divas with a Twist: Holiday Concert, featuring five “powerhouse female vocalists with professional theater backgrounds combined with Grammy nominated musicians,” will hit the stage at The Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St. in Manchester, on Sunday, Nov. 30, at 2 p.m., according to palacetheatre.org.

• The Squirrel Nut Zippers Christmas Caravan 2025 will come to the Nashua Center for the Arts, 201 Main St. in Nashua, nashuacenterforthearts.com, on Thursday, Dec. 4, at 7:30 p.m.

• Big Bad Voodoo Daddy: Wild and Swingin’ Holiday Party will come to the Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, coloniallaconia.com, on Thursday, Dec. 4, at 7:30 p.m.

• Mannheim Steamroller Christmas comes to the Capitol Center for the Arts Chubb Theatre, 44 S. Main St. in Concord, ccanh.com, on Friday, Dec. 5, at 7:30 p.m.

• The Drifters’ Christmas will come to the Flying Monkey, 39 Main St. in Plymouth, flyingmonkeynh.com, on Friday, Dec. 5, at 7:30 p.m.

• The annual Gary Hoey — Ho! Ho! Hoey! show will return to Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St. in Derry, tupelomusichall.com, on Friday, Dec. 5, at 8 p.m.

• Joe Deleault Jazz Quartet will play the four-course holiday brunch at LaBelle Winery, 14 Route 111 in Derry, labellewinery.com, on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 11 a.m.

• MUSE: A Salute to Holiday Divas! Will be at The Music Hall Lounge, 131 Congress St. in Portsmouth, themusichall.org, on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 3 and 8 p.m.

• The Scott Spradling Band: Rockin’ Big Band Christmas will come to The Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St. in Manchester, palacetheatre.org, on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 7:30 p.m.

• Joe Deleault Jazz Quartet will play the four-course holiday brunch at LaBelle Winery, 345 Route 101 in Amherst, labellewinery.com, on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 11 a.m.

• Jane Lynch’s A Swingin’ Little Christmas will come to the Nashua Center for the Arts, 201 Main St. in Nashua, nashuacenterforthearts.com, on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 7 p.m.

• LaBelle Winery, 14 Route 111 in Derry, labellewinery.com, will host a Winter Sound Bath & Yoga Nidra Experience on Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 6 p.m., the website said.

• Cherish the Ladies: A Celtic Christmas will be presented on Thursday, Dec. 11, at 7:30 p.m. at the Dana Center at Saint Anselm College, Manchester, according to tickets.anselm.edu.

• Catch David Benoit’s Charlie Brown Christmas at the Nashua Center for the Arts, 201 Main St. in Nashua, nashuacenterforthearts.com, on Thursday, Dec. 11, at 7:30 p.m.

• Nashville Christmas, featuring “traditional Christmas favorites along with some legendary classic country tunes … all performed by the fantastic cast of The Country Jamboree,” will come to The Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St. in Manchester, on Thursday, Dec. 11, at 7:30 p.m., according to palacetheatre.org.

• One Tree Holiday: Tyler Hilton & Kate Voegele celebrating the music of the TV show One Tree Hill will perform at Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St. in Derry, tupelomusichall.com, on Thursday, Dec. 11, at 8 p.m. Alex2e opens; tickets to a pre-show meet and greet are also available, the website said.

• Rockapella will bring their sounds of the holidays to Stockbridge Theatre in Derry, pinkertonacademy.org/stockbridge-theatre, on Friday, Dec. 12, at 7 p.m.

• A Celtic Christmas with The Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki Trio and The Spain Brothers will take place Saturday, Dec. 13, at 2 and 7 p.m. at The Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St. in Manchester, according to palacetheatre.org.

• Concord Community Music School, 23 Wall St. in Concord, will hold its annual Holiday Folk Concert on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m., according to ccmusicschool.org, where you can purchase tickets.

• Kimball Jenkins, 266 N. Main St. in Concord, kimballjenkins.com, will host a KJ Holiday Open Mic on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Carriage House, according to the website. The event is free but advanced signup to perform is available online and at the door starting at 6:30 p.m., the website said.

• The Heather Pierson Trio plays A Charlie Brown Jazz Christmas at the BNH Stage, 16 S. Main St. in Concord, ccanh.com, on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 2 and 7 p.m.

• Catch the Capitol Jazz Orchestra Holiday Pops at the Capitol Center for the Arts Chubb Theatre, 44 S. Main St. in Concord, ccanh.com, on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 4 p.m.

• The Compaq Big Band Holiday Hits show will take place on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 6 p.m. at the Andres Institute of Art, 106 Route 13 in Brookline, andresinstitute.org.

• The Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy: A Celtic Family Christmas comes to the Nashua Center for the Arts, 201 Main St. in Nashua, nashuacenterforthearts.com, Sunday, Dec. 14, at 7 p.m.

• Catch A Very Cher-y Christmas the Flying Monkey, 39 Main St. in Plymouth, flyingmonkeynh.com, on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 7 p.m.

• The Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy: A Celtic Family Christmas will be at Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St. in Rochester, rochesteroperahouse.com, Monday, Dec. 15, at 7 p.m.

• Nat Zegree: The Nat Before Christmas will be at the Music Hall, 28 Chestnut St. in Portsmouth, themusichall.org, on Monday, Dec. 15, at 7 p.m.

• John Denver Christmas featuring Chris Collins & Boulder Canyon comes to the Flying Monkey, 39 Main St. in Plymouth on Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 7:30 p.m.

• The Milk Carton Kids: Holiday Tour 2025 will come to the Nashua Center for the Arts, 201 Main St. in Nashua, nashuacenterforthearts.com, on Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 7:30 p.m.

• The annual Buzz Ball, where “Greg and the Morning Buzz team host an All-Star Cast of musicians, performers, comedians, and special guests,” will be at the Capitol Center for the Arts Chubb Theatre, 44 S. Main St. in Concord, on Thursday, Dec. 18, at 7 p.m., according to ccanh.com.

• Harvey Reid & Joyce Andersen Annual Christmas Concert at The Flying Goose Brew Pub & Grille, 40 Andover Road in New London, will take place Thursday, Dec. 18, at 7:30 p.m., according to flyinggoose.com.

• The Wizards of Winter, billed as “holiday rock Event for the whole family,” will be at the Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St. in Derry, on Friday, Dec. 19, at 7 p.m., according to tupelomusichall.com.

• Christmas with the Celts, a show featuring “a vibrant mix of ancient Irish carols, classic Christmas favorites, electrifying Irish dance, and spontaneous humor,” will take place on Friday, Dec. 19, at 7 p.m. at Stockbridge Theatre, 5 Pinkerton St. in Derry, according to pinkertonacademy.org/stockbridge-theatre, where you can purchase tickets.

• A Charlie Brown Jazz Christmas with the Eric Mintel Jazz Quartetwill be on stage at the Rex Theater, 23 Amherst St. in Manchester, on Friday, Dec. 19, at 7:30 p.m., according to palacetheatre.org.

• Catch Eileen Ivers: Joyful Christmas on Friday, Dec. 19, at 7:30 p.m. at the Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St. in Laconia, coloniallaconia.com.

• Catch A Holiday Concert with Clay Cook on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 3 and 7 p.m. at the Lakeport Opera House, 781 Union Ave. in Laconia, lakeportopera.com.

• David Clark’s The Music of Billy Joel with a Christmas Twist comes to The Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St. in Manchester, on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 7:30 p.m., palacetheatre.org.

• Abrielle Scharff’s Abby Holidays! will be at the Music Hall Lounge, 131 Congress St. in Portsmouth, themusichall.org, on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 21, at 5 p.m.

• A Sinatra Christmas with Rich Di Mare and the Ron Poster Trio comes to The Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St. in Manchester, on Sunday, Dec. 21, at 1 p.m., palacetheatre.org.

• The Beach Boys Christmas Concert with the Beach Bums takes place Sunday, Dec. 21, at 1 p.m. at LaBelle Winery, 14 Route 111 in Derry, labellewinery.com.

• A Piano Christmas with Robert Dionne will take place at the Majestic Theatre, 880 Page St. in Manchester, majestictheatre.net, on Sunday, Dec. 21, at 2 p.m.

• A Sinatra Christmas with Rich DiMare and Ron Poster heads to the Music Hall Lounge, 131 Congress St. in Portsmouth, themusichall.org, on Monday, Dec. 22, at 5 and 7:30 p.m.

• Christmas with the Celts will be at the Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St. in Laconia, coloniallaconia.com, on Tuesday, Dec. 23, at 7:30 p.m.

• Recycled Percussion begins its annual run of shows New Year’s Eve and into January at the Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St. in Manchester, palacetheatre.org, with 15 shows through Jan. 11, starting Wednesday, Dec. 31, with shows at 3 and 7 p.m.

• Adam Ezra Group plays the New Year’s Eve show at the Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St. in Derry, with a dinner at 5:30 p.m. and the show at 9 p.m., according to tupelomusichall.com.

• The New Year’s Eve Gala at Arts Alley in Concord in the Main Venue kicks off at 6:30 p.m. and includes a cocktail hour with appetizers, a dinner buffet, Dueling Pianos and a DJ, according to artsalleyconcordnh.com, where you can purchase tickets to this 21+ event.

• A New Year’s Eve Celebration featuring a DJ, dancing, live music form Eric Grant Band and more will take place Wednesday, Dec. 31, at 7:30 p.m. at Lakeport Opera House, 781 Union Ave. in Laconia, lakeportopera.com.

• Celebrate New Year’s Eve with Cold Engines & Soul Rebel Project at Stone Church Music Club, 5 Granite St. in Newmarket, stonechurchrocks.com, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, starting at 8 p.m.

• The New Year’s Eve Party at the Strand, 20 Third St. in Dover, kicks off at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31, and includes hors d’oeuvres, live comedy, live music from Little Lies, a Champagne toast and balloon drop at midnight, a DJ after party and more, according to thestranddover.com.

• The New Year’s Eve Roaring 1920s Gatsby Dinner, Dancing and Jazz will take place at LaBelle Winery, 345 Route 101 in Amherst, labellewinery.com, on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at 8 p.m.

Holiday laughs
Here are some of the holiday season
comedy shows on the schedule:
Emily Ruskowski’s Thanksgiving
Leftover Comedy Show featuring special
guests Chris D, Adam Hatch and Dan
Donahue will take the stage at The Rex
Theatre, 23 Amherst St. in Manchester, on
Friday, Nov. 28, at 7:30 p.m., according to
palactheatre.org.
Catch Bob Marley throughout the season
including on Thursday, Dec. 4, and
Sunday, Dec. 7, at 7:30 p.m. at Amato Center
for Performing Arts in Milford, and
Tuesday, Dec. 30, and Wednesday, Dec. 31,
at 8 p.m. at the Rochester Opera House. See
bmarley.com.
Juston McKinney will perform his
annual Comedy Year in Review show at
the Music Hall in Portsmouth, themusichall.
org, with five shows Friday, Dec. 26,
through Monday, Dec. 29; at the Nashua
Center for the Arts, 201 Main St. in Nashua,
nashuacenterforthearts.com, with three
shows Tuesday, Dec. 30, through Wednesday,
Dec. 31, and Saturday, Jan. 3, at 7:30
p.m. at the Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St.,
Laconia, coloniallaconia.com. See justonmckinney.
com.
Headliners, headlinersnh.com/newyears-
eve-events.html, has comedy shows
in Nashua at the Sheraton Nashua and
Sky Meadow Country Club; Manchester
at the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester
and at Chunky’s Cinema Pub, and in Concord
with Dueling Pianos at the Arts Alley
on Wednesday, Dec. 31, according to the
website, where you can find ticket packages
and the line-up of comedians for each
event.
Comedian Jimmy Dunn’s New
Year’s Eve will be at the Rex Theatre, 23
Amherst St. in Manchester, on Wednesday,
Dec. 31, at 7:30 p.m., according to palacetheatre.
org.

Featured Photo: Rockapella. Photo from pinkertonacademy.org.

Find holiday films on the big screen

Compiled by Amy Diaz
adiaz@hippopress.com

Get your “I know him!” and “You’ll shoot your eye out” on the big screen this season. Here are some of the holiday screenings on the schedule.

• The Flying Monkey, 39 Main St. in Plymouth, flyingmonkeynh.com, has some holiday films on the schedule. Catch Planes, Trains and Automobiles(R, 1987) on Wednesday, Nov. 26, at 6 p.m.; Daddy’s Home 2(PG-13, 2017) on Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 6 p.m.; Elf (PG, 2003) on Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 6 p.m., and It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) on Sunday, Dec. 21, at 2 p.m., according to the website. Warren Miller’s Sno-ciety will also screen on Friday, Nov. 28, at 3 and 7 p.m.

• Cinemark Rockingham Park, at The Mall at Rockingham Park, 15 Mall Road in Salem, cinemark.com, will offer special screenings as part of its Holiday Movie Clubhouse with screenings on Saturdays in the morning and Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. The lineup includes The Grinch (PG, 2018) on Nov. 29 and Dec. 3, and A Christmas Story (PG, 1983) on Dec. 6 and Dec. 10; Elf (PG, 2003) on Dec. 13 and Dec. 17.

• Fathom Entertainment, fathomentertainment.com, has several holiday films on the schedule that will play at O’Neil Cinemas at Brickyard Square in Epping and at the Londonderry Cinemas in Londonderry, oneilcinemas.com; Cinemark Rockingham Park in Salem, cinemark.com/theatres/nh-salem/cinemark-rockingham-park-and-xd, and Regal Fox Run in Newington, regmovies.com/theatres/regal-fox-run-rpx-1728, with some screenings also taking place at Apple Cinemas in Hooksett and Merrimack, applecinemas.com. Films include Another Sweet Christmas, a movie starring Candace Cameron Bure, on Sunday, Nov. 30, through Tuesday, Dec. 2; an encore of The Met’s The Magic Flute on Saturday, Dec. 6;André Rieu’s 2025 Christmas Concert: Merry Christmas on Sunday, Dec. 7, and Wednesday, Dec. 10; Christina Aguilera: Christmas in Parison Sundays, Dec. 14, and Dec. 21, and The Royal Ballet’s The Nutcrackeron Sunday, Dec. 21, and Monday, Dec. 22, according to the Fathom website, where you can find specific times at participating theaters.

• O’Neil Cinemas in both Londonderry (16 Orchard View Drive) and Epping (Brickyard Square, 24 Calef Highway) will screen Christina Aguilera: Christmas in Paris; Another Sweet Christmas;The Royal Ballet’s The Nutcracker; Andre Rieu’s 2025 Christmas Concert: Merry Christmas,andThe Polar Express. See oneilcinemas.com for details.

• Chunky’s Manchester, 707 Huse Road, chunkys.com, kicks off its schedule of holiday screenings with A Bad Moms Christmas (R, 2017) on Thursday, Dec. 4, at 8 p.m. The Polar Express (G, 2004) will screen multiple times a day Friday, Dec. 5, through Thursday, Dec. 18 — “Every child now receives Golden Ticket, Cookies, Bell and a Hot Chocolate during the iconic train scene!” according to the website. On Mondays, Dec. 8 and Dec. 15, at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. the screenings will also receive a visit from Santa, the website said. Special holiday-movie themed Thursday trivia nights (at 7:30 p.m.) for December include The Santa Clause movies on Dec. 4 and A Christmas Carol movies on Dec. 11, the website said.

• Red River Theatres, 11 S. Main St. in Concord, has a A Very Red River Holiday Movie Series! slated for December, according to an email from Red River. On Saturday, Dec. 6, the 2005 Pride & Prejudicewith Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen as Elizabeth and Darcy will screen at 10 a.m. White Christmasfrom 1954 starring Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney and Danny Kaye will screen Sunday, Dec. 7, at 10 a.m. Greta Gerwig’s excellent 2019 adaptation of Little Women (PG) will screen Saturday, Dec. 13, at 10 a.m. Holiday rerun classic It’s A Wonderful Life(1946) will hit the big screen on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 10 a.m. Will Ferrell’s Elf(PG, 2003) will screen — with complimentary hot cocoa — on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 10 a.m. and 2018’s animated The Grinch (PG) will screen, also with hot cocoa, on Sunday, Dec. 21, at 10 a.m. Tickets are on sale now at redrivertheatres.org.

• Park Theatre (19 Main St., Jaffrey, theparktheatre.org) will screen It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 2 p.m.; Home Alone (1990) at the annual Santa Claus Party on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 1 p.m.; The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 4:30 p.m.; David Copperfield (1935) on Friday, Dec. 19, at 6:30 p.m., and Scrooged (1935) on Friday, Dec. 19, at 7 p.m., according to the website.

• The Strand, 20 Third St. in Dover, will screen Elf (PG, 2003) as part of its annual Christmas Break on a Budget event, starting at noon on Saturday, Dec. 20, and including cookie decorating, snowflake making and more, according to thestranddover.com.

• Catch Warren Miller’s Sno-ciety at the Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St. in Laconia, coloniallaconia.com, on Monday, Dec. 29, at 7 p.m. See warrenmiller.com to watch the trailer.

Holiday eats

Here are some tasty holiday happenings:

• The Portsmouth Historical Society will open its 35th annual Gingerbread House Contest and Exhibition on Friday, Dec. 5, with a reception from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Through Sunday, Dec. 30, the exhibition will be on display at 10 Middle St. in Portsmouth, according to portsmouthhistory.org, where you can find visiting hours.

• The Canterbury Farmers Market will hold its Indoor Winter Market on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Canterbury Elementary School in the gym, 15 Baptist Road in Canterbury, according to canterburyfarmersmarket.com.

• Kimball Jenkins, 266 N. Main St. in Concord, kimballjenkins.com, will host The Home Sweet Home Gingerbread Exhibition, a “very sweet exhibition of artistic gingerbread creations crafted by community members, organizations, and businesses,” Saturday, Dec. 6, through Friday, Dec. 12 (no viewing hours on Dec. 11) from 1 to 8 p.m., according to the website. A Gingerbread Marketplace of local food and food-related vendors will take place on Sunday, Dec. 7, from noon to 6 p.m. in the Carriage House, the website said.

• Fulchino Vineyard, 187 Pine Hill Road in Hollis, will hold a Christmas Festival Friday, Dec. 12, through Sunday, Dec. 14, featuring indoor and outdoor elements such as food vendors, artisans and crafts people, fire pits, family photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus and more, according to fulchinovineyard.com, where you can purchase tickets for specific time slots.

• Amherst German Christmas Market will take place on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the Amherst Village Green in Amherst and featuring food vendors, a mini-biergarten, entertainment and vendors selling handmade crafts and more, according to amherstchristmasmarket.org, where you can purchase tickets for a specific arrival time.

• The Currier and Ives Cookie Tour will take place Saturday, Dec. 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 15 locations in Jaffrey, Swanzey, Harrisville, Troy and New Ipswich, according to currierandivescookietour.com. Tickets cost $20 and can be purchased, for cash only, starting Dec. 1, at a few of the participating locations, the website said. Each location will feature cookies, a cookie recipe and more, and proceeds from tickets this year support End 68 Hours of Hunger, the website said.

• The annual Holiday Inn to Inn Cookie Tour will take place at 11 locations in the White Mountains on Saturday, Dec. 13, and Sunday, Dec. 14, according to countryinnsinthewhitemountains.com/annual-holiday-inn-to-inn-cookie-tour, which has links to inns offering two-night packages for the weekend. Tickets to just the tour will be available on Dec. 1 at cookietour.square.site.

• Rogers Memorial Library (194 Derry Road, Hudson, 886-6030, rodgerslibrary.org) will hold a Cookie Swap on Saturday, Dec. 20, from 10 a.m. to noon. Registration is required. Make 48 homemade cookies and provide a recipe and then bring home an assortment of cookies.

Featured Photo: The Grinch.

Where to find art shows and craft fairs

Compiled by Amy Diaz
adiaz@hippopress.com

Find fine art created specifically for the gifting season and handmade crafts at these shows, exhibitions and fairs.

• “Shifting Light” will be on display at Art 3 Gallery, 44 W. Brook St. in Manchester, art3gallery.com, this winter. “With the end of daylight savings, reduced daylight hours, and the angle of the sun, there is a literal shifting of light and shadows and this changes how we perceive our familiar yet transformed environment. Figuratively, the shifting of light can act as a beacon and pinpoint changes in how we look at the greater world around us, new angles or narratives that direct personal, social, or political change,” according to an email from the gallery, which is open Monday through Friday, 12:30 to 4 p.m.

• “Big Gifts Come in Small Packages,” the holiday show at the Seacoast Artist Association, 130 Water St. in Exeter, will run through December, according to a press release. The gallery is open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. See seacoastartist.org.

• “Illuminations,” described as holiday showcase that is “a captivating exhibition that celebrates local artists and the enduring inspiration of light in art” and features “works by CFA Visual Arts Guild Members Peter Anderson, Rolande Andrews, Deborah Bacon, Sara Byfield, Elizabeth D’Amico, Adrienne Elliott, Barry Fougere, Ludmila Gayvoronsky, Karen Haskell, Lindsay Holmes, Barbara Hunting, Sara LaMott, Heidi Lorenz, Kathy Lowe, Thomas McHugh, Lucy Mueller, Mark O’Neil, Juliana Read, Chris Scott, Yvonne Shukovsky, Alan Shulman, Rick Stockwell, Charlotte Thibault, and Alison Vernon,” will be on display at the Center for the Arts, 428 Main St. in New London, through Dec. 19, according to a press release. The studio is open Thursday through Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. See centerfortheartsnh.org.

• “Small Works/BIG IMPACT” is at Creative Ventures Gallery, 411 Nashua St. in Milford, creativeventuresfineart.com, through Sunday, Dec. 21.

• Saad Hindal Holiday Gallery, a gallery of works by Iraqi-American artist Saad Hindal, will be on display at 57 N. Main St., Suite 105, in Concord through Christmas Eve, according to an email about the gallery. See saadhindalart.com.

• Great New England Holiday Crafts Show will take place Friday, Nov. 28, and Saturday, Nov. 29, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at LaBelle Winery, 14 Route 111 in Derry, according to GNECraftArtisanShows.com and labellewinery.com. Parking and admission are free and the show will feature 65 exhibitors, a juried show, food and more, the website said.

• A Holiday Arts Market will run at YMCA Allard Center, 116 Goffstown Back Road in Goffstown, Friday, Nov. 28, through Tuesday, Dec. 24, during the center’s regular hours, according to graniteymca.org.

• The New Hampshire Antique Co-op, 323, Elm St. in Milford, will hold its annual Holiday Open House Friday, Nov. 28 through Sunday, Nov. 30, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. featuring its current gallery exhibition “The American Still Life: Two Centuries of Timeless Tradition,” refreshments and more, according to a press release

• “Winter Wonderland Juried Art Exhibition,” featuring “local artists [whose] works will highlight the unique beauty of winter,”will be on display at Kimball Jenkins, 266 N. Main St. in Concord, kimballjenkins.com, Saturday, Nov. 29, through Friday, Dec. 19, with daily viewing hours from 1 to 8 p.m. and extended hours to 9 p.m. on Dec. 5 and Dec. 19 (closed Dec. 11).

• The Artisans Nook Kimball Jenkins, 266 N. Main St. in Concord, kimballjenkins.com, will feature a “pop up holiday showcase of locally made fine art and craft items featuring local artisans” called The Artisans Nook, according to the website. The shop will be open starting Nov. 29 in the lower level of the Carriage House Mondays through Saturdays from 1 to 8 p.m., and Sundays from 1 to 6 p.m. as well as Friday, Dec. 5, from 1 to 9 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 7, from noon to 6 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 13, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday, Dec. 19 (closed Dec. 11), the website said.

• Winter Members Show & Sale 2025 at Two Villages Art Society, 846 Main St. in Contoocook, twovillagesart.org, will be on display Saturday, Nov. 29, through Saturday, Dec. 27. The gallery is open Thursdays through Sundays, noon to 4 p.m. with extended hours at Starry, Starry Weekend on Friday, Dec. 5 and Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• The Warner Historical Society will hold a Holiday Artisans shopping event at the Upton Chandler House Museum, 10 W. Main St. in Warner, on Friday, Dec. 5, from 5 to 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to a press release. The Warner Historical Society Barn sale will also feature holiday decorations and home goods, the release said. The museum store and Barn Sale holiday items will also be open at the Upton Chandler House on Saturdays, Nov. 29, Dec. 13, and Dec. 20, as well as Sunday, Dec. 21, from 9 a.m. to noon, the release said. See warnerhistorical.org.

• “The Home Sweet Home Gingerbread Exhibition,” described as “sweet exhibition of artistic gingerbread creations crafted by community members, organizations, and businesses,” will be on display in the Mansion at Kimball Jenkins, 266 N. Main St. in Concord, kimballjenkins.com, Saturday, Dec. 6, through Friday, Dec. 12, from 1 to 8 p.m. (closed Dec. 11), according to the website.

• Winter Giftopolis by the Concord Arts Market will take place on Friday, Dec. 5, from 5 to 11 p.m. in the Eagle Square Atrium in downtown Concord during Intown Concord’s Midnight Merriment. See concordartsmarket.org.

• Contoocook Artisans Holiday Fair is set for Friday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at American Legion Post No. 81 (E.R. Montgomery Event Center, 169 Bound Tree Road, Contoocook), according to the Contoocook Artisans Cooperative Facebook Page.

• The Atkinson Garden Club will hold its Greens and Gifts Sale on Friday, Dec. 5, and Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Atkinson Community Center, 4 Main St. in Atkinson, featuring fresh greens, handcrafted decorations and more, according to a press release.

• UNH Makers Expo will be held at the MUB Granite State Room on Friday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring “cool & creative stuff made by UNH students, staff, and faculty. 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. This event is free to enter and open to the public!” according to unh.edu/mub/events/unh-makers-expo.

• High Mowing School (77 Pine Hill Drive, Wilton) will host its annual Pine Hill Holiday Fair on Friday, Dec. 5, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. (for adults only) and Saturday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for all ages, according to pinehill.org.

• The Vintage Bazaar and Holiday Festival will take place Friday, Dec. 5, through Sunday, Dec. 7, (Friday 1 to 6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) at 32 Industrial Drive in Exeter, with $10 admission tickets for adults, according to an email. See facebook.com/TheVintageBazaar.

• The First Baptist Church (121 Manchester St., Nashua, 882-4512, fbcnashua.org) will hold its Old-Fashioned Christmas Fair & Raffle Saturday, Dec. 6, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to the church website.

• Arlington Street United Methodist Church (63 Arlington St., Nashua) will celebrate its Holly Town Fair on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The fair will feature handmade items, candies, baked goods and a cookie walk, with lunch available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visit asumc.org or call 882-4663.

• The PTO at Broad Street Elementary School, 390 Broad St. in Nashua, will host a Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., according to sites.google.com/view/broad-street-pto.

• The Holiday Craft Fair at Brookline Event Center, 32 Proctor Hill Road in Brookline, will take place Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free. See brooklineeventcenter.com/our-events.

• The Somersworth Festival Association will host its Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Somersworth High School (11 Memorial Drive, Somersworth), according to nhfestivals.org.

• Saint Patrick’s Parish (12 Main St., Pelham, 635-3525, stpatricks-pelham.com) will host its Annual Christmas Craft Fair in its Parish Center, Saturday, Dec. 6, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring local crafters, food, a homemade baked goods table and raffles, according to the church website.

• The 36th 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. 6, and Sunday, Dec. 7, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days (some stops are open Saturday only), according to christmasinstrafford.com.

• The Unitarian Universalist Church of Manchester (669 Union St. in Manchester) will hold its Holiday Fair on Saturday, Dec. 6, according to uumanchester.org, where you can check back for updates.

• The Animal Rescue League of NH (545 Route 101, Bedford, 472-3647, rescueleague.org) will hold a Holiday Fair Saturday, Dec. 6, 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.

• Sanborn Mills Farm (7097 Sanborn Road in Loudon) will hold its Winter Market on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Fifield Hall, according to an email from the farm. The Market will feature local artisans and craftspeople, farm-made lunch and refreshments and festive music, the email said.

• The Nashua 10th Annual Holiday Fair, hosted by New England Vendor Events, will be held Saturday, Dec. 6, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Birch Hill School, 71 Amherst St. in Nashua, according to New England Vendor Events’ Facebook page. Admission is free, as are photo opportunities with Santa, the post said.

• The Rockingham Brewing Co., 1 Corporate Park Drive in Derry, will hold its 4th annual Countdown to Christmas Market on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 1 to 4 p.m. featuring local artisans, food from Teenie Weenie Canteenie and more, according to a post on the brewery’s Facebook page.

• Chapel + Main, 83 Main St. in Dover, chapelandmain.com, will hold Arts & Drafts, its semiannual maker fair, on Sunday, Dec. 7, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to the website.

• Concord Arts Market and Kimball Jenkins, 266 N. Main St. in Concord, kimballjenkins.com, will host the Gingerbread Marketplace at Kimball Jenkins on Sunday, Dec. 7, from noon to 6 p.m. featuring “sweet treats and gifts for your holiday shopping” as well as Kimball Jenkins’ The Artisans Nook of fine arts and crafts items, according to the website.

• Bishop Brady High School in Concord will hold a Craft Fair on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to the school’s Facebook page.

• The NH Audubon’s Annual Holiday Craft Fair is Saturday, Dec. 13, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the McLane Center (84 Silk Farm Road in Concord; nhaudubon.org) featuring more than 30 local crafters, raffles and more, according to the website.

• The PTO at Main Dunstable Elementary School, 20 Whitford Road in Nashua, will host a Holiday Craft Fair on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring crafts by local artisans, baked goods, raffles, silent auctions, kids’ activities, a Santa meet and photo opportunity and more, according to mdespto.com.

• Concord Arts Market will host the Concord Holiday Arts Market at Kimball Jenkins, 266 N. Main St. in Concord, kimballjenkins.com, on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to the website.

• Caya Reiki and Healing (caya-healing.square.site) will hold its Winter Wonderland Craft Market & Psychic Fair at the Hooksett American Legion on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Find CAYA on Facebook for updates.

• Wrong Brain will hold its annual Holidaze Bizaare on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Community Campus, 100 Campus Drive in Portsmouth, according to Wrong Brain’s Facebook page. Billed as an “alternative craft fair,” the Holidaze Bizaare “will take place in the gymnasium, 2 lobbies, AND we have the art room for workshops & activities,” according to a post.

• The New Hampshire World Market will take place Saturday, Dec. 13, and Sunday, Dec. 14, at the Anheuser Busch Brewery, 221 DW Highway in Merrimack, featuring music, photos with Santa, food, arts and crafts and more, according to nhworldchristmasmarket.com, where you can purchase tickets.

• The Holly Jolly Craft Fair will be held at the DoubleTree Hilton (2 Somerset Plaza, Nashua) on Sunday, Dec. 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature items from more than 75 artisans, according to joycescraftshows.com. Items will include holiday decor, country folk art, soy candles, gift baskets, wood art, artwork and more, the website said.

• Wrong Brain will hold its Night Bizaare on Monday, Dec. 22, from 6 to 10 p.m. at Chapel + Main (83 Main St. in Dover), according to Wrong Brain’s Facebook page.

Featured Photo: Courtesy photo

Symphonies, choruses and more holiday sounds

Compiled by Amy Diaz

adiaz@hippopress.com

Enjoy classical holiday music from symphonies, choral societies and more.

• The Trans Siberian Orchestra’s The Ghost of Christmas Eve, featuring the best of TSO and more, according to the website, will come to SNHU Arena, 555 Elm St. in Manchester, snhuarena.com, on Friday, Nov. 28, at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.

• Handel’s Messiahwill be presented with professional soloists and a community chorus on Sunday, Nov. 30, at 6 p.m. at St. Paul’s Church, 21 Centre St. in Concord, according to a press release. An open rehearsal will be held Saturday, Nov. 29, at 10 a.m. See walkerlecture.org.

• A Granite State Ringers Holiday Handbell performance will take place Sunday, Nov. 30, at 2 p.m. at LaBelle Winery, 345 Route 101 in Amherst, labellewinery.com.

• Kimball Jenkins, 266 N. Main St. in Concord, kimballjenkins.com, will host Tinsel Tuesdays with “free performances offered in our Carriage House. Local artists and community organizations will delight audiences with festive and fun presentations,” according to the website, where you can see the full line-up of performers. The series will start on Dec. 2 and run to Dec. 16. The Dec. 2 slate includes The Avalyn Reed Trio (4 p.m.), CCMS Northern Lights Women’s Vocal Ensemble (5:15 p.m.) and Granite State Ringers at 7 p.m., the website said.

• The Vienna Boys Choir will present Christmas in Vienna at the Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, coloniallaconia.com, on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 7:30 p.m.

• The Bach’s Lunch, a series of lectures and performances (which runs the first and second Thursdays of the month, October through May, from 12:10 to 1 p.m.) at Concord Community Music School, 23 Wall St. in Concord, will have a holiday theme in December: on Thursday, Dec. 4, it’s the Canterbury Singers 2025 Holiday Recital and Sing-Along “ We Sing Nowell” and on Thursday, Dec. 11, it’s Good People All: A Celtic Christmas (Liz & Dan Faiella), according to ccmusicschool.org.

• Jingle Brass, a performance by a brass quintet from Symphony NH, will take place Thursday, Dec. 4, at 7:30 p.m. at the Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St. in Manchester, palacetheatre.org, and on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 3 p.m. at BNH Stage, 16 S. Main St. in Concord, ccanh.com.

• “Peace & Goodwill,” the New Hampshire Gay Men’s Chorus winter holiday concert, will travel to four venues this season. On Saturday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m., catch the show at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Nashua. On Sunday, Dec. 7, at 3 p.m.. see the chorus at the BNH Stage, 16 S. Main St. in Concord. On Saturday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m., the show will be at Stratham Community Church in Stratham. And the chorus will be on stage at The Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St. in Manchester, on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 3 p.m. See nhgmc.com/tickets.

• The Rockingham Choral Society’s Winter Concert “Gloria” will be held on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 3 p.m. at Exeter High School and Sunday, Dec. 7, at 3 p.m. at Christ Church Episcopal in Exeter, according to rockinghamchoral.org.

• The Windham Community Bands Holiday Concert will take place Saturday, Dec. 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Windham High School featuring the Windham Concert Band and Windham Swing Band, according to a concert flyer. Admission is a $5 donation; children 12 and under get in free, the flyer said. See windhamcommunitybands.org.

• The Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra will present North Pole Playlist on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m. at the Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia, coloniallaconia.com.

• NH Philharmonic Orchestra will present Holiday Pops Concert: Brass & Strings on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 1 p.m. at LaBelle Winery 14 Route 111 in Derry, labellewinery.com.

• “Un-Silent Night,” described as “an epic holiday singalong” with Choir! Choir! Choir!, will take place Sunday, Dec. 7, at 2 p.m. at Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St. in Manchester, according to palacetheatre.org. They will also be at Flying Monkey, 39 Main St. in Plymouth, flyingmonkeynh.com, on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 7:30 p.m.

• “Let the Season Sing” winter concert by the Nashua Choral Society under the direction of Dr. Brian Dukeshier will feature carols and Rutter’s “Gloria” on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 3 p.m. at the Immaculate Conception Church, 216 E. Dunstable Road in Nashua, according to an email from event organizers. Tickets cost $20 for adults, $10 for students and are free for children. See nashuachoralsociety.org.

• The Boston Pops Holiday Pops Concert with conductor Keith Lockhart comes to SNHU Arena, 555 Elm St. in Manchester, snhuarena.com, on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 6 p.m.

• The Manchester Community Music School, 2291 Elm St. in Manchester, will hold its Holiday Pops 2025 concert on Friday, Dec. 12, at 7 p.m., according to mcmusicschool.org.

• The Souhegan Valley Chorus will hold its Holiday Concert on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 4 p.m. at First Congregational Church of Milford, 10 Union St. in Milford. See souheganvalleychorus.org.

• Amare Cantare, the Seacoast chamber chorus, will perform its winter concert series “While All Things Were in Quiet Silence” on Friday, Dec. 12, at 7:30 p.m. at Christ Church, 43 Pine St. in Exeter; on Sunday, Dec. 14, at 3 p.m. at Dover City Hall, 288 Central Ave. in Dover, and on Wednesday, Dec. 17, at 7:30 p.m. at Middle Street Baptist Church, 18 Court St. in Portsmouth, according to a press release. See amarecantare.org, where you can purchase tickets, which will also be for sale at the door.

• Catch Symphony NH’s Holiday Pops concert on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 7:30 p.m. at Keefe Center for the Arts, 117 Elm St. in Nashua, according to symphonynh.org.

• The Manchester Choral Society presents Duke Ellington Sacred Concert and Holiday Pops with Big Band on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 14, at 3 p.m. at Manchester Memorial High School, 1 Crusader Way in Manchester, mcsnh.org.

• New Horizons Band of the Lakes Region will present Hometown Holiday Concert, “a joyful evening of holiday music and good cheer! … they’ll fill the season with festive sounds — from beloved traditional carols to lively holiday pop favorites — and even a fun audience sing-along,” according to coloniallaconia.com. The show will be Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 7 p.m. at the Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St. in Laconia.

• The Purple Finches Youth Chorus at Concord Community Music School, 23 Wall St. in Concord, will hold a winter concert on Monday, Dec. 15, at 6:30, according to ccmusicschool.org. The event is free and open to the public, with donations appreciated, the website said.

• The Strafford Wind Symphony Holiday Show will take place Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 7 p.m. at the Rochester Opera House, 31 Wakefield St. in Rochester, rochesteroperahouse.com.

• The Faculty Performance Series show on Thursday, Dec. 18, at 7 p.m. at the Manchester Community Music School, 2291 Elm St. in Manchester, will be “Welcome Winter,” according to mcmusicschool.org, where you can register in advance to attend this free concert.

• Candlelight: Christmas Classics will be on stage at The Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St. in Manchester, on Thursday, Dec. 18, at 8:30 p.m., according to palacetheatre.org.

• Canadian Brass “Making Spirits Bright” will be at the Nashua Center for the Arts, 201 Main St. in Nashua, nashuacenterforthearts.com, on Friday, Dec. 19, at 7:30 p.m.

• The New Hampshire Philharmonic Orchestra will present Holiday Pops with singalong and Special Jolly Guest on Saturday, Dec. 20, and Sunday, Dec. 21, at 2 p.m. at Seifert Performing Arts Center, 44 Germonty Drive in Salem, according to nhphil.org.

• Christmas at First, a concert at The First Church, 1 Concord St. in Nashua, tfcucc.org, will take place Sunday, Dec. 21, at 9 and 11 a.m. and feature the Chancel Choir, Muddy Brook Chamber Players, soprano Janet Poisson, mezzo soprano Nicola Plummer, tenor Andrew Sokol, bass-baritone Mark Andrew Cleveland and conductor Joseph R. Oldefirowicz, according to the website.

• The Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra will present a Family Holiday Pops program on Sunday, Dec. 21, at 3 p.m. at Portsmouth High School, 50 Andrew Jarvis Drive in Portsmouth, according to portsmouthsymphony.org.

Featured Photo: Applause for Keith Lockhart, the Boston Pops and the Tanglewood Festival Chorus after “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” Photo by Hilary Scott from bso.org/pops.

Holiday fun for kids

Compiled by Amy Diaz
adiaz@hippopress.com

Here are some holiday events built especially for kids and families.

• Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops, 2 Commerce Drive in Hooksett, will run through Tuesday, Dec. 24, according to basspro.com/b/santas-wonderland, where you can reserve a spot to visit with Santa.

• Charmingfare Farm, 774 High St. in Candia, is hosting several holiday season events. Santa’s Holiday Open House kicks off the season on Friday, Nov. 28, with a horse-drawn ride, a visit with Santa Claus, a visit with farm animals and more, according to visitthefarm.com. On Friday, Nov. 28, and Saturday, Nov. 29, in the morning and early afternoon, it’s the Christmas Tree Spree, where packages can include a Christmas tree as well as a visit with farm animals and a horse-drawn wagon ride, according to visitthefarm.com. Santa’s Christmas will run Saturday, Nov. 29, and Sunday, Nov. 30, as well as Fridays through Sundays before Christmas in December and Tuesday, Dec. 24, the website said. This event will feature “The North Pole,” including Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus with cookies, Santa’s reindeer and more as well as visits with farm animals, a horse-drawn ride, camp fires, and more, the website said. After Christmas, check out Encore of the Light featuring a horse-drawn ride through the lights display as well as costumed characters, a campfire, a visit to the barnyard and more, the website said. See visitthefarm.com for entry times for the events and to purchase admissions.

• Kimball Jenkins, 266 N. Main St. in Concord, will host a Sugar Plum Fairy Tea on Sunday, Nov. 30, with seating at the 3:30 p.m. session, according to kimballjenkins.com, where you can purchase tickets for this event featuring eats, tea and hot chocolate; children’s crafts and a short performance by the Sugar Plum Fairy.

• Visit with Santa at Kimball Jenkins, 266 N. Main St. in Concord, on Tuesday, Dec. 2, from 5 to 7 p.m. and Friday, Dec. 12, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., according to kimballjenkins.com. Bring a camera to take photos, the website said.

• The YMCA of Downtown Manchester, 30 Mechanic St. in Manchester, will host Brunch with Frosty on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 10 a.m. featuring pancakes, photos with Frosty, games and more, according to graniteymca.org, which said the event is free and open to the public.

• The Chester Public Library Foundation will hold Christmas in Whoville on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the library featuring holiday raffles, crafts for kids, a box of cookies for purchase, photos with the Grinch ($5 to bring home with proceeds going to the Foundation) and more, according to a post on the library’s Facebook page.

• Mr. Aaron’s Holiday Bash — “Mr. Aaron is bringing song, dance, and holiday cheer to the BNH Stage with Mr Aaron’s Holiday Bash!!! Come donned in your best holiday apparel (striped socks! string light necklaces!! ugly sweaters!!!)” — will come to the BNH Stage, 16 S. Main St. in Concord, on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 11 a.m., according to ccanh.com.

• The Millyard Museum, 200 Bedford St. in Manchester, will hold A Feast for the Holidays American Girl Tea Party on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with foods and crafts from American Girl Dolls, according to manchesterhistoric.org/event/christmas-tea-2025, where you can purchase tickets.

• New Boston will hold its annual S’mores with Santa event on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 4 to 6 p.m. (rain date is Sunday, Dec. 7) at the Town Common & Gazebo, 5 Meetinghouse Road in New Boston. The event will feature “caroling by the New Boston Community Church, and New Boston Recreation and Recreation Commission will be providing hot cocoa, s’mores supplies, fires to roast,” and kids can visit with Santa, according to New Boston Recreation. See newbostonnh.gov/recreation for updates.

• The Friends of Griffin Free Library in Auburn will present a Santa Breakfast on Sunday, Dec. 7, from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Auburn Village School Cafeteria, 11 Eaton Hill Road in Auburn, according to an event organizer. Santa will arrive by fire truck by 8:45 a.m. and the morning will include a breakfast of pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, home fries, doughnuts and beverages; photo opportunities with Santa; holiday music; raffles and more, the email said. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for kids up to grade 8 and free for kids under age 3 with cash, check and credit card accepted, according to the email. Contact secretary@friendsofgriffinfree.org for additional information.

• The Bedford Event Center, 379 River Road in Bedford, will host Breakfast with Santa on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 9 a.m. featuring a breakfast buffet, kids’ crafts, photo opportunities and more, according to bedfordeventcenter.com/public-events, where you can purchase tickets to the event.

• Children’s Museum of New Hampshire, 6 Washington St. in Dover, will hold its Jingle Bell Extravaganza on Sundays, Dec. 7 and Dec. 14, with time blocks of 1 to 2:45 p.m. and 3:15 to 5 p.m., according to childrens-museum.org, where you can buy admission to the event (pre-registration required). Kids can meet Santa, do a holiday craft, play in the museum and more, the website said.

• Joppa Hill Educational Farm, 174 Joppa Hill Road in Bedford, will hold The Fa-La-La Festival on Sunday, Dec. 7, from 2 to 4 p.m. featuring Santa in the tractor, a storybook path, holiday treats, caroling with Miss Alli and more, according to jhef.org, where you can purchase tickets.

• Kimball Jenkins, 266 N. Main St. in Concord, will host a Mr. Aaron Concert on Friday, Dec. 12, at 5 p.m. in the Carriage House, according to kimballjenkins.com.

• The YMCA of Greater Londonderry, 206 Rockingham Road in Londonderry, will host The Great Candy Cane Hunt on Friday, Dec. 12, from 6 to 8 p.m., according to graniteymca.org, where you can register and pay for the event. The YMCA’s Teen Leaders will hide candy canes all around the facility and kids, in groups divided by age, will search for them with candy cane bags they decorate, the website said.

• The Milford Recreation Department will hold a Breakfast with Santa featuring pancakes and sausage on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at the Town Hall Auditorium, according to milfordnh.recdesk.com, where you can register and pay for limited seating.

• The Addiction Recovery Coalition of New Hampshire will hold a family-friendly Photos with Santa event on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 180 Elm St. in Milford, according to a press release. Carmen Hazelton Photography will take photos with kids, families and non-aggressive pets with a minimum donation of $10 for a digital photo, the release said.

• On Saturday, Dec. 13, at 11 a.m. the Aviation Museum of NH, 27 Navigator Road in Londonderry, will receive a visit from Santa Claus via helicopter, according to aviationmuseumofnh.org. Families wanting to watch Santa land should be at the museum by 10:45 a.m., the website said. Kids can meet with Santa at this free event until he departs at 1 p.m., the website said.

• Santa Live 2025 at the Londonderry Access TV, 281 Mammoth Road in Londonderry, will be held on Saturday, Dec. 13, from 1 to 3 p.m., according to the station’s Facebook page. Kids can meet with Santa and Mrs. Claus on TV while parents take photos, the post said. RSVP to Erin at 432-1147 or email erowe@londonderrynh.gov.

• It’s Astronaut Santa Day at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord on Sunday, Dec. 14, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. when kids can visit with Astronaut Santa and explore the museum, according to starhop.com, where you can purchase admission for the museum only or for the museum and a planetarium show.

• Not quite a holiday event but it has become a tradition to get a visit from the Harlem Globetrotters post-Christmas; this year catch them Sunday, Dec. 28, at 2 or 7 p.m. at the SNHU Arena, 555 Elm St. in Manchester, snhuarena.com.

• Keep the wintery fun going with Disney on Ice presents Frozen and Encanto with shows Thursday, Jan. 8, through Sunday, Jan. 11, at the SNHU Arena, 555 Elm St. in Manchester, snhuarena.com.

Featured Photo: Courtesy photo.

Manchester’s Holiday Parade will have a sweet theme this year

By John Fladd
jfladd@hippopress.com

This year, Manchester’s annual Holiday Parade on Saturday, Dec. 6, will have a new route. According to a Nov. 3 press release from fire chief Peter Marr, “all parades moving forward … will start at Bridge Street and Elm Street continuing south on Elm Street and concluding at Elm Street and Central Street.” “This change improves security, traffic control, and allows for a stronger overall safety posture for events,” the release said.

For Sophia Koustas, chairperson of Manchester’s Parade Committee, this has an immediate practical impact: the need to dress in layers.

“We will be lining up on the [Notre Dame] bridge. and we want to make sure that everybody’s nice and warm,” she said. “I walked it on Veterans Day just to kind of see the route, and I had a windburn at the end of the day.”

Regardless of the weather, Koustas said the yearly parade is a tradition that showcases the pride Manchester has as a community.

“It’s an event that’s open to the [everyone] to participate,” she said. “Members of our community, businesses and organizations come together and bring the downtown area together. I live downtown, so being part of the parade gives me a different perspective of the sense of community that can exist here, and I really, really appreciate that.”

The Parade will be preceded by the Santa Claus Shuffle road race, where hundreds of participants will run a 3-mile course through downtown dressed in Santa suits, stopping to “enjoy samples from Santa’s four major food groups [cookies, maple, chocolate and candy] at four sweet stops along the route down Elm Street,” according to the event’s website. “Once the last runner from the Shuffle goes by the line, that’s when the parade gets started,” Koustas said.

The theme of this year’s Parade is “Candy Cane Lane.”

“That was not something that was just decided by a committee,” Koustas said. “We [the Parade Committee] shared about 10 different themes on social media for folks to vote on which theme they wanted, and Candy Cane Lane was the one that received the most votes. I know that there’s also another competition going on downtown with candy canes, and local businesses downtown will be decorating candy canes. So there will be competition with that also.” As always, Koustas said, this year’s parade will feature marching bands. “As of right now, we have the three [Manchester] high school bands joining us for sure. And I think we might have a couple more entries.”

Manchester’s traditional Grand Marshals for the Holiday Parade are Santa and Mrs. Claus, who will be on the final float in the parade.

“I’m looking forward to seeing people happy,” Koustas said. “We have been very fortunate that for all our participants that enter there’s a very positive spirit overall. It’s just nice to see people come together.”

Manchester Holiday Parade and Santa Claus Shuffle
Saturday, Dec. 6
Santa Claus Shuffle will take place at 3
p.m., preceded by Lil Elf Runs for children
at 2:30 p.m. Visit milleniumrunning.com/
santa.
The parade will begin at approximately 4
p.m. at the corner of Bridge and Elm streets
and will proceed south to Victory Park. Participants
and spectators are encouraged to
dress warmly

Featured Photo: Photo courtesy of Sophia Koustas.