Category: Family Fun

Family fun for whenever

New Year’s Eve, family-style

• Cowabunga’s (725 Huse Road in Manchester, cowabungas.com) will hold a family-friendly New Year’s Eve bounce party from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with a confetti countdown every two hours. Tickets for kids cost $20 for a two-hour playtime. Cowabunga’s will also be open New Year’s Day and offer a special New Year’s craft, according to the website.

• Altitude Trampoline Park (360 DW Highway in Merrimack; altitudemerrimack.com) will hold a New Year’s Eve party on Dec. 31 with a balloon drop at noon plus prizes and giveaways, according to the website. Altitude will close at 3 p.m. on Tuesday; see the website for admission options.

• The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (6 Washington St., Dover, 742-2002, childrens-museum.org) will help parents, children and extended families “ring in 2025 together while the sun is shining” at the Museum’s Family New Year’s Eve Celebration on Tuesday, Dec. 31. The countdown to “midnight” will be held at 10:30 a.m. during the morning play session and at 2 p.m. during the afternoon play session. Tickets are $13, free for kids under the age of 12 months. The museum will be closed the following day but open Thursday, Jan. 2, through Sunday, Jan. 5, for regular hours.

• The Concord Public Library (45 Green St., Concord, 225-8670, concordnh.gov/1983/Library) will host a Noon Year’s Eve Party on Tuesday, Dec. 31, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Ring in the new year at noon and celebrate with light refreshments and a special toast. Recommended for newborns to elementary school-age kids. RSVP via the Library website.

• First Night Portsmouth will feature fireworks at South Mill Pond on Tuesday, Dec. 31, at 7:30 p.m. See proportsmouth.org for maps with parking and street closures and other information.

• Remix Skate and Event Center (725 Huse Road in Manchester; skateremix.com) will hold an all-ages New Year’s Eve party from 8 p.m. to midnight. Single tickets cost $30 and include skate rentals, a swag bag for the table and a confetti countdown, according to a post on Remix’s Facebook page, where you can find a link to purchase tickets.

A NH legend

• In partnership with NH PBS, the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center (2 Institute Drive, Concord, starhop.com, 271-7827) will be showing the documentary film Christa in the planetarium theater daily Thursday, Dec. 26, through Wednesday, Dec. 31, at 1 p.m.. General admission cost applies but no additional fee is required for the showings. The 27-minute film celebrates Christa McAuliffe’s legacy. “Through interviews with former students, New Hampshire dignitaries, and educators, she is remembered as a teacher who believed that ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things. As the first woman and educator to be commemorated with a statue on the New Hampshire Statehouse lawn, Christa remains an inspiration to the next generation of dreamers and achievers,” according to the Center’s website. The center is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on these days. Admission costs $13 for adults, $12 for 62+ and ages 13 through collage, $10 for ages 3 to 12 and free for kids 2 and under.

Games and glow

• In addition to your Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Moana 2, Wicked (sing along screenings start on Thursday, Dec. 26) and Mufasa screenings, Chunky’s (707 Huse Road in Manchester, chunkys.com) has some family fun on the schedule. On Friday, Dec. 27, at 6:45 p.m. it’s family-friendly theater candy bingo. Tickets cost $10 plus fees and include a $5 food voucher plus a box of candy that goes in the pot. On Sunday, Dec. 29, at 4 and 7 p.m. comedy illusionist Ben Pratt will perform (Chunky’s gives the show a “PG-13” rating).

• Krazy Kids indoor playground (60 Sheep Davis Road in Pembroke; krazykids.com) will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily from Thursday, Dec. 26, through Wednesday, Jan.1, expect for Friday, Dec. 27, when the playground closes at 5:30 p.m. and then reopens from 6 to 9 p.m. for Glow Night. Tickets for Glow Night cost $20 for kids, $5 for adults. See the website to purchase tickets in advance.

Family fun for whenever

Looking at lights

• Drive around and check out the holiday lights in the Southern New Hampshire Tour of Lights, which features participating houses in Amherst, Atkinson, Auburn, Bedford, Danville, Derry, Goffstown, Hampstead, Hollis, Hudson, Litchfield, Londonderry, Merrimack, Nashua, Pelham and Salem, according to merrimackparksandrec.org/nh-tour-of-lights, one of the participating parks and rec departments where you can find the list of addresses.

• LaBelle Lights at LaBelle Winery (14 Route 111, Derry) is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. until Sunday, Jan. 19. See the story on page 32.

• Gift of Lights at NH Motor Speedway (1122 Route 106, Loudon) consists of more than 250 light displays spanning 2½ miles through a 150-foot tunnel through Sunday, Jan. 5. This year the drive-thru light show will feature a 150-foot RGB Tunnel of Lights, arches, toys, and numerous scenes including the popular 12 Days of Christmas. Tickets are $35 per car load, $60 per bus, limousine or RV, and $2 in addition per person when there are more than 15 guests. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the New Hampshire chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities. Gift of Lights will open at 4:30 p.m. nightly, depending on weather conditions. Visit nhms.com.

Day at the museum

Looking to get some kids out of your house during the holiday week-and-half? Here are some area museums that will be closed for Dec. 25 but offer hours on other days to accommodate families looking for something to do.

• Regular hours at the SEE Science Center (200 Bedford St., Manchester, see-sciencecenter. org, 669-0400) are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with last admission 3 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m with last admission at 4 p.m. SEE will be closed Tuesday, Dec. 24, and Wednesday, Dec. 25, but will be open on Mondays, Dec. 23 and Dec. 30. Admission is $14 per person ages 3 and up.

• The Aviation Museum of New Hampshire (27 Navigator Road, Londonderry, 669-4820, aviationmuseumofnh.org) is normally open Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m. For the break it will also be open Thursday, Dec. 26, and Monday, Dec. 30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and open early, at 10 a.m., on Sunday, Dec. 29. Admission costs $10 for adults, $5 for seniors age 65 and over, veterans, active duty and kids ages 6 through 12,and is free for kids age 5 and under, with a $30 maximum for families.

• McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center (2 Institute Drive, Concord, starhop.com, 271-7827) will have special shopping hours through Friday, Dec. 20, and the Science Store gift shop will be open from 10:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day (the exhibits and planetarium will be closed on those days). They will also be open to the public daily Saturday, Dec. 21, to Monday, Dec. 23, as well as Thursday, Dec. 26, to Tuesday, Dec. 31, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are $13 for adults, $10 for children ages 3 to 12, $12 for students, and free for members and children under age 2.

• The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (6 Washington St., Dover, 742- 2002, childrens-museum.org) is open Tuesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to noon, with an additional session from 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. They will be closed Monday, Dec. 23, through Wednesday, Dec. 25.

• Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St., Manchester, 669-6144, currier.org) is open Wednesday (closed Dec. 25) through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Children 12 and under always have free gallery admission. The Currier will be hosting a Creative Studio: Special Edition! where children and adults can drop in to participate in a free art activity that complements the Looking Together Tour’s celebrated exhibition of the day on Friday, Dec. 27, with paper lanterns inspired by Dan Dailey and on Saturday, Dec. 28, with collage inspired by Basquiat from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Green Studio, on the lower level of the museum, according to their website.

• The Millyard Museum (200 Bedford St., Manchester, manchesterhistoric.org, 622-7531) is generally open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. They will be closed Tuesday, Dec. 24; Wednesday, Dec. 25, and Wednesday, Jan. 1. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and college students, $5 for children ages 12 to 18, and free for children under 12.

Family fun for whenever

Santa at the farm

• Charmingfare Farm (774 High St., Candia, visitthefarm.com) will hold Santa’s Christmas runs Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 22, plus Christmas Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 24. Pick a time when you buy tickets for either a four-person or a 10-person sleigh ride or an express option. The event includes a stop at the North Pole, Mrs. Claus’ Bakery, a visit to the barnyard, an opportunity to shop for Christmas trees, a campfire, a special mailbox for letters to Santa and the big man himself, according to the website.

Santa on the air

• Londonderry Access Center TV (281 Mammoth Road) will host Santa Live 2024 on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 1 to 3 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be present in the studio and the event will be broadcast live on television. The event is free of charge and operates on a first come, first served basis. Refreshments and coloring activities are provided for children while they wait to meet the magical elf. Each child will receive a gift and candy cane. Parents are allowed to take pictures during the visit. Visit facebook.com/LondonderryAccessTV.

Santa in the air

• Santa Claus will helicopter in to make a stop at the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire (27 Navigator Road, Londonderry, aviationmuseumofnh.org) on Saturday, Dec. 14, according to the Museum’s website. Santa is slated for touchdown at 11 a.m. and is scheduled to stay for two hours and leave by fire truck at 1 p.m. The event will feature hot chocolate, coffee, doughnuts and other fun holiday treats. Those coming by to catch Santa at the Aviation Museum are asked to arrive at the museum by 10:45 a.m. The museum will be open and free to visitors from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. although admission will be charged from 1 to 4 p.m.

Santa from space

• Meet and get a photo with Astronaut Santa at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center (2 Institute Drive in Concord; starhop.com) on Sunday, Dec. 15, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The center is open that day from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission costs $13 for adults, $12 for ages 13 through college and 62+, $10 for ages 3 to 12 (general admission tickets do not include planetarium shows).

Holiday shows

• Get ready for the Mr. Aaron Holiday special. A holiday party from the local family entertainer will take place on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 11 a.m. at the BNH stage (16 S. Main St., Concord). This will be an interactive family concert great for kids ages 1 through 10. Songs will include holiday classics and Mr. Aaron originals, and participants will be able to “dance off some of that December-candy-canes-and-presents energy,” according to the event’s website. Tickets are $16 online, including fees. Visit mraaronmusic.com or ccanh.com.

• Safe Haven Ballet presents The Grinch as a ballet, choreographed by Miranda Bailey, at the Chubb Theatre (44 S. Main St., Concord, ccanh.com) on Sunday, Dec. 15, at 4:30 p.m. Ticket prices range from $31 to $44. The Grinch is a unique interactive experience for audience members of all ages. In addition to the performance component of the production, according to the event’s website, audiences can look forward to a demonstration on different dance forms and theater etiquette. Visit ccanh.com or call 225-1111.

Meet the dancers

• Kimball Jenkins (266 N. Main St., Concord; kimballjenkins.com) will hold two Holiday Tea Meet and Greet events on Saturday, Dec. 14, and Sunday, Dec. 15, at 2 p.m. featuring a light lunch and tea, holiday crafts and dancers from Safe Haven Ballet holiday productions. On Dec. 14, meet The Nutcracker’s Sugar Plum Fairy and friends. And on Dec. 15, meet The Grinch, as well as Cindy Lou Who and friends. Tickets cost $40 for ages 13+ and $30 for ages 2 to 12, and can be purchased via the Kimball Jenkins website under “events.”

Save the date for princesses

• The Derryfield Restaurant (625 Mammoth Road in Manchester; thederryfield.com) will hold a Royal Princess Breakfast on Saturday, March 1, at 9 a.m. Tickets cost $55 for adults and $40 for children; a $65 VIP ticket for kids will get early admission, a group photo opportunity with all of the princesses and their own tiara. See the website for a link to tickets.