Category: Family Fun

Where to see and shop for art throughout the season

Find all kinds of unique handmade items by local artists and craftspeople at these holiday-inspired art shows and events, some offered in-person, some offered virtually and some with both options.

• The Warner Historical Society has a virtual holiday shop online now at warnerhistorical.org/store, with curbside pickup on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 12, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Upton Chandler House Museum (10 W. Main St., Warner). The shop features hand-painted holiday ornaments, calendars, mugs and drinking glasses, T-shirts, books, jigsaw puzzles and more, plus a holiday raffle. Call 456-2437 or email [email protected].

• Twiggs Gallery (254 King St., Boscawen) presents its annual “Sleighbell Studio” exhibit now through Dec. 12. It features a curated collection of fine art and crafts affordably priced for holiday gift giving. Gallery hours are Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Visit twiggsgallery.wordpress.com or call 975-0015.

• Two Villages Art Society and the Hopkinton Historical Society present “Home for the Holidays: an Art Show & Sale” now through Dec. 20 in Contoocook and online. The show will feature all kinds of art, including oil and watercolor paintings, ceramics, tapestry, woodworking, wearable art, book making and more, created by local artists and artisans. The show will be held in person at the Bates Building (846 Main St.; masks required) on a drop-in and by-appointment basis and virtually at shop.twovillagesart.org. Show hours at the Bates Building are Tuesday through Friday from noon to 4 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with extended hours, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Friday, Nov. 27, and Saturday, Nov. 28. Visit twovillagesart.org.

• The Seacoast Artist Association presents its holiday exhibit, “Big Gifts in Small Packages,” now through Dec. 26, at 130 Water St. in Exeter. The exhibit features a variety of artwork priced under $100 for gift buying. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and by appointment. Visit seacoastartist.org or call 778-8856.

• Creative Ventures Gallery in Milford presents its annual holiday exhibit, “Small Works — Big Impact,” virtually now through Dec. 31. The exhibit features small works of art in various media, priced affordably for gift buying. Visit creativeventuresfineart.com or call 672-2500.

• The Craftworkers’ Guild’s Holiday Fair will be held virtually from Friday, Nov. 27, through Tuesday, Dec. 22, with curbside pickup at the historic Kendall House (3A Meetinghouse Road, Bedford) daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The fair will feature seasonal decor, photography, fine art and prints, cards, gourmet treats, woodworking, fiber and fabric, stained and fused glass, mixed media, jewelry and more by more than 40 juried artisans and craftspeople. Visit craftworkersguild.org.

• Wrong Brain (55 Third St., Dover) will have its ninth annual “Holidaze Bizaare” alternative craft fair from Nov. 27 through Dec. 30, with fair hours Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 7 p.m. There will be art, apparel, jewelry, ceramics, stuffies, candles, candy and more by dozens of emerging local artists. Virtual shopping with curbside pickup will also be available. Call 834-9454 or visit wrongbrain.net.

• The New Hampshire Art Association hosts its holiday exhibition, “This Merry Moment,” online and at the NHAA’s Robert Lincoln Levy Gallery (136 State St., Portsmouth) from Dec. 2 through Jan. 2. The exhibit and sale will feature a variety of artwork and greeting cards created by NHAA members. Gallery hours are Monday and Tuesday by appointment; Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. An opening reception will be held virtually on Zoom on Friday, Dec. 4, at 6 p.m. Call 431-4230 or visit nhartassociation.org.

Featured photo: Hand-painted ornaments for sale in the Warner Historical Society’s virtual holiday shop. Courtesy photo.

Deliciously fun events for your holiday

From plated dinners to virtual tastings, there’s still tons of foodie fun to be had in New Hampshire this holiday season. Check out these tasty events going on this year.

• The New Hampshire Liquor Commission’s 90 Days Around the World virtual wine and spirit tasting series continues now through Jan. 30, featuring free Q&As, tastings and other interactive events with many of the world’s most esteemed winemakers and spirit purveyors. Visit facebook.com/nhliquorwine to access them. Throughout the 90-day series you can also earn points toward a chance to win multiple prizes and giveaways. Start earning by downloading the free Scavify app.

• Enjoy holiday foods around the world at The Hills Restaurant (Hampshire Hills Athletic Club, 50 Emerson Road, Milford), featuring themed specials inspired by different countries each week, including Greece (Nov. 27 and Nov. 28), Spain (Dec. 3, Dec. 4 and Dec. 5), England (Dec. 10, Dec. 11 and Dec. 12) and Italy, with a Feast of the Seven Fishes (Dec. 17, Dec. 18 and Dec. 19). Visit hampshirehills.com/the-hills-restaurant or call 673-7123 to make a reservation.

• The Culinary Playground (16 Manning St., Derry) is hosting its annual parent-child gingerbread house decorating workshops on Saturday, Nov. 28, from 10 to 11 a.m. or from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 29, from 1 to 2 p.m. or from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 13, from 10 to 11 a.m. or from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; and Saturday, Dec. 19, from 4 to 5 p.m. or from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Adults and kids will work together with royal icing and all types of colorful treats and edible decorations to design their own houses. The cost is $45 per parent-child team and registration is required (houses and treats are provided). Visit culinary-playground.com.

• The next Winemaker’s Kitchen cooking with wine class at LaBelle Winery (345 Route 101, Amherst) is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 2, from 6 to 7:15 p.m., and will cover holiday recipes like eggnog cocktails, cranberry brie bites and cheesecake bites. The cost is $25 per person. Visit labellewineryevents.com.

• Join Averill House Vineyard (21 Averill Road, Brookline) for felted snowman making and a holiday wine tasting on Thursday, Dec. 3, from 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $39.99 per person. Your purchase includes a felted snowman kit, along with a tasting of four Averill wines and a berry, nut and cheese snack pack with chocolate. Visit averillhousevineyard.com.

• The Bedford Village Inn (2 Olde Bedford Way, Bedford) will host a Prisoner wine dinner on Thursday, Dec. 3, at 6 p.m. Sous chef Erik Lourens will prepare this five-course dinner, each of which will feature a selection from the Prisoner Wine Co. The cost is $125 per person and tickets must be purchased in advance (21+ only). Visit bedfordvillageinn.com.

• LaBelle Winery (345 Route 101, Amherst) will host A Very Sinatra Christmas on Thursday, Dec. 3, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., featuring a three-course dinner, wines and a performance by Boston jazz singer Rich DiMare. Tickets to the plated dinner are by the table only, and there is a six guest limit per table (price breakdowns are $75 per person). Visit labellewineryevents.com.

• This year’s Homeward Bound festival will be held virtually on Thursday, Dec. 3, from 7 to 8 p.m. The event, organized by Family Promise of Southern New Hampshire, will include a livestreamed auction with a variety of items to bid on, including food and wine baskets, holiday decorations and more. Visit familypromisenh.org.

• Join LaBelle Winery (345 Route 101, Amherst) for A Very Dickens Christmas wine dinner on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 6 to 8 p.m., featuring Piccola Opera’s Christmas carolers. The three-course dinner will include wine pairings plus a full bar with beer, wine and cocktails available for purchase. Tickets to the dinner are by the table only, and there is a six guest limit per table (price breakdowns are $80 per person). Visit labellewineryevents.com.

• Stella Blu (70 E. Pearl St., Nashua) will host a Cakebread Cellars wine dinner on Tuesday, Dec. 8, with a Champagne reception from 6 to 6:30 p.m. and a five-course dinner with wine pairings from 6:30 to 9 p.m. The cost is $95 per person and reservations are required. Visit stellablu-nh.com.

• The Amherst Town Library is holding two virtual family gingerbread house workshops via Zoom on Thursday, Dec. 10, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and on Saturday, Dec. 12, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. The library will provide a take-home kit for you to make graham cracker gingerbread houses at home. Registration is required, as space is limited. Visit amherstlibrary.org.

• Great New England Craft & Artisan Shows will present a socially distanced holiday shopping extravaganza on Friday, Dec. 11, from 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 12, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Hampshire Hills Athletic Club (50 Emerson Road, Milford). The event will feature more than 75 artisan and specialty food vendors selling all types of items for the holiday season, plus a cash bar that will serve up specialty holiday cocktails. Admission and parking are free. Visit gnecraftartisanshows.com.

• Enjoy holiday afternoon tea with The Cozy Tea Cart at the Gatherings at the Colonel Shepard House (29 Mont Vernon St., Milford) on Sunday, Dec. 13, from 1 to 3 p.m. The cost is $39.95 per person and reservations are required. Visit thecozyteacart.com.

• Join the Bedford Village Inn (2 Olde Bedford Way, Bedford) for one of two Champagne brunches on either Sunday, Dec. 13, or Sunday, Dec. 20, with seatings beginning at 11 a.m. on both days. Each event will include a breakfast buffet, a chef-attended carving station, and unlimited mimosas. Tickets are $75 per person and reservations are required. Visit bedfordvillageinn.com.

• LaBelle Winery (345 Route 101, Amherst) will host a Nutcracker ballet family tea event on Sunday, Dec. 13, with two sessions available, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. and from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Each will feature hot tea, sandwiches and sweet treats, as well as choreographed reenactments from Southern New Hampshire Dance Theater performers. Tickets are $25 per person. Visit labellewineryevents.com.

• The Bedford Village Inn (2 Olde Bedford Way, Bedford) will host a Feast of the Seven Fishes dinner on Thursday, Dec. 17, at 6 p.m. In addition to multiple types of fish dishes on the menu, the dinner will include a chef-attended pasta station and an Italian desserts station. The cost is $85 per person and reservations are required (21+ only). Visit bedfordvillageinn.com.

• The Culinary Playground’s (16 Manning St., Derry) next available couples cooking class is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 18, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and will cover how to make a steakhouse supper, complete with pan seared flank steak and herbed butter, Dijon roasted potatoes, bacon and maple roasted Brussels sprouts and molten lava cakes. The cost is $160 per couple. Visit culinary-playground.com.

Where to see holiday theater, music and dance

There are all kinds of holiday shows coming up — both live in-person and virtually from home — including traditional favorites like A Christmas Carol and The Nutcracker and festive music performed in a variety of styles.

• The Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester) presents a youth production of A Christmas Carol Jr. from Friday, Nov. 27, through Sunday, Nov. 29, with showtimes at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $12 for kids. Visit palacetheatre.org or call 668-5588.

• The Winter Wonderettes will perform iconic ’60s versions of classic holiday tunes live at the Seacoast Repertory Theatre (125 Bow St., Portsmouth) from Nov. 27 through Dec. 19, with showtimes on Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sundays, Nov. 29 and Dec. 6, at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $30 to $48. Select performances will also be livestreamed for $20 per viewer. Call 433-4472 or visit seacoastrep.org.

• The Players’ Ring presents a one-man adaptation of A Christmas Carol, performed by Christopher Savage, live at The Players’ Ring Theatre (105 Marcy St., Portsmouth) and virtually from Nov. 27 through Dec. 20. Live showtimes are on Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tickets cost the same for the live and virtual shows: $24 for adults, $20 for students and seniors and $15 for kids under age 12. Visit playersring.org or call 436-8123.

• LaBelle Winery & Event Center (345 Route 101, Amherst) presents “A Very Merry Sinatra Christmas,” a three-course dinner featuring Boston jazz singer Rich Dimare, on Thursday, Dec. 3, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Dimare will perform Frank Sinatra songs as well as holiday favorites. Tickets cost $75 per person. Call 672-9898 or visit labellewinery.com.

• The Dana Center (Saint Anselm College, 100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester) presents a concert, “Joyful Christmas” with fiddler Eileen Ivers, live on Friday, Dec. 4, at 5 and 8 p.m. Tickets cost $40. Call 641-7700 or visit anselm.edu/dana-center-humanities.

• The Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester) presents its Holiday Spectacular concert from Dec. 4 through Dec. 20, with showtimes on Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m., and Sunday at noon. Inspired by the golden age of television variety shows, the concert features more than 30 classic Christmas songs and a visit from Santa Claus. Tickets cost $39 to $46 for adults and $25 for kids. Visit palacetheatre.org or call 668-5588.

• LaBelle Winery & Event Center (345 Route 101, Amherst) will host A Dickens’ Christmas Wine Dinner featuring Piccola Opera on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 6 to 8 p.m. The opera company will perform Christmas carols throughout the three-course meal. Tickets are sold by table only; it’s $387.20 to reserve a table for four and $580.80 to reserve a table for six. Visit labellewineryevents.com or call 672-9898.

• The Manchester Community Music School will host an Outdoor Holiday Stroll in place of its annual Holiday Pops Concert on Saturday, Dec. 5, and Sunday, Dec. 6, from 5 to 7 p.m. Attendees will be escorted in small groups around the holiday-lighted school grounds, where students and faculty will perform live. Tickets cost $25 per person or $225 for groups of 10 and include holiday treats. Registration is required. Call 644-4548 or visit mcmusicschool.org.

• The New Hampshire School of Ballet presents “Songs for the Holidays” at the Dana Center (Saint Anselm College, 100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester) on Sunday, Dec. 6, with performances at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Tickets cost $18. Call 641-7700 or visit anselm.edu/dana-center-humanities.

• Guitarist Gary Hoey performs a Ho Ho Hoey 25th Anniversary holiday concert at the Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St., Derry) on Sunday, Dec. 6, at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $50. Call 437-5100 or visit tupelomusichall.com.

• Symphony New Hampshire will perform its Holiday Pops concert on Friday, Dec. 11, at 7:30 p.m. at the Dana Center (Saint Anselm College, 100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester); Saturday, Dec. 12, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Mary and Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church (39 Chandler St., Nashua); and Sunday, Dec. 13, at 3 p.m. at the Concord City Auditorium (2 Prince St., Concord). Tickets cost $25 for adults, $20 for seniors, $10 for students and free for youth under age 18 accompanied by a ticket-buyer. Visit symphonynh.org or call 595-9156.

• The Music Hall will show a filming ofClara’s Dream: A Jazz Nutcracker,performed there by Mad Theatricals in 2004, at its Historic Theater (28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth) on Wednesday, Dec. 16, at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $12 for seniors, students, military and first responders. Visit themusichall.org or call 436-2400.

• The Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord presents “Have Yourself a Rockin’ Little Christmas with Lucinda,” a livestreamed holiday concert by singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams, on Thursday, Dec. 17, at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $20. Call 225-1111 or visit ccanh.com.

• Ballet Misha performs The Nutcracker at the Dana Center (Saint Anselm College, 100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester) on Saturday, Dec. 19, at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Tickets cost $28. Call 641-7700 or visit anselm.edu/dana-center-humanities.

• Boston jazz singer Rich Dimare performs “A Sinatra Christmas” at the Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St., Manchester) on Saturday, Dec. 19, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $29 in advance and $39 at the door. Call 668-5588 or visit palacetheatre.org/rex-theatre.

• The Music Hall presents A Very Ida Christmas, a holiday show written and performed by Susan Poulin, at its Historic Theater (28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth) on Sunday, Dec. 20, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $35. Visit themusichall.org or call 436-2400.

• The Bank of New Hampshire Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord) will show a rebroadcast of the Bolshoi Ballet’s performance of The Nutcracker on Sunday, Dec. 20, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $15 for adults and $12 for students, plus a $3.75 per-ticket fee. Visit banknhstage.com or call 225-1111.

• The Boston Camerata presents “An American Christmas,” on Tuesday, Dec. 22, at 7 p.m. at The Music Hall Historic Theater (28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth). Tickets cost $45. Visit themusichall.org or call 436-2400.

• The New Hampshire School of Ballet will perform The Nutcracker at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester, palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) on Saturday, Dec. 26, at 6 p.m., and at the Dana Center (Saint Anselm College, 100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester, 641-7700, anselm.edu/dana-center-humanities) on Sunday, Dec. 27, at 2 and 6 p.m. Tickets cost $25.

• Safe Haven Ballet presents The Nutcrackerat The Music Hall Historic Theater (28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth) on Saturday, Jan. 2, at 2 and 6 p.m., and Sunday, Jan. 3, at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tickets cost $50 for adults and $45 for seniors and children. Visit themusichall.org or call 436-2400.

Featured photo: Ballet Misha performs The Nutcracker. Photo by Matthew Lomanno.

Virtual races and a couple of in-person events

It wouldn’t be the holiday season without a chance to trot off your turkey or shuffle down the street dressed as Santa. Check out a few runs that are still happening — most virtually, or with a virtual option.

• Registration has closed to participate in person in the Fisher Cats Thanksgiving 5K, but you can still join virtually. Run wherever you are on Thanksgiving morning — or whatever day and time works for you before Nov. 30 — and submit your results online. Virtual registration will be open until 9 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 29. The cost is $30 for adults and $15 for kids 11 and younger. Adults will get a medal and a T-shirt with their registration. Visit millenniumrunning.com/thanksgiving.

• The Greater Derry Track Club is hosting its 47th annual Turkey Trot 5K Road Race on Thanksgiving morning at Galliens Town Beach on Beaver Lake, with staggered start times beginning at 7:30 a.m. There will not be any race-day registrations, but a virtual option lets you run any time, anywhere, between Nov. 26 and Nov. 29. The cost for the in-person run is $25 for adults and $10 for kids 12 and under. The virtual run is $10 for everyone. Visit gdtc.org/run/index.php/turkey-trot.

• The 22nd annual Galloping Gobbler 4-Miler will be held in person on Thanksgiving morning starting at 9 a.m. at Bishop Brady High School in Concord. Race-day registration starts at 7 a.m., and masks need to be worn at all times until after crossing the start line, if you can maintain a distance of six feet from other runners. Other safety precautions include staying in your car until warm-up is announced. There is also a virtual option this year (if the in-person race is canceled, your registration will automatically be switched to virtual). Virtual runners can run any time, anywhere, from now until the end of the day on Friday, Nov. 27. The cost is $30 for either race. Visit gsrs.com/content/galloping-gobbler-4-miler-2020.

• The Amherst Junior Women’s Club 20th annual Trot Off Your Turkey 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run will be held virtually this year. Run any day in November and post times and photos when you’ve completed your race. The online registration deadline is Friday, Nov. 27, at 11:59 p.m. The cost for the 5K is $25, and the fun run is $10. Visit trotoffyourturkey.wordpress.com.

• The Hampstead Turkey Trot 5K will be in person on Thanksgiving morning, starting at 8:30 a.m. at St. Anne’s Church in Hampstead. Online registration ends Nov. 25; race-day registration will take place between 7:30 and 8:15 a.m., but you will not get a T-shirt and the cost is the same. The cost is $20 for adults, $15 for ages 62 and older, and $12 for ages 17 and under. Non-perishable food for the St. Anne’s Food Bank will be collected. Pets on leashes are welcome. Visit runsignup.com/Race/Events/NH/Hampstead/HampsteadTurkeyTrot.

• The sixth annual Penmen for Patriots 5K will be virtual this year, which means you get to run or walk at any time and in any location. Registration is open until 6:59 p.m. on Nov. 30. The cost is $30, which gets you a Penmen for Patriots 5K runner’s bib in the mail; then, on Dec. 22, you’ll be able to pick up a race packet at Runner’s Alley in Manchester, which will include a long-sleeved Penmen for Patriots 5K shirt, a gift card from Able Ebenezer Brewing in Merrimack and other swag. After Nov. 22, the race packets will go out in the mail. All proceeds benefit Easterseals Veterans Count. Visitvetscount.org/nh/events/penmen-patriots-5k.

• Walk, jog or run the Santa Claus Shuffle in Manchester on Saturday, Dec. 5, and get samples at four sweet stops (chocolate, milk & cookies, candy and maple!) along the three-mile Elm Street route, which begins and ends at Veterans Park. The run will have a time trial start format, with start times staggered between 1 and 3 p.m. Early bib pickup will be available at Millennium Running in Bedford on Thursday, Dec. 3, and Friday, Dec. 4, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Race-day pickup will be available from 1 to 3 p.m. Masks are required at check-in, in the staging zone and corral zone, in the post-race area, and any time a distance of six feet cannot be maintained. Two runners will start every 10 seconds to allow for distancing. There’s also a virtual option that lets you run whatever day and time you want between Nov. 30 and Dec. 6. All runners will get a Santa suit with their registration. The cost is $25 for the virtual run. The in-person run is $30 for ages 21 and up, $25 for ages 12 to 20 and $10 for ages 11 and younger. If race-day registration is available, the cost is $5 more for ages 12 and up. Visit millenniumrunning.com/santa.