Category: Family Fun

Virtual tree-lightings, festivals of trees and more

From virtual tree lightings to community-wide light displays, cities and towns all across New Hampshire are still finding ways to get you into the holiday spirit. Check out this list of places and times to enjoy a lit up holiday spectacle and find one near you.

• This year, the Feztival of Trees at Bektash Shrine Center in Concord is going virtual. While there will be no in-person attendance during the tree raffle show, you can enter in the raffle online to win now through Dec. 4 at noon. The winners will then be drawn that same day at 1 p.m. To enforce social distancing, winners can book a time slot from Dec. 4 through Dec. 6 to pick up their trees. Visit nhshriners.org for more details.

• This year’s Exeter Festival of Trees has been reimagined as an online fundraiser for the Community Children’s Fund. Now through Thursday, Dec. 3, at noon, you can donate $25 to be entered to win a beautifully decorated artificial tree. Drawings will be conducted that evening. You can also stop in to Shooter’s Pub (6 Columbus Ave., Exeter) and Arjay Ace Hardware (55 Lincoln St., Exeter) to see the trees that are up for grabs. Visit exeterareacharitablefoundation.org.

• Concord’s annual Christmas tree lighting celebration will be held at the Statehouse Plaza (North Main Street) on Friday, Nov. 27, at 4 p.m. Visit concordnh.gov.

• The 12th annual Southern New Hampshire Festival of Trees, hosted by Pelham Community Spirit, is happening at Sherburne Hall in the municipal building (6 Village Green, Pelham), from Friday, Nov. 27, through Saturday, Dec. 5, at varying times, when participants will have a chance to win a decorated tree. Admission is $5 for adults and free for kids ages 12 and under (multiple-day passes are also available). Raffle tickets are $5 per sheet of 25 tickets. Visit snhfestivaloftrees.pelhamcommunityspirit.org.

• Get your tickets now for a holiday tree lighting and family dinner at LaBelle Winery (345 Route 101, Amherst) on Sunday, Nov. 29, starting with a multi-course meal served at 5:30 p.m., and the lighting at 6:45 p.m., snow or shine. There will also be live holiday music and a full bar with beer, wine and cocktails available for purchase. After dinner, guests will be invited to get hot cocoa and cookies while walking over to the vineyard overlook for the tree lighting. The cost for the dinner is by table only (price breakdown is $49 for adults and $24 for kids ages 12 and under). Reservations are required. Visit labellewineryevents.com.

• Auburn’s Tree Lighting will be held on Sunday, Nov. 29, at 6 p.m. in the parking lot of the Auburn Village School (11 Eaton Hill Road, Auburn). Masks or face-coverings are required if you’re attending in person, or you can stream it on the town’s Parks & Recreation department Facebook page @auburnnhparksandrec.

• Rivier University in Nashua will hold its campus Christmas tree lighting virtually this year, on Thursday, Dec. 3, at 6 p.m. The lighting will be shared live on the Rivier University Alumni Facebook page. Visit rivier.edu.

• Rochester’s holiday tree lighting will be held virtually this year, airing on Friday, Dec. 4, at 5 p.m. on the City and Chamber of Commerce’s websites and Facebook pages. The event will feature special holiday dance performances from the Studio 109 dance school, and a reading of “The Night Before Christmas” by Rochester Mayor Caroline McCarley. Visit rochesternh.org.

• Bethany Church’s Greenland campus (500 Breakfast Hill Road) will hold a Christmas tree lighting on Saturday, Dec. 5, at 5:30 p.m. Participants can enjoy a live Nativity scene, sing festive Christmas carols and indulge in Christmas cookies and warm drinks. Visit bethanychurch.com.

• Windham’s annual tree lighting will be held on Saturday, Dec. 5, at 5 p.m. on the Windham Town Common. Attendees are invited to socially distance with masks or enjoy the lighting from the warmth of their cars. Visit windhamnh.gov.

• There will be a brief tree lighting at Abbie Griffin Park (6 Baboosic Lake Road, Merrimack) on Sunday, Dec. 6, at 4 p.m. featuring Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, who will be travelling throughout town with the Merrimack Fire Department beginning at 2:45 p.m. Visit merrimackparksandrec.org.

• The annual Amherst Tree Lighting Festival will be held virtually on Friday, Dec. 11, at 6 p.m. You can also visit LaBelle Winery (345 Route 101, Amherst) on Sunday, Dec. 13, between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and receive a complimentary mimosa if you mention the virtual tree lighting festival (be sure to make a reservation in advance). Visit labellewineryevents.com.

Kids’ storytimes, Santa visits and more

From storytimes and holiday movie screenings to visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, check out these events to get into the holiday spirit this season.

• The Pelham Parks & Recreation Department is inviting kids ages 10 and under to receive a special letter from Santa this holiday season. Forms can be picked up at the department’s office (6 Village Green, Pelham) and filled out and submitted by Friday, Dec. 4. Completing the forms with as much detail as possible is encouraged to further contribute to the personalization of the letters. Visit pelhamweb.com/recreation or call 635-2721.

• Now through Friday, Dec. 18, kids can mail their “wishlist” to Santa Claus by dropping it off in the “North Pole” express mailbox at the Bedford Town Office building (24 N. Amherst Road). All kids dropping off a letter will receive a return letter addressed to them. Visit bedfordreconline.com for more details.• Visit Santa Claus at Bass Pro Shops (2 Commerce Drive, Hooksett) now through Dec. 24. Santa will have an acrylic “magic shield” barrier in place between families at all times this year. Free online reservations are required, as spots are limited to allow social distancing. Visit basspro.com/santa.

• The Hudson Lions Club will present a drive-thru visit with Santa Claus, who will arrive by fire truck in the parking lot of Alvirne High School (200 Derry Road, Hudson) on Friday, Nov. 27, at 2 p.m. “Elves” will also be giving out goodie bags for kids. Visit nhlions.org/hudson.

• Tickets are still available for a Frozen viewing party at select Chunky’s Cinema & Pub locations, including on Friday, Nov. 27, at 12:30 p.m. at the Manchester theater (707 Huse Road), and on Sunday, Nov. 29, at either 12:30 p.m. or 6 p.m., at the Pelham theater (150 Bridge St.). Tickets are $6.99 per person. Visit chunkys.com.

• See a screening of the classic film The Wizard of Oz on either Friday, Nov. 27, or Saturday, Nov. 28, at The Flying Monkey Movie House & Performance Center (39 Main St., Plymouth). The doors open at 6 p.m., and the film begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for seniors and students. Visit flyingmonkeynh.com.

• The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (6 Washington St., Dover) is offering holiday gift making kits that include five projects kids can make to give as gifts to loved ones. Kits cost $45 per child ($40 for members) and can be ordered online and picked up at the museum the week of Dec. 1. You’ll be emailed a list of pick-up time slots to choose from, which will be in the early evening. Projects include painting and arranging a centerpiece, making a static electricity ornament, designing a shrink art keychain or necklace, making a hanging barrier and more. Kits are best suitable for kids ages 3 ½ to 12. If any are remaining after Dec. 3, they will be available to purchase in the museum shop during its regular operating hours (Thursday to Saturday, 9 to 11:30 a.m., or 1 to 3:30 p.m.). Visit childrens-museum.org.

• Take an online art class via Zoom with the Wild Salamander Creative Arts Center (30 Ash St., Hollis). The next available classes include painting with wool on Tuesday, Dec. 1, at 5:45 p.m. (ages 11 and up; register by Nov. 27); felting a snowy owl on Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 5:30 p.m. (ages 8 and up; register by Nov. 27); and felting holiday gnomes on Thursday, Dec. 3, at either 3:30 or 5:30 p.m. (ages 8 and up; register by Nov. 27). Visit wildsalamander.com.

• Join The Music Hall (28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth) for a screening of the classic holiday film A Christmas Story on Tuesday, Dec. 1, at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $12 to $15 per person. Visit themusichall.org.

• Now through Dec. 3, you can see a showing of The Santa Clauseat any of the three Cinemagic locations in the Granite State (38 Cinemagic Way, Hooksett; 11 Executive Park Drive, Merrimack; 2454 Lafayette Road, Portsmouth). Tickets are $5 per person. Visit cinemagicmovies.com for showtimes.

• Charmingfare Farm (774 High St., Candia) has combined its Santa’s Big Party and Lighted Winter Wonderland events into one celebration, Santa’s Christmas. Individual tickets are not being sold; only packages are available, for $249 (one package is good for up to 10 people), with various times available to visit the farm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 4 through Dec. 6, Dec. 11 through Dec. 13 or Dec. 18 through Dec. 20. Horse-drawn wagons are divided into two sections of 10 passengers each. Attractions include a live animal nativity, visits with Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and live “reindeer,” s’mores kits, hot cocoa and complimentary cookies. Visit visitthefarm.com to check available times.

• The Milford Recreation Department is hosting Miracle on Elm Street, a holiday drive-thru event happening on Saturday, Dec. 5, with multiple time slots beginning at 9 a.m. Starting at the west entrance of Keyes Memorial Park (127 Elm St., Milford), participants will drive through the event, and kids will receive free treats at several booths along the way. The cost is $5 per car and pre-registration is required (only 20 cars will be allowed for each time slot). Visit milfordrec.com.

• Join the Millyard Museum (200 Bedford St., Manchester) for a holiday open house on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., which will feature children’s holiday crafts, raffles, locally made products for sale and more. All are welcome free with museum admission. Visit manchesterhistoric.org.

• Legacy Lane Farm (217 Portsmouth Ave., Stratham) will host Christmas on the Farm on Saturday, Dec. 5, at 10 a.m. featuring visits with Santa Claus, holiday crafts, hot cocoa, Christmas carolers, a petting zoo and more. The cost is $10 per person. Visit legacylanefarm.com.

• See Santa Claus at Greeley Park (100 Concord St., Nashua) for a socially distanced visit on Saturday, Dec. 5, from noon to 2 p.m., featuring photo opportunities, free gifts and more. Visit nashuanh.gov.

• Join the YMCA of Greater Londonderry (206 Rockingham Road, Londonderry) for its annual Great Candy Cane Hunt on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Santa Claus will hide hundreds of candy canes around the YMCA for you to look for during the event. Start by receiving your candy cane hunt bag at the check-in table, then venture to the field for the hunt. Santa will also be there for socially distanced photo opportunities. This year there will be groups of 32 people per 30-minute time slot to help with social distancing (bring your own flashlight). Masks or face coverings are required for all participants. Visit graniteymca.org.

• Chunky’s Cinema & Pub’s Manchester location (708 Huse Road) will convert a theater to an evening of family-friendly candy Bingo on Saturday, Dec. 5, at 6 p.m., featuring movie theater-sized candy boxes as prizes and the big screen as a bingo board. Tickets of $4.99 per person will get you a box of Chunky’s theater candy that you’ll turn in to get your bingo cards. Once all the candy is collected, Chunky’s staff will divide it up and start playing the rounds. Visit chunkys.com for more details.

• Enjoy Christmas at the Farm, reimagined, at Forgotten Farm (23 Goffstown Road, Hooksett). Families can visit from 10 a.m. to noon on the first three Saturdays in December (Dec. 5, Dec. 12 and Dec. 19) for cookies, cocoa, visits with the farm animals, and a free take-home craft. Visit forgottenfarm.weebly.com.

• The Derry Public Library will host a virtual holiday gift making workshop on Tuesday, Dec. 8, from 4 to 5 p.m. The library will post tutorials for Sharpie mugs, hot chocolate kits and gift bags on its Facebook and YouTube pages. Register in advance to pick up a Take It and Make It bag in the library’s lobby. If registration is full, you can still complete the projects with materials at home. Visit derrypl.org.

• Join the Manchester City Library (405 Pine St., Manchester) for a virtual Polar Express bedtime event on Wednesday, Dec. 9, from 6 to 7 p.m. Goodie bags with treats and crafts will be available for curbside pickup beginning Dec. 1. The virtual program will include Christmas carol sing-alongs and demonstrations on how to make the crafts. Visit manchester.lib.nh.us.

• See a showing of the 2013 animated children’s film Frozenat any one of the Cinemagic theatres in the Granite State (38 Cinemagic Way, Hooksett; 11 Executive Park Drive, Merrimack; 2454 Lafayette Road, Portsmouth) now through Thursday, Dec. 10. Tickets are $5 per person. Visit cinemagicmovies.com for available times.

• Santa Claus will arrive by helicopter at the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire (27 Navigator Road, Londonderry) on Saturday, Dec. 12, at 11 a.m., where he’ll greet families and take gift requests until 1 p.m. The outdoor event is free and open to the public. Hot chocolate will also be provided courtesy of the Airport Diner in Manchester. Visit aviationmuseumofnh.org.

• Chunky’s Cinema & Pub (707 Huse Road, Manchester, 206-3888; 151 Coliseum Ave., Nashua, 880-8055; 150 Bridge St., Pelham, 635-7499) will host multiple Polar Express golden ticket screenings on Saturday, Dec. 12, and Sunday, Dec. 13. Showtimes vary depending on the location, but there are several each day at each theater. Kids will be given a special “golden ticket” to hole-punch prior to entering the theater. Visit chunkys.com.

• The Music Hall (28 Chestnut St., Portsmouth) will screen the family holiday film Elf on Tuesday, Dec. 15, at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $12 to $15. Visit themusichall.org.

• Enjoy a Polar Express family brunch with LaBelle Winery (345 Route 101, Amherst) on either Sunday, Dec. 20, or Thursday, Dec. 24, from 10 a.m. to noon. The event will feature a multi-course brunch menu accompanied by a screening of the family holiday film The Polar Express. Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will be stopping by for a live reading of “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.” Tickets to the brunch are by the table only, and there is a six guest limit per table (price breakdowns are $22.99 per person). Visit labellewineryevents.com.

If nothing else, 2020 seems to have inspired a lot of event innovation. Virtual tree-lightings, drive-thru holiday displays and socially distanced performances — New Hampshire is finding ways to celebrate even if those celebrations look a little different this year.
Here’s a look at holiday activities from Thanksgiving through the end of the year (all events are subject to change, of course). Whether it’s enjoying a light display from the comfort of your car (or from your house) or watching a performance in a reduced-capacity venue, find the holiday fun that fits your comfort level.

Holiday fun downtown and outdoors

Celebrate the holidays safely outside (or from your car) with these downtown strolls, light displays, modified parades and other social distance-conscious activities.

• Vintage Christmas in Portsmouth is an ongoing citywide celebration of the holidays featuring a number of shows at The Music Hall (28 Chestnut St., themusichall.org, 436-2400); shopping in Market Square; Candlelight Stroll Under the Stars, happening weekends from Dec. 11 through Dec. 20 at Strawbery Banke Museum (14 Hancock St., 433-1100, strawberybanke.org); Labrie Family Skate at Strawbery Banke’s Puddle Dock Pond; the 30th annual Gingerbread House Contest and Exhibit at the Portsmouth Historical Society (10 Middle St., 436-8433, portsmouthhistory.org) now through Dec. 22, and more throughout the holiday season. Visit vintagechristmasnh.org.

• The Gift of Lights opens on Thanksgiving Day and continues through Jan. 3 at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway (1122 Route 106 North, Loudon). The drive-thru Christmas light park spans 2.5 miles and features 80 holiday scenes and 520 light displays. It’s open Sunday through Thursday from 4:30 to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 4:30 to 10 p.m. Purchase tickets online or at the gate. The cost is $25 per car. Visit nhms.com/events/gift-of-lights.

• The Town of Pelham and Pelham Community Spirit are presenting the first annual Festival of Lights on the town’s Village Green, where you can enjoy a spectacle of tree lighting displays from your car to ensure social distancing. The lights will be up from Thanksgiving until after the New Year. Visit pelhamcommunityspirit.org.

• Downtown Nashua hosts Plaid Friday, a shopping event alternative to Black Friday, on Nov. 27. Wear plaid to be eligible for giveaways, discounts and more at participating businesses. Stop at 201 Main St. first to pick up a swag bag with a map, coupons, discounts and offers. Registration is required. Visit downtownnashua.org.

• Great American Downtown is hosting a holiday lights contest for Nashua families and business owners. Now through Dec. 3, photo submissions will be accepted for residential and downtown Nashua businesses with the best festive decorations. Online voting will take place between Dec. 5 and Jan. 3. To enter, email a jpg image of your festive lights, along with your home or business address, to dazzlingdecember@downtownnashua.org. A printable map of the contenders will be available online. Visit downtownnashua.org for details.

• The Celebrate Laconia Lights Festival is an ongoing citywide celebration of the holidays featuring special events throughout the season. It kicks off on Sunday, Nov. 29, with a downtown holiday parade led by Santa starting at 4:30 p.m. The parade will move through Lakeport and Weirs Beach before returning to downtown, where there will be a City on the Lakes Holiday Walk. There will be trees for sale to decorate and display in Rotary and Stewart parks, and Santa will light the trees around 6:30 p.m. The trees will remain up through the end of the year. Also starting on Sunday, Nov. 29, will be the Lights Festival Coloring Contest, with submissions accepted through Friday, Dec. 11, and the Light-Up Laconia Holiday Decorating Competition, which will run through Dec. 18. An online interactive map of Laconia homes and businesses with holiday displays will be available, and the public is invited to vote for their favorites online. Visit celebratelaconia.org.

• Concord’s Midnight Merriment has been reworked this year as a month-long celebration with holiday decorations, special promotions and refreshments at downtown shops and restaurants throughout December. Visit intownconcord.org.

• The Beaver Brook Association (Brown Lane Barn, 52 Brown Lane, Hollis) will host a greens gathering and wreath making event on Wednesday, Dec. 2, from 10 a.m. to noon, and 1 to 3:30 p.m. Participants will go on a hike to gather mountain laurel, hemlock and white pine, pine cones and berries, then create a holiday wreath with those materials. The cost is $25, and registration is required. Visit beaverbrook.org.

• Fright Kingdom (12 Simon St., Nashua) presents its holiday event, “The Fright Before Christmas,” on Friday, Dec. 4, from 7 to 10 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 5, and Sunday, Dec. 6, from 6 to 10 p.m. It features a scary winter wonderland, a creepy Christmas costume contest and food trucks on site. Tickets cost $29 and must be purchased in advance. Visit frightkingdom.com or call 809-1173.

• In place of its holiday parade, Salem is having a “Christmas in Whoville” holiday display competition from Friday, Dec. 4, through Sunday, Dec. 6. All participating homes, schools, community centers and businesses will have their displays illuminated from 4:30 to 11 p.m. A list of addresses will be shared with the public, and residents can vote online for their favorite displays. Visit salemnhparade.org.

• This year’s Salem Night of Lights will be a drive-thru holiday experience happening on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Salem High School (44 Geremonty Drive, Salem). Visit townofsalemnh.org.

• In place of its holiday parade, Exeter will host a Drive-Thru Holiday Celebration on Saturday, Dec. 5, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Exeter High School (1 Blue Hawk Drive, Exeter). The school will be decorated with holiday lights, displays, inflatables and scenes, and Santa will greet drivers from a safe distance. Visit exeterholidayparade.org.

• Milford presents “Miracle on Elm Street,” a holiday drive-thru event, on Saturday, Dec. 5, with half-hour time slots from 9 to 10:30 a.m. The drive starts at the Keyes Memorial Park west entrance (127 Elm St.) and will have stops along the way with treats for kids. The cost is $5 per car. Registration is required. Visit milford.nh.gov.

• Santa’s Merrimack Holiday Tour will take place on Sunday, Dec. 6. Santa and Mrs. Claus will ride through town in a Fire Department vehicle, stopping at seven different locations between 2:45 and 3:45 p.m., to greet people at a safe distance. Visit merrimackparksandrec.org/holiday-happenings or call 882-1046.

• Canterbury Shaker Village (228 Shaker Road, Canterbury) will host A Magic Journey through the North Shop Barn from Dec. 11 through Dec. 23, and from Dec. 27 through Dec. 30, daily, from 1 to 5 p.m. The North Shop Barn, which has been transformed into a winter wonderland, will feature art vignettes like a Shaker Christmas, a dollhouse, a skating panorama and snowy forest scenes; a Find-the-Elf treasure hunt; hot cocoa and cider; and shopping at the Village Store. Additionally, there will be a Christkindlmarkt-inspired artisan market of handcrafted holiday gifts on weekends; food trucks with sweet treats on Saturdays, Dec. 12 and Dec. 19, and a live musical performance by Massimo Paparello and his Brass Quartet on Saturday, Dec. 12, from 3 to 4 p.m. Admission costs $10 for adults and is free for youth. Visit shakers.org or call 783-9511.

• The Southern New Hampshire Tour of Lights will run from Dec. 11 through Dec. 27. A list of addresses will soon be released for the public to visit holiday light displays at homes throughout Amherst, Antrim, Fitzwilliam, Jaffrey, Merrimack, Milford, Peterborough and Rindge. Visit merrimackparksandrec.org/holiday-happenings or call 882-1046.

• A modified Hampstead Christmas Parade will take place on Sunday, Dec. 13, starting at 2 p.m. at St. Anne Catholic Church (26 Emerson Ave.). Instead of its traditional march down Main Street, the parade will split into different parts of town, covering 19 miles of road. Visit hampstead.nhlions.org.

• Enjoy a Winter Solstice Luminary Walk at Beaver Brook Association (117 Ridge Road, Hollis) on Sunday, Dec. 20, with time slots from 2 to 4 p.m. There will be a self-guided marked trail with a nature story about the origins of the Winter Solstice and fun facts about New England wildlife and the tradition of the Yule log. The cost is $12. Visit beaverbrook.org.

Featured photo: The Gift of Lights at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Courtesy photo.