Category: This Week

Big Events December 21, 2023 and beyond

Thursday, Dec. 21

The LaBelle Lights outdoor walkthrough path of holiday light displays continues operations through Sunday, Jan. 7, and is open today through Saturday, Dec. 23; Tuesday, Dec. 26, through Sunday, Dec. 31, and then Tuesday, Jan. 2, through Sunday, Jan. 3. — 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. on all of those days. This week’s theme is “Find the Hidden Elf” week; for the week starting Dec. 26 the theme is “Frozen costume week” and for Jan. 2 it’s “‘80s Ski Week,” according to labellewinery.com/lights, where you can see a map of the attraction and purchase tickets (which cost $18 for adults and ages 14+, $12 for ages 65+, $8 for ages 4 to 13 and free for ages 3 and under, plus fees).

Thursday, Dec. 21

Also still twinkling are the lights of the Gift of Lights at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway (1122 Route 106 North in Laconia; nhms.com/events/gift-of-lights). The lights operate daily starting at 4:30 p.m. (weather permitting) and will run through Sunday, Dec. 31. Drive through 2.5 miles of Christmas light displays. Tickets cost $35 per car; $60 per bus, limo or RV.

Saturday, Dec. 23

Catch comedian Dave Russo tonight at Headliners Comedy Club at the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester at 8:30 p.m. (doors open at 8 p.m.). Tickets cost $20. See headlinersnh.com.

Saturday, Dec. 23

A Christmas Carol wraps up at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) today with shows at 2 and 7:30 p.m. (other shows this week are at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 21, and Friday, Dec. 22). Ticket prices range from $38 to $59.

Wednesday, Dec. 27

Get one more dose of Nutcracker when the New Hampshire School of Ballet presents its production of the ballet classic today at 6 p.m. at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588). Tickets cost $25.

Thursday, Dec. 28

The Harlem Globetrotters 2024 will come to the SNHU Arena (555 Elm St., Manchester, 644-5000, snhuarena.com) with shows today at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets cost $44 through $134, with pre-game VIP options.

Save the Date! Sunday, Jan. 7
The Pizzastock Battle of the Bands 2024 comes to the Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St. in Derry; tupelomusichall.com) on Sunday, Jan. 7. Doors open at noon. The show will feature Glue, Tree Streets and Porcelain Jumpsuit, special guest Sotah and hosts Cozy Throne, according to the Tupelo website, where you can purchase the $20 tickets. Pizzastock is a production of the Jason R. Flood Memorial, which seeks to raise awareness about mental health; see pizzastock.org.

Featured photo: The proposal ball. Photo by Mya Blanchard.

Big Events December 14, 2023 and beyond

Thursday, Dec. 14

The Palace Theatre’s (80 Hanover St., Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) production of A Christmas Carol continues through Dec. 23, with showtimes on Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., with an additional show on Wednesday, Dec. 20, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $28 to $59.

Thursday, Dec. 14

Author Daniel Dain will discuss and sign his bookA History of Bostontoday at 6:30 p.m. at Balin Books (Somerset Plaza, 375 Amherst St. in Nashua; balinbooks.com). Visit the bookstore’s website to RSVP.

Saturday, Dec. 16

The McAuliffe Shepard Discovery Center (2 Institute Dr. in Concord; starhop.com) will celebrate “Dozens of Decades of Flight” today and tomorrow, commemorating the Dec. 17, 1903, flight by Wilbur and Orville Wright. The event will feature aviation activities, speakers and guest organizations, including Capt. Shawn Grinnell of the U.S. Space Force on Sunday, Dec. 17, at 1 p.m. The celebration is included with admission, which costs $12 for adults, $9 for ages 3 to 12, $11 for 62+ and ages 13- college. Planetarium shows cost an additional $6. The center is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 16

The Little Mermen, described as “the ultimate Disney cover band for Disney fanatics of all ages,” will play the Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St. in Derry; tupelomusichall.com) today at noon; doors open at 10:30 a.m. Tickets cost $25.

Saturday, Dec. 16

Catch the NH Philharmonic’s annual Holiday Pops concert tonight at 7:30 p.m. and tomorrow, Sunday, Dec. 17, at 2 p.m. at the Seifert Performing Arts Center (44 Geremonty Drive in Salem). Tickets cost $35 for adults, $30 for seniors, $10 for students and $5 for Salem students; see nhpo.booktix.com for tickets. A livestreaming ticket option is available for the Sunday 2 p.m. concert. See nhphil.org.

Sunday, Dec. 17

Catch a screening of Elf (PG, 2003) today at 3 p.m. at the Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St.; nashuacenterforthearts.com). The event is free but go online to secure tickets. Find more fun family holiday screenings in the Kiddie Pool column on page 22.

Save the Date! Sunday, Dec. 31
The Grappone Conference Center (70 Constitution Ave. in Concord) will have a Disco-Themed New Year’s Eve Celebration on Sunday, Dec. 31, from 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. The event will feature a buffet dinner, cash bar, cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres, dancing to music from DJ Nazzy and a midnight toast, according to a press release. Tickets cost $90 per person and are available via the Grappone Conference Center’s Facebook page and through eventbrite.com. Know of other fun ways to ring in 2024? Let us know at [email protected].

Featured photo: A Christmas Carol at the Palace Theatre.

Big Events December 7, 2023 and beyond

Thursday, Dec. 7

Head to the Currier Museum of Art (150 Ash St. in Manchester; currier.org) for today’s Art After Work (when admission is free from 5 to 8 p.m.). Tonight’s musical performer is Joey Clark & The Big Hearts. And on Saturday, Dec. 9, admission is also free then for New Hampshire residents (the Second Saturday program sponsored by The Botnick Family Foundation and E&R Laundry and Dry Cleaners). The museum is open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 9

The Currier and Ives Cookie Tour will run today from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and feature 16 stops at inns, restaurants, galleries and more in the Monadnock region. Tickets cost $20 and can be purchased, starting at the Inn at East Hill Farm in Troy and Frogg Brewing in Swanzey. See currierandivescookietour.com and our story on page 30. Or make a weekend of cookie adventures with the Annual Holiday Inn to Inn Cookie Tour today and Sunday, Dec. 10, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day at nine White Mountains inns stretching from Jackson to Eaton, with inns at least 15 minutes apart. See cookietour.square.site to purchase tour tickets for $35.

Saturday, Dec. 9

The 9th annual Hollis Luminaria Stroll & Town Band Concert will start today at 10 a.m. and include more than 2,000 luminaria lanterns, a Santa tractor parade, holiday craft shopping, a chili and cornbread dinner, music performances in Monument Square, a gingerbread house contest and a bake sale. The stroll and tree lighting will be at 4 p.m. at Monument Square. Visit hollisluminaria.org for a complete event schedule.

Saturday, Dec. 9

New England College will hold a Holiday Maker Fair today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at French Hall (148 Concord St. in Manchester). The event will feature arts and fine craft made by students, faculty and others, according to nec.edu/event/holiday-maker-fair. The event is free and open to the public. Demonstrations will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the website said.

Saturday, Dec. 9

Symphony NH will hold their Holiday Pops concert conducted by Maestro Roger Kalia today from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Keefe Center for the Arts (117 Elm St., Nashua), and Sunday, Dec. 10, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Concord City Auditorium (2 Prince St., Concord). The performances will feature an assortment of seasonal works and carols. Tickets start at $10. Visit symphonynh.org.

Saturday, Dec. 9

Relax into your Saturday evening with the Dave Matthews Tribute Band performing tonight at 8 p.m. at the Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St. in Derry; tupelomusichall.com, 437-5100). Tickets cost $35. Find more ticketed concerts in our Concert listings on page 50.

Save the Date! Friday, Dec. 15
Professional Bull Riding: Unleash the Beast will come to the SNHU Arena (555 Elm St. in Manchester; snhuarena.com) on Friday, Dec. 15, at 7:45 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 16, at 6:45 p.m. Tickets start at $25. To get the rules on bull riding and see videos of previous events, go to pbr.com/unleash-the-beast.

Featured photo: Christmas cookies.

Big Events November 30, 2023 and beyond

Friday, Dec. 1

The Bedford Women’s Club’s “Festival of Trees & Holiday Market” runs today from 4 to 7 p.m. and tomorrow, Saturday, Dec. 2, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bedford Old Town Hall (70 Bedford Center Road). Admission is free and the event will feature a guest appearance by Santa Claus on Saturday, live music, more than 25 decorated artificial trees that will be raffled, and vendors, according to bedfordwomensclub.org.

Friday, Dec. 1

It’s Midnight Merriment! Tonight from 5 p.m. to midnight, get holiday cheer and shopping opportunities in downtown Concord. The evening will include an appearance by Santa, strolling carolers, a dance party with DJ Nazzy, the Concord Art Market Winter Giftopolis and more. For details, check out the story on page 18 in the Nov. 23 issue of the Hippo; see hippopress.com for the e-edition.

Friday, Dec. 1

Catch a screening of the holiday “indie dark(ish) comedy”Merry Good Enough, a movie directed by Caroline Keene and Dan Kennedy that was a winner at the 2023 New Hampshire Film Festival for Best NH Feature Narrative, tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org). Tickets cost $10. See the trailer at merrygoodenough.com.

Friday, Dec. 1

Or go even darker with Fright Kingdom’s The Fright Before Christmas haunted attraction (described on the website as being “extremely scary,” where you will encounter “rabid reindeer, crazed carolers, cannibalistic elves”) running today from 7 to 9:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 2, from 6 to 9 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 3, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $35. Visit frightkingdom.com.

Saturday, Dec. 2

Head to Elm Street today at 3 p.m. to watch oodles of runners in Santa suits run in the 3-mile BASC Santa Claus Shuffle, which features stops with the four Santa food groups — chocolate, cookies and milk, candy, and maple, according to millenniumrunning.com, which will explain how to register if you want to take part yourself. A Stonyfield Organic Lil’ Elf Run (of 100 yards) starts at 2:30 p.m.

Then at 4 p.m. settle in for the annual Manchester Holiday Parade, which will head down Elm Street from Brady Sullivan tower to Victory Park and feature a variety of floats and marchers. For more details on the parade, check out the story on page 19 in the Nov. 23 issue of the Hippo.

Sunday, Dec. 3

The NH Music Collective Sunday Sessions will feature Ryan Williamson & The hArt of Sound today at 6 p.m. at the Cantin Room at the Bank of New Hampshire Stage (16 S. Main St. in Concord, ccanh.com). Tickets cost $18.75. Find more ticketed concerts this weekend and beyond in our Concert listings on page 38.

Save the Date! Saturday, Dec. 28
Looking for entertainment options for that final week of December? The Harlem Globetrotters 2024 will come to the SNHU Arena (555 Elm St., Manchester, 644-5000, snhuarena.com) on Thursday, Dec. 28, at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets cost $44 through $134, with pre-game VIP options.

Featured photo: The Santa Shuffle. Courtesy photo.

Big Events November 23, 2023 and beyond

Thursday, Nov. 23

Time to celebrate the foodiest of all holidays, Thanksgiving! Still not sure about your plans for the big meal? Check out the listing of restaurants serving turkey and fixings today in the Nov. 9 issue of the Hippo (go to hippopress.com to find the e-edition). Want to start the day with some football? The annual Turkey Bowl between Manchester high school football teams will take place today at 10 a.m. between the Manchester Memorial High School and Manchester Central High School at Gill Stadium (396 Valley St. in Manchester). Tickets cost $3 for adults, $2 for students and seniors.

Friday, Nov. 24

Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve will perform today at 3 and 7:30 p.m. at SNHU Arena (555 Elm St. in Manchester; snhuarena.com, 644-5000). Tickets start at $49.75, according to the website.

Friday, Nov. 24

Get some “Thanksgiving Leftover Laughs” with comedian Emily Ruskowski tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 688-5588). Tickets cost $25. See Michael Witthaus’ interview with Emily on page 48 and find more comedy events on page 53.

Friday, Nov. 24

Catch New England favorites the Souled Out Show Band tonight at 8 p.m. at the Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St. in Derry; tupelomusichall.com, 437-1000). Tickets cost $27. Find more ticketed shows in our Concert listings in this week’s Nite section.

Saturday, Nov. 25

Now that you’ve eaten through your Thanksgiving dinner and your leftovers, shop for some new nosh at the Downtown Concord Winter Farmers Market today from 9 a.m. to noon at 7 Eagle Square. Check out the list of vendors at downtownconcordwinterfarmersmarket.com.

Saturday, Nov. 25

Another in this season’s The Nutcrackerofferings: the Methuen Ballet Ensemble presents The Nutcracker at the Dana Center at Saint Anselm College (100 Saint Anselm Drive in Manchester; tickets.anselm.edu) today at noon and 4 p.m. Tickets cost $35.

Sunday, Nov. 26

The 1925 silent film comedy The Gold Rush, starring Charlie Chaplin, will screen today at 2 p.m. at the Wilton Town Hall Theatre (40 Main St. in Wilton). The movie will feature live musical accompaniment by Jeff Rapsis. Admission is free; a $10 per person donation is suggested.

Save the Date! Saturday, Dec. 2
The Picker Artists (3 Pine St. in Nashua; pickerartists.com) will hold their annual Holiday Open House on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. See the website for a list of the building’s resident artists, who will sell pieces including photography, mixed media, glassware, jewelry and more.

Featured photo: Thanksgiving dinner.

Big Events November 16, 2023 and beyond

Friday, Nov. 17

Consider a few of your favorite things this weekend when the Community Players of Concord present The Sound of Music at the Concord City Auditorium (2 Pine St. in Concord). The show runs tonight at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 18, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 19, at 2 p.m. Tickets cost $20 for adults, $17 for ages 17 and under and 65+ and are available at the box office starting 90 minutes before showtime and at communityplayersofconcord.org.

Saturday, Nov. 18

Concord starts the holiday celebrations early with the Concord Christmas Parade today at 9:30 a.m. on Loudon Road between Hazen Drive and Canterbury Road.

Saturday, Nov. 18

Time for “Thanksgrilling” — the Goffstown Ace Hardware (5 Depot St. in Goffstown; goffstownhardware.com, 497-2682) will hold demos and family activities today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. explaining how to grill a holiday turkey and sides, according to the store’s Facebook page.

Saturday, Nov. 18

The 2023 Feztival of Trees runs today through Sunday, Nov. 26, at the Bektash Shriners of New Hampshire Shrine Center (189 Pembroke Road in Concord; bektashshriners.org, 225-5372). Except for Thanksgiving, the event will be open daily: Saturday, Nov. 18, and Sunday, Nov. 19, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Monday, Nov. 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday, Nov. 21, and Wednesday, Nov. 22, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, Nov. 24, and Saturday, Nov. 25, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In addition to enjoying the holiday sights, checking out the Candy Cane Cafe and taking a photo with Santa Claus, attendees can enter raffles for the decorated trees (winners will be picked on Sunday, Nov. 26). Admission costs $5 for ages 12 and over.

Saturday, Nov. 18

Catch Spectacle Live Laughs today at 8 p.m. featuring comedians Chris Zito, Steve Bjork and Mike Koutrobis at the Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St. in Nashua; nashuacenterforthearts.com, 657-8874). Tickets cost $29. Find more laughs this weekend and beyond in our Comedy This Week listings on page 42.

Save the Date! Sunday, Dec. 3
LaBelle Winery has some holiday events slated for Sunday, Dec. 3, at its two locations. In Derry (14 Route 111), catch the Holiday Pops Concert at 4 p.m. (doors open at 3:30 p.m.). A Brass Quintet and a String Quartet featuring members of the NH Philharmonic Orchestra will perform classical melodies and holiday hits, according to labellewinery.com, where you can purchase tickets ($30 general admission, $20 ages 4 to 12). At 5:30 p.m. at the Amherst winery (345 Route 101), it’s the Hogwarts Yule Ball, featuring a four-course wine dinner, Harry Potter- and holiday-themed decor and dancing to holiday tunes, according to website, where you can find the full menu and reserve a spot for $95 per person. See labellewinery.com for more on both events or call 672-9898.

Featured photo: Christmas tree