Tag: 211125

Town tree lightings and festivals of trees for your holiday

Cities and towns all across the Granite State are marking the holiday season with ceremonial tree lightings. Check out a list of them here, along with special festivals of trees hosted by local organizations.

• The Bektash Shriners of New Hampshire are holding their 21st annual Fez-tival of Trees both online and in person this year, now through Saturday, Nov. 27, virtually, and through Sunday, Nov. 28, at the Bektash Shrine Center (189 Pembroke Road, Concord). Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and free for kids under 12, with fully decorated trees being raffled off on Sunday, Nov. 28, at 4 p.m. Visit nhshriners.org.

• Pelham Community Spirit is hosting the annual Southern New Hampshire Festival of Trees at Sherburne Hall in the municipal building (6 Village Green, Pelham) from Friday, Nov. 26, through Saturday, Dec. 4, at varying times each day. Business, community groups and residents in and around Pelham donate decorated Christmas trees and wreaths to be raffled off at the end of the event. There will also be daily bake sales, live entertainment and special appearances from Santa Claus. Admission is $5 for adults and free for kids ages 12 and under (multiple-day passes are also available). Visit snhfestivaloftrees.pelhamcommunityspirit.org.

• Concord’s annual Christmas tree lighting celebration is happening at the Statehouse Plaza (North Main Street, Concord) on Friday, Nov. 26, at 4 p.m. Visit concordnh.gov.

• The Very Derry Holiday Celebration on Saturday, Nov. 27, will conclude with a tree lighting at 5:15 p.m., at 1 West Broadway in Derry. Visit gdlchamber.org.

• The third annual Auburn tree lighting is happening on Sunday, Nov. 28, at 6 p.m. in the front parking lot of the Auburn Village School (11 Eaton Hill Road, Auburn). Santa will arrive via fire truck and lead the countdown to light the tree. The Grinch will also be there to cause a little mischief. Visit auburnnh.us.

• Rivier University (420 S. Main St., Nashua) will hold its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Wednesday, Dec. 1, at 6 p.m. on its chapel quad. Visit rivier.edu.

• This year’s Exeter Festival of Trees will be held over two days, on Wednesday, Dec. 1, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Thursday, Dec. 2, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Exeter Town Hall (10 Front St., Exeter). The event features 50 decorated trees on display for viewing, with all the bidding taking place online this year. The auction link will be posted at exeterareacharitablefoundation.org/festivaloftrees, as well as on the event’s Facebook page. Directions on how to bid on a tree and how to buy raffle tickets will be available at the event.

• The Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce will present its annual tree lighting ceremony on Friday, Dec. 3, at 5:30 p.m. at Central Square in downtown Rochester. The event will also feature visits and photo opportunities with Santa Claus, dance performances, cookie decorating, caroling and more. Visit rochesternh.org.

• Goffstown’s annual Friday Night Under the Lights will take place on Friday, Dec. 3, from 5 to 8 p.m., in Goffstown Village, featuring the town tree lighting, caroling, holiday hayrides, cocoa, cookies and more. Visit goffstownmainstreet.org.

• The Fremont Parks & Recreation Department is hosting its annual Santa party and tree lighting on Friday, Dec. 3, at 6 p.m. This year the event will be outdoors at the Ellis School (432 Main St., Fremont). Everyone who gives Santa a letter will be entered in a raffle for a chance to win prizes. Visit fremont.nh.gov.

• Windham’s annual tree lighting is happening on Saturday, Dec. 4, at 5 p.m. on the Windham Town Common. Santa Claus will be in the gazebo for photos, and there will be a bonfire and carolers from 4 to 5 p.m. Visit windhamnh.gov.

• Portsmouth’s illuminated holiday parade and tree lighting will be held on Saturday, Dec. 4, at 5 p.m. at Market Square in Portsmouth, with remarks from the mayor and music from the Portsmouth Holiday Ensemble. The parade will then kick off from the Goodwin Park area on Islington Street at 6 p.m. Visit cityofportsmouth.com.

• The Town of Chester will be holding its 300th anniversary Christmas tree lighting and caroling event on Saturday, Dec. 4, at Stevens Memorial Hall (1 Chester St., Chester). A 25-foot tree will be placed on the lawn and lit at 5 p.m., followed by caroling from the Manchester Choral Society. Refreshments will also be provided by the Chester Lions Club. Visit chesternh.org.

• Join LaBelle Winery for a Christmas tree lighting ceremony at its Amherst location (345 Route 101) on Sunday, Dec. 5, at 5 p.m. There is no admission charge, but guests are encouraged to bring items to support SHARE Outreach, like socks, hats, mittens, gloves and scarves. Visit labellewinery.com.

• The Merrimack Parks & Recreation Department will present its 28th annual holiday parade and tree lighting on Sunday, Dec. 5, at Abbie Griffin Park (6 Baboosic Lake Road, Merrimack). The parade begins at the Commons Shopping Plaza (515 Daniel Webster Hwy.) at 3 p.m., with the tree lighting at 3:45 p.m. immediately following the parade’s arrival at the park. Visit merrimackparksandrec.org.

• Stratham’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony is set for Sunday, Dec. 5, at 5 p.m. at the Stratham Fire Station (4 Winnicut Road, Stratham), featuring music, hot chocolate, caroling, cookies and more. Visit strathamnh.gov.

• The annual Amherst tree lighting ceremony is happening on Friday, Dec. 10, at 6 p.m. at the Amherst Town Green at Main and Church streets. Follow the Facebook page @amhersttreelightingfestival for updates.

Featured photo: The Bektash Shriners of New Hampshire’s Fez-tival of Trees. Courtesy photo.

Downtown holiday parades, light displays and more

From downtown parades to spectacular multi-day light displays, here’s a list of festive happenings to get you into the holiday spirit this season.

• LaBelle Lights continues at LaBelle Winery’s Derry location (14 Route 111) now through Feb. 26. This festive outdoor light show features displays that are being changed periodically throughout its run, taking place on the facility’s golf course along a paved walking path. The display includes a 15-foot-tall selfie station made of wine barrels, designed and installed by LaBelle vineyard manager and professional woodworker Josh Boisvert. A number of themed events are also being planned in coordination with LaBelle Lights, including a “Crazy Christmas Hat Night” on Dec. 3 and an “Ugly Holiday Sweater Night” on Dec. 17. Hours of operation are from 4:30 to 9 p.m. on select days throughout the season. Tickets are $15. Visit labellewinery.com/lights to view the full calendar schedule.

• The Gift of Lights returns to New Hampshire Motor Speedway (1122 Route 106 North, Loudon), opening on Thursday, Nov. 25, and continuing through Sunday, Jan. 2. The 2½-mile drive-thru light show features a variety of scenes making up more than 500 different light displays along the track. It’s open from 4:30 to 9 p.m. every Sunday through Thursday, and 4:30 to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, depending on weather conditions. The cost ranges from $30 to $35 per carload, and is $60 per limo or bus. Visit nhms.com/events/giftoflights.

• Downtown Nashua is once again hosting Plaid Friday, a shopping event alternative to Black Friday, on Friday, Nov. 26. Participants who wear plaid are eligible for giveaways, discounts and more at participating businesses. Go to 110 Main St. in Nashua to pick up a swag bag and a map of participating venues, along with coupons, discounts and other offers. Tickets are free, but a donation of $5 or $10 is suggested. Visit downtownnashua.org/shop-2/plaid-friday.

• The Town of Pelham and Pelham Community Spirit will present the second annual Festival of Lights on the town’s Village Green, beginning Friday, Nov. 26, and lasting through the end of the year. Visit pelhamcommunityspirit.org.

• The 35th annual Nutfield Holiday Parade is happening on Saturday, Nov. 27, kicking off at 1 p.m. in Derry. This year’s theme is “Unsung Heroes,” with the parade featuring more than 80 festive floats, marching units, performers and costumed characters. It will step off in front of the Adams Memorial Building before continuing down Broadway, making a left on Crystal Avenue and finishing at Hood Commons. The parade is part of the annual Very Derry Holiday Celebration, which will have multiple holiday-themed festivities around town, like live music at The Wandering Stage (Benson’s Lawn, 1 W. Broadway) and holiday crafts and photos with Santa from 2 to 5 p.m. at Veterans Hall (31 W. Broadway). Visit gdlchamber.org.

• The Wolfeboro Area Chamber of Commerce will host the Christmas in Wolfeboro Parade, scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 27, at 3 p.m. A view of the entire parade will be available from either side of Main Street in Wolfeboro, from in front of Carpenter Elementary School heading north to Mill Street. Visit wolfeborochamber.com/events/christmas-in-wolfeboro-parade.

• The Salem Holiday Parade returns for its 50th year on Sunday, Nov. 28, at 1 p.m. This year’s theme is “Golden Anniversary,” with the parade beginning at the intersection of Main and Policy streets in Salem. It will then continue down Main Street and turn right onto Geremonty Drive, ending at Salem High School. Visit salemnhparade.org.

Turkey trots and Santa Shuffle
Work up an appetite for Thanksgiving pie at area Turkey Trot race events happening Thanksgiving day (and a few later that weekend). December also has some other holiday-themed races. Find some final opportunities to run a 5K (and score some cool swag) in our Nov. 11 cover story, where Meghan Siegler talks about how these runs are put together and why runners enjoy taking part. See the e-edition of the issue at hippopress.com; the story starts on page 10.

• The Celebrate Laconia Lights Festival returns to the city of Laconia, featuring several ongoing events throughout the holiday season. It kicks off on Sunday, Nov. 28, with a downtown holiday parade beginning at 4:30 p.m. Also starting that day will be the Lights Festival coloring contest, with submissions accepted through Friday, Dec. 10, and the Light-Up Laconia Holiday Decorating Competition, which will run through Friday, Dec. 17. Visit celebratelaconia.org.

• Intown Concord’s annual Midnight Merriment event returns for the 28th year on Friday, Dec. 3, from 5 p.m. to midnight in downtown Concord. Activities will include holiday shopping at participating local businesses, strolling carolers, Nazzy’s holiday dance party, hot cocoa and S’mores, and meet-and-greets with Santa Claus from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in front of the New Hampshire Federal Credit Union building. Visit intownconcord.org.

• Join Fright Kingdom (12 Simon St., Nashua) for its annual Krampus-themed holiday event, “The Fright Before Christmas,” Friday, Dec. 3, through Sunday, Dec. 5, 7 to 10 p.m. each night, featuring a costume contest, a scary winter wonderland and more. Tickets are $29 and must be purchased in advance. Visit frightkingdom.com or call 809-1173.

• Vintage Christmas, an ongoing citywide celebration of the holidays, returns to Portsmouth with happenings that include the Candlelight Stroll Under the Stars during the weekends from Dec. 4 to Dec. 19 at Strawbery Banke Museum (14 Hancock St., 433-1100, strawberybanke.org); Labrie Family Skate at Strawbery Banke’s Puddle Dock Pond; the 31st 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 season, including various shows at The Music Hall (28 Chestnut St., 436-2400, themusichall.org). Visit vintagechristmasnh.org.

• Experience Hampton will present its annual Hampton Holiday Parade on Saturday, Dec. 4, at 1 p.m., which will kick off at the Hampton-North Hampton town line and end at Winnacunnet Road. This year’s theme is “Holiday Memories.” Visit experiencehampton.org.

• The Exeter Holiday Parade returns on Saturday, Dec. 4, beginning on Portsmouth Ave. at 5:30 p.m. and ending at Swasey Parkway. Visit exeterholidayparade.org.

• Manchester’s annual holiday parade is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 4, kicking off at 4 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park (889 Elm St.). The celebration will include snacks, letter carriers collecting letters to Santa Claus, and a variety of decorated floats, with several local organizations participating from the city Fire and Police departments to the Palace Theatre, the New Hampshire Roller Derby, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats and more. The parade is expected to begin immediately following the BASC Santa Claus Shuffle, a three-mile road race presented by Millennium Running. Visit manchesternh.gov.

• The Town of Nottingham’s Parks & Recreation Department is hosting a holiday parade Saturday, Dec. 4, at 10 a.m. at the community center (Stage Road). Visit nottingham-nh.gov.

• The Hampstead Christmas Parade returns for its 57th year on Sunday, Dec. 5, at 1 p.m. This year’s parade is Hawaiian-themed. Visit hampstead.nhlions.org.

• Bethany Church’s Greenland campus (500 Breakfast Hill Road) is hosting a drive-thru Christmas celebration Friday, Dec. 10, and Saturday, Dec. 11, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. each day. Experience a landscape bursting with Christmas lights and decorations, a live Nativity, holiday music and a 30-foot Christmas tree. Visit bethanychurch.com to register.

• The Southern New Hampshire Tour of Lights will run from Dec. 11 through Dec. 27, with multiple town parks and recreation departments participating, including Amherst, Milford, Jaffrey, Antrim, Fitzwilliam, Keene, Merrimack, Peterborough, Rindge and Troy. Contact your local recreation department by Dec. 6 to enter for a chance to win a gift certificate to a local area business.

• The Canterbury Shaker Village (288 Shaker Road) presents Merry Merry Canterbury, a holiday-themed celebration during the weekends of Saturday, Dec. 11, and Sunday, Dec. 12, and Saturday, Dec. 18, and Sunday, Dec. 19. Activities will include opportunities to ascend the “Stairway to the Clouds” in the horse barn, plus caroling, dance and theater performances, a magic show and more. Admission is $20 for adults and free for kids. Masks required. Visit shakers.org.

• Light Up New Boston will take place on Saturday, Dec. 11, from 6 to 8 p.m., directly following the town’s s’mores with Santa event on the gazebo. If you live in and around New Boston and have a light display to show off, contact the town’s Recreation Department at 487-2880 or at recreation@newbostonnh.gov with your address by Dec. 8. Maps will be available for families beginning Dec. 9 at newbostonnh.gov.

• Join the Beaver Brook Association (117 Ridge Road, Hollis) for its annual Winter Solstice Family Event on Sunday, Dec. 19, with time slots from 2 to 4 p.m. There will be a self-guided trail with a nature story about the origins of the Winter Solstice, plus facts about New England wildlife and the tradition of the Yule log. The cost is $12. Visit beaverbrook.org.

Craft fair season
Do some shopping for artisan-made items at local craft fairs. Find listings for the coming weekend’s craft fairs most weeks on the This Week page (page 9 in this and most issues). Know of an upcoming craft fair? Let us know at adiaz@hippopress.com.

Featured photo: Santa Shuffle. Courtesy photo.

Pre-game the holiday

The night before Thanksgiving is known as Friendsgiving or Drinksgiving, depending on intent. Whatever it’s called, bar and restaurant owners far and wide consider it the second busiest day of the year, after New Year’s Eve, as old friends meet up and family members regroup ahead of the long weekend. Here are some area options to consider for the evening of Wednesday, Nov. 24.

• 603 Brewery (42 Main St., Londonderry, 404-6123) Seacoast funk and soul band Clandestine performs popular tunes and originals.

• Alamo Texas Barbecue & Tequila Bar (99 Route 13, Brookline,721-5000) Music from independent folk rock singer-songwriter Brother Seamus.

• Amphora (55 Crystal Ave., Derry, 537-0111) Singer, guitarist and 2013 NHCMA New Country Entertainer of the Year Eddie Sands plays favorites.

• Area 23 (State Street, Concord, 881-9060) The regular open mic Wednesday is often anything but at this music-friendly taproom and restaurant.

• Auburn Pitts (167 Rockingham Road, Auburn, 622-6564) Ronnie B & Sarah B Duo, together for 13 years and playing covers with food and drink specials

• Boston Billiard Club & Casino (55 Northeastern Blvd., Nashua, 943-5630) Dave Ayotte Duo & DJ Spindler perform.

• Bridgewater Inn (367 Mayhew Turnpike, Bridgewater, 744-3518) Rebecca Turmel plays classic rock and contemporary covers ranging from Fleetwood Mac and CCR to Kelly Clarkson, Ed Sheeran and Sara Bareilles.

• Copper Door (15 Leavy Dr., Bedford, 488-2677) Area favorite Chad LaMarsh performs.

• Copper Door (41 S. Broadway, Salem, 458-2033) A Seacoast mainstay with a solid following across the rest of New Hampshire, Pete Peterson plays and sings.

• Crow’s Nest (181 Plaistow Road, Plaistow, 974-1686) DJ SOB spins dance music.

• Derryfield (625 Mammoth Road, Manchester, 623-2880) D-Comp Band, the acoustic duo of Nate Comp and Demetri Papanicolau, play covers.

• Fody’s (9 Clinton St., Nashua, 577-9015) Bill Meech performs.

• Fody’s (187 Rockingham Road, Derry, 404-6946) DJ Mark Allen spins the tunes.

• Fratello’s (155 Dow St., Manchester, 624-2022) Jeff Mrozek brings his passion for classic rock and soul, along with recent favorites like Nirvana and Kings of Leon.

• Fratello’s (194 Main St., Nashua, 889-2022) Prolific singer, songwriter, guitarist, bass player and drummer Sean Coleman performs.

• Getaway Lounge (157 Franklin St., Manchester, 627-0661) Mugshot Monday plays classic rock hits.

• Giuseppe’s (312 Daniel Webster Hwy., Meredith, 279-3313) John Stanley Shelley plays rock, country, blues, funk and folk.

• The Goat (50 Old Granite St., Manchester, 222-1677) It’s DJ music with no cover charge, and likely a little line dancing.

• The Goat (142 Congress St., Portsmouth, 590-4628) Performing solo, Alex Anthony draws inspiration from Ray Lamontagne, James Taylor, Van Morrison, Damien Rice and City & Colour.

• Hancock Depot Cabaret (27 Depot Road, Hancock, 641-0076) Jillian Bosworth Memorial Show with Tumbletoads, Modern Fools, Kyle Webber and Andrew Szmauz.

• Hermanos (11 Hills Ave., Concord, 224-5669) Brian Booth plays favorites across the decades.

• High Octane Saloon (1072 Watson Road, Laconia, 527-8116) Dirty Looks Band rocks the Lakes Region roadhouse.

• Homestead (641 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 429-2022) Austin McCarthy, vocalist for Carolina Burn, Chasing Trends and Natural Order, plays and sings.

• Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club (135 Congress St., Portsmouth, 603-5299) Davina & the Vagabonds entertain at this recently opened music room.

• Lilac City Grille (103 N. Main St., Rochester, 332-3984) Tim Theriault & 75-cent wings precede the big bird day.

• Lithermans Limited (126 Hall St., Unit B, Concord, 219-0784) Up Street Food Truck offers up goodies at this Capital City microbrewery.

• Luk’s (142 Lowell Road, Hudson, 889-9900) Acoustically Speaking strips down favorite songs back to their basic bones.

• Lynn’s 102 Tavern (76 Derry Road, Hudson, 943-7832) New Hampshire rock cover band Sindicate plays hits.

• Murphy’s Taproom (494 Elm St., Manchester, 644-3535) Pulling from a catalog of over 100 songs from the ’60s to today, Blue Matter performs.

• North Beach Bar & Grill (931 Ocean Blvd., Hampton Beach, 967-4884) Rock duo Radioactive plays.

• Northwoods Brewing Co. (1334 First NH Turnpike, Northwood, 942-6400) Johnson’s hosts Friendsgiving at this microbrewery.

• Pasta Loft (220 E. Main St., Milford, 378-0092) 12th Annual Winterfest with Dezent, featuring Mariah Deluage. Bring an unwrapped toy to donate to Toys For Tots. Free beanies for the first 100 people.

• Pipe Dream Brewing (40 Harvey Road, Londonderry, 404-0751) Turn Down For Turkey event with DJ Ache spinning.

• Portsmouth Gas Light (64 Market St., Portsmouth, 430-9122) Ralph Allen performs favorites from a range of genres.

• Press Room (77 Daniel St., Portsmouth, 431-5186) Thanks 4 Giving A Sh!tmas is a funk, hip-hop and poetry concert to raise money for HAVEN featuring The Bulkheads, Adrienne Mack-Davis, DJ Chad Banks, Myles Burr and The Incredible Chuck of Notoriety. Krystal Wallbaum’s collaborative project The Artistic Thread will also be hosting a silent art auction at the event, with five local artists donating at least 50 percent of their profits to HAVEN.

• Rage Cage (10 W. Hollis St., Nashua, rawamericanhiphop.com) Fee the Evolutionist performs in advance of releasing his collaborative single “Beast Over Beats,” featuring hip-hop talent from across the Granite State.

• Red’s Kitchen & Tavern (530 Lafayette Road, Seabrook, 760-0030) Chris Lester, a guitarist who’s toured with Sully Erna and is a member of popular tribute act Dark Desert Eagles, performs.

• Rochester Opera House (32 N. Main St., Rochester, 335-1992) Comedian Bob Marley performs at 6 and 8 p.m., tickets $38 and up. It’s not a pub, but what’s better than a laugh to kick off the long weekend? The comic appears again with two shows each on Friday and Sunday.

• Sawbelly Brewing (156 Epping Road, Exeter, 583-5080) Dyer Holiday performs; the Lowell duo release an album, Together and Broken, in March.

• Stark Brewing Co. (500 Commercial St., Manchester, 625-4444) Karaoke with Cox Karaoke is a regular midweek attraction.

• Stone Church (5 Granite St., Newmarket, 659-7700) Senie Hunt Trio, led by the percussive guitarist who divides his time between New England and Nashville, performs revved-up rock and blues — $12

• Stonecutters Pub (63 Union St., Milford, 213-5979) Swipe Left with Rick Carr and Phillip Gerekos helps the restaurant-bar celebrate its first year in business.

• Stones Social (449 Amherst St., Nashua, 943-7445) Charlie Chronopoulos performs, with sales proceeds from a seasonal drink special, Girl Dad (sesame vodka, maple cream and espresso liqueur), going to the Nashua Children’s Home.

• Strange Brew (88 Market St., Manchester, 666-4292) Jake Pardee & Friends, led by producer and Berklee alum, perform.

• Stripe Nine Brewing (8 Somersworth Place, Somersworth, 841-7175) Dancing Madly Backwards, named after a song from ’70s rockers Captain Beyond, performs.

• Stumble Inn (20 Rockingham Road, Londonderry, 432-3210) It’s a twin bill with 21st & 1st and Jodee Frawley.

• Telly’s (235 Calef Hwy., Epping, 679-8225) The Drift performs.

• Thirsty Moose (21 Congress St, Portsmouth, 427-8645) Mattson, a powerhouse hybrid pop rock trio, performs.

• To Share Brewing (720 Union St., Manchester, 836-6947) DJ Shamblez spins dance music in the taproom.

• Tower Hill Tavern (264 Lakeside Ave, Laconia, 366-9100) Thanksgiving Eve Pahty in the Lakes Region. Call for details.

• Village Trestle (25 Main St., Goffstown, 497-8230) Jordan Quinn & Clint Lapointe perform together.

• Wally’s Pub (144 Ashworth Ave., Hampton Beach, 926-6954) Beer pong, lawn games and live music from Jamsterdam.

Featured photo: Chad LaMarsh. Photo by Sid Ceaser Photography.