Christmas Events
Around Lake Winnipesaukee
Christmas events in the Lake Winnipesaukee area of New Hampshire can be truly enchanting. The leaves are all gone and the snow has fallen (hopefully,) to create a wonderful holiday atmosphere.
You can find colorful lights around the cities and towns and merriment in all the shops and homes.
Even though the weather during
the holiday season can be frightful, the smiles and joy everywhere is
truly delightful.
There are
many Christmas activities around Lake Winnipesaukee to enjoy and help make it magical for the whole family.
Here are some of my favorite activities to do in the area. Plus, I've added some links to make the season more enjoyable.
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Live music will add warmth to your
Christmas events that can't be duplicated with recorded music.
Autumn Leaves, a local
lakes region jazz ensemble can add an eloquent addition of Christmas music in a
jazz idiom mixed with standard jazz tunes. Contact Autumn Leaves by
filling out the Lake Winnipesaukee Travel Guide
Contact
form.
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If one of your family Christmas
events is cutting your own tree, check out the various locations on my
Pick
Your Own page.
November 10, 2018
Holiday Fair - Belmont
Get started early on your holiday shopping at the Belmond High School Holiday Fair. There are many vendors, food, raffle and silent auction items. It takes place at Belmont High School on Saturday, from 9:00am to 3:00pm.
November 17, 2018
Lakes Region Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair
One of the Christmas events to help get your shopping started is the Lakes Region Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair at the Meredith Community Center. Start some holiday shopping with these fine crafts. The craft fair is open from 9-2 with Free admission.
November 17-18 and November 23-24, 2018
Christmas at the Castle
Stroll through Lucknow decorated as it would have been in the early
1900s. You arrive by trolley and you can warm up by the fireplace in the
Carriage House. This takes place on two weekends from 10am-4pm. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for kids (5-17
yrs,) and $15/$8 for friends of the castle.
November 17 - December 22, 2018
Santa's Village in Jefferson, NH
Even though this is further away, I had to add Santa's Village to the
list of Christmas events. During the Christmas season, Santa's Village
opens up on weekends. There are a variety of activities for children to
enjoy including decorating cookies, ornaments and more. In addition,
there is shopping and refreshments. Only a few rides open in the summer
are closed during the Christmas season. These include Rudy's Rapid
Transit Coaster, Yule Log Flume and Red Hot Racer. Many of the rides have
a roof over them to make everyone more comfortable.
Santa's Village is open Saturdays from 11am - 7pm, Sundays from 11am - 6pm. Friday, Nov. 23rd from 11am - 7pm.
November 23 - December 31, 2018
The Gift of Lights
Experience the Gift of Lights at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in
Loudon. Experience the wonderful display of LED lights on this two mile
long drive through the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. This is one of the
Christmas Events that you don't want to miss. There are hundreds of displays
that everyone will enjoy no matter the age. The hours are 4:30pm to
9:00pm. Delayed opening on Dec. 10th until 5:30pm. Ticket
prices are $15 Mon-Thurs and $20 Fri-Sun. and Holidays. Gift of Lights is
closed on Dec 25th. For more information contact NHMS at 888-926-7403 or
check out their website at www.nhms.com.
November 23 - December 22, 2018
Ho-Ho-Hobo Santa Express
One of the totally awesome Christmas events that gets you into the holiday spirit by riding the Ho-Ho-Hobo Santa Express Train in Lincoln. Enjoy an 80 minute round trip ride along the Pemigewasset River down to the Jack O'Lantern Resort south of Woodstock. There are plenty of activities for the children. These include writing a letter to Santa and meeting him. Enjoy hot chocolate and cookies while watching the scenery. The trains run every weekend from Nov. 24th until Dec. 23rd. For more information call (603)745-2135.
November 24, 2018
Holiday Open House at the Loon Center
Visit the Loon Center at Lee's Mills Road in Moultonboro where they host the annual Holiday Open House. There are kid's crafts, exhibits refreshments, face painting and Mr. Phil will be there making balloon figures, Festivities begin at 10am and Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive at noon. This is one of the fun Christmas events that takes place on November 25th from 10:00am-2:00pm. Call (603)476-5666 for more information.
November 24, 2018
Christmas Parade in Wolfeboro
This annual Christmas parade is a fun event for the whole family. It takes place from 3-4pm. After the parade there's a tree lighting and Santa at Cate Park at the Town Docks. For more information on this and other Christmas events, contact the Wolfeboro Chamber of Commerce at (603)569-2200.
November 24, 2018
Holiday Parade
I had to put this schedule together early, so please double check this information for date and time before going. This is one of our favorite Christmas events. The annual holiday parade in Laconia. This is a fun parade for all. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there. The Santa Train will not run again this year. For more information on these Christmas events contact the Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce at (603)524-5531.
November 39 - December 2, 2018
Christmas Village
Laconia Community Center - Thurs. - Sat. Evenings from 6-8pm, and Sunday afternoon from 2-5pm.
One of the most enchanting Christmas events is Christmas Village. This is
a must for young children and families. The Community Center is
transformed into a Christmas wonderland. Every detail is thought of from
the decorations to the elves helping out. You start off with a sleigh
ride, check out the trains, choose a wooden decoration and have cookies and a
drink. This all leads up to the visit with Santa at the end. The
children will surely feel the magic of Christmas. This event is
free. Donations are gladly accepted.
November 30 - December 1, 2018
Santa Land
Come and enjoy a Christmas experience at the Gilford Youth Center. This is an enchanting experience for families with young children. The Youth Center is transformed into a Christmas Wonderland where there is face painting, games, activities and a visit with Santa. This event takes place on Friday night from 5:00pm-7:30pm and Saturday from 10:00am-12noon. For more information, contact Gilford Community Church at: 603-524-6057.
November 30 - December 3, 2018
Christmas Village Fair
Come and enjoy the Village Fair hosted by the Gilford Community Church. It is held Friday from 5 - 7pm, and Saturday from 9am - 1pm. There are greens, jewelry, baked goods, books, toys, luncheon, cookie walk, crafts and a silent auction. For more information call (603)524-6057.
December 1, 2018
Gilford Craft Fair
Another one of the Christmas events in the area to help you get started on your holiday shopping is the Gilford High School annual Craft Fair. The fair is spread out in both the middle school and high school. You will find wonderful items made by local artisans as well as some food and refreshments. The fair takes place on Saturday from 9 - 3pm.
December 2, 2018
Holiday Concert
Come enjoy the Christmas concert performed by the Carter Mountain Brass Band. The concert takes place on Sunday, Dec. 3rd at 3pm in the First United Methodist Church of Gilford with a dessert reception afterwards. A suggested donation of $8 is requested at the door.
December 1, 2018
Yuletide in Alton - Light Up Night
Join in the festivities at the town center for all kinds of entertainment. There's Santa, food, crafts and more. Contact the town Alton for more details.
December 2, 2018
Holiday Open House
This event takes place from 1:00pm -4:00pm at the Mill Falls Marketplace in Meredith. There are horse and wagon rides, refreshments and more.
December 4, 2018
Santa's Calling
This is one of the popular Christmas events for kids. It is held from 6-8pm. On this special night, Santa calls the kids of Laconia. You need to pre-register your child by Dec. 1st. Free for ages 3 -10. The kids love it. To pre-register, call (603)524-5046.
December 5, 2018
Christmas Caroling
Want to bring a smile to the face of others? Come, join the singing of Christmas carols to the residents of the Taylor Home. Meet at the Laconia Community Center at 5:30pm. This is a free program. Hot chocolate will be provided. To sign up, call (603)524-5046 by Dec. 1st.
December 8, 2018
Christmas Spirit Open House
Enjoy a fun day and shopping in downtown Wolfeboro from 1-4pm. You can enjoy entertainment, refreshments and of course, shopping. For more information and to double check call (603)569-2200.
December 8, 2018
Tuba Christmas Concert
Come and enjoy the annual TUBACHRISTMAS concert in Wolfeboro on Saturday from 2 - 3pm at the All Saint's Episcopal Church in Wolfeboro. If you have never heard a TUBACHRISTMAS performance, then you're in for a treat. It's a very enjoyable event.
December 8th and December 15th, 2018
Christmas in Canterbury
The Shakers loved to celebrate Christmas. They have all passed away
but the Christmas spirit and celebrations continue on at Canterbury Shaker
Village, from 3 - 8pm. You will find candlelight
strolls, caroling, gingerbread house showcase, trees and wreaths for sale,
craft items, food samples and more.
This is one of the fun Christmas events for the whole family. Tickets are $18 for adults, $8 for for kids 12-17 and Free for kids 5 and under. Visitors can decorate gingerbread people, tour the village, make Christmas ornaments, listen to children's stories and view a gingerbread village. For more information call (603)783-9511.
December 8-16, 2018
Wolfeboro Festival of Trees
Another one of the favorite Christmas events is the Wolfeboro Festival of Trees. The festival will be held on weekends and Wed. Dec. 12th from 6:00-8:00pm, with hours on Saturdays from 10:00am to 4:00pm and Sundays from 12:00pm to 3:00pm. Tickets are $5 per adult, children 8 and under $2, family price of $12. It takes place at the Wright Museum, 77 Center Street, Wolfeboro. The Wolfeboro Festival of Trees is a charity benefit featuring more than 60 decorated trees. Visitors will also be able to tour the museum.
December 2, 2018
The Nutcracker In Wolfeboro
The only production of "The Nutcracker" in the Lakes
Region is happening at the Kingswood Arts
Center. In addition to the beautiful dancing, during intermission there
will be an art exhibit, a magician, collectibles for sale as well as some
refreshments available. Tickets are $20.00/adult, $17.50/student and
senior, or $60 for a family pack of 4. For more information call 603-834-8834.
December 8 - 9, 2018
Holiday Concert
Listen to the wonderful music performed by the Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra. This Holiday concert takes place on Saturday evening at 7:30pm and Sunday afternoon at 3:00pm at the Inter-Lakes Auditorium in Meredith.
December 11, 2018
Hurray For The Holidays
This family program is a terrific way to spend time together while making Christmas ornaments in Laconia. The price is $2 per person. It takes place from 6-8pm. To register, call 524-5046 by Dec. 7th.
December 8, 2018
Gilford Community Band Holiday Concert and Candlelight Stroll
This all starts with the Gilford Community Band while they perform a wonderful Christmas concert. It takes place at the Gilford High School Auditorium at 4pm. Please double check the date/time of the concert. The stroll is from 5-7pm. Gilford Village is glowing with hundreds of candles which remind you of Christmases past. Walk around the village or take an old-fashioned horse and wagon ride. Many homes will offer warm food and treats for the children. Carolers can be heard throughout the stroll. Santa will be at the Village Field bandstand and a bonfire will be roaring to keep you warm while you toast marshmallows.
December 18, 2018
Family Cookie Decorating
This program is a fun way for the family to decorate Christmas
cookies. There's no baking involved! All materials are supplied and
you take your cookies home with you. It's $10 per family of four, $2 each
additional person. It takes place from 6-8pm. To register,
call 524-5046 by Dec. 11th.
December 31, 2018
Wolfeboro's First Night
Wolfeboro is the only town in the lakes region of New Hampshire that celebrates First Night. Come and join the fun. There's plenty of food and entertainment and fireworks at midnight. Buttons are sold that you wear on your coat. This is your admission ticket to all the First Night events. The sale of buttons will begin in November. Find out more about First Night in Wolfeboro festivities.
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