This week has just flown by! Can you believe we were making our Thanksgiving menus TWO WEEKS ago?! Now we're finalizing our holiday shopping and setting aside some wrapping time!

The holidays season is sprinkled into many events this weekend! For a wonderful evening with a wonderful cause, visit the New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the Gift of Lights , Sundays through Thursdays now through January 1^st. Drive around some of the grandstands and enjoy the themed twinkle-light displays. The cost of just $15 per car benefits The Speedway's Children's Charities which effort to care for children in educational, financial, social and medical need in order to help them lead productive lives.

There are plenty more craft fairs this weekend as well. If you're looking for a fun family activity, some fairs even offer make-your-own crafts for the kids!

I'm venturing out for my tree this weekend; if you are too, don't forget to check our pick-you-own farms page for the best local tree farms in your area!

Merrimack Region
Theatre
Saturday
The Forever Plaid Christmas Show

A Christmas Carol

'Antony & Cleopatra' with a 60's Twist

Sunday
Holiday Pop's

All Weekend
Concord Chorale Presents "Exultavit"

Waiting For Godot

Community
Gift of Lights
Sun-Thurs, Through January 1
Loudon, NH
It creates a festive atmosphere by allowing visitors to drive through several themed areas including the 12 Days of Christmas, the zoo, the beach and much more. The path starts at NHMS' main gate and winds around the outside of the grandstands and includes a stretch of the road course. At the end of the route, visitors can experience Santa's Village in the NHMS office, where they will enjoy hot cocoa, concessions and free photo opportunities with Santa. The cost is $15 per vehicle.

Santa's Stocking Stuffer Craft Fair
Saturday, December 10
Concord, NH
There will be a wonderful group of exhibitors including jewelry, wooden crafts, pottery, decorative painting, New England photography, seasonal decor, gourmet foods & lots more!

12th Annual New England Holiday Craft Festival
Sat-Sun, December 10-11
Salem, NH
Over 200 of the regions finest Craftsmen and women will display and sell their American made crafts including Candles, Angels, Turned Wood, Pottery, Scarves, Tapestry, Fine Jewelry, Quilts, Basketry, Photography, Metal Sculpture, Ceramics, Soap, Wall Hangings, Puppets, Appliqués, Chimes, Hats, Folk Toys, Marble Craft, Carved Birds, Soft Sculpture, Victorian Wreaths, Leather, Slate, Oil Paintings, Blown Glass, Mail Boxes, Pen & Ink Drawings, Calligraphy, Fleece, Knits, Poetry, Topiary, Silk and Dried Floral, Collectable Bears, Stained Glass, Holiday Decor and much more.

Lights on the Hill
Sat-Sun, December 10-11
Candia, NH
Toast a marshmallow or just warm your hands at the glowing campfire. Enjoy a light supper in the Café and top it off with a homemade dessert in the Bakery. Children as well as adults will delight in seeing live nativity animals at the "Bethlehem" stable. The Heritage Commission will greet you at the Smyth Building, which is on the National Historic Register. View crèches from all over the world. The Christmas Store is a delightful place to buy those inexpensive stocking stuffers. Elves are available to help your children purchase and wrap gifts for the entire family. Young adults will be drawn to the Coffeehouse to sip a cup of cappuccino while listening to acoustical music selections.

Breakfast with Santa
Saturday, December 10
Chester, NH
$5 per person.

Annual Gingerbread Village Display
Through December 25
Amherst, NH
Frederick's Pastries employees have completed the process of building their annual Gingerbread House Village Display. The village is currently ready for viewing and will be displayed through Christmas at the Route 101A, Amherst, NH store. The public is invited to visit the store and vote for their favorite house. "This year's theme is A Christmas Neighborhood."

Holiday Hockey Jamboree
Fri-Sat, December 9-10
Manchester, NH
Hockey teams include Londonderry, Goffstown, Central, Trinity, Memorial and
Bedford. Bring a canned good, xl gloves, warm hats, mittens or socks
and receive a $1.00 off admission price. Donated items to benefit New Horizons for New Hampshire which operates a homeless shelter, food pantry and soup kitchen in Manchester.

Portland Pirates vs Manchester Monarchs
Sunday, December 11
Manchester, NH
Join the Monarchs as we celebrate the holiday season! Bring a stuffed animal to toss onto the ice for children in need! Hear the Sing for Santa concert featuring New Hampshire elementary school choruses during intermission. *A limited number of kids, 12 and under, will receive Color-Me Pennants and crayons.

Coat Drive at EMS Nashua to Benefit Margarite's Place
Through Sunday, December 11
Nashua, NH
Eastern Mountain Sports Nashua Coat Drive.

Seacoast Region
Theatre
Saturday
A Christmas Celtic Sojourn

NH Gay Men's Chorus: "PEACE" holiday concert

Sunday
Faust (Gounod)

All Weekend
Amahl and the Night Visitors" and O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi"

Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol

Community
Hampstead Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 10
Hampstead, NH
The Hampstead Firemen's Association will host its Annual Christmas Parade. The theme for this year's parade is "Christmas Around the World". Lineup will begin at 12:30PM. The parade will proceed down Main Street promptly at 2:00 PM and all are welcome back at the fire station where trophies will be awarded to the winning floats (all judges decisions will be final) and ribbons will be given to all other participants. There will also be hot chocolate, cookies, conversation with friends and family and a special visit from Santa Claus for all the children.

32nd Annual Candlelight Stroll
Sundays, Through December 18
Portsmouth, NH
This year, the 32nd Annual Candlelight Stroll welcomes visitors to December in the Portsmouth Neighborhood of Puddle Dock with festively decorated houses and families celebrating the season's traditions across the Museum's 10-acre campus.

Dartmouth / Sunapee Region
Theatre
Saturday
Faust

Harmonic Ensemble & Green Mountain Youth Symphony Concerts

Sunday
Nutcracker Suite

All Weekend
The Christmas Revels

Guys And Dolls

Community
Winter Celebration
Saturday, December 10
Warner, NH
Native Americans consider winter to be the proper time for telling stories. Four storytellers will share their tales during our Winter Celebration. The day's events will include powwow-style drumming, crafts, games and a sale at the Dream Catcher gift shop.

Monadnock Region
Theatre
Saturday
MetLive in HD: Faust

Sunday
Gasland

All Weekend
The Nutcracker

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever

Frost Heaves presents Noel Nonsense

Community
7th Annual Currier and Ives Cookie Tour
Saturday, December 10
Troy, NH
here are currently 15 stops that will bring you to Fitzwilliam, Jaffrey, Rindge, Troy, Marlborough, Peterborough, and Swanzey. Tickets are $10.00 per person, and good for all locations. The ticket includes a homemade cookie and refreshment at each stop, as well as recipe cards for the treats offered. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Helping Hands, a non-profit organization that provides clothing and food to Troy and Fitzwilliam residents in need.

Great North Woods Region
Theatre
Sunday
North Country Community Chorus

Community
Cultural Christmas Festival
Saturday, December 10
Berlin, NH
This story has inspired countless other stories of holiday miracles. Long before the advent of motion pictures and television, the magic of Christmas was shared with the world through the written word of such classics as O. Henry's Gift of the Magi and Dickens' A Christmas Carol. In the spirit of those classic Christmas tales, Northern Forest Heritage Park proudly presents Dickens' Christmas as told by the players of Theatre North.

Lakes Region
Theatre
Saturday
The Nutcracker (Rochester)

Chris Smither

All Weekend
The Nutcracker (Alton)

J.S. Bach's Magnificat

Community
Christmas in the Village
Saturday, December 10
Tamworth, NH
The sights and sounds of the season will fill the village as we welcome you to our spectacular holiday event. Our buildings will be magnificently decorated and open with fun activities for all ages. In the Museum, Ed and Heidi Fayle will bring tales of the season to life with storytelling by the hearth fire along with traditional Christmas music. Experience a real Victorian Christmas morning in our Swift River Gallery with vintage clothing, antique toys as well an exquisite display of holiday cards and greetings from the Remick family collection. Make your way from room to room and sample goodies galore, even freshly made popcorn on the Glenwood stove. Get a jump on your gift list with handmade toys offered by Swift River Toys and meet local Author June O'Donal, of the Fryeburg Chronicles and purchase one of her beautiful books, written with our hearth in mind. Outside in the museum barn, craft your own greenery decorations for your home and don't forget your feathered friends with natural ornaments to fill your outdoor trees. Our concession stand will be serving up delicious baked goods and hot drinks. Warm up at our bonfire and take a scenic wagon ride over to the Captain Enoch Remick House and the Education Center for more activities.

Wolfeboro Festival of Trees
Sat-Sun, December 10-11
Wolfeboro, NH
The Wolfeboro Festival of Trees is a charity benefit featuring two levels of over 65 beautifully decorated trees. Continuous entertainment and free refeshments. Visitors will also be able to tour the Wright Museum.

White Mountains Region
Community
Cookies and Snow A Taste of the Holidays in Waterville Valley
Saturday, December 10
Waterville Valley, NH
Candy Cottage Workshop, A variety of local artisans will be displaying and selling their arts and crafts - everything from handmade holiday ornaments to quilts to watercolors, Curious George Story Time, Free Holiday Skating Party, Stroll through Town Square shops and sample a variety of cookies baked fresh by local restaurants, Coffee Tasting at the Coffee Emporium, and Santa is expected to stop by.

Jefferson Christmas Festival
Saturday, December 10
Jefferson, NH
This day will bring wonderful holiday spirit activities such as: Dog Sled Demonstration Horse Drawn Wagon Rides Craft Fair / Bake Sale Games / Raffles / Bonfire Lighting of Jefferson Memory Tree Business Open Houses

Santa At The Rocks
Through December 17
Bethlehem, NH
The Green (Eco) Santa will be at the farm giving seedlings to children and posing for photographs.

Jingle Bell Chocolate Tour
Through December 17
Jackson, NH
You'll be whisked away to Jackson Village stopping at the Inn at Jackson, the Jackson Chamber office sponsored by the Eagle Mountain House & Golf Club, The Wentworth, An Elegant Country Inn, J-Town Deli & Country Store, the Thompson House Eatery along with the Lodge at Jackson Village, the Snowflake Inn and Flossie's General Store where each will greet you with their especially prepared Chocolate Treasures. The sleigh will return you to the enchanting Nestlenook Estate.

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