Welcome to the last weekend before the winter holidays! Hanukkah (or Chanukkah, if you prefer) begins next Tuesday evening, followed by the Winter Solstice on Thursday, Christmas Eve and Christmas on Saturday and Sunday and Kwanzaa the following Monday. Many families celebrate one or more of these special days; no matter what or when you celebrate this holiday season, we at NH.com would like to with you and yours the happiest, merriest, most family-filled holiday season.

If your family and friends are already in town, this is a great weekend to catch any number of holiday themed concerts and performances! Some productions include A Christmas Carol, The Nutcracker, The Christmas Revels, A Very Ida Christmas, The Twelve Days of Christmas, and more!

My recommendation for a fun, family activity this weekend is letter-writing to Santa. Pour some egg nog or cocoa, warm some cookies and jot down wish lists, hopes and dreams. Share the letters with each other before sealing the envelopes! Once your notes are stamped, bring them over to a Macy's Department Store "Believe Station." Macy's will take care of delivering the letters to Santa in the North Pole, and for every letter they send out they will donate $1 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, up to $1 million! Spread the warmth and love this holiday season, and insight a little magic, too!

Merrimack Region
Theatre
Saturday
Twelve Days of Christmas

Boston Pops Holiday Concert

All Weekend
Ballet Misha presents "The Nutcracker"

A Christmas Carol (Manchester)

Northern Ballet Theatre presents The Nutcracker

A Christmas Carol (Nashua)

Community
Drop your Santa Letter at Macy's to Support Make-A-Wish Foundation
Through December 24
Any local Macy's Store (Including Nashua, NH)
Bring your stamped letter addressed to Santa, and drop it into Santa's special letterbox located in all Macy's "Believe Stations". Macy's will count them up, and for each letter received, will donate $1 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, up to $1 million... a Million Reasons to Believe! Letter writing campaigns welcome!

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.

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.

Santa's Big Party
Sat-Sun, Through December 24
Candia, NH
Santa Claus is having a big party at Charmingfare Farm and you are all invited. To get to the party you must first take a 30-minute horse drawn ride through the Christmas trails to the secret party location. Santa himself will be spinning your favorite tunes. Not to worry, Santa always makes sure he has time to visit with everyone who attends. An assortment of holiday performers and costumed characters will be on hand to mix and mingle. Sugar cookies and hot cocoa are available for everyone to enjoy around a bonfire. The elves will be busy making sure the music and activities are just perfect. When you are ready to leave the party just climb aboard "The Tractor Train Ride" to see Santa's live reindeer.

Holiday Craft Bazaar
Sat-Sun, December 17-18
Hudson, NH
Come shop for your last minute unique gifts. Crafters on site to help with all your holiday shopping. Space still available for crafters.

Santa in the Park Event
Sunday, December 18
Nashua, NH
Santa Claus will arrive promptly at noon so children can have their picture taken with St. Nicholas! Parents bring their own camera to snap a memory that will last a lifetime. Santa will also have a limited number of presents to hand out to lucky children. The gazebo will be transformed into Santa's Nashua Workshop! This is a free event!

Worcester Sharks vs Manchester Monarchs
Saturday, December 18
Manchester, NH
Hockey at Verizon Wireless Arena.

99% Aware! Occupy New Hampshire tours Nashua
Sunday, December 18
Nashua, NH
A peaceful demonstration is set for Sunday, December 18th along Nashua's Main St. beginning at 144 Main St. 1:00 pm. At 2:00 pm attendees are welcome to march peacefully up Main St. toward Railroad Square. We will end the march at 58 Lowell St. inside the Unitarian Universalist Church. Here, members from state wide Occupy NH and other Occupy movements in Lowell will meet in the 2nd floor auditorium. Speakers, Sharing, fellowship shall resume. FREE. Information on upcoming events included.

Seacoast Region
Theatre
Saturday
GRAMMy Award-winner Ed Gerhard's 29th Annual Christmas Guitar Concert

All Weekend
Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol

An 1836 Portsmouth Nutcracker

Community
32nd Annual Candlelight Stroll
Sat-Sun, December 17-18
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
40 Years, 88 Shows & 1 Flood Benefit Revue

All Weekend
The Christmas Revels

Community
Gingerbread House Decorating
Saturday, December 17
Claremont, NH
Annual Gingerbread House Decorating, 10:30-12:00 - Houses and candy provided, $10 per house. Discount for multiple houses. Great for the kids! This is a community event open to all. Call or email to sign up.

Lakes Region
Theatre
Saturday
A Christmas Carol

All Weekend
A Very Ida Christmas

Community
Seacoast Eat Local Winter Farmers' Market
Saturday, December 17
Rollinsford, NH
Look forward to:
Fruits and vegetables: pears and apples, carrots and parsnips, fresh herbs and dried chilies, salad greens, spinach, broccoli, winter squash, onions, garlic, beets, salad greens, Brussels sprouts, potatoes, turnips, rutabagas, kale, cabbages and many more vegetables will be available.

Wolfeboro Festival of Trees
Sat-Sun, December 17-18
Wolfeboro, NH
The Wolfeboro Festival of Trees is a charity benefit featuring two levels of over 65 beautifully decorated trees. Continuous entertainment and free refreshments. Visitors will also be able to tour the Wright Museum.

White Mountains Region
Community
Santa At The Rocks
Saturday, 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
Saturday, December 17
Jackson, NH
Board your Austrian Drawn Sleigh at Nestlenook Estate where you will be greeted by Carolers, presented with your Jingle Bell and first Chocolate Treasure. All this and more at one of New England's most charming winter wonderland settings.

Rey Center Artisans Fair
Sat-Sun, December 17-18
Waterville Valley, NH
A variety of local artisans will be displaying and selling their arts and crafts - including handmade holiday ornaments, crocheted hats, jewelry, fine art, quilts, felted accessories and much more. A portion of the proceeds support the Rey Center's art education programs for all ages.

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