How does New Hampshire celebrate the holidays? Let’s start with chocolate tours, holiday lights, festivals, shows and seasonal attractions! New Hampshire is a magical place this time of year and there’s no shortage of holiday events and celebrations to help get you in the spirit of the season. So gather family and friends together, and make fun-filled memories this holiday season in New Hampshire.
December 2-3, 8-10, 15-17, 2023
Step back in time, stroll through this open-air museum and experience the magic of the season in a historic waterfront neighborhood. Tour the Museum’s houses adorned with decorations crafted from greens and dried flowers harvested from the heirloom gardens on site. Hundreds of candle lanterns light the way as guests travel from house to house, while enjoying holiday carolers and seasonal greetings from costumed role players and performers recreating traditions of days gone by. This incredibly popular event has sold out the last three years, so get your tickets in advance to enjoy this Seacoast holiday tradition.
December 9, 2023
There’s nothing like holiday sweets to make it feel like the holiday season. Get your fill along the Currier and Ives Cookie Tour! This year marks the 18th annual holiday event, where local restaurants, inns, B&B’s, breweries and gift shops in the Monadnock Region open their doors to share the magic of the holidays. Stop in for the cookies, recipes and perhaps you’ll get a little holiday shopping done too.
Drive through 2.5 miles of dazzling Christmas light displays at this year’s Gift of Lights at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. This year’s drive-thru light show features a 150-foot RGB Tunnel of Lights, arches, toys, numerous different scenes including the 12 Days of Christmas. In all there’s more than 520 displays and 80 different scenes which adds up to more than 3.5 million twinkly LED lights on display. Check the schedule for days of operation when planning your trip.
December 9-10, 2023
Here’s a perfect recipe for a festive holiday season: tour historic inns and taste test holiday treats when you do! The 26th annual Inn to Inn Cookie Tour returns to the Mt Washington Valley again this year. Participants have the opportunity to tour inns decked out in holiday décor, sample signature holiday cookies and candies, and receive a holiday recipe cookbook to take home. This event is the longest running cookie tour in New England and usually sells out, so don’t wait to get in on this festive event.
November 18-19, 25-26 & December 2-3, 9-10, & 16-17, 2023
What a way to usher in the holiday season: handmade chocolates, and a ride in a horse drawn Austrian sleigh! The Jingle Bell Chocolate Tour takes visitors through the Mt Washington Valley village of Jackson, stopping along the way to receive sweet treats made by local chocolatiers. This is an incredibly popular holiday event, so don’t wait to book your tickets. The tours will take place 5 weekends in November and December.
Tuesdays through Sundays, November 14, 2023 through January 7, 2024
Create a lasting holiday memory with family and friends with a trip to this magical display of lights. Visitors will be wowed by more than a million twinkling lights illuminating festive outdoor displays along the walking path. This festive holiday event is sure to get you in the holiday spirit. And be sure to check their calendar of events for special theme weeks carefully curated to enhance your experience!
December 2-3, 8-10, 15-17 and 20-24, 2023
Charmingfare Farm in Candia hosts an annual Christmas extravaganza where timeless traditions will please the whole family. It all starts with a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the Christmas Trail, which features 12 charming holiday scenes to decorate the way to the ‘North Pole!’ Santa will wait for families in the Reindeer Barn where the kid can hand off their Christmas letters and feed the live reindeer! Be sure to visit Mrs. Claus for sugar cookies and hot cocoa too!
Saturdays and Sundays from November 11 – December 23 (also open the day after Thanksgiving)
Simply stated, there’s something magical about visiting Santa’s Village during the holiday season. With Christmas carols heard throughout the park, the possibility of snow on the ground, and about a million lights to illuminate the park at dusk, a visit during this time of year is sure to put you in the holiday spirit. Tickets must be purchased online in advance.
All Winter Season
Experience the magic of winter in a quintessential New England ski town at Waterville Valley's Winter Lights! With no admission fee, these lights are free and open to the public all winter long! Lights extend throughout Town Square, Town Square Disc Golf Field, and Corcoran Pond Beach, so it's a great way to enjoy the holiday spirit while rambling through a snow-covered pedestrian village, twinkling under enchanting hues of festive lights.
Various dates throughout December
The holidays in New England are cozy and beautiful, and Portsmouth is no exception. Take a holiday tour around town, or drive through Portsmouth and its neighboring towns for Christmas lights sight-seeing and wintertime fun. Vintage Christmas in Portsmouth is a month-long celebration of the season. Join us for shows, strolls and shopping!