You don’t have to travel to the North Pole or search the Candy Cane Forest to find ways to celebrate the holiday season in the Lakes Region!
Year after year, annual events and brand-new experiences pack the calendar – from holiday festivals to community tree trimmings and classic live performances, there’s no shortage of holiday magic around here. We’ve gathered a few of our favorite ways to kick off the holiday season and get the whole family in the spirit.
Get In The Spirit
Christmas at Castle in the Clouds
Castle in the Clouds’ annual Christmas tradition is back! See the historic Lucknow Mansion transform into a winter wonderland, complete with an Artisan Fair, photos with Santa, hot cocoa, holiday cookies, and vintage trolley rides to the Carriage House Restaurant. The event kicks off Friday, November 22nd, with a preview party from 4 to 7 p.m., and goes through the weekends of November 23rd and 24th; November 30th and December 1st; and December 7th and 8th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Purchase your tickets online ahead of time.
Loon Center Holiday Open House
This season’s Holiday Open House at the Loon Center features festive entertainment for all ages on Saturday, November 30th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Face painting, balloon animals, crafts, horse-drawn wagon rides, holiday refreshments, a scavenger hunt, and a visit from Santa are sure to get the whole family in the holiday spirit.
holiday workshops at prescott farm
This Laconia farm is hosting an array of festive workshops for the holidays. From pie-making on November 23rd to yule log and nature ornament-making on December 7th and a homemade gift workshop on December 14th, there’s an experience for everyone. See their website for all event details (and to sign up for the workshop of your choice).
Hypnotizing Lights
Laconia Lights Festival
Get in the holiday spirit with Laconia’s Lights Festival! On November 30th from 12 p.m.-8 p.m., take part in this day-long celebration that includes food trucks, activities, tree decorating, a holiday parade at 5 p.m., and a holiday walk tree lighting! Register for the City on the Lakes Holiday Lights Walk ahead of time and decorate your tree between November 20-27 to enter to win!
New Hampshire Motor Speedway Gift of Lights
Drive through 2.5 miles of twinkling Christmas light displays at this family-friendly holiday favorite! This year’s event will feature a 150-foot Tunnel of Lights, arches, toys, holiday scenes, including the 12 Days of Christmas, and much more. The 130-foot entrance and exit tunnels hold over 25,000 lights, and guests can roast marshmallows and make s’mores over open fire pits. Tickets are $35 per car and $60 per bus, limo, or RV. A portion of all admission proceeds will benefit the New Hampshire Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities. See the website for dates and times.
Catch a Classic
The Nutcracker at Laconia Colonial Theatre
See a classic everyone loves in the theater – the full-length ballet of the Nutcracker comes to The Colonial Theatre of Laconia this holiday season! Presented by the Safe Haven Ballet, this festive performance features all your favorites, from Clara to the Sugar Plum Fairy. See the show on Saturday, November 30th from 4:30-6:30 p.m. or the 26th from 1-3 p.m.
holiday pops
The Capital Jazz Orchestra’s Holiday Pops performance is a memorable annual event featuring musical chestnuts, Yuletide classics, and a unique reading of “The Night Before Christmas” by narrator Laura Knoy. Attendees can fully embrace the holiday spirit during the festive sing-a-long! The show will be held on Sunday, December 8th at 4 p.m. (doors open at 3 p.m.).
A Christmas Carol: The Musical Ghost Story
On Friday, December 13th at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, December 14th at 2 p.m., this theatrical Lakes Region tradition returns to The Colonial Theatre in Laconia. Adapted by New Hampshire native Joel Mercier, “A Christmas Carol: The Musical Ghost Story” boasts some clever twists and turns to Dickens’ story — like frightful ghouls and special effects!
how the grinch stole christmas
Enjoy a performance of the classic holiday story on December 15th from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Chubb Theatre in Concord. This unique and interactive show – presented by Save Haven Ballet – will transform the stage into a classroom with a lecture demonstration on different dance forms and their histories.
Hang Out With Santa
Hobo Railroad’s Santa Express Trains
Gather the whole family to experience the magic of Christmas on this 80-minute roundtrip train ride in Lincoln, NH! Beginning the Friday after Thanksgiving at 1 p.m. and running through December 23rd, your ticket will get you a scenic ride with a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus as well as holiday treats! Tickets are $25 for Coach and $33 for First Class.
