The holiday season is a one-of-a-kind experience here under the grand mountain. There’s nothing quite like a quiet snow fall in the middle of the night, the warmth and spirit of the residents, and the quaint New England towns bedecked in twinkling lights and holiday wreaths. Visit local shops, warm up at a local brewery, and partake in all the festive activities. We welcome you to join the celebration!
Special Events
Holiday Trees
Peterborough, Dec 7th from 10-3
Head to the Peterborough Community Center for their annual Holiday Trees event where you will find 60 beautifully-decorated, themed Christmas trees on display. Attendees will be able to vote for their favorites, as well as enter various raffles. The event is kid friendly, with an iSpy game, a visit from Santa, and free baked goods for all!
Small Treasures Art Opening Reception
Dublin, Dec 6th (5-7 pm) Dec 7th (10-3) Dec 8th (12:30-3) Dec 9th (9-3)
The Dublin Community Center (or the DubHub, if you’re a local) will be holding an awesome and important fundraiser for the center, spotlighting a long list of talented local artists.
40 talented makers have created an array of paintings, origami and pottery that are on the smaller size (around 5” X 7”). These treasures make excellent gifts for the holiday season. You won’t want to miss what these remarkable local artists have created!
Songs of the Season
Keene, Dec 14th from 3-5
This holiday season, the United Church of Christ, located at the head of Keene’s idyllic Main Street, will feature the ever-so talented Cheshiremen Chorus, part of the Barbershop Harmony Society. These talented gentlemen sing an arrangement of Christmas classics with a twist – all tunes are Barbershop style!
Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students (in advance) or $10 at the door. They are available at the Keene and Peterborough Toadstool Bookshops, Keene Hannaford’s and Hannah Grimes Marketplace, online at www.cheshiremen.org. You can also call 1-877-312-7467.
Fairs Galore
Craft fairs are a Monadnock region favorite! Be sure to check out some of the best spots to buy your locally-crafted gifts at this time of year:
- December 7th: Holiday Craft Fair at Monadnock Regional High School (to benefit Monadnock’s End 68 Hours of Hunger)
- December 8th: Holiday Craft Fair at Conant High School (60+vendors)
- December 13th-14th: Holiday Shopping Extravaganza at Hampshire Hills in nearby Milford
Catch a Show
There’s lots of holiday entertainment to be had! Make it a family outing or a romantic evening and immerse yourself in some wintertime magic.
A Christmas Carol
Each year, Project Shakespeare, a program that transforms students lives through theatre, performs a rousing rendition of Dickens’ classic story at unique venues across the county. You can even make an evening of it by selecting a date with dinner and a show.
Take in the performance in the traditional tavern at the Hancock Inn or tableside at the historic Aldworth Manor in Harrisville. Sunflowers Café and The Monadnock Inn in Jaffrey will also be showcasing this production. To find available dates and tickets, visit www.projectshakespeare.wixsite.com. Seats are limited, so make your reservation today!
Hancock Family Christmas
Hancock, Dec 21st from 4-5
Hancock Meeting House will host their annual Hancock Family Christmas musical production! Jazimina McNeil, the Junior Minstrels, the Norway Pond Festival Singers, the Village Ringers and Hancock native Steve Schuch are all a part of this wonderful festive display. The show itself is free, with a suggested donation of $20. The event is family friendly, and all are welcome!
Nutcracker Ballet Holiday Family Tea at Labelle Winery
Nearby in Amherst, Dec 14th at 10 am
Guests will be treated to a Nutcracker storybook reading, a mini dance class lead by the Southern New Hampshire Dance Theater (or SNHDT) staff and performers, as well as a choreographed reenactment by the SNHDT performers themselves!
Hot tea with tea sandwiches and treats will be served, as well as seasonal cocktails for adults and non-alcoholic specialty drinks for kids. Tickets are $25. Check out Labelle’s website for this and other fun holiday offerings: www.labellewinerynh.com.
Tree Lightings
Who could forget the tree lightings? Most come with hot chocolate, sweets, and even a visit from Santa! Here are some upcoming opportunities to soak in the sights:
Dublin: Dec 7th, 6 pm
Jaffrey: Dec 7th, 6:30 pm
Rindge: Dec 7th, 7 pm
Wilton: Dec. 7th, 6-8 pm
As you can see, the holiday season is in full swing here in the Monadnock region, and we have plenty of festive and fun events for the whole family to enjoy, (as well as a whole bunch of snow)! Each unique town has its own type of merriment taking place throughout the month of December. Come make some happy holiday memories!