Enjoy the holiday season the New Hampshire way. Here’s a roundup of our favorite holiday events, including a list of on-stage performances and concerts.

Santa Express Trains
Hobo Railroad in Lincoln, NH
Weekends, November 25 – December 18

All Santa Express Trains excursions are approximately 80 minutes long and aboard the train everyone will meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. Additionally, all young children will receive a letter that they can complete for Santa and every young child will receive a gift from Santa on the train. Train rides start and return from Hobo Junction Station in Lincoln.

LaBelle Lights
LaBelle Winery in Derry
November 16 – January 15

Get into the holiday spirit (and stay there well into the New Year) at LaBelle Lights at LaBelle Winery and the Links in Derry. Guests of all ages will enjoy a stunning show comprised of winter-themed lighting displays coordinated with music that will bring a smile to your face and joy to your heart. Special themed nights include: Crazy Christmas hats on December 2, Holiday Pajamas on December 16 and Best Santa Costume on December 23.

Gift of Lights
New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon
November 24 – January 1
Remember when your parents used to stuff you and your siblings in the van to drive around checking out neighbors’ Christmas lights? This is that drive — and then some. More than 400 light displays, 60 holiday scenes and 2 million LED light bulbs light up New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Spectators are urged to drive the route (including the tunnel and part of the track’s road course) and soak in the scenes surrounding them.

Wolfeboro Festival of Trees 
Wright Museum of World War II in Wolfeboro
December 1-11

More than 65 exquisitely decorated Christmas trees deck the halls of the Wright Museum for this annual event. Marvel at the colorful conifers (spread across two floors) and enjoy live entertainment from local performing groups such as Expressions Dance Academy.

Midnight Merriment
Main Street in Concord
December 2, 5 p.m. to midnight

Bundle up, grab your shopping list and make your way to downtown Concord for the Intown Concord’s 29th Annual Midnight Merriment. Attendees are invited to shop until they drop while enjoying the lights and sounds of the holidays and supporting local businesses. There will be s’mores, cocoa, music and more for the kiddos — and Santa will be making an appearance from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Jingle Bell Extravaganza
Children’s Museum of NH in Dover
Sunday, December 4 and Sunday, December 11

Families are invited to enjoy a special holiday event at the Children’s Museum where they can meet Santa for photo opportunity and receive a special gift. Kids can engage in hands-on holiday craft activities and a magical science experiment, all while exploring the museum’s many interactive exhibits. Pajamas and festive attire are welcome.

25th Annual Inn to Inn Holiday Cookie & Candy Tour
Various locations
December 10-11

Nine country lodges open their doors for visitors to taste their best holiday cookies and candies and snag some recipe and décor ideas. Stay at one of the participating inns and you will also receive a keepsake ornament.

Jingle Bell Chocolate Tour
Various locations in Jackson
Weekends: November 19-20, November 26-27, December 3-4, 10-11 and 17-18

Find enchantment on a magical sleigh ride through the snowy mountains with delicious chocolate treats from local chocolatiers. The Austrian horse-drawn sleigh winds its way to Jackson Village, halting at various stops for tastes of homemade chocolates.

Candlelight Stroll Under the Stars
Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth
Weekends: December 3-4, 10-11 and 17-18

Bundle up and take a delightful trip back in time as you experience holiday traditions from hundreds of years ago. Once again, Strawbery Banke’s stroll will focus on the lights, wreaths, roleplayers and magic adorning the exteriors of the museum’s historic buildings. The museum grounds will be glowing with hundreds of lighted candle lanterns, and house doors and railings are decorated with live greens and dried flowers and herbs collected from the museum gardens.

Holly Jolly Craft Fair & Santa’s Stocking Stuffer Craft Fair
DoubleTree by Hilton in Nashua
Saturday December 10 & Saturday December 17

OK, procrastinators, here’s your final chance. The last two events of the year from Joyce’s Craft Shows, these fairs carry both stocking-friendly small gifts and larger items like quilts and holiday floral arrangements.

Catch the Christmas spirit onstage

Friday, November 18 – Sunday, November 20, 2022
“The Nutcracker”
The Palace Theatre
Manchester, NH

Friday, November 25, 2022
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
SNHU Arena
Manchester, NH

Various dates November 25 – December 23, 2022
“A Christmas Carol”
The Palace Theatre
Manchester, NH

Saturday, November 26 & Sunday, November 27, 2022
“The Nutcracker”
Salem High School Seifert Performing Arts Center
Salem, NH

Friday, December 2, 2022
“A Christmas Carol” starring Gerald Dickens
The Dana Center at St. Anselm College
Manchester, NH

Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4, 2022
“The Nutcracker”
Exeter High School Auditorium
Exeter, NH

Saturday, December 3, 2022
Mr. Aaron’s “Holiday Party”
Capitol Center for the Arts
Concord, NH

Sunday, December 4, 2022
Drumline Live Holiday
Capitol Center for the Arts
Concord, NH

Sunday, December 4, 2022
“Amahl and the Night Visitors”
The Dana Center at St. Anselm College
Manchester, NH

December 8-11, 2022
Holiday One-Acts
Franklin Opera House
Franklin, NH

Saturday, December 10 & Sunday, December 11, 2022
“Clara’s Dream”
The Lebanon Opera House
Lebanon, NH

Saturday, December 10 & Sunday, December 11 2022
Tiffany Lu’s Holiday POPS!
Keefe Center for the Arts
Nashua, NH

Saturday, December 10, 2022
Boston Pops Holiday Concert
SNHU Arena
Manchester, NH

Sunday, December 11, 2022
Capital Jazz Orchestra’s “Holiday Pops”
Capitol Center for the Arts
Concord, NH

Thursday, December 15, 2022
The Morning Buzz Christmas Ball
Capitol Center for the Arts
Concord, NH

December 16-18, 2022
“A New England Midwinter Revels”
The Lebanon Opera House
Lebanon, NH

Sunday, December 18, 2022
Ted Vigil’s “A John Denver Christmas”
Capitol Center for the Arts
Concord, NH

Tuesday, December 20, 2022
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s “Wild and Swingin’ Holiday Party”
The Lebanon Opera House
Lebanon, NH