Holiday Events Around the Lake!

By Sarah Wright

December is here, and the holiday spirit is in the air! All around the Lakes Region wonderful events are planned to bring family, friends, and the community together to celebrate the season. Whether it’s through music, cheerful lights, or homemade crafts, there are many ways to enjoy this festive time. Here are a few fun events happening all around the lake this month.

There’s nothing like a room full of decorated Christmas trees to bring out the “oohs” and “ahhs.” A tradition in my family is to visit the Wolfeboro Festival of Trees at the Wright Museum on Center Street each year. The charity benefit features two levels of more than 60 trees, decorated by area organizations and businesses. Enjoy local live entertainment as well as free refreshments, while you admire the beautiful and uniquely decorated trees. The festival is scheduled for the weekends of December 7 and 8 and December 14 and 15, with special hours on Wednesday, December 11 from 6 to 8 pm. Otherwise, doors will be open from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday, and from noon to 3 pm on Sunday, and tickets may be purchased when you arrive. Visit www.wolfeborofestivaloftrees.com for more information, including the entertainment schedule.

If you enjoy outdoor light displays, there’s nothing like the amazing Gift of Lights event at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon. Presented by Eastern Propane, the display features over two million twinkly LED lights. The 2.5-mile drive-through light show also has 520 displays, 80 different scenes, and a s’mores pit on Friday and Saturday nights! The Gift of Lights event runs through January 5, and is open from 4 to 9 pm, Sunday through Thursday, and from 4 pm to 10 pm on Friday and Saturday; the track will be closed on December 2 and 3, and on December 9 and 10. (On Friday and Saturday nights through December 21, kids can visit with Santa in the NHMS Main Office.) For details, visit www.nhms.com and click on “Events.” Don’t miss this spectacular light show! 

 On December 7, beginning at 5 pm, it’s Yuletide in Alton with Light Up the Night! Join the festivities at the town center for all kinds of entertainment, including a kids’ craft at the town hall with Santa, photos with Frosty on Main Street, caroling from the town hall to Ginny Douglas Park, holiday hayrides from Monument Square, an open house at the museum, musical entertainment by Jon Taber, and the Tree Lighting at Ginny Douglas Park. At 7 pm, the Prospect Mountain High School Chamber Singers will present “A Yuletide Celebration” at the Community Church of Alton. Don’t miss all the festive fun.

The Mill Falls Marketplace on Daniel Webster Highway in Meredith celebrates their Holiday Open House on December 8, from noon to 4 pm. Enjoy shopping, horse-drawn wagon rides, refreshments, strolling carolers, and a visit from Santa. You can even enter to win a $500 shopping spree!

Gilford celebrates the season with their annual Gilford Community Band Holiday Concert and Candle Light Stroll on December 14. The band kicks things off at the Gilford High School auditorium at 4 pm, before the Candle Light Stroll takes place from 5 to 7 pm. Over 1,000 candles through the village light the way to the Library Open House, the three Thompson-Ames Historical Buildings, the SAU, The Village Store, and more. Stop by the Village Field for s’mores with Santa, and visit with the Gilford Fire Department as they host a giant bonfire. Carolers add to the atmosphere and will be singing along the way. You can even take a horse-drawn carriage ride from the Rowe House to the library.

For more holiday music, there are further concerts around the lake to get you in the spirit. Enjoy the sounds of the Carter Mountain Brass Band on December 8 at their wonderful Christmas concert at the First United Methodist Church of Gilford on Wesley Way. The concert starts at 3 pm, and there will be a dessert reception afterwards. Music lovers will also be in for a treat at the annual Tuba Christmas Concert in Wolfeboro on Saturday, December 14, from 2 to 3 pm. This very popular and enjoyable event takes place at the All Saint’s Episcopal Church on South Main Street. Then at the Inter-Lakes auditorium on Rt. 25 in Meredith, the Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra will present their magical Holiday Concert of old and new favorites on Saturday, December 14 at 7:30 pm and on Sunday afternoon, December 15 at 3 pm. For ticket information, visit www.lrso.org or call 1-800-838-3006.

Prescott Farm will hold a creative workshop on December 14 from 1 to 3 pm for making Nature-Inspired Holiday Ornaments. What better gift to give than one you can put together with materials found in forests and fields? Kids are welcome at the workshop where everyone can make a variety of cute and decorative ornaments from nature. Prescott Farm is located on White Oaks Road in Laconia. To register for this workshop, call 366-5695.

If you’ve never seen The Nutcracker classical ballet, mark your calendar for December 15 and you’ll be in for a treat! Bring your family and friends to the holiday performance of The Nutcracker at the Kingswood Arts Center from 2 to 4 pm. Watch the magic unfold as Marie helps the Nutcracker soldier defeat the fierce Mouse King. Presented by the Northeastern Ballet Theatre, the state’s premier classical ballet company, this is a show that will delight the whole family. Tickets will be available at the door or in advance at www.northeasternballet.org.  

Canterbury Shaker Village will present Christmas in Canterbury on December 7 and 14. The Shakers loved to celebrate Christmas, and the celebrations continue from 3 to 8 pm. Tour inside the historic Shaker buildings and see an old-time 19th-century magic show, meet Father Christmas, make Christmas-inspired crafts, admire a toy train display, or listen to fiddlers. The Purple Finches Youth Chorus from the Concord Community Music School will delight with a concert on this night. Enjoy hot cider and sing Christmas carols during the lighting of the Village Christmas tree. It’s a fun event for the whole family. For more information, call 783-9511 or visit www.shakers.org. Shaker Village is located on Shaker Road in Canterbury.

 Have a blast this New Year’s Eve and join the First Night celebration in Wolfeboro on December 31. Activities are planned for the whole day with plenty of food and entertainment, including an amazing firework display over the lake. Your admission ticket is a button you wear on your coat. Buttons are available at First Night venues, or you can buy them ahead of time at stores listed on the Wolfeboro First Night Facebook page. Come join in the fun and ring in 2020!