A Festival of Holiday Trees and Plenty of Christmas Events
By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper
Christmas is all about the tree. Before the festivities get underway, the tree is a must. It is the icon of the season, with glittery lights, heartfelt and memory-making ornaments and always, a star or angel sitting at the tip-top.
The most well-known and beloved of tree displays is the Wolfeboro Festival of Trees, which takes place at the Wright Museum of World War II in Wolfeboro. This year’s event will be weekends from Dec. 6 to 14. The Festival is chock-full of fun events, along with the glittery, beautiful trees. A few of the special events are a Festival Craft Fair on Dec. 6 from 10 am to 4 pm, Pizza in the Pines, Santa Saturday and much more. Visit www.wolfeborofestivaloftrees.com for details.
Laconia celebrates the holiday season with glitter and fun events including tree lighting, a light festival and tree decorating. The series of events offers a chance for individuals, families, or businesses to sponsor a tree that will be set up and lit in Rotary and Stewart Parks in downtown Laconia by November 22. You can show your holiday spirit by decorating your tree with family, friends, or co-workers prior to the Holiday Parade on November 29.
From 9 am to 8 pm on Nov. 29, the public is invited to take a walk through the trees and watch the holiday parade, which begins at 5 pm. The trees will be lit at the end of the parade. For a complete list of holiday events in Laconia during Celebrate Laconia Lights Festival, visit www.celebratelaconia.org or email connect@celebratelaconia.org.
For a unique and memorable holiday experience, plan a trip to Castle in the Clouds in Moultonborough for the Christmas at the Castle event held on Nov. 22 and 23, Nov. 29 and 30, and Dec. 6 and 7 from 10 am to 4 pm. As you take a tour through the beautiful Castle, you will see Christmas trees aplenty. The rooms are decorated by local businesses, and each room has a definite style. After seeing the Castle decked out in holiday finery, head to the Carriage House, where an artisan fair offers wares by local vendors. You can bring the kids for photos with Santa and a chance to make a holiday craft and sip hot cocoa, and have cookies. The Carriage House Restaurant will be serving lunch, so no one goes away hungry! For information, call 603-476-5900 or visit www.castleintheclouds.org. The Castle is located at 455 Old Mountain Rd. in Moultonborough.
The 2025 Festival of Trees in Franklin is a project of the Franklin Opera House. The event will be held at the Franklin Public Library at 310 Central Street in Franklin and takes place on Dec. 5 from 4 to 8 pm, Dec. 6 from 10 am to 4 pm and Dec. 7 from 10 am to 3 pm. Donated trees by local families and businesses are on display, creating a beautiful sight. For information, call the Franklin Public Library at 603-934-2911 or the Opera House at 603-934-1901.
Trees and Trimmings will take place at the Remick Country Doctor Museum and Farm in Tamworth on Dec. 13 from 10 am to 2 pm. At the free event, you can sip on mulled cider and take a tour at the Museum Center, where each room will have a uniquely trimmed Christmas tree inspired by the exhibit space in which it’s located. Extra trimmings will include festive holiday touches, a make-and-take ornament station, and more. The Remick Museum is located at 58 Cleveland Hill Rd. in Tamworth. Call 603-323-7591.
In a beautiful and historic building in Bristol, a Festival of Trees will be offered on Nov. 28 from 4 to 8 pm and Nov. 29 from 10 am to 7 pm. The event will offer everyone a chance to enter a winter wonderland and see the decorated trees. You can also purchase raffle tickets to support the Newfound Performing Arts initiatives. The Historic Town Hall is located at 45 Summer St. in Bristol.
Along with the tree events, many other happenings will brighten the holiday all around the Lakes Region in the upcoming weeks.
The little town of Bristol in the Newfound Lake area is a favorite place for Santa, and he makes his annual visit each Christmas season. This is the 70th annual Santa’s Village at the Tapply Thompson Community Center in downtown Bristol. Santa will be on hand to greet kids on Friday, Dec. 12 from 6 - 8 pm. He also will be at the Center on Dec. 13 and 14 from 2 - 5 pm. The Community Center will be transformed into a magical holiday wonderland with Santa’s elves building toys and wrapping gifts. Attendees will be treated to one of Mrs. Claus’ delicious homemade cookies. Also at the event guests will have a chance to see the North Pole Train Station and lots more. Added to this, all families will get to spend time with Santa and receive a special commemorative ornament. The event is free, and all are welcome. Please bring a canned food donation.
Also at the Santa’s Village event will be the annual Christmas Craft Fair to benefit the Tapply Thompson Community Center. It is a chance to browse the craft tables in the Center and do some holiday shopping. Call 603-744-2713 for details.
There is nothing like an old-fashioned Christmas event, and the Remick Country Doctor Museum and Farm at 58 Cleveland Hill Rd. in Tamworth will offer, on Dec. 18 at 6:30 pm, the Pontine Theatre: A New England Christmas. The performance is sure to delight at the Remick Museum. Call 603-323-7591 or visit www.remickmuseum.org.
Santa and his elves will bring their annual Christmas Village to the Laconia Community Center at 306 Union Avenue in Laconia to offer kids a great way to spend a magical afternoon or evening. This is the 50th year of the fun holiday event scheduled for Dec. 4-7. Children can sample snacks, ride in a sleigh, join in fun games, and of course, see Santa to share their holiday gift list! Photos with Santa will be offered. Each child will also receive a gift. Admission to the event is free. Call 603-524-5046.
Plymouth will be bustling with activity during the holidays. The Hometown Holiday Celebration is scheduled for Dec. 6 from 4 to 7 pm on Main St. in Plymouth. The festive holiday parade takes place on Dec. 6; visit www.plymouthrotaryfoundation.org.
The Annual Holiday Concert will take place on December 6 at 2 pm at Plymouth State University’s Silver Center for the Arts in Plymouth. For tickets, call 603-535-ARTS.
Holiday music and entertainment will be offered at the Flying Monkey Movie House and Performance Center in Plymouth, beginning with Irish Christmas in America on Nov. 23; The Drifters’ Christmas on Dec. 5; Choir! Choir! Choir! on Dec. 6; and A Very Cher-y Christmas Tribute on Dec. 14. The Flying Monkey is located at 39 Main St. in downtown Plymouth. Call 603-536-2551 or visit www.flyingmonkeynh.com.
Light Up Night in Alton will take place on Dec. 6. The holiday tree will be lit in the Monument Square area of the downtown. Some of the events being planned are visits with Santa, craft projects for kids, music, and more. Visit www.altonbusinessassociation.com. Plans are underway; call Alton Parks and Recreation at 603-875-0109.
Mill Falls Marketplace in downtown Meredith is a magical shopper’s paradise at Christmas. On Dec. 7, the Mill Falls Marketplace Annual Holiday Open House runs from 1 to 4 pm, with performances by Rhythm of New Hampshire Choral Singers, reading from the Polar Express by Miss Karen, refreshments, and more…and of course, a chance to enter to win a $500 raffle! For information, visit www.millfalls.com or call 844-745-2931.
An 1860s Victorian Christmas on the Farm on December 6 from 10 am to 4 pm will offer a chance to travel back to a simpler time before there were cars and big machinery at the NH Farm Museum. Guides will be in period dress and ready to welcome guests as they arrive. The property will be decorated with freshly cut pine boughs, garlands, and wreaths. Make a pinecone decoration, meet young Emma Jones as she makes a gingerbread house, sing along, visit the tavern with a variety of craftsmen demonstrating their trades, and much more. The NH Farm Museum is located at 1305 White Mountain Highway in Milton. Visit www.nhfarmmuseum.org or call 603-652-7840.
The Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra will bring its holiday concert to music lovers on December 6 at the Colonial Theatre in Laconia at 7 pm. The second concert will be on December 7 at 3 pm at Inter-Lakes Auditorium in Meredith. The concert is called “North Pole Playlist” and will feature a mix of The Nutcracker, classic carols, and vocal hits with guest artist Taylor O’Donnell. There will also be a reading of Tomie dePaolo’s “The Legend of the Poinsettia” set to music. For ticket information, visit www.lrso.org.
Experience what life was like when candles lit the streets at the Gilford Candlelight Stroll on December 13 in Gilford village from starting at 5 pm. Dress warmly and stroll the streets to take in the evening lit with hundreds of candles. There will be horse-drawn wagon rides, hot cocoa, and holiday music. For information, call 603-524-6042.
The Colonial Theatre of Laconia brings some great holiday shows to the Lakes Region. On Nov. 29, Safe Haven Ballet will perform The Nutcracker at 4:30 pm. On Dec. 3, the beloved Vienna Boys Choir will take the stage at 7:30 pm. Dec. 4 offers Big Bad Voodoo Daddy: Wild & Swingin’ Holiday Party at 7:30 pm. The next holiday show will be the Lakes Region Symphony Orchestra with North Pole Playlist at 7 pm on Dec. 6. A Christmas Carol by Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative will run from Dec. 11 to 14. Dec. 19 brings Eileen Ivers Joyful Christmas, and Christmas With the Celts is offered on Dec. 23. The Colonial Theatre is located at 609 Main Street in Laconia. Visit www.coloniallaconia.com, or call 1-800-657-8774.
The Wolfeboro Friends of Music will present Lunasa in A Winter Solstice on Dec. 12 at 7 pm at the First Congregational Church of Wolfeboro. The show will bring “Ireland’s super group in an enlightened seasonal concert.” For tickets and information, visit www.wfriendsofmusic.org.