The Christmas season is filled with magic, wonder, and excitement, and it’s one of the best times of the year for many. While all of New Hampshire is beautiful during the holidays, some towns are especially captivating. From gorgeous light displays to parades and Christmas festivals, these towns know how to celebrate. Here are the ten best New Hampshire Christmas towns. Do you think you can visit them all?
- Portsmouth
Vintage Christmas The first of the best Christmas towns in New Hampshire is Portsmouth. New Hampshire’s seaside city celebrates Christmas in a big way. Don’t miss the Candlelight Stroll Under the Stars at the Banke Museum, the annual gingerbread house contest sponsored by the Portsmouth Historical Society, ice skating, and holiday music at Stage Door Cabaret. There will also be a Christmas tree lighting and parade in Market Square in early December. Head to the Vintage Christmas in Portsmouth website and the City of Portsmouth website for event details. Portsmouth, NH 03801, USA
- Stark
James Walsh/flickr Not only is Stark beautiful, but the town has a great Christmas spirit. More than 50 years ago children from the town collected money to light the covered bridge. Now, it has become a tradition to light it every year. Stark at Christmas is quite magical! Stark, NH 03582, USA
- North Conway
Harvey Barrison/flickr If you’re looking for things to do at Christmas in New Hampshire, North Conway is the town to visit! Hop aboard Santa’s Holiday Express at the Conway Scenic Railroad. Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus and participate in a scavenger hunt on the hour-long ride. North Conway’s Settlers Green will host several events throughout the season like the NH Festival of Trees, Photos with Santa, and a Holiday Festival. Visit the Settlers Green website and the Conway Scenic Railroad website. North Conway, Conway, NH, USA
- Concord
Tracey Lee Carol/flickr The state’s capital has plenty of Christmas cheer. The Concord Christmas tree lighting is held in front of the statehouse the day after Thanksgiving. Concord, NH, USA
- Hanover
Tracy Lee Carroll/Flickr Picturesque Hanover at Christmas is absolutely stunning with a distinctly old-school New England feel. Start your celebration at Hanover’s Downtown Festival of Lights featuring decorated trees and storefronts, a holiday tree on the Green, and a menorah, all among thousands of lights. On select dates in December, the Hanover Holiday Food Market is where you can purchase food from market stalls. ‘Tis the season to visit Hanover! Visit the Hanover Parks and Recreation website for upcoming activities and events.
- Keene
Lorianne DiSabato/flickr A stroll through downtown Keene at Christmas reveals some truly breathtaking window displays, perfect for getting in the holiday spirit. You can also check out the Explore Keene website for seasonal events. Keene, NH, USA
- Nashua
Tracey Lee Carol/flickr Nashua is full of beautiful Christmas decorations, starting with the gorgeous ice sculptures and more on display during its annual Downtown Nashua holiday stroll. Nashua, NH, USA
- Lebanon
Lebanon Area Chamber Of Commerce/Facebook Lebanon’s charming town green fills with Christmas flair during the holidays. Check out the Christmas Tree Lighting and Festival, Winter Wednesdays featuring free crafts at Lebanon’s public libraries, and keep your eyes out for Santa who will be visiting different neighborhoods throughout December. Head to the Lebanon New Hampshire website for event details. Lebanon, NH, USA
- Jackson
Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce/facebook Nestled in the White Mountains, Jackson looks the part for a Christmas village in New Hampshire, and the town does not disappoint. Head into the village to view the enchanting light displays. And then there’s Christmas Farm Inn, a must-visit as it celebrates the holiday all year! During December, it hosts a Jingle Bell Chocolate Tour that features sleigh rides and chocolate (be warned, this event sells out quickly). Visit the Christmas Farm Inn website for this year’s activities and events. Jackson, NH, USA
- Enfield
Sarunas Burdulis/flickr Over ten acres of Christmas lights illuminate the La Salette Shrine in Enfield each night in a spectacular display of dazzling lights. It’s one of the best places to spend a New Hampshire Christmas. Visit the LaSallette Enfield website for the latest news on upcoming events. Enfield, NH, USA
Would you agree that these are the best Christmas towns in New Hampshire? If you know of any others, feel free to reach out and tell us about them. And if you can’t get enough of Christmas in the Granite State, check out some of the best holiday light displays in New Hampshire.
Vintage Christmas
The first of the best Christmas towns in New Hampshire is Portsmouth. New Hampshire’s seaside city celebrates Christmas in a big way. Don’t miss the Candlelight Stroll Under the Stars at the Banke Museum, the annual gingerbread house contest sponsored by the Portsmouth Historical Society, ice skating, and holiday music at Stage Door Cabaret. There will also be a Christmas tree lighting and parade in Market Square in early December. Head to the Vintage Christmas in Portsmouth website and the City of Portsmouth website for event details.
Portsmouth, NH 03801, USA
James Walsh/flickr
Not only is Stark beautiful, but the town has a great Christmas spirit. More than 50 years ago children from the town collected money to light the covered bridge. Now, it has become a tradition to light it every year. Stark at Christmas is quite magical!
Stark, NH 03582, USA
Harvey Barrison/flickr
If you’re looking for things to do at Christmas in New Hampshire, North Conway is the town to visit! Hop aboard Santa’s Holiday Express at the Conway Scenic Railroad. Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus and participate in a scavenger hunt on the hour-long ride. North Conway’s Settlers Green will host several events throughout the season like the NH Festival of Trees, Photos with Santa, and a Holiday Festival. Visit the Settlers Green website and the Conway Scenic Railroad website.
North Conway, Conway, NH, USA
Tracey Lee Carol/flickr
The state’s capital has plenty of Christmas cheer. The Concord Christmas tree lighting is held in front of the statehouse the day after Thanksgiving.
Concord, NH, USA
Tracy Lee Carroll/Flickr
Picturesque Hanover at Christmas is absolutely stunning with a distinctly old-school New England feel. Start your celebration at Hanover’s Downtown Festival of Lights featuring decorated trees and storefronts, a holiday tree on the Green, and a menorah, all among thousands of lights. On select dates in December, the Hanover Holiday Food Market is where you can purchase food from market stalls. ‘Tis the season to visit Hanover! Visit the Hanover Parks and Recreation website for upcoming activities and events.
Lorianne DiSabato/flickr
A stroll through downtown Keene at Christmas reveals some truly breathtaking window displays, perfect for getting in the holiday spirit. You can also check out the Explore Keene website for seasonal events.
Keene, NH, USA
Nashua is full of beautiful Christmas decorations, starting with the gorgeous ice sculptures and more on display during its annual Downtown Nashua holiday stroll.
Nashua, NH, USA
Lebanon Area Chamber Of Commerce/Facebook
Lebanon’s charming town green fills with Christmas flair during the holidays. Check out the Christmas Tree Lighting and Festival, Winter Wednesdays featuring free crafts at Lebanon’s public libraries, and keep your eyes out for Santa who will be visiting different neighborhoods throughout December. Head to the Lebanon New Hampshire website for event details.
Lebanon, NH, USA
Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce/facebook
Nestled in the White Mountains, Jackson looks the part for a Christmas village in New Hampshire, and the town does not disappoint. Head into the village to view the enchanting light displays. And then there’s Christmas Farm Inn, a must-visit as it celebrates the holiday all year! During December, it hosts a Jingle Bell Chocolate Tour that features sleigh rides and chocolate (be warned, this event sells out quickly). Visit the Christmas Farm Inn website for this year’s activities and events.
Jackson, NH, USA
Sarunas Burdulis/flickr
Over ten acres of Christmas lights illuminate the La Salette Shrine in Enfield each night in a spectacular display of dazzling lights. It’s one of the best places to spend a New Hampshire Christmas. Visit the LaSallette Enfield website for the latest news on upcoming events.
Enfield, NH, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Christmas Towns In New Hampshire November 26, 2021 Melissa M. What are the best Christmas light displays in New Hampshire? We all love a good light display during the holiday season! Check out these 6 Best Christmas Light Displays In New Hampshire That Are Pure Magic. What is there to do in winter in New Hampshire? The Granite State may be cold but that doesn’t mean everyone should stay inside. There’s a whole lot of fun to be had outdoors during the winter between skiing, snowboarding, snow sculptures, and the enchanting Ice Castles in Woodstock. Do you have a Christmas lights road trip for New Hampshire? Yes, we do! Our curated Christmas Lights Road Trip Through New Hampshire is a magical journey featuring some of the most jaw-dropping light displays in the state.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Christmas Towns In New Hampshire
November 26, 2021
Melissa M.
What are the best Christmas light displays in New Hampshire? We all love a good light display during the holiday season! Check out these 6 Best Christmas Light Displays In New Hampshire That Are Pure Magic. What is there to do in winter in New Hampshire? The Granite State may be cold but that doesn’t mean everyone should stay inside. There’s a whole lot of fun to be had outdoors during the winter between skiing, snowboarding, snow sculptures, and the enchanting Ice Castles in Woodstock. Do you have a Christmas lights road trip for New Hampshire? Yes, we do! Our curated Christmas Lights Road Trip Through New Hampshire is a magical journey featuring some of the most jaw-dropping light displays in the state.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
We all love a good light display during the holiday season! Check out these 6 Best Christmas Light Displays In New Hampshire That Are Pure Magic.
What is there to do in winter in New Hampshire?
The Granite State may be cold but that doesn’t mean everyone should stay inside. There’s a whole lot of fun to be had outdoors during the winter between skiing, snowboarding, snow sculptures, and the enchanting Ice Castles in Woodstock.
Do you have a Christmas lights road trip for New Hampshire?
Yes, we do! Our curated Christmas Lights Road Trip Through New Hampshire is a magical journey featuring some of the most jaw-dropping light displays in the state.
