Christmas Cash Dash 50/50 Holiday Raffle

ROCHESTER — The Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce announces its first Christmas Cash Dash 50/50 Holiday Raffle, underwritten by Meredith Village Savings Bank. Tickets are on sale for $25. The winner will split the jackpot with the chamber when the winning ticket is drawn on Wednesday, Dec. 11. The drawing will be livestreamed from the chamber’s Facebook page: facebook.com/RochesterChamber . Tickets can be purchased in person at the chamber office at 18 South Main St. in Rochester or at rochesternh.org/holidayraffle .

Wells Junior High School's 30th annual turkey dinner

Winter Wonders 2024-25: Two million lights

ELIOT, Maine — Winter Wonders 2024-25 is a light show experience in Eliot, Maine, beginning Friday, Nov. 22, from 4:15-8 p.m. Organizers say with over 2 million lights the 14-acre forest display is the "largest and most immersive walk-through light show display in New England." Most of the trail is on gentle, rolling terrain with a few moderate elevation changes, and it takes about an hour to see everything, organizers say. Trails are all compacted gravel so wheelchairs and/or strollers with all-terrain wheels will be able to navigate the paths, according to organizers. Wheelchairs, wagons, or strollers with small and/or narrow wheels are not recommended, they say. Tickets are $18, $20 or $22 depending on the date, and must be purchased online prior to attending. For a list of dates and times and ticket information, visit the Winters Wonders 2024-25 Facebook page .

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Miracle holiday-themed pop-up cocktail bar returns for 2024 season

PORTSMOUTH — Miracle, the original holiday-themed pop-up cocktail bar concept, returns for the 2024 season at The Goat in Portsmouth at 142 Congress St. Kicking off Nov. 27, through Jan. 16, the offerings will include kitschy, festive décor and a themed cocktail menu with fan favorites such as the Christmapolitan and Snowball Old-Fashioned. New this year are Stocking Stuffer, Christmasaurus, Crooked Antler, Santa Slide and Koala Lalala . The venue is also offering a Santa/Mrs. Claus brunch on Dec. 14, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Community Harvest's 25th annual Thanksgiving Feast

KENNEBUNK, Maine — Community Harvest, a local nonprofit organization, will host its 25th annual Thanksgiving Feast on Thursday, Nov. 28, at St. Martha’s Church on Route 1 in Kennebunk. The free Thanksgiving Day dinner invites community members to come together and share in delicious food and meaningful company. Meals in the hall will be served buffet-style. The hall will open at 12:30 p.m., and dinner will be served at 1 p.m. Delivered meals will be packaged and cold, with heating instructions provided. Deliveries will take place Thursday morning. Community members can reserve their dining spot in the hall, request delivered meals, or sign up to volunteer for the event by calling 207-967-1911 or visiting communityharvestmaine.org . All meal reservations must be made by Sunday, Nov. 24.

Ted's Fried Clams hosts free community Thanksgiving lunch

SANFORD, Maine — Ted's Fried Clams in Sanford will be offering a free community Thanksgiving Day lunch. The lunch will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at their restaurant located at 890 Main Street, Suite 200B in Main Street Marketplace. Guests can choose from turkey and ham, with all the fixings and homemade desserts. Guests can dine with fellow community members or opt for take-out. Residents who want to learn more about the Thanksgiving community lunch can call the restaurant at 207-850-1114 or email [email protected].

Shop Small Business Saturday and Cookie Crawl

ROCHESTER — Shop Small Business Saturday is the beginning of the holiday season for our small businesses. To kick off the season many of our downtown businesses will be participating in a Cookie Crawl, and competing to see who has the best cookies. While picking up your free cookies, check out all the great ways you can keep your money local this holiday season. Rochester Main Street is hosting the event on Saturday, Nov. 30, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., in downtown Rochester.

Rye Holiday Tree Lighting

RYE — The Rye Holiday Tree Lighting will be held on Saturday, Nov. 30, from 3-5 p.m. at Parsons Field, 500 Washington Road. This family-friendly event will include s’mores, hot chocolate, popcorn, chowder, holiday music, and fun.

Dover Holiday Parade: Tales from the Nutcracker

DOVER — The Dover Holiday Parade is making a joyous return this year, filling the streets with holiday spirit, festive floats, and exciting performances. On Sunday, Dec. 1, residents and visitors alike will once again gather to enjoy this cherished community tradition. This year's theme, "Tales from the Nutcracker," will celebrate the classic story and its iconic characters bringing the Nutcracker to life. The parade will begin at 3 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce and Sixth Street and follow its traditional route down Central Avenue, concluding at Cleary Cleaners. Spectators are encouraged to arrive early to secure the best viewing spots.

Rye Holiday Parade

RYE — The Rye Holiday Parade will be held on Sunday, Dec. 1, at 1 p.m. starting at Webster at Rye (Washington Rd.) and ending at Rye Junior High.

Exeter’s 26th annual Festival of Trees

EXETER — The Festival of Trees is marking its 26th year of ringing in the holiday season and bringing joy to the local community. This year’s event will take place at the Exeter Town Hall on Dec. 4, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Dec. 5, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is free. Organizers will be using an online bidding platform called “Better World” for the silent auction of 50 decorated trees. All 50 live evergreen trees, donated by Dan Jackson of Arjay Ace Hardware, will be creatively decorated by area businesses, organizations, clubs and residents. There will also be a Raffle Tree valued at over $4,000 in gift certificates donated by local businesses. For information, visit exetercharitablefoundation.org/festivaloftrees .

Free Santa visit

ROCHESTER — On Wednesday, Dec. 4, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. bring your camera visit with Santa at The Ridge shopping plaza in Rochester.

Rochester's Holiday Tree Lighting

ROCHESTER — The Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce lights up the season with their annual holiday tree lighting. The ceremony will be held on Friday, Dec. 6, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at Central Square in downtown Rochester. A program of family activities will also take place as part of the event. There will be a reading of "The Night Before Christmas," and a number of activities will take place including dance performances and caroling. Cookies and hot chocolate will be provided, as well as cookie decorating and a visit from Santa Claus.

Festival of Trees in Dover

DOVER — The Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce will host its 15th annual Festival of Trees from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 at Rivermill at Dover Landing. The event will feature more than 35 trees and wreaths elaborately decorated by local businesses and organizations to be auctioned and raffled off. The event will feature live chorus performances, raffles, refreshments, Santa and more. Information: dovernh.org/festival-of-trees .

Festival of Trees in Rochester

ROCHESTER — The annual Festival of Trees will be held at Studley's Flower Garden's greenhouse at 82 Wakefield St., Rochester, on Friday, Dec. 6, from 6-8 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 7, from noon-5 p.m. Enjoy caroling, refreshments, and a visit from Santa while strolling through dozens of wonderfully decorated trees, generously donated by area businesses and organizations. They are fully decorated and are often stuffed with gift certificates and other fun prizes! Admission is just $5 and includes five raffle tickets. Children enter free.

Portsmouth holiday parade and tree lighting

PORTSMOUTH — Let it Glow is the theme for the city's illuminated holiday parade and tree lighting Saturday, Dec. 7. The parade can be viewed in Market Square and on Congress, Islington and Pleasant streets, stepping off from Islington Street/Summer Street at 6 p.m. Prior to the parade, at 5:30 p.m. is the annual tree lighting ceremony. Extra ADA parking and parade viewing station is available at the Bridge Street lot.

Exeter Holiday Parade

EXETER — The Exeter Holiday Parade "Holidays Through the Eyes of a Child" will be held Saturday, Dec. 7, starting at 5:30 p.m., from the OSRAM Plant at 131 Portsmouth Ave., making a left onto Portsmouth Avenue. The parade continues to the end of Portsmouth Avenue and then makes a right onto High Street. The parade continues straight onto Water Street passing the bandstand and ending at the entrance to Swasey Parkway. The parade is rain or shine and is approximately 1 hour from start to finish.

Hampton Holiday Parade

HAMPTON — Hampton's Holiday Parade "Visions of Sugarplums" will be held on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 1 p.m. The 2024 Holiday Parade will follow the same route it has followed for years. Kicking off near the Hampton/North Hampton Town Line and ending at Winnacunnet Road. Many local businesses have decided to host “Parade Viewing Parties” while offering specials and catering to the needs of those who are trying to view the parade. Visit experiencehampton.org for route staging area and parties.

2024 Kittery Holiday Parade

KITTERY, Maine — The parade will step off on Saturday, Dec. 7 at 3 p.m., from Traip Academy and conclude at the John Paul Jones Park with the tree lighting.

Berwick/Somersworth Holiday Parade

BERWICK, Maine/SOMERSWORTH — The Berwick/Somersworth Holiday Parade will be held on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. with a rain date of Sunday Dec. 8, at 11 a.m. The route will start at Wilson St. in Berwick. It will follow onto Allen St. and Sawmill Hill Road and enter Somersworth on Market Street. The parade will then head up High Street, turn onto Constitutional Avenue and finish on Main Street in front of the Somersworth Plaza.

Jingle Bell Extravaganza at Children's Museum of NH

DOVER — Enjoy a special ticketed holiday event at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire in Dover on Sunday, Dec. 8, 1-2:30 p.m. or 3-4:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 15, 1-2:30 p.m. or 3-4:30 p.m. Meet Santa for a photo opportunity and receive a special gift. Engage in hands-on holiday craft activities and a magical science experiment all while exploring the museum’s many interactive exhibits. On your way out, grab a special treat to enjoy on your way home. Pajamas are welcome. Reserve your spots early. Space is limited. Cost is $18/members or $22/non-members per person and children under 12 months of age are free. To learn more or to register, visit childrens-museum.org.

Dover's Downtown Holiday Stroll

DOVER — The Downtown Holiday Stroll features beautifully decorated streets, extended store hours and local businesses Thursday, Dec. 12, from 4 to 8 p.m. Festive signs will guide you to participating shops, holiday-themed drink and food specials at select restaurants, contests and giveaways throughout the night, holiday characters roaming the streets for photos and fun.

Story Trees by the Sea

OGUNQUIT, Maine — The Ogunquit Museum of American Art will open during the holiday season for Story Trees by the Sea on Saturday, Dec. 14, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 15, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This festive two-day celebration will welcome the community into the museum for a free, family-friendly experience that captures the spirit of the season. On Saturday and Sunday, the Common Roots Studio mobile art bus will be on-site, offering engaging art projects for visitors. Sunday will feature drawing instruction by artist Heather Lewis. Additionally, students from River Tree Arts will perform a selection of winter-themed songs on Saturday, adding to the festive atmosphere. An appearance by Santa will take place on Saturday. Free admission for all. For information , visit ogunquitmuseum.org .

To add an event to this list, email [email protected].