Add These Can't-Miss Upper Valley Holiday Events to Your Calendar Now

I’ve compiled a list of some of the best holiday events happening in the Upper Valley that you won’t want to miss. It’s a busy time of the year, and many would agree the most wonderful. The next several weeks will pass quickly making it a challenge to fit everything in, so pencil these dates in now.

Did I miss one? Leave a note in the comments below!

Table of Contents

Town Festivals and Tree Lightings

Child on shoulders at tree lighting in Hanover NH — The tree is lit on the Green in Hanover during Celebrate the Season event. Credit: Light in New England.

Celebrate the Season – Hanover
December 2 Local business, organizations, and Dartmouth College participate in festivities in downtown Hanover, which culminate in a tree lighting on the Green and caroling.

A tree is lit on the Lyme Green with the country store in the background — View of the Lyme Country Store during the tree festival. Credit: Light in New England.

8th Annual Tree Festival – Lyme
December 3 Lyme’s annual tree festival is from 2-4 pm. Trees can be sponsored and decorated for $100. Festivities typically include a visit from Santa, refreshments, and sleigh rides. Money raised supports charities and organizations in Lyme.

City hall and lights at holiday tree lighting celebration in Lebanon, New Hampshire. — The trees are lit at Colburn Park in Lebanon. Credit: Light in New England.

’Tis The Season – Lebanon
December 3 Lebanon’s annual winter celebration in Colburn Park. Santa tours the streets of Lebanon and makes his way to the park, where you can enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides, caroling, and activities for children including visits with Disney characters, ending with lighting the tree.

people on green lighting luminaries — Lighting of the Luminaries
Credit: Light in New England.

Woodstock Inn decorated for Christmas — Lighting of the Luminaries
Credit: Light in New England.

Wassail Weekend – Woodstock
December 9-11 As if the beauty of Woodstock dressed in holiday decor and lights is not enough, throughout the weekend enjoy an equine Wassail parade, a Victorian Christmas at Billings Farm, refreshments at local businesses, performances, lighting of the luminaries on The Green, and more.

Light Displays, Attractions and Destination

Festival of Lights – La Salette Shrine, Enfield
Late November See an expansive outdoor light display and nativity scenes, and warm up after inside where you can enjoy refreshments and browse the giftshop. The lighting occurs in late November and continues throughout December.

Kids walking near visitors center at Joseph Smith Birthplace Christmas light display — Children excited at light display at Joseph Smith Memorial in South Royalton. Credit: Light in New England.

Christmas Lighting at Joseph Smith Memorial Birthplace – South Royalton
November 25 While you can take a quick drive through, you’ll want to park and walk around this stunning display of lights at the birthplace of the founder of Mormonism, Joseph Smith. Open from November 25 through December

A Forest of Lights – VINS, Norwich
November 25 The forest canopy walk is transformed by thousands of lights. Open throughout the winter.

Christmas at the Farm – Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock
December 3 Enjoy a Victorian historic take on Christmas at Billings Farm and see decorations, meet the farm animals, drink hot cocoa, take a snowshoe hike, and more. Events occur throughout December.

Holiday Productions and Performances

The Railway Children – Northern Stage, WRJ
November 22 – Jan 1

Clara’s Dream – Lebanon Opera House, Lebanon
December 10, 11

Christmas Revels – Lebanon Opera House, Lebanon
December 16, 17, 18

Organizations and Businesses

more gingerbread houses at norwich gingerbread house festival — Gingerbread houses on display at The Family Place’s Annual Gingerbread Festival in Norwich. Credit: Light in New England.

The Family Place’s 20th Annual Gingerbread Festival – Tracy Hall, Norwich
December 3 A spectacular display of 100+ gingerbread house made by community members. Event includes a silent auction, gifts, food, cookie decorating, and more.

P.S. If I missed an important event, don’t forget to let me know in the comments!