Winter Festivities in the Sugar River Region

When the first snow blankets the Sugar River Region, it becomes a wonderland filled with winter festivities, cheer, tradition, and endless outdoor fun. From festive holiday events to invigorating snow activities, there is something for everyone to enjoy during the colder months. Here’s your guide to winter festivities and outdoor activities in the region.

Annual Holiday and Seasonal Events

‘Twas Just Before Christmas in Newport

Each holiday season (usually the second weekend in December), Newport comes alive with the festive magic of ‘Twas Just Before Christmas. It was identified by Kearsarge Magazine as one of the area’s best offerings for the holiday season. “‘Twas” is hosted by the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce and is a cherished annual event. This year on Saturday, December 14th, downtown Newport became a winter wonderland with fun and memorable experiences.

Santa’s Arrival by Helicopter TJBC. Image Credit: Newport Area Chamber of Commerce.

A major highlight of ‘Twas Just Before Christmas is the grand arrival of Santa Claus, who made an unforgettable entrance this year by helicopter, courtesy of the Dartmouth Hitchcock Advanced Response Team. After landing, Santa transitioned to a fire engine escorted by the Newport Fire/EMS, making his way through town with great fanfare. Santa then greeted visitors, listened to holiday wishes, and posed for photos with the kiddos.

Santa’s Arrival by Firetruck TJBC. Image Credit: Newport Area Chamber of Commerce.

The evening continued with a performance by Dance Arts Academy NH, wagon rides, and the festival of trees. The Opera House was packed with festivity, including letters to Santa, crafts, face painting, and visits and photos with “Frozen” characters. There were also carolers, raffle baskets, and free giveaways like books and school supplies, and delicious treats such as cookies, hot apple cider, and roasted marshmallows. 

Twas Just Before Christmas captures the joyful spirit of the season and showcases Newport’s close-knit community, as local businesses, schools, and organizations come together for a magical evening. If you missed it, be sure to mark your calendar for next year’s event. 

Newport Opera House Winter Festivities TJBC. Image Credit: Newport Opera House Association.

Tree Lighting Ceremonies

Each year, the towns and villages of the Sugar River Region shine brightly during tree lighting ceremonies. These cherished events are far more than simply turning on holiday lights. They’re festive gatherings that capture the spirit of community. Attendees enjoy hot cocoa, live music, and a warm, joyful atmosphere as their towns and town commons come alive with twinkling lights. Some iconic tree lighting ceremonies and annual events around the county include: 

• Hometown Holiday Liftoff in Claremont on the last Friday in November at Broad Street Park in downtown Claremont 
• Grantham’s Tree Lighting Ceremony on the last Sunday in November or first Sunday in December (as was this year) at the Grantham Town Hall.
• Charlestown’s Holiday Tree Lighting on the first weekend in December at the Silsby Free Public Library. 

If you’d like to attend a village tree lighting ceremony, check out your town’s website, our events calendar, or follow us on Facebook for event update posts. 

Festivals of Trees

A Festival of Trees is an increasingly popular type of holiday event in the US. They celebrate the season by showcasing beautifully decorated Christmas trees to raise funds for charitable organizations, particularly for children’s hospitals. Each tree is usually decorated by local businesses, schools, community groups, or individuals. Sometimes these festivals include other activities like raffles, visits with Santa, musical performances, black tie gala dinners, and craft sales.

NEWPORT

For the first time ever, Newport’s ‘Twas Just Before Christmas holiday celebration had a Festival of Trees, an idea by Town Manager Kyle Harris. Eleven local businesses sponsored and decorated trees and this year’s best decorated was won by Library Arts Center, whose differently-able adults art class created the tree’s beautiful decorations. You can see the trees here in this post. 

‘Twas Just Before Christmas Festival of Trees 1. Image Credit: Newport Area Chamber of Commerce.

SUNAPEE – Coming up on December 22nd from 6 – 8 pm!

Don’t miss the upcoming Festival of Trees organized by the Lake Sunapee Region Chamber of Commerce – a festive event that invites the community to come together and celebrate the season. The event kicks off with an Opening Celebration featuring a Hot Cocoa Bar, Christmas Carols, and an opportunity to craft holiday cards. The highlight of the evening is the magical glow of around 20 decorated trees displayed in Whipple Hall, each showcasing the creativity and holiday spirit of local businesses and community members.

After the opening celebration, the Festival of Trees often remains open from December 31st (except for December 24th and 25th), giving visitors the chance to return and explore the decorated trees at their leisure. During this time, anyone can make donations and vote on their favorite trees. It’s a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the holiday season, support the community, and contribute to the festive spirit!

‘Twas Just Before Christmas Festival of Trees 2. Image Credit: Newport Area Chamber of Commerce.

Holiday Craft Fairs

Holiday craft fairs are a local favorite – a perfect opportunity to support local businesses and Christmas shop. They showcase the talents of local artisans, offering everything from hand-knit scarves to pottery, jewelry, festive decorations, and much more. Here are some popular holiday craft fairs around the region: 

• Springfield Holiday Craft Fair: A family-friendly event featuring cookie decorating, handmade crafts, and festive fun, with a special appearance by Kris Kringle himself. Occurs on a Saturday in early December from 10 am – 2pm, hosted by the Springfield Recreation Committee. 
• Newport Holiday Craft Fair and Children’s Christmas Corner: Sponsored by Sullivan County Cares For Troops, this annual fair (occurs on a Saturday in early December from 9 am – 2pm) offers homemade crafts, jellies, and unique gifts. The Children’s Corner provides a special area where kids can pick out gifts for their loved ones.
• Lempster Holiday Craft Fair: Occurs on the first Saturday in December 9 am – 2pm, hosted by Lempster Community School PTO. Along with a variety of handmade items, this event includes options for breakfast and lunch. 

Newport Winter Carnival 

The Newport Winter Carnival claims to hold the distinction of being the oldest continuous winter carnival in the country. This beloved tradition brings the community together to celebrate the season and showcase the vibrant spirit of Newport, NH. Last year’s carnival was a resounding success, with over 3,000 participants enjoying the festivities and more than 300 volunteers ensuring everything ran smoothly. With the collaboration of local businesses, sponsors, town departments, and community organizations, this event is a true testament to Newport’s unity and dedication to community .

You can look forward to this year’s carnival happening from February 12-16, 2025. This will be the 109th consecutive year! 

Newport Opera House TJBC. Image Credit: Newport Area Chamber of Commerce.

Outdoor Winter Festivities and Activities

Sledding and Tubing at Arrowhead Recreation Area

Arrowhead Recreation Center in Claremont is a beloved local gem that originally opened in 1962 as Arrowhead Skiway. Arrowhead continues to thrive thanks to the dedication of volunteers in the Arrowhead Recreation Club who maintain the site and its activities. The center offers winter tubing, and a rope tow for skiing and snowboarding. A great opportunity to enjoy outdoor winter fun without the high costs often associated with larger ski resorts. The tubing lanes are a favorite for families and visitors seeking a thrilling, accessible winter adventure. Check out more information on tubing here, and see pricing below: 

• Full session – 2 hours: $12 
• Half session – last hour of a full session: $8

The Arrowhead Lodge, now owned by The Wheel House bicycle shop, specializes in bike repairs, sales, and rentals, offering year-round engagement with outdoor enthusiasts. In addition to its winter offerings, Arrowhead supports mountain biking and hiking on its winding trails during warmer months.

Arrowhead Recreation Center is also a hub for community events. The site frequently hosts seasonal activities, such as the Cardboard Sled Race, and provides a venue for fundraisers and celebrations. 

Cross-Country Skiing, Snowshoeing, Sledding, and Ice Skating at Eastman Community Association

Eastman Community Association offers a winter wonderland just minutes off Exit 13 on I-89 in Grantham. With 24 miles of groomed trails, this destination is well known for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing through the landscaped golf course. Recognized as one of the 12 Best Places for Cross-Country Skiing in New Hampshire, Eastman promises an invigorating outdoor experience for all.

With four distinct activities—skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, and skating—all in one central location. You can pack an entire day of winter adventure into a single trip. Eastman offers daily passes and season passes, so winter festivities and outdoor activities are right at your fingertips (weather permitting, of course…).

Two Children in a Cardboard Sled Competition. Image Credit: EaglebrookSchool. (CC BY 2.0)

Cardboard Sled Races

Cardboard sled races at Arrowhead Recreation Area and Mount Sunapee Resort offer a playful and creative way to embrace the winter season. Participants craft sleds entirely from cardboard and duct tape. They compete for prizes in categories like speed, most creative design, and team spirit. At Mount Sunapee, the event marks the end of the ski season, often paired with the lively Slush Cup (Sunday, March 30 2025 at 12pm). These events create a festive atmosphere filled with music, food, and après-ski fun. Similarly, the race (to be held in February 2025, stay tuned for details to be posted) at Arrowhead Recreation Center in Claremont brings families and friends together for a lighthearted competition down a snow-covered hill, often as part of their winter programming. Both events celebrate community spirit, inventive designs, and the simple joy of sledding, making them unforgettable highlights of the season.

Mount Sunapee Slush Cup

The Slush Cup celebrates the melting of winter, typically held in late March on the same day as the Cardboard Sled Race, where participants attempt to ski or snowboard across a pond of icy, slushy water. Contestants launch off a ramp at high speed, aiming to skim across the pond without falling in. It’s a hilarious and sometimes messy event, with many participants dressing up in costumes to add to the fun. Spectators line the slopes, cheering on the daring skiers and snowboarders as they make their splashy attempts. Even if the conditions are challenging, the Slush Cup is always a great time. Sign up to skim across the ice melt here. 

Skier Skimming Across a Slushy Pool of Water. Image Credit: Joe Shlabotnik. (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Snowmobiling on Scenic Trails

The Sugar River Region boasts a vast network of trails that connect to New Hampshire’s renowned statewide system. Whether you’re a seasoned rider or new to the sport, these trails offer breathtaking views through snow-covered forests, flats, rolling hills, valleys, and mountains. Local clubs help maintain these routes, ensuring a smooth ride for all. Check out our blog on All Things Snowmobiling in the Sugar River Region to learn more. 

Embrace the Winter Magic

Winter in the Sugar River Region is nothing short of magical. With winter festivities and events that warm the heart, thrilling outdoor adventures that invigorate the spirit, and a community that embraces the season with open arms, there’s truly something for everyone to enjoy. Bundle up, step outside, and discover the wonders of winter in this enchanting corner of New Hampshire. Plan your visit today!

We Have A Winner! Festival of Trees Library Arts Center TJBC. Image Credit: Newport Area Chamber of Commerce.