Press Kit

Mt Washington Valley offers a packed holiday and ski events calendar in December, 2018



Good news from Mt Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce – December 2, 2018

Contact:  Marti Mayne, 207-846-6331, PR@mtwashingtonvalley.org

HOLIDAY & SKI EVENTS PACK THE DECEMBER CALENDAR IN MT WASHINGTON VALLEY

Between Santa, shopping and skiing, December offers up a packed line-up of events for everyone in the family

North Conway, NH - In Mt. Washington Valley, NH, we take the holidays very seriously, filling the event calendar with everything from delicious cookie and chocolate tours to sleigh rides and train rides. In addition, Santa makes his way throughout the Valley, bringing the Spirit of the Holidays to all on trains, at shops and throughout the trails of Mt Washington Valley’s 13 ski resorts and XC Centers.

This holiday season combine a shopping trip to tax-free New Hampshire with one of these wonderful holiday events offering something for everyone in the family.

Weekends through December 22:  Christmastime at Santa’s Village: There is something about visiting Santa’s Village during our Christmastime season that is extra special. With Christmas carols heard throughout the park, the possibility of snow on the ground, and about one million lights illuminating the park at dusk; a visit during this time of year is sure to put you in the holiday spirit. All rides except water rides are open, weather permitting. Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the reindeer are on hand to visit and take photos. Two shows play throughout the day; one outdoors on Main Street beginning at dusk, the other in the Polar Theater are happening throughout the day, and most of the dining and gift shops are open. The Elfabet Game is even more challenging in the dark. Info: Santasvillage.com.

December 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22 & 23: Journey to the North Pole: The Journey to the North Pole™ takes you on a magical trip to see Santa in his workshop at the North Pole! Board the Journey to the North Pole™ train at the Conway Scenic Railroad, enjoy hot chocolate along with some of Santa’s favorite treats. Once at the North Pole elves (Santa’s helpers) will escort guests to the North Pole Theater the classic “The Night Before Christmas” poem by Clement Clarke Moore will be dramatically read along with a visit from Santa himself. Each child will receive a special gift on the return trip back. Net proceeds from the Journey to the North Pole™ Event fund Literacy Programs of The Believe in Books Literacy Foundation, a Charitable 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Tickets are available through lodging packages or online here. For schedules and more information.

December 8, 15: Photos with Santa at Settlers Green: Ho, ho, ho! Santa Claus will be visiting Settlers Green this holiday season inside at Santa's Workshop at Suite B8 next to Crocs and rue21, 9:00-4:00pm. Photos are $12. Photos with Santa is provided by and helps to fund the Kiwanis Club of the Mt. Washington Valley. Info: SettlersGreen.com.

December 8 & 9, and 15-23: Santa’s Holiday Express:  Join Santa and his mischievous elves  on board the Conway Scenic RR and share their hot chocolate and cookies along the way. Ask nicely, and they’ll also take your picture so be sure to bring your camera! There are two train excursions, both to Conway: 11:30 and 1:30 to (about an hour round-trip).

Through December 16: Traditionally Yours Jackson: Celebrate the holiday season in Jackson, Bartlett, Glen and beyond. The calendar is packed with businesses offering Open Houses, Holiday Drink Tastings, Story Telling, Fondues and so much more.

December 2, 8, 9, 15, 16: Jingle Bell Chocolate Tour: Deemed a must do "Chocolaty Delicious" event by all who ride, each rider receives an average of 10 hand-made chocolates, a festive Christmas holiday bag for any chocolates not eaten on the tour, a Jingle Bell and an Austrian Horse Drawn Sleigh Ride through the Village of Jackson, NH. Sleighs run hourly from 11 AM - 4 PM on the days listed. Each sleigh can hold 10 people. There are at least 4 sleighs that go out per hour. Ticket sales are now open to any visitors booking their stays at one of the Jackson Lodging members Ticket sales for anyone booking a group of 10 or more can book by calling 603-383-9356. Tickets are $25 each and must be reserved. Info: Click here.

December 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16: The Eight: Reindeer Monologues: M&D Playhouse presents The Eight:  Reindeer Monologues by Jeff Goode, a dark, dark Christmas comedy.  Scandal erupts at the North Pole when one of Santa's eight tiny reindeer accuses him of sexual harassment. As mass media descends upon the event, the other members of the sleigh team demand to share their perspectives, and a horrific tale of corruption and perversion emerges which seems to implicate everyone from the littlest elf to the tainted Saint himself.  With each deer's confession, the truth behind the shocking allegations becomes clearer and clearer...and murkier and murkier. The Eight is presented Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 and Sundays at 4:00. Your Theatre, Willow Common, 1857 White Mountain Highway, North Conway. To reserve seats please visit our website at www.mdplayhouse.com or call (603) 733-5275.

Thursday, December 6,  5-6:30: Conway Parks & Recreation Dept. Presents...LETTERS TO SANTA, Have your photo taken with Santa & drop your letter to Santa in our mailbox to go straight to the North Pole at the Conway Parks & Rec. Dept. in Center Conway. There are ornaments and cookies to decorate;  make reindeer food and enjoy hot chocolate too. Recommended for newborn to 2nd grade but all children are welcome. Call 447-5680 for more info or go to www.conwayrec.com

Saturday, December 8: Breakfast with Santa at Bartlett Elementary - Breakfast - 8-10:30am, Photos with Santa - 9-10am at Josiah Bartlett Elementary School.

December 8 and 9: 22nd Annual Inn to Inn Cookie and Candy Tour:   Visit 11 inns all dressed in their holiday finery; taste scrumptious holiday cookies and candy, and take home a collection of scrumptious recipes in a keepsake cookbook, all from 11am to 4pm each day. In addition, demonstrations, artisan sales and gift ideas will be featured at each inn, so you can do a little holiday shopping too. Stay at one of the inns and receive a custom-made keepsake ornament and tickets to the tour.  Day tickets go on sale starting December 1,2018 for $35 each.   All tickets must be reserved in advance. Call 800-338-1356 or 603-356-2642 to reserve day tickets or book a weekend stay with any participating inn.  Info: www.countryinnsinthewhitemountains.com. 

December 9Fryeburg Academy Candlelight Concerts at The Leura Hill Eastman Performing Arts Center. Two concerts: 4:00 and 7:00 PM featuring the school's choral and instrumental ensembles. Free Admission. 207-935-9232. Click for more info.  

December 9-10: Holiday Crystal Party: Join Waterford Wedgewood Royal Doulton for a Holiday Crystal Party at Settlers Green in North Conway from 3pm-5pm and on Sunday, December 10 from 1pm-3pm. There will be refreshments, raffles, drawings and extra savings.  Plus, free samples and exclusive discounts from local retailers.

Tuesday, December 11: Annual Holiday Marketplace at Sea Dog Brewing Company from 5-8pm featuring local artists, crafters and vendors. A fun shopping experience plus a great place to celebrate the holidays too.  Full bar and menu open.

Thursday, December 13: Special Holiday Open House at the SoakingPot Infusion Spa: 5-8:00 pm enjoy complimentary refreshments, hors d'oeuvres and desserts, one of a kind gift sets, holiday savings and more. Mini spa services and door prizes, too! At Settlers Green.

Friday, December 14 - Sunday December 16Jewelry Trunk Show: Special three day trunk show featuring the hand-inlaid mosaic jewelry of accomplished artist David Rosales of Supersmith Inc at the Silver Buffalo Gallery in North Conway.  Enter to win a $50 gift certificate during the event! Hundreds of pieces will be available.

December 15: Ski with Santa at Attitash & Wildcat: Old Saint Nick aka Santa Claus will a quick break from the North Pole and Christmas preparations to take some turns with skiers and riders at Attitash and Wildcat. Ski with Santa at Wildcat from 9:30am-11am before heading down the road to make turns at Attitash from 12pm - 2pm. He'll go to Attitash Main Mountain first and be at Bear Peak around 1:30pm. Santa will make some turns with guests, stop and pose with you for great photo opportunities and our mountain hosts will hand out candy cane treats to our young skiers & snowboarders!  Info: Attitash.com.

December 15, 22, 26-31: Après Ski at Bretton Woods Slopeside Pub: Last chair doesn’t mean your day has to end. There’s always great après ski entertainment and try a new brew and appetizers at Slopeside Pub. Slopeside Pub on the 3rd level of the Bretton Woods Base Lodge. The Slopeside Pub après ski entertainment is offered on Saturdays and during holiday periods with live music and DJ's from 3:00-5:30pm and special bar promos from 3:00-5:00pm.   Don't forget to check out the kids après party calendar. Info: https://www.brettonwoods.com/apres.

December 15: 45th Anniversary Celebration at Bretton Woods: It starts with $45 lift tickets throughout the day to celebrate this sapphire anniversary.  Get your sapphire swag on for the après ski party afterward.  Visit the Birthday Party bash booth too.  Info: BrettonWoods.com.

Saturday, December 15: Sherman Farm for cookies and cocoa with Santa: The front lawn will be transformed into a winter wonderland with Christmas trees, a fire pit, hot chocolate and sugar cookies from the kitchen. Choose a tree, shop local products and enjoy time with family and friends. This event will be outside. No bathroom available. Rain/Snow date Sunday Dec 16th.

Sunday, December 16 10th annual Holiday Festival of Dance and The Nutcracker Sweets: Presented by Tina Titzer's Act One Dance Company there are two performances: a matinee at 2:00pm and an evening performance at 5:00pm. This family-friendly program will include ballet, tap, and jazz pieces to your favorite Christmas tunes in the first half, and a shortened version of The Nutcracker in the second half. $15-Adults, $12-Children 12 and under (General Admission) Info: 207-935-4020 to reserve tickets.

December 16: Photos with Santa at King Pine: The big man in red is taking a break from checking his lists and visiting skiers and riders at King Pine. Santa will be available for photos with his favorite skiers and riders at 2 p.m. in the Fireplace Room. Info: KingPine.com.

December 17: Snowshoe with Santa: Come snowshoe with Santa at the Grand Summit Hotel from 10am to noon.  Take a walk with Santa while hunting for his reindeer bells. Then warm up with hot cocoa and a treat! Bring your cameras! Santa would love to take pictures with you! This event is free and is sponsored by AbilityPlus Adaptive Sports. Info: www.abilityplus.org.

Monday, December 17: Glenn Miller Orchestra in the ballroom at the Omni Mount Washington Hotel.  Dinner is 6pm, Concert is 8:30pm.

Wednesday, December 19: Delaney's 10th Annual Love Our Locals Artisan Night from 5 - 8pm with over a dozen local artisans, local beer and wine tasting, dinner and drink specials and more. 

December 22:  Breakfast with Santa at the Sunrise Shack: Come meet Santa and make your last minute gift requests at The Sunrise Shack! Santa will be in town on the 22nd, and The Sunrise Shack has invited him and AbilityPLUS for breakfast. 10% of all breakfast sales benefits AbilityPLUS, so start your busy shopping day off right and help further adaptive sports programs in the MWV at the same time. Info: abilityplus.org.

December 24: Christmas Eve Sleepover Fundraiser to benefit Harvest Hills Animal Shelter: Dedicated to not only giving our shelter dogs a night where they can feel a little Christmas Eve normalcy, but it is a fundraiser for special projects and programs at the shelter. This year, local veterinarian Dr. Steve Caffrey, AKA Uncle Steve, will be spending the night at the shelter! His mission was to create a warm and caring hospital with a high standard of care and personal service. Info and details: www.harvesthills.org.

December 27-29: Penguins and Polar Bears Nordic Ski Camp at Great Glen Trails: This Nordic ski camp will focus on games and fun while teaching cross-country ski basics for kids ages six to eleven years old. Both Penguins (ages 6 to 8) and Polar Bears (ages 9 to 11) start off the camp with games that teach and test stopping abilities. The trails at Great Glen that wind through the meadows and forest will be explored. Ascending to the Great Angel Cabin, a log warming hut, is a significant ski goal for campers and is rewarded by a fast a turn-filled trip down the Dragon Corridor trail. Campers will also search for the locations of Trail Tracker critters. Of course, the camp wouldn't be complete without a few runs on the classic tubing hill.  Info at GreatGlenTrails.com.

December 28: Torchlight Snow Tubing at King Pine: Experience the fun of lift-serviced torchlight night snowtubing down exciting snow chutes at the Pine Meadows Tubing Park, 5:30-9:00pm. Tickets are $19 per person during holiday periods for each 2-hour session. Tubes are provided by King Pine. One rider per tube. Info: KingPine.com.

Dec 27-31: Cranapalooza at Cranmore Mountain Resort: On Saturday afternoons throughout Christmas Week periods, guests will enjoy a variety of fun family events throughout the resort in addition to snow tubing, mountain coaster, giant swing and soaring eagle zip line operations until 8pm. Plus, Cranmore is open for skiing until 8pm on Saturdays and vacation periods. The resort-wide, fun-filled après celebration is geared towards the whole family.  You'll find family entertainment, famous s'mores and DJ dance parties in Schneider Square with C-More the Penguin, face painting, family games and activities, giveaways and so much more.  Adults can enjoy live music in Zip's Pub and Grill then gather the family back together for an early fireworks show at 6pm on Dec 31.  Info: Cranmore.com.

December 29: Evening Snowshoe Tour at Great Glen Trails: Experience the wonder of a nighttime winter walk. Join a Naturalist from the Appalachian Mountain Club on a guided snowshoe tour. We will use our senses (and no flashlights) to navigate the trails while listening for owls calling and exploring our senses. Tours depart at 7:00 pm please plan to arrive by 6:30 pm if you need rentals. $12 per person over 12, free under 12. Minimum age is 8 years old, Info: GreatGlenTrails.com.

December 26-31: Conway Scenic RR Holiday Week Trains. Old-fashioned train rides will be offered twice daily December 26 through 31, to Conway:11:30 and 1:30 (about an hour round-trip). Info and schedule.

December 31: Attitash After Dark: King Jeremy, An Authentic Pearl Jam Tribute Band at Ptarmigan Pub, Attitash: Ptarmigan Pub transformed for After Dark Concerts sponsored by Bud Lite. Music starts at 2pm with the Riley Parkhurst Band. Fireworks at 6:30pm. Dinner menu available, King Jeremy at 8pm: Info: Attitash.com.

December 31:  New Year’s Eve celebration at King Pine: Ring in the New Year with an evening of skiing, riding, music and fun – complete with torchlight parade and fireworks at King Pine. Night skiing ticket packages available, face painting, music and s’mores around the campfire, Torchlight Parade at 9pm followed by fireworks at 9:20pm. Info: KingPine.com.

December 31: Partybrationn at Santa's Village: Santa welcomes you to the 10th annual New Year’s Eve Partybration from 4pm to 9pm.  The celebration begins a bit early for younger guests, with fireworks at 8pm. Ride on some of your favorite rides and enjoy some of your favorite Santa’s Village treats one last time this year. This all-inclusive (food and soft drinks, rides and festivities) party will feature a DJ who will take requests. Must purchase tickets online ahead. Info: https://www.santasvillage.com/park-info-tickets/seasons-and-events/new-years-eve-partybration/.

December 31:  NYE Family Event at Mountain View Grand Resort: Time for the annual New Year’s Family Celebration in the Presidential Ballroom. This event will begin at 6:00pm with a delicious buffet.  Following dinner, enjoy dancing and entertainment provided by Pete and Chris Amusements, plus a photo booth, games and other festivities! Reservations are required. Pricing is $70 per guest aged 13+, and $50 for children 2-12. Children under 2 dine free This event features family style seating. Pricing does not include taxes and house fee. There's an adult gala too! Info: mountainviewgrand.com

December 31:  New Year's Eve Dinner at Max's Restaurant and Pub: Reserve ahead for the special 6-course dinner from 5:30 to 9PM on New Year's Eve at Max's in Snowvillage Inn.  Space is limited. Info:  603-447-2818

December 31: Ring in the new year at Schouler Park:  After enjoying a wonderful dinner at one of Mt Washington Valley’s restaurants, ring in the new year with fireworks in Schouler Park. Info: MtWashingtonValley.org.

With so much happening in Mt Washington Valley, it’s time to get started planning  your December getaway.  Go to www.MtWashingtonValley.org for all the planning tools you need or call 800-367-3364 (800-DO-SEE-NH) to talk to a visitors services representative. To learn more about a vacation to New Hampshire, go to www.VisitNH.gov.

#   #   #