Nostalgic Christmas towns in NH to visit

All of us in the Lakes Region experienced possibly one of the best falls in recent years, with gorgeous color out there and an extended season. As expected, once the leaves were down, Pittsburg, experienced its first snowfall this season on Saturday. It’s amazing how quickly the seasons transition. Back in September, I wrote an article entitled "Granite State named 'most naturally beautiful state in the US.'" No sooner did that statewide accolade get published than another one came out from the Hallmark Channel entitled, “The Official Guide to Hallmark's Merriest Christmas Towns 2026." In this article, North Conway, was picked as a Hallmark Christmas movie set brought to life.

I’ve always enjoyed taking trips up to North Conway during the four seasons. However, the village glows with a special tone during the holiday seasons. All of us have grown up with Hallmark Christmas cards, and Nancy and I have always enjoyed the Hallmark Christmas specials on TV. It seems to put all of us in the Christmas mood that time of year. I remember bringing my children up to the North Conway Scenic Railroad, taking a trip on the train in the fall and walking around the village. During the holiday season, North Conway's village has the spirit of a movie set, and it attracts a strong following of tourists, second homeowners, shoppers, and locals. The long-standing traditions of North Conway is seen with the rows of shops with wreaths, lights and bright storefronts lighting the retail district and pubs. The Conway Scenic Railroad, which was built in 1874, offers special Christmas trains where children can travel by train to visit Santa’s Workshop. 

I can see why Hallmark picked North Conway; I can picture a scene at Jeb’s General Store where shoppers are looking at so many novelty items and New Hampshire gifts and then stopping next door at Horsefeathers restaurant for a glass of wine and a warm meal while the snow falls outside the windows. The ski industry is a huge magnet for the town with Wildcat Mountain Ski Area, Attitash Mountain Resort, and legendary Tuckerman’s Ravine on Mount Washington. However, the village prides itself on having Cranmore Mountain Resort in its backyard, where you can see the snow-covered slopes as you enter town.

New Hampshire has so many towns where you can experience similar Hallmark themes during the upcoming holiday season. Here are a few that come to mind:

Exeter: Located near the seacoast, this lively town feels like a Christmas movie with its classic New England architecture, brick sidewalks and glowing downtown lights. Phillips Exeter Academy, with its Georgian brick buildings, accents this quintessential New England town. The Exeter Inn and the Inn by the Band Stand are classic hospitality sites for travelers. The Sea Dog Brewery Company and the Epoch Gastropub are two unique eateries to visit.

Hanover: The holiday season kicks off with the lighting of the Christmas tree on the green. The town is known for it’s “big green” Dartmouth College. Hanover is a vibrant, Ivy League town with a great Christmas vibe. Classic brick buildings with a nice retail and hospitality district are framed by the snow, covered college campus and quadrangle. Visitors can take horse-drawn wagon rides through downtown and the decorated green. The decorations, twinkling lights, restaurant scene, and holiday amenities are impressive, warm, and inviting.

Jackson: Just up the road from North Conway lies a romantic storybook village nestled in the White Mountains. Here you can enjoy horse-drawn sleigh rides and ice skating at Nestlenock Farm or stay at the historic Wentworth Hotel. The cross-country ski trails, scenic covered bridge, and Wildcat Pub is a true currier and ives setting.

Jefferson: Have you ever visited Jefferson over the holidays? If you have children, it’s the ultimate destination. The town is built around holiday fun with its North Pole-themed magic at Santa’s Village. This famous Christmas-themed amusement park transforms into a winter wonderland. My kids loved it. You will not see a place with more sparkling Christmas lights, Christmas rides, reindeer feeding, and of course, Santa.

Littleton: This glowing North Country town is a gem during the holidays with its beautiful Main Street dressed in holiday spirit. Historic covered bridge wrapped in lights and the world's largest candy counter, boutiques, galleries, and fine cuisine along the shopping districts. Littleton has won numerous awards for being one of the best small, charming towns in America. The scenic town of Bethlehem next door is another favorite Christmas-themed community to visit.

Meredith: Meredith was picked as one of the top 10 best small towns on the East Coast by Travel + Leisure. During the holiday season, the village goes all out to make the town as festive as possible. Sparkling lights and displays celebrate the community's historic charm with massive seasonal appeal. Mills Falls Marketplace features its tumbling waterfall that lights up beautifully at night with the glow of snow all around. There are award-winning wineries, and brew pubs, fine restaurants, boutique shops to browse, and tree lighting. In February, the 18th annual New England Pond Hockey Classic unfolds on Meredith Bay of Lake Winnipesaukee and is a true Currier and Ives winter event with much cheer.

Peterborough: I visited this charming town in February and stayed at a classic bed and breakfast. The town is definitely a Hallmark-style, New England Christmas town with a lively village with boutique and antique stores, interesting breakfast diners, and restaurants, and holiday displays. A parade of lights, concerts, and multiple community events are displayed along the scenic riverfront.

Portsmouth: Portsmouth is widely considered one of the best Christmas towns in New Hampshire. This bustling Seaport town was ranked fourth nationally by House Beautiful as a festive Christmas town. The Strawberry Bank Museum hosts the famous candlelight stroll, featuring lantern-lit paths with historic brick and white clapboarded homes decorated from the 1600s to the 1950s with bonfires lining the roads. Ice-skating on Puddle Duck Pond and a lively market square with holiday tree lighting, a festive parade, and lots of shoppers and diners at Portsmouth’s multitude of restaurants and pubs.

Wolfeboro: Neighboring Wolfeboro was ranked as the second-best “small lake towns in America” by Travel + Leisure. Over the winter months, the town transforms from a scenic lakeside town into a cozy, nostalgic winter wonderland. Historic buildings, decorated shop windows, welcoming pubs and restaurants, and a local holiday parade and New Year’s celebration. The large Christmas tree in front of Blacks Paper Shop and gift shops downtown is a holiday tradition and a great photo opportunity. Even the town docks on Lake Winnipesaukee create a warm holiday glow.

There are so many other small towns to visit with lots of Christmas cheer and New England charm to experience. Put on your winter clothes and scarf; it is that time of year to plan on visiting our “Hallmark classics." It is a major reason New Hampshire's real estate market is on many families' wish lists.

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This article was written by Frank Roche, the president of Roche Realty Group, located in Meredith, and can be reached at 603-279-7046. Visit rocherealty.com to learn more about the Lakes Region and its real estate market.