The Concord area has 2 Christmas events for kids we could confirm for the 2026 season, from Midnight Merriment 2026 in Concord on December 4 to Astronaut Santa Day in Concord, on December 13. Every listing links straight to the host. It is one stop on our guide to Christmas events for kids in New Hampshire, part of our guide for every state.
The short version
- 2 kids’ Christmas events confirmed in Concord for 2026, in Concord
- First: Midnight Merriment 2026, Concord, December 4. Runs latest: Astronaut Santa Day, Concord, through December 13
- Every event here charges admission or a ticket; check each host
- Checked on each host’s own page; each listing links straight to it
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Christmas events for kids in Concord
2 confirmed events for kids in Concord, soonest first.
Santa visit
Midnight Merriment 2026
- When: Friday, December 4, 2026, 5 to 11:59 pm
- Where: Downtown Concord (Santa photos at Arts Alley), Concord
- Cost: Check the host's page
Details, tips and host
Midnight Merriment fills downtown Concord with holiday music, shopping and family activities from 5 pm until midnight. The sample schedule includes Santa photos and a holiday dance party at Arts Alley from 5:30 to 7:30 pm, make-and-take ornaments at the League of NH Craftsmen, strolling carolers on South Main Street, and the Jubilate Singers performing as the Dickens Carolers, singing carols and telling holiday stories in period dress.
Families with young kids will get the most from the early evening, when the Santa photos, free hot chocolate and s'mores at City Plaza are running. About 500 s'mores are provided and usually run out around 7:30 pm, sometimes sooner. A heated warming station and a food truck alley are also on site. Much of the event happens outdoors, so dress warmly. The schedule is labeled a sample, so check the page for final times.
Parent tip: Come early for s'mores and hot chocolate, which run out by about 7:30 pm. Parking is available at the Storrs St., School St. and State St. garages.
- Host
- Intown Concord (opens in a new tab)
- Address
- Downtown Concord (Santa photos at Arts Alley), 20 S. Main Street, Concord, NH
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Santa visit
Astronaut Santa Day
- When: Sunday, December 13, 2026, 11 am to 4 pm
- Where: McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, Concord
- Cost: Included with general admission ($11 kids 3 to 12, $14 adults, free for ages 2 and under)
Details, tips and host
The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord welcomes Astronaut Santa for one Sunday in December. Families can visit with Santa upstairs next to the museum's space-flown shuttle tire, and the visit is included with general admission. Afterward you can explore the exhibits, browse the Science Store, or add a planetarium show for $7 a ticket.
This is a good pick for kids who love rockets and space, and it pairs a Santa visit with a full museum outing indoors. General admission is listed at $11 for children 3 to 12, $14 for adults and $13 for students and seniors, with members and children 2 and under free. The museum offers free parking in its lot, and many New Hampshire libraries lend passes that cover general admission for up to four guests.
Parent tip: Parking in the Discovery Center lot is free. Check with your local New Hampshire library about a museum pass, and buy planetarium tickets separately if you want a show.
- Host
- McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center (opens in a new tab)
- Address
- McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, 2 Institute Drive, Concord, NH 03301
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Look inside the book
Story time with Santa in Concord? Bring Rally home.
Rally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor. It makes a cozy bedtime story after a big day with Santa. Turn a few pages here.
Rally Takes the Train
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Grandmommy and Papa are at the last stop. Get the full hand-painted book, $16.99 on Amazon.
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Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.
Every event above was confirmed on the host’s own page, with the date, time, cost and the small things parents ask about (sign-ups, ages, what is included). Looking for a Santa train instead? Those are on our New Hampshire Christmas train rides page.
Concord Christmas events for kids at a glance
- Kids’ Christmas events
- 2 confirmed for 2026
- Cities
- Concord
- Season
- December 4 to December 13, 2026
- Free events
- 0
- Kinds of events
- Santa visit
- Last checked
See every event on a December calendar
Plan your December
When each Concord Christmas event for kids happens
The first is Midnight Merriment 2026 in Concord on December 4; the last runs to December 13. Each bar spans an event’s dates, not every hour in them, so check the host’s page for times.
- Midnight Merriment 2026Concord · Dec 4
- Astronaut Santa DayConcord · Dec 13
Looking further afield? Our New Hampshire Christmas events for kids guide lists every confirmed event in the state, and we have city guides for Manchester, NH and Nashua. The national search sorts every event by distance from your town.
A story for the drive home
A morning with Santa or an evening of holiday stories tends to end the same way: tired kids, a long drive and one more book before bed. Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents, and every page is painted by hand. If your family is spending December missing someone, it was written for that too. For the car, print our free corgi and train coloring pages.
A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first ride on a California train, hand-painted in watercolor. $16.99 on Amazon, ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon2026 Christmas events are coming in late November
More Christmas events arrive in late November: unlock the list and we'll email you as soon as we confirm them.
The story of Christmas in Concord
Concord's Christmas tree tradition began at the State House. In 1913 a tree went up on the plaza, church bells rang to call neighbors together, and a newspaper marveled that it was lighted by electricity. More than a century later, the city still gathers there with Santa.
How Concord celebrates
Concord's Main Street Christmas tree tradition began in 1913, when the first tree was set up on the New Hampshire State House Plaza. On December 24, church bells at St. Paul's called residents to gather while the choir sang carols and a band played. Today the city lights its tree each year on City Plaza, organized by the Concord Grange and Concord Eagles, with Santa, hot chocolate and cider. The Concord Fire Department brings Santa to the plaza, and fireworks follow near Everett Arena. The governor lights a tree at Bridges House, too.
Christmas last year in Concord
Concord held its 40th annual tree lighting in late November 2025, at the State House city plaza. Several hundred people came, the Concord Fire Department brought Santa Claus, and Santa led the countdown. Fireworks were set off near Everett Arena afterward. The year before, in early December 2024, hundreds of families gathered at Bridges House in East Concord, the governor's residence, to watch the lighting of a large conifer with hundreds of colored lights and a white star. The Rundlett Middle School choir sang carols, and Santa appeared.
Fun facts about Christmas in Concord
The 1913 State House tree was described by a newspaper as decorated and lighted by electricity, which was still a marvel at the time. In 1950 the city voted to buy decorations to hang from utility poles, and they were used for more than forty years. In the 1940s the Concord Boys Club began serving a hot turkey dinner to children on Highland Street. The 2023 tree was a Concolor Fir cut from Blossom Hill Cemetery. The Christmas parade reached its 71st edition in 2022.
Trains and Christmas near Concord
Concord families can find railroad history close to home. The Contoocook Railroad Museum is an 1849 depot beside the world's oldest surviving covered railroad bridge, with a wooden passenger coach waiting on the rails. The Ashland Railroad Station Museum is a restored 1869 depot filled with railroad artifacts. For train rides, the Winnipesaukee Railway runs lakeshore trips on 1848 rails from Meredith, though its rides run in summer and fall.
- Contoocook Railroad Museum: An 1849 depot museum beside the world's oldest surviving covered railroad bridge, with a wooden passenger coach on the rails.
- Ashland Railroad Station Museum: A restored 1869 depot listed on the National Register, filled mostly with railroad artifacts.
- Winnipesaukee Railway: Lakeshore train rides on 1848 rails from Meredith, running in summer and fall.
Traditions today
- State House City Plaza tree lighting: A yearly community tree lighting with Santa, hot chocolate, cider and fireworks, in its 40th year in 2025.
- Santa arrives with the fire department: The Concord Fire Department brings Santa Claus to the plaza and he leads the countdown.
- Governor's tree at Bridges House: The governor lights a large conifer at the official residence in East Concord, followed by carols, Santa and hot dogs.
- Concord Christmas parade: A long-running Saturday morning parade that reached its 71st edition in 2022.
- Penacook tree lighting: A separate neighborhood tree lighting at Boudreau Square in Penacook.
- Midnight Merriment: A downtown Concord evening in early December when the streets stay lively until midnight.
A fact for kids
In Concord, Santa rides to the tree lighting with the fire department! Hundreds of people gather at the State House plaza to count down with him.
Questions about Christmas in Concord
When did Concord's Christmas tree tradition start?
Concord's Main Street Christmas tree tradition began in 1913, when the first tree was set up on the State House Plaza. On Christmas Eve that year, church bells at St. Paul's called neighbors to gather, the church choir sang carols and a band played. A newspaper said the tree was lighted by electricity.
How old is the Concord tree lighting ceremony?
The current community tree lighting at City Plaza was in its 38th year in 2023 and its 40th year in 2025, so it began in the mid-1980s. The older tradition of a public tree at the State House goes back to 1913. The Concord Grange and Concord Eagles organize the modern event.
What happens at the Concord tree lighting?
Santa arrives with the Concord Fire Department and leads the countdown at the State House city plaza. There are also hot chocolate and cider, and fireworks go off near Everett Arena. In 2025, which was the 40th annual lighting, several hundred people attended.
What kind of tree does Concord use?
It varies. In 2023 the City Plaza tree was a Concolor Fir cut from Blossom Hill Cemetery and donated by Concord Parks & Rec. Crews lifted it with a crane, and the New Hampshire Department of Transportation helped decorate it. Concord also decorates trees on Concord Heights and in Penacook.
What is the Bridges House Christmas tree?
Bridges House in East Concord is the governor's official residence, and a large conifer grows on its grounds in front of the 1835 brick house. Each year it is lit with hundreds of colored lights and a white star. In 2024 Rundlett Middle School's choir sang and Santa Claus appeared.
Who gave Bridges House to the state?
Bridges House dates to 1835 and was donated to the state by former Governor Henry Styles Bridges, who was elected governor in 1934 and later served as a U.S. senator from 1937 to 1961. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Does the New Hampshire governor light a tree?
Yes. The governor leads a countdown at Bridges House in East Concord, where the lighting of the large conifer is followed by carols, Santa and hot dogs. In 2024 hundreds of people came, including families, and the governor opened the house for snacks afterward.
Does Concord, NH have a Christmas parade?
Yes. The Concord Christmas Parade reached its 71st edition in 2022, hosted by the Concord Grange and Fraternal Order of Eagles. It ran on a Saturday morning along Loudon Road. For this season's route and time, see our Concord Christmas events guide on this page.
What was the Concord Christmas parade theme in 2022?
The 71st Christmas parade in 2022 had the theme “Christmas Through the Eyes of a Child.” The grand marshals were the Concord Little League team, who were 2022 state champions. A licensed drone operator on one float streamed video from above, and Concord TV taped the parade.
What is Midnight Merriment in Concord?
Midnight Merriment is a downtown Concord evening held in early December. In 2022 it ran on December 2 from 5 p.m. to midnight. The streets stay lively until midnight, so check our Concord Christmas events guide on this page for this season's details.
Does Penacook have its own tree lighting?
Yes. Penacook, a village that is part of Concord, holds its own tree lighting at Boudreau Square. In 2023 it was held on a Wednesday evening at 5:30 p.m., a few days after the City Plaza lighting. It is a smaller, neighborhood-style celebration.
How did Concord decorate downtown in the past?
In 1936 the Chamber of Commerce's Retail Activities Committee planned holiday events to draw shoppers downtown, including unusual street lighting and flag decorations. In 1950 the city voted to buy decorations to hang from utility poles, and they were used for more than forty years.
What did the Concord Boys Club do at Christmas?
In the 1940s the Concord Boys Club began serving a hot turkey dinner to children on Highland Street, with volunteer police officers helping serve. In 1939 Governor Francis Murphy had served Christmas dinners at the Salvation Army headquarters in Concord.
How can I explain the Concord tree lighting to my child?
Tell your child that neighbors have been meeting at the State House since 1913 to watch a big tree light up. Santa rides in with the firefighters, everyone counts down together and there are treats like hot cocoa and cider. Kids can look for fireworks afterward.
Where can kids meet Santa in Concord?
The best known meeting is at the City Plaza tree lighting, where the Concord Fire Department brings Santa to lead the countdown. He also appeared at the Bridges House tree lighting in 2024. Our Concord Christmas events guide on this page lists this season's confirmed dates.
Where can kids see a big Christmas tree in Concord?
The big tree stands on the State House city plaza in downtown Concord, where Concord has put a tree since 1913. There are other trees in Penacook and on Concord Heights. For this year's lighting time, see our Concord Christmas events guide on this page.
Is there a train museum near Concord, NH?
Yes. The Contoocook Railroad Museum is an 1849 depot museum and visitor center beside the world's oldest surviving covered railroad bridge, with a wooden passenger coach waiting on the rails. Volunteers usually staff it Friday to Sunday, so call ahead before you go, especially in winter.
Where else can kids learn about trains near Concord?
The Ashland Railroad Station Museum is a restored 1869 depot with railroad artifacts, though it is open mostly on summer Saturday afternoons. The Winnipesaukee Railway runs lakeshore rides from Meredith on 1848 rails in summer and fall. Neither runs a regular Christmas schedule, so check ahead.
What makes Christmas in Concord special?
Concord's Christmas has a state capital flavor. The tree has stood at the State House since 1913, and the governor lights a second tree at Bridges House. Santa arrives with the fire department, and neighbors still gather by the hundreds. The mix of history and neighbors gathering is what stands out.
Who organizes the Concord Christmas tree lighting?
The annual City Plaza tree lighting is organized by the Concord Grange and the Concord Eagles, and in 2023 it was in its 38th year. The Concord Fire Department brings Santa to lead the countdown, and local food is served, such as hot chocolate and cider. Penacook's lighting is a separate neighborhood event held at Boudreau Square.
Sources
- Christmas memories: Concord tree, Concord Monitor
- 2025 Concord Christmas tree lighting highlights, Patch
- NH's Official Christmas Tree Was Lit at Bridges House, Kicking Off Holiday Season, InDepthNH
- 71st Concord Christmas Parade Saturday, Patch
- Holiday tree installed at city plaza, Concord Monitor
- Contoocook Railroad Museum, Rally Takes the Train
- Ashland Railroad Station Museum, Rally Takes the Train
- Winnipesaukee Railway, Rally Takes the Train
Concord Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask
What are the best Christmas events for kids in Concord this year?
We confirmed 2 for the 2026 season. Good places to start: Midnight Merriment (Dec 4) and Astronaut Santa Day (Dec 13). Every event on this page has the times, the cost and a link to the host.
Where can kids meet Santa in Concord?
2 events here include a visit with Santa. Bring your own camera; most visits allow photos.
Do we need tickets or reservations?
For 1 of the 2 events, yes: they sell tickets or ask you to sign up ahead. Meals with Santa and ticketed shows fill up first. Most library and park events are walk-in, and each listing says which is which.
Are there Christmas train rides for kids in Concord?
Yes, but they have their own guide. Santa trains and holiday train rides are listed in our Concord Christmas train rides guide, so this page sticks to story times, Santa visits and other events off the rails.
How do you confirm these events?
We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on November 4, 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.
Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.