Manchester Merriment – 2023
String Art Snowflake Workshop
Thursday, 11/30: 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Green Mountain Academy for Lifelong Learning (GMALL) welcomes arts educator Stacy Gates to lead this holiday craft workshop. In this hands-on workshop, you will create two 3 ½ x 3 ½ wooden snowflake patterns. All necessary tools and supplies are included, and you will go home with the perfect for gift to give or to decorate your home for the winter. The $45 registration fee includes all materials.
“Christmas Eve in 1912” Hildene Holidays
Throughout December
Hildene, the Lincoln Family Home will be decorated throughout the month of December to evoke Christmas Eve 1912 – one of a handful of years that the Lincoln Family spent in residence at their Vermont home.
Details to come. For more information, contact stephanie@hildene.org or call 802-367-7960.
Equinox Tree Lighting
Friday, 12/1: 5pm – 6pm
Please join us at The Equinox Golf Resort & Spa as we kick off the season with our annual Tree Lighting! This event is open to the public and complimentary to guests and locals alike. We will have singers from the Burr & Burton Academy Chorus to get us in the holiday spirit along with hot cocoa, hot apple cider, and sweet treats from our Executive Chef.
Winter Bazaar
Saturday, 12/2: 10am – 4pm
The month of December is a month of celebration for many people and the Manchester Community Library would like to help ring in the holiday season. On December 2nd from 10 am to 4pm The Garden Club of Manchester presents a Winter Bazaar at the Library. Beautiful holiday decorations created by the talented Garden Club member designers will be available for sale. Additionally, come pursue the works of talented jewelry markers, fiber artists, potters, painters, bakers, and a whole host of other artists and artisans for a full day of holiday shopping and winter spirit. Festive music and hot cocoa will round out the experience.
Shires Holiday Inn Tours
Saturday, 12/2 or Saturday, 12/9
Continuing over a three decade’s long tradition, the 2023 Shires’ Holiday Inn Tours, coordinated by the Manchester Business Association & The Shires of Southwestern Vermont, invites you to join us on Saturday, 12/2 and/or Saturday, 12/9, for self-guided tours of some of the best lodging establishments in Vermont decked out in their holiday best. Participating lodging properties include historic hotels, quaint inns, charming B & B’s and lodges and are ready to welcome folks from near and far. Proceeds from tickets sales will benefit local charities.
Please click on the links below to learn more, including which lodging establishments are participating on each Saturday, and how to purchase tickets. Single Ticket – $20 / Two Persons – $30.Tickets are not available for purchase at the Inn.
Nutcracker Ballet
Saturday, 12/2: 4pm – 5pm
Sunday, 12/3: 2pm – 3pm
Join us at the Arkell Pavilion at the Southern Vermont Arts Center for Southern Vermont Ballets (SVB) annual Nutcracker performance! It is a magical event filled with spectacular dancing from the students of SVB. The show is roughly 45 min.
$15 per person. Kids under 5 FREE (please email southernvtballet@gmail.com if you are bringing kids under 5 so we can reserve seats for them)
13th Annual Holiday Lighted Tractor Parade
Saturday, 12/2 at 5:30pm -6:15pm
Manchester’s annual Lighted Tractor Parade will once again bring plenty of holiday cheer to brighten your holiday season. Line the streets and support all of the fun times. Prizes, generously donated by Dorr Oil and Propane, will be awarded in several categories including favorite tractor decoration.
Parade will begin at MEMS and makes it way down School Street with a left turn down Bonnet Street. In front of the Northshire Bookstore, it will make a right and head south on Main Street to the round-a-bout in front of the Hampton Inn and Suites. With a quick loop around, it will head back North on Main Street taking a left onto Memorial Avenue and finishing at MEMS. Judges and viewing stand will be in front of Factory Point Place on Main Street.
Sponsored by: Dorr Oil and Propane & the Manchester Business Association
Breakfast with Santa
Sunday, 12/3: 9am -12pm
Join us in the Colonnade Ballroom, at the Equinox Golf Resort and Spa, for Brunch with Santa! Enjoy brunch favorites in a festive setting. Santa will be in attendance from 9:30 AM – 12 PM.
Open to the public.
ADULTS – $30 | KIDS – 12 & UNDER – $18
Felting Holiday Ornaments at Hildene
Sunday, 12/3: 1pm- 3pm
Gather in the greenhouse and learn to felt ornaments using roving from Hildene’s flock of Corriedale sheep with farm manager Kim Pinsonneault. Handmade ornaments make lovely gifts as well as cheerful decorations on holiday packages.
$35 members, $40 non-members, which includes materials fee. Limited to 15 participants. Preregistration required by Thursday, November 30: stephanie@hildene.org or call 802-367-7960.
Menorah Lighting – Adams Park
Thursday, 12/7: 4:30pm
Join the Chabad Manchester and members of the public, for the lighting of the menorah celebrating the 1st night of Hanukkah (Chanukah) and the beginning of the eight-day “festival of lights”.
Charles Dickens’ a Christmas Carol
Friday, 12/8: 6pm- 7pm
Join actors Stephen Collins and Poornima Kirby for a funny, heartfelt journey through Charles’ Dickens classic, A Christmas Carol. This 1-hour adaptation shows Ebenezer Scrooge’s transformation from a grumpy, selfish misanthrope to a generous, wise and kindly man, full of the spirit of Christmas. With Stephen playing Scrooge and Poornima swiftly changing between the other characters, this fast-paced, playful adaptation keeps the beauty and humor of Dickens’ original text, interspersed with melodious Christmas carols, and even a lively English folk dance. Come warm your heart and ring in the holiday season with this refreshing take on a familiar tale!
Magic, Music, Transformation? . . . Humbug!
Sounds and Sweets of the Season Community Holiday Sing-a-Long and Cookie Swap
Saturday, 12/9: 11am- 12pm
The Manchester Community Library invites the community to join Youth Services Librarian, Carrie Gutbier, Advancement Coordinator, Daniel Gostelow, and students from Long Trail School for a Holiday Sing-a-Long and Cookie Swap on Saturday, December 9, 11-12pm in the Hunter Community Room.
Bring your singing voice and join Carrie and Daniel (on keyboard) and our talented youth as we fill the Library with the wonderful music of the holiday season. Every participant will leave with a box of cookies and each child will receive a free book. Hot chocolate and warm cider will be served.
Maxine Linehan “This Time of Year”
Saturday, 12/9: 8pm – 10pm
Presented by the French Family
Following the sold-out world premiere in 2021, Maxine Linehan returns to the Southern Vermont Arts Center with her wildly popular holiday show, This Time Of Year. It isn’t about tinsel and bright-colored lights; it’s about love and loss, yearning and joy, memory and the ineffable secrets of the heart. The New York Times called her “fiercely talented,” Forbes Magazine called her “mesmerizing”, which means you’re in for extraordinary vocals, unexpected songs, and a full-on passionate performance. Backed by an extraordinary concert orchestra with stunning set design by Adrien Broom, you’ll remember this show all year long. Maybe forever!
Santa Express
Saturday, 12/16
Sunday, 12/17
The Manchester Lions Club is proud to announce: The 2023 Santa Express
This whimsical holiday train will leave r.k. Miles Depot Station on December 16 and 17, 2023, taking its riders on a one-hour enchanting journey through the Green Mountains of Southern Vermont. Passengers will be delighted with holiday entertainment and cheer! Refreshments will be served on decorated trains. Adding to the memories of this holiday ride, Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus will make a surprise visit!
Timed tickets are available here – The Santa Express 2023 | Eventbrite
Taconic Music – New Year’s Family Concert
Saturday, 12/30, 3pm- 4pm
Join the Taconic String Band and String for Kids, at the Manchester Community Library as students perform side-by-side an engaging program for the whole family.
Suggested donation at the door; Adults $10; kids free.
Taconic Music – New Year’s Celebration
Sunday, 12/3: 5pm- 6:30pm
Join us at the Celebration Barn at the Inn at Manchester and greet the new year in style. Dress up for the night, enjoy a drink and beautiful music, before going out to dinner or celebrating at home. The festive program features Baroque favorites, tangos, Viennese waltzes, Broadway tunes, and more with the Taconic String Band and Michael Rudiakov, drums. Led by Taconic’s artistic directors Joana Genova and Ariel Rudiakov.
Cash bar opens at 5pm
Concert begins at 5:30pm
General admission $40.
