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Even The Grinch Would Marvel At The Christmas Light Display At The La Salette Shrine In New Hampshire

La Salette Shrine in Enfield, New Hampshire, hosts a unique and religiously themed Christmas light display that has been a tradition for nearly 70 years.

Updated Oct 30, 2023

Written by 

Michelle

This time of year means great food, great friends, and some serious cheer. And we love how many fun events are taking place all over the state. As you make your holiday list of must-dos you're probably including a fair few Christmas light displays. They're all lovely, full of magic and beauty. But this one is sure to make even the grumps among us smile. It features some of the best Christmas lights in New Hampshire!

For nearly 70 years, The La Salette Shrine in Enfield has been bringing holiday cheer to Upper Valley with a truly unique show of Christmas lights. This special event has been going on since the 1950s!

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Grant Croft/Google Reviews

Taking over a 20-acre hillside area, the landscape comes alive each winter. And folks from near and far make this a cornerstone of their yearly celebration tradition.

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There are tens of thousands of lights that make up dozens of these gorgeous Christmas light displays in New Hampshire.

And because La Salette is an active religious order, the display puts an emphasis on religion versus the more common commercial parts of the holiday.

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But no matter what your preference is, it's easy to appreciate how beautiful these lights are.

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Jessica Baribeau / Google

The event begins just after Thanksgiving and runs through the end of the year.

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Angela Hill / Google

The lights are lit from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. each night. so there's plenty of time to visit and be back home for bedtime!

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This is a truly wonderful way to begin celebrating Christmas in New Hampshire.

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Michael Philbrook / Google

You can get a sneak peak of the Festival of Lights in this YouTube video from La Salette Shrine:

If you want to check out the best Christmas lights in New Hampshire, the Annual Festival of Lights normally begins at the end of November or the beginning of December. You can learn more these New Hampshire shrine lights 2023 at the La Salette Shrine website. After the opening weekend, the lights stay on every day through December 31st.

Looking for more bright cheer? Drive through millions of lights at the Motor Speedway in New Hampshire. Be sure to check out our holiday gift guide for all those travelers on your list!

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Experiences

Ride a Christmas Train, Then Stay in a Christmas Tree Farm for a Holly Jolly New Hampshire Adventure

Discover the charm of New Hampshire in winter with a scenic train ride on the Conway Scenic Railroad and a cozy stay at the Christmas Farm Inn and Spa in Jackson.

Updated Oct 22, 2024

Written by 

Ken MacGray

Winter in New Hampshire can be a magical time with the beautiful snow-draped mountain ranges and quaint villages. The holiday season brings an extra level of charm. If you like to take in the scenery and also relax in a cozy setting, this trip offers up the opportunity for both.

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First up on our seasonal itinerary is a trip on the unforgettable Conway Scenic Railroad's Santa Holiday Express. It's one of the most iconic train rides in New Hampshire, and the Christmas Train is a not-to-be-missed experience.

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Mt. Washington Valley Chamber of Commerce / WiseguyCreative.com / Flickr

The fun-filled, family-friendly excursion begins in Conway at the historic North Conway Station, built in 1874. The Conway Scenic Railroad's Santa Holiday Express is the perfect seasonal journey for all ages. This 11-mile, hour-and-a-half ride travels along the former Conway Branch of the Boston & Maine Railroad. Every child gets a goodie bag with cookies and milk, and everyone can join in for a fun treasure hunt along the way. Kids will also have the excitement of seeing Santa arrive by train! Let's just say you'll want to have your camera ready to snap all of these cherished memories.

For more information and to book your seats on the ride, visit the Conway Scenic Railroad online.

After an unforgettable Christmas Train in New Hampshire, we're headed straight for another magical destination: the Christmas Farm Inn & Spa in Jackson, NH. From Conway, it's a short drive north to the picturesque village of Jackson, well known for its quaint shops, dining, and skiing. Jackson is also home to Christmas Farm Inn & Spa, which takes its name from when the property was given as a Christmas gift in the early 20th century. (In fact, the property itself dates back to the 1700s!)

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Peter Rintels / Flickr

Each year at Christmastime, the inn gets all decked out for the holidays. This includes all of the guest rooms and suites, which are individually decorated. Be sure to book your stay at the Christmas Farm Inn & Spa for an unforgettable Christmas experience.

If you've had a chance to enjoy the Conway Scenic Railroad's Santa Holiday Express or have stayed at Christmas Farm Inn and Spa during the holidays, we'd love to hear from you! Do you know someone who would enjoy this Christmas Train in New Hampshire and a night or two at the Christmas Farm Inn? Be sure to share this article with them! And speaking of the holidays, be sure to take a look at our official gift-giving guide for any traveler on your list.

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Experiences

The One New Hampshire Farm Where You Can Feed Goats, Pigs, Cows, And More

Published Jul 17, 2024

Written by 

Ken MacGray

We may not always see them but we share the natural environment that we live in with a multitude of animals. I would say that we are definitely guests in their home whenever we venture into New Hampshire's forests. Usually, human/animal encounters are rare as the animals tend to keep their distance from us. But if you want to experience some friendly creatures up close, pay a visit to The Friendly Farm in Dublin. It's one New Hampshire animal ranch where the local residents will welcome you warmly.

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The Friendly Farm in Dublin is a place where humans can mingle with farm animals in their natural and relaxed environment.

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The Friendly Farm/Facebook

As you wander the farm's five acres, you'll meet some of the most agreeable animals up close and personal.

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The Friendly Farm/Facebook

From newly hatched chicks you can hold in the palm of your hand to affable sheep and horses, The Friendly Farm has an assortment of animals you'd expect to find here.

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The Friendly Farm/Facebook

Many of the farm's residents have been born right here and if you are fortunate enough, you may be able to witness the miracle of birth.

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The Friendly Farm/Facebook

Visit the pig pen to say hi to its residents and, if you time it right, enjoy seeing the baby piglets as they begin their life at The Friendly Farm.

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At The Friendly Farm, kids can become a Junior Farmer and receive a certificate, special recognition, free admission, and more.

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The Friendly Farm welcomes group events, including school outings, birthday parties, or any other event where you can gather 15 or more people together.

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The Friendly Farm/Facebook

And with that, I hope you will start planning your visit to this fun and exciting New Hampshire animal ranch to spend some time with the animals. For more information, visit The Friendly Farm and be sure to also follow The Friendly Farm on Facebook for updates.

Also, check out the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center in Holderness where you can learn more about the animals that are native to New Hampshire and their place in our state's environment.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/new-hampshire/wildlife-park-day-trip-nh/

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