Upcoming Programs & Events

Sunday, December 7th

Holiday Parade: 3:00 pm

Tree Lighting: 3:45 pm (approximate)

🎄Join Us for Merrimack’s 33rd Annual Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting! 🎅

The Merrimack Parks & Recreation Department is thrilled to invite you to join us on Sunday, December 7th as we kick off the official holiday season with one of Merrimack’s most beloved traditions — the 33rd Annual Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting  Celebration!

This year’s theme is “Home Alone Hijinks”,  promising floats with festive creativity, laughter, and plenty of  holiday spirit. Expect mischievous moments, clever costumes, and  “Kevin-worthy” holiday magic as the community comes together to  celebrate!  

Register now thru Dec 14th

Ages 1 and up 

Fee: $5.00 pp

Make this holiday season truly magical! Imagine your child’s eyes lighting up when they discover a special letter from Santa Claus himself tucked under the tree! 

Santa is sending his warmest wishes and a sprinkle of North Pole magic straight to your little one, making them feel extra special this Christmas.

Each child will receive their very own personalized letter, arriving in a bright, jolly red envelope that’s sure to delight. Don’t miss this chance to create a memory your child will treasure forever!

📬 Important: Please complete one registration form per child so every little elf receives their own magical letter. Register by Sunday, December 14th to ensure Santa’s letter arrives in time for Christmas morning! 

Southern NH Tour of Lights Now Available
Free

The list of decorated homes for this year’s Southern NH Tour of Lights is now live.

This regional program, organized by Recreation Departments in South Central New Hampshire, offers families a free and festive night out viewing holiday lights. All homes were voluntarily registered by their owners through their local Recreation Department.

This year’s tour features 105 homes across 12 communities. Each town includes a suggested driving route to guide you from one side of town to the other. Enter the next address or scan the town’s QR code to load the route directly in Google Maps.Click on the link below to download the list of homes.  

Wednesday, December 17th

6:30 - 7:30 pm

Ages 1 and up

Fee: $18.00 pp

Edible art! Come to the Function Hall and decorate your own gingerbread house  to take home in this Graham cracker gingerbread house workshop. We'll  have all the candy you need to make your gingerbread house perfect!

Gingerbread and supplies included in cost. Holiday music and fun for all ages. 

Advanced registration is required and spaces are limited

Thursday, December 18th

Holiday Lights Local Tour on NH Party Bus

Fee: $38.00 pp

5:30pm-7:30pm

Join  Merrimack Parks & Recreation and the New Hampshire Party Bus for an  exciting evening of holiday cheer as we tour some of the area's best  Christmas light displays. 

We'll visit a variety of standout neighborhood  shows, with stops at the major displays so you can step out, enjoy the  sights, and snap a few photos before hopping back on the bus for the  next stop.
 

New Hampshire Party Bus maintains  an extensive database of light displays across the state, ensuring a  festive route with stops usually just 5–10 minutes apart. Refreshments  are welcome on the party bus—so sit back, relax, and enjoy the holiday  magic! 

Monday, Dec 23rd - Friday, Jan 2nd 

(No 12/24, 12/25, 12/26, 12/31 or 1/1)

8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Grades K - 6

Fee: $60/day  first child; siblings pay $55/day

Come  and join Merrimack Parks & Recreation over the December School  Vacation week with activities designed to keep your children busy and  entertained. 

Children  in Grades K - 6 will participate in a variety of sports, games, arts  &  crafts projects, nature exploration, outdoor activities and more.  Program includes hot lunch snacks daily. 

Advanced registration is required and spaces are limited. 

Saturday, December 27th

9:00 - 3:30 pm

Grades 6th thru 8th

Fee: $90.00 pp

Safe Sitter® prepares students in grades 6-8 to be safe when they’re home  alone, watching younger siblings, or babysitting. The lessons are filled  with fun activities and role-playing exercises. Students learn how to  prevent unsafe situations and what to do when faced with dangers such as  power failures or weather emergencies. 

Participants  will learn tips to manage behavior along with the ages and stages of  child development. Class will also include rescue skills such as choking  rescue and CPR and how to assess and respond to injuries and illnesses.  Lastly this course will teach participants how to screen jobs, discuss  fees, and greet employers to set students up for success now and in the  future. Students practice these skills through various role plays.

Thursday, January 8th

3:30 - 6:00 pm

Ages 8 - 12

Fee: $20.00 pp

5 Signs Your Child is Ready To Be "Home Alone".
-Desires to be home alone and isn't afraid
-Can make good decisions
-Proves to be responsibility and trustworthy
-Follows simply rules and instructions
-Demonstrates independence and self-discipline
 

Learn the basics of being safe when  home alone for short periods of time. We’ll talk about how to answer  the telephone and door, internet safety, first aid techniques, accident  prevention, fire protection and more will be discussed. Youth will have a  better understanding of responsibility & independence. 

This is an  interactive class. Each student will receive a handbook and make a first  aid kit. Class will be held in the Function Hall at Wasserman Park.

Wednesdays, Jan 21st - Feb 1th 

6:00 pm -7:00pm

Ages 10 - 16

Fee: $125.00 pp

Bring your guitar, and join local musician and instructor Kevin Horan for a 5-week beginner guitar course!

Learn the fundamentals of playing guitar, including basic chords, proper  finger placement, and simple strumming techniques. Whether you’re  picking up a guitar for the first time or looking to build confidence,  this class will help you start playing your favorite songs in no time.