Upcoming Programs & Events

SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE TOUR OF LIGHTS

HOME REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
A Multi-Town Recreation Department Collaboration

The Southern New Hampshire Tour of Lights is returning to a town near you this holiday season!

Residents are encouraged to decorate the exterior of their homes with festive lights and holiday decorations and register their address Merrimack Parks & Recreation no later than Tuesday, December 1st.

The Southern New Hampshire Tour of Lights is a free, multi-town collaboration among Parks & Recreation Departments throughout Southern New Hampshire. Last year our list feature more than 110 hours across 11 different communities.

On Friday, December 4th, a master list of participating homes will be made available to the public. Each town's list will include 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.

The goal of the Tour of Lights is to provide a free, family-friendly holiday activity where residents can get in the car, explore local communities, and enjoy the festive lights and decorations throughout Southern New Hampshire.

Sunday, December 6th

Festival of Lights Parade: 3:00 pm

Holiday Kickoff & Tree Lighting: 3:45 pm

The Merrimack Parks & Recreation Department invites you to celebrate the magic of the season at one of Merrimack’s most beloved community traditions! Join us on Sunday, December 6, 2026, as we kick off the holiday season with an afternoon filled with festive floats, sparkling lights, community spirit, and holiday cheer.

This year, we’re celebrating “A Festival of Lights” with a parade featuring creatively decorated floats, festive displays, music, and plenty of seasonal magic! Gather your family and friends, bundle up, and enjoy the sights and sounds as our community comes together to welcome the holiday season.

Friday, November 20th
6:30 - 9:00 pm
Fee: $30.00 pp
Grades: 2 - 9
Location: Wasserman Park Function Hall
 

Let the energetic Parks & Recreation Department staff give you a break so you can take some time to enjoy a night out without your children. Participants can join us for a pizza dinner and Nerf War themed fun filled evening, where many variations of of nerf battles will be moderated by staff. Advanced registration is required and spaces are limited.
 

Participants are welcome to bring their own nerf blasters and bullets but Naticook does have blasters available for participants to use.     

Saturday Nov 21st 

4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

$35.00 per person

Wasserman Park Function Hall 

Join Holt Ave Community Training Center at Merrimack Parks and Recreation for this three to four-hour, instructor-led Heartsaver® CPR & AED course prepares participants to recognize and respond to cardiac and breathing emergencies in adults, children, and infants. 

Hands-on practice builds confidence in CPR, AED use, and choking relief. Ideal for workplace training, community members, and anyone who wants to be prepared to save a life. Certification provided upon successful completion. 

Friday, December 4th
6:30 - 9:00 pm
Fee: $30.00 pp
Grades: K - 6
Location: Wasserman Park Function Hall
 

Calling all little royals! Join Merrimack Parks and Recreation staff for a magical evening of sparkle and fun at our Princess Party! Come dressed in your favorite princess PJs and get ready for an enchanted night of activities fit for royalty. This drop off event is tailored towards campers in Kindergarten through 6th grade and will be held at Wasserman Park Function Hall.
 

Our royal guests will enjoy a Pizza Dinner, Princess Hair dos, Face Painting, crafts and a Dance Party!
 

It’s a night full of imagination, laughter, and fun for our youngest royals! 

Tuesday, December 8th
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Fee: $100.00 pp
Location: Wasserman Park Function Hall
 

 A 2-Hour Hands-On  Class with Chef AJ Lucas

THE EXPERIENCE
We are going to be constructing 2-3 holiday appetizers, and learning about and making a proper charcuterie board. All participants will get to take home the board they make and taste the appetizers. 

Saturday December 13th

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

$70.00 per person

 Unlock your cake decorating creativity with Kelli, from Just Wright by Kelli. In this hands-on class she will teach you how to create professional lookiing beautiful winter inspired wreath design using korean piping tips and so much more. In this fun and informative session, no past experience is needed. Just bring a positive attitude!
 

Materials included with the class:
- 5" Cake (vanilla cake frosted in swiss meringue buttercream)
- Items like Piping Tips, Palette Knives, Paint Brushes and more
- Information packet
- To-go box to bring your beautiful cake home.
 

And a few surprises along the way! 

The design will be similar to the one pictured

Wednesday December 30th

6:15 pm - 8:15 pm

$55.00 per person

Have you ever wanted to learn how to decorate cookies, but thought, It's too hard! I can't do that! Join Kelli, from Just Wright by Kelli, as she breaks things down and teaches you the basics of cookie decorating in an easy and fun way.

No past experience needed. Just bring a positive attitude! Each class will include:
- 4 Cookie Designs
- Practice Sheet for piping.
-Royal Icing bags
-Scribes and more
- Information packet to include basic recipes for sugar cookies and royal icing
- To-go box to bring your beautiful cookies home.
And a few surprises along the way! 

Saturday, January 23, 2027
Time: 5:00 - 10:30 pm
Fee: $170.00 pp
 

Soak up the rich history, hear the echoes of the past and join the Merrimack Parks & Recreation Department as we travel to TD Garden in Boston to see the Boston Celtics take on the Charlotte Hornets
 

Traveling to Boston and paying to park in the City can be challenging and expensive. Let us handle the driving and so you can enjoy the game. Cost of the trip is $170 per person and trip fee includes deluxe motorcoach transportation and a ticket to the game.  Tickets are in Balcony Section 308.
 

Trip departs from the Exit 8 Park & Ride at 5:00 pm in order to get you to Boston in plenty of time for the 7:00 pm game time start. Tickets are limited and will sell out quickly.  

Murder Mystery Dinner Show

Saturday, February 13th

5:30 - 9:00 pm

John O'Leary Adult Community Center 

$68.00 pp

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, murder is back on the menu!

Join the Merrimack Parks & Recreation Department and The Murder Mystery Company of Boston, as seen on Shark Tank, for the return of our popular Murder Mystery Dinner Show on Saturday, February 13th!

This year’s mystery is Till Death Do Us Part: All Is Fair in Love & Murder—a wedding celebration where “happily ever after” may be over before it even begins.

The birds are chirping, the sun is shining, but the wedding bells aren’t ringing for this not-so-happy couple when a member of the wedding party is murdered! With a raging bridezilla and an unenthused groom on the scene, it may be happily never after in this nuptial nightmare.

Throughout the evening, you’ll trade clues with your fellow guests, question suspects, and help the hapless couple figure out whodunnit so they can say “I do” before the wedding hour passes them by!

Grab your sweetheart, gather a group of friends, or assemble your best team of amateur detectives and join us for an unforgettable Valentine’s weekend filled with dinner, laughs, mystery—and murder