If you haven’t noticed, it’s December and that means your holiday shopping days are dwindling.
Before you know it, you’re going to be driving around to any place that’s open on Christmas Eve looking for a gift that no one can definitively say was bought the night before. Don’t be like this (insert your name using the Direct TV commercial voice).
We know you think you’ve got plenty of time, but you really don’t. It’s going to come a lot faster than you think.
So put on some warm clothes, grab an extra cup of coffee, tea or some powerful energy drink and head downtown Friday – it’s Midnight Merriment and a bunch of your favorite local retail establishments will be staying open late. And we mean midnight kind of late, which is no easy task when you’ve got energy charged small children like we do. They really never stop moving.
This is the 23rd year of the annual shopping extravaganza, and it all gets going Friday at 5:30 p.m. Sure, the point is to get you downtown to spend your hard earned money in local stores and restaurants, but Midnight Merriment won’t disappoint in the holiday cheer department.
“It’s going to be all jingly and bright,” said Liza Poinier, operations manager for Intown Concord. “Merriment all the way til midnight and beyond.”
Holiday music will be piped in throughout the downtown area to set the spirit for the evening, while strolling carolers roam the streets bringing musical cheer to all.
“We are extra excited for it this year cause first of all it looks awesome down here and with the sidewalks being so much bigger, I think it’s really going to add to the experience,” Poinier said. “What people love about Midnight Merriment is the feeling of being in a crowd, being in a city and the hustle and bustle.”
Santa will be making his fourth appearance in the Concord area within a week when he sets up shop in the Eagle Square atrium, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. to hear all the things on your wish list and take a picture. Although with all these recent visits, maybe Santa’s gauging his support for a potential presidential run? He wouldn’t be the worst option. There’s even a drop box for your letter to the big guy at Pheniz Plaza.
Also in the Eagle Square atrium is the annual Winter Giftopolis, from 6:30 to 11 p.m., with more than 20 fine art and craft vendors on hand for the special one night event.
“It’s the winter edition of the Concord Arts Market,” Poinier said.
For the first time in Midnight Merriment history, there will be a special ode to facial hair with a beard contest at City Plaza at 7:30 p.m. Will someone give Santa a run for his money? Is that someone you? You’ll have to sign up to find out or just go check out what Poinier said will be “festive facial foliage.”
There will be five instant raffles for a chance to win downtown dollars. Tickets are free, so there’s really zero risk involved.
“They will be sprinkled around the street throughout the night,” Poinier said. “We will have a schedule so people know where to be.”
If you’ve never done karaoke with a dancing Santa or snowman, here’s you chance. And if you have give us a call, sounds like a cool story.
While you’re strolling up and down the street, popping in and out of stores, check out the window decorations. More than 40 businesses took part in the contest and by the time Midnight Merriment starts, the winners will have been announced.
“I love how the businesses get into it,” Poinier said. “Last year’s contest was really great.”
Red River Theatres is having its annual poster sale from noon to 8 p.m. Hundreds of recent movie posters will be available. There will also be gently used Christmas records, CDs and cassettes for sale as well. Get a free cup of hot cocoa and take a picture with Santa Dude.
The League of N.H. Craftsmen and N.H. Furniture Masters will be hosting open galleries with refreshments and sales. The League is also offering a craft, where you can make a boiled leather tree star with member Claire Renaud. N.H. Public Health Association, 4 Park St., is holding a holiday open house with refreshments and kids’ activities from 5 to 8 p.m.
“A lot of organizations that are downtown realize that Midnight Merriment is a nice time to have their public events,” Poinier said.
Endicott Furniture will host Warm Up With a Book, from 6 to 8 p.m., where local celebs will read children’s stories and give out free books to kids thanks to the Concord Public Library Foundation.
You can get your gift wrapping done at 41 N. Main St. from 6 to 11 p.m. for a small donation. Don’t forget to fill out those passports for Win The Window (more details on page 31).
Many businesses will have progressive sales to give late night shoppers some pretty great deals.
And this is not just a North Main and South Main thing, so don’t be afraid to head down some of the side streets as well.
Parking is available after 5 p.m. on North and South Main streets, side streets and the Durgin Block, Firehouse and Capital Commons garages.
If you can’t make Midnight Merriment, don’t fret. There will be shop late nights on Dec. 10, 11, 17 and 18, where many businesses will stay open extended hours.
For the most up to date info, visit intownconcord.org.
