By now, you’ve clearly switched over to holiday shopping mode – or at least intend to in the very near future.
May we remind you that December begins on Thursday and that doesn’t leave a lot of time to make it through that list of yours. So why not begin your shopping endeavor during Concord’s most festive way possible – by checking out Midnight Merriment Friday night, from 5:30 p.m. till, well, midnight.
This will be the 24th year of what was originally intended to be the unofficial kickoff to the downtown holiday shopping season.
“Concord is such a great community for something like this,” said Kate Fleming, events and communications coordinator at Intown Concord.
Stores stay open much later than they would on a normal Friday, and since it is called Midnight Merriment, many of them stay open to ring in Saturday.
“From talking with some of the merchants about last year, they were busy right up until midnight,” Fleming said.
Stores, which will be decorated for the holidays, will offer snacks and refreshments as you browse around (and hopefully buy something), while Main Street will be a flutter with all kinds of happenings.
What kind of happenings? Well, this might take a minute.
In addition to the festive atmosphere, including wreaths lining North and South Main on the light poles, the city Christmas tree will be lit up, and accompanied by the nativity scene and menorah at City Plaza.
“It’s going to be really fun,” Fleming said. “The street looks so beautiful with all the wreaths lit up.”
As you wander around downtown, popping in and out of shops and restaurants, you’ll be serenaded by the sounds of strolling caroling groups singing holiday classics for all to enjoy.
“They’ll be belting out some holiday cheer,” Fleming said.
New this year, will be a pair of s’mores stations located at City Plaza, starting at 6 p.m., where you can get warm with the BumDrum, and enjoy fresh out of the fire s’mores. There will be a lot of kits to give out, but you have to imagine free s’mores on Main Street will be a big attraction, so you might want to check it out early.
“I can tell you first hand that they’re delicious,” Fleming said.
Santa is finding time in his busy schedule to stop in for a visit with boys and girls. Bring your wish list (and camera) to the Eagle Square Atrium from 6:30 to 8 p.m. to meet the big guy.
Back for a second straight year is the Midnight Merriment Beard Contest at City Plaza, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
There’s no cost to enter, and you can register right up until the contest begins at Granite State Candy Shoppe.
Judging will consist of equal parts length, fullness, style and creativity, and general manliness. Winners will also be announced in best in show, holiday spirit and judge’s choice.
“It’s beards, mustache, really any facial hair,” Fleming said.
So if you’ve got a beard that you think has what it takes to win, we urge you to sign up.
You can shop at the Concord Arts Market on two levels in the Eagle Square Atrium – with more than 20 fine art and craft vendors, from 6:30 to 11 p.m.
Take an elfie-selfie with a life size Buddy the Elf cut out. On the hour, there will be pop-up raffles at N.H. Federal Credit Union, who will also have cookies and hot chocolate, for a chance to win Downtown Dollars.
“We decided to have it in one place this year so people know where to go,” Fleming said. “And the amount increases as we get later in the night.”
And don’t forget to grab a passport for this year’s Win The Window contest. All you need to do is get stamps at 20 of the participating businesses north of Pleasant and five from the ones on Pleasant and south. There will be three drawings, one on Thursday, and then others on Dec. 8 and 15.
For more, visit intownconcord.org/events/midnight-merriment.
“There’s going to be so much to see and so much to do,” Fleming said. “It’s just going to be so festive.”
