New England Thanksgiving events

When the Pilgrims and Native Americans gave thanks that very first holiday, they certainly never guessed New England would also become the home to so many Thanksgiving events. Here are Thanksgiving weekend activities to keep the festive atmosphere and giving of thanks last all season long.

Castleberry Faire Arts & Crafts Festival

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Nov. 29-Dec.1, Shriner’s Auditorium, 99 Fordham Road, Wilmington
<br>The crafters are coming, the crafters are coming! So why not join them at the 18th annual Castleberry Faire Arts & Crafts Festival? The Shriner’s Auditorium in Wilmington will be overflowing with more than 250 booths of American-made arts and crafts, along with the artists who made them. Admission is $8 and is good for entry all three days of the fair.

Annual Thanksgiving celebration at the Mount Washington Resort

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Nov. 27-30, 310 Mount Washington Hotel Road, Bretton Woods, N.H.
<br>Create holiday memories with the family-oriented annual Thanksgiving celebration at the Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods. This three-day event includes flag football, crafts, and a turkey-trot into the festivities. And no Thanksgiving would be complete without a delicious feast. When visitors purchase tickets to the Thanksgiving buffet, they will receive free lift tickets valid for Thanksgiving day.

Peterborough Thanksgiving Eve Contra Dance

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Nov. 27, Peterborough Town Hall, 1 Grove St., Peterborough, N.H.
<br>This year’s music will be provided by The Stringrays: Rodney Miller, Max Newman, and Stuart Kenney. The even is sponsored by the Monadnock Folklore Society and will be held from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Admission is $10.

9th annual Turkey Trot

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Nov. 28, InspireME Personal Fitness Training Studio, 1 Front St., Bath, Maine
<br>Spread your altruistic Thanksgiving spirit by walking at InspireME’s annual Turkey Trot to benefit the Bath Soup Kitchen. It’s a 3-mile stroll, or run, through Bath, and registration is from 7 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. The race starts at 8:30 a.m. Coffee and snacks will be provided.There is no formal fee if you register the day of the event; instead, a $20 cash or check donation is requested.

Lighting of the Nubble

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Nov. 30, Sohier Park Road, York, Maine
<br>Take part in a Maine tradition at the Cape Neddick Lighthouse in York as the landmark is lit for the holiday season at 6 p.m. Cookies, hot chocolate, and music will be provided. Santa Claus will arrive in a York Fire Truck to spread some holiday cheer. Shuttle service from Ellis Park at Short Sands Beach will start running around 3:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. The festive lights will remain lit until Jan. 1.

Thanksgiving Arts & Crafts Show

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Nov. 29-Dec. 1, Brewer Auditorium, 203 State St., Brewer, Maine
<br>Peruse locally made wares from 55 vendors at the 39th annual show, sponsored by the United Maine Craftsmen. There will also be giveaways every hour.

Lighting of the Pilgrim Monument

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Nov. 27, Pilgrim Monument & Provincetown Museum, High Pole Hill Road, Provincetown
<br>The annual celebration honors the Pilgrims’ First Landing in America at Provincetown on Nov. 11, 1620. The event runs from 5 to 7 p.m. and is dedicated to local rescue personnel. The lights will illuminate the sky through Jan. 6.

Thanksgiving at Plimoth Plantation

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Plimoth Plantation, 137 Warren Ave., Plymouth
<br>For the annual Thanksgiving Day festivities, visitors will have access to the museum’s historical sites, including the Wampanoag Homesite, the English Village, the Crafts Center and Mayflower II, along with various dinner offerings from a buffet to sitdown meals. Reservations are recommended, and dining options are included with museum admission. Also offered the days before and the days following Turkey Day is a harvest dinner with the pilgrims.

At Home with the Gores

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Nov. 29, Gore Place, 52 Gore St., Waltham
<br>The Gore couple who once inhabited Gore Place knew how to entertain their guests. This guided tour of the Waltham mansion, built in 1806, includes stories of how people dined and entertained in the early 19th century. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for children ages 5-12. For advance tickets, call 781-894-2798.

Big Balloon Parade

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Nov. 29, Tower Square, Springfield
<br>If viewers of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade can’t get enough of the giant, air-filled characters that precariously navigate the streets of Manhattan, they can head to Springfield on Friday at 11 a.m. for a parade of just big balloons. Along with the likeness of Cat in the Hat, Santa Claus is said to be making a special appearance.

Walpole Artisan Tour

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Nov. 29-Dec. 1, Walpole, N.H.
<br>The Walpole Artisan Cooperative is a shop that features the work of several local artists. For the 11th year, the artisans are hosting a tour of the many artists’ studios including demonstrations. The tour begins at 52 Main St., Walpole, and continues through the area. It is the perfect opportunity to find one-of-a-kind holiday gifts.

Savor the Flavor Progressive Dinner

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Nov. 9, Old Orchard Beach, Maine
<br>This trolley tour takes hungry diners on a progressive dinner adventure. Each stop is a new restaurant and new dinner course. The evening begins at the Mount Royal Motel and ends with live music at the Brunswick, an oceanside grill. Tickets are $50 per person. The trolley leaves at 5 p.m.

Winsor Music Chamber Series Thanksgiving Concert

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Nov. 30, 755 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington
<br>Winsor Music, Inc. puts on two concerts every year, one being its Thanksgiving Concert at Follen Community Church in Lexington, shown here. The show begins at 8 p.m. and will include performances of Bach, Joan Tower and John Harbison. Tickets are $20, $15 for seniors, free for children under 18.

Grand Victorian Holiday at Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum

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Nov. 29-Dec. 29, Norwalk, Conn.
<br>It seems the holiday season comes earlier and earlier every year, but the Friday after Thanksgiving is the sort of unofficial start to the Christmas and holiday festivities. The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion celebrates in grand style with the revealing of its Victorian holiday decorations on Nov. 29.