OUR TOWNS Keene • Peterborough • Brattleboro Where the Holidays Feel Homemade

As always, the holidays rush in with scrumptious smells from the kitchen, doorways decorated with bobbles and greens, and homes glistening with candles and twinkle lights. &emsp;But more deeply than the draw to listen to that favorite holiday tune or to don your ugliest sweater is the desire to gather. &emsp;What finds us now, whether nestled by the woodstove or at a cozy local tavern, is a sense of warmth sparked by one another. &emsp;Since it's such a sweet time of year for gathering, here's a collection of holiday happenings to share with family, neighbors, and your community. Peterborough, NH From Nov. 13 to 16, clear a day and hop in the car for this year's Peterborough Round Robin, a cherished local tradition that kicks off the season with charm. This event features shops across Peterborough and Jaffrey that welcome visitors for a multi-day self-guided tour, offering unique gifts, festive refreshments, and the chance to win a custom gift basket, all while celebrating the joy of shopping at independent local stores. &emsp;Continue the holiday spirit at the Living Local Art Fair on Nov. 29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Peterborough Unitarian Universalist Church. This treasured community gathering features more than 30 local artists selling handmade jewelry, pottery, woolen goods, holiday decorations, art, and leather products. Robin's Nest Nature Preschool will also offer baked goods to support community suppers. Then on Dec. 5 at 5 p.m., head to Peterborough's annual tree lighting at Putnam Park. You might even spot Santa while munching cookies and sipping hot cocoa. Shops will stay open late for First Friday, so make an evening of it and enjoy a cozy meal at one of Depot Square's restaurants. &emsp;And don't miss a magical weekend, Dec. 6-8. The town's traditional Lantern Installation will be glowing all three nights (weather permitting), with the Lantern Parade on Dec. 7 at 6 p.m. Organized by the Children and the Arts Festival, this year's display will create a "Garden of Light" for the community. That same weekend, the Festival of Trees at the library invites you to admire creative displays, vote for the one you like best, and soak up festive cheer all around town. Keene, NH Start early, shop local, and enjoy countryside festivities at the Celebration of Heritage Craft on Nov. 15, hosted by the Craft School Mill Hollow Works and The Monadnocker. Take part in hands-on workshops, such as leatherworking and rug hooking (advance registration recommended). Watch live demonstrations, from blacksmithing to boatbuilding, and browse local handmade goods while enjoying music from JD and the Stonemasons. Don't forget to bring a food donation for The Community Kitchen to support neighbors in need this holiday season. &emsp;Then on Nov. 28 at 5 p.m., head downtown for Keene's official tree lighting, organized by the Kiwanis Club of Keene and the Cheshiremen Chorus. Watch the branches shine and join in the joyful sing-along. The next day brings the annual Holiday Craft Show at Keene High, another favorite for finding the perfect gifts, local-style. With more than 100 booths from across New England, you'll find woodwork, jewelry, quilts, toys and more. &emsp;Next, get your sparkle on at Stonewall Farm's Twinkling Silo: A Cozy Winter Market & Merriment Dec. 6 and 7. With 30 local vendors, artisans, and food trucks, this gathering is perfect for finding unique gifts, enjoying live music from the 1800s Carolers, taking a horse-drawn wagon ride with Iron Kettle Farm, and relaxing by the fire pits. Savor tasty eats like sweet maple cotton candy, sip hot cocoa or holiday cider (21+), and even felt your own festive ornament. &emsp;In nearby Swanzey, stop by Frogg Brewing on Dec. 13 for the Outdoor German Market from 10 to 4 p.m., featuring more than 40 vendors, live music, and hearty local fare. Grab a brew and join the fun, which coincides with the Currier and Ives Cookie Tour, a sweet shopping adventure across the region. &emsp;And what could be sweeter than the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy? On Dec. 19 from 5-7 p.m., cozy into your seat as MoCo Arts School of Dance presents The Nutcracker. Watch how young Clara's magical gift leads to battles, enchantment, and a journey to the Land of Sweets. Through ballet, pointe, modern, hip hop, tap, and jazz, MoCo's dancers bring fresh energy to this beloved tradition that continues to delight audiences every other holiday season. &emsp;And don't forget Plaid Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) for a quintessential day to shop local in the Monadnock Region. Put on your plaid (pajamas welcome) and visit your favorite shops throughout the region for photo booths, treats, and special offers. Brattleboro, VT Just across the river, the 47th annual Putney Craft Tour runs Nov. 28-30 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Celebrate a legacy of craft and community as you visit painters, jewelers, potters, weavers, glassblowers, a cheesemaker, a woodworker, an aromatherapist, and even a winery. Step inside local studios, meet the makers, and experience the creativity that defines Southern Vermont. &emsp;In early December, Brattleboro will sparkle with its annual tree lighting in Pliny Park, a night filled with caroling, cocoa and big community spirit. The lighting is often held alongside the city's Gallery Walk, an event that bursts with live music, food trucks, and festive fun in the evening. &emsp;The celebration also marks the start of Holly Days, Holly Nights, a beloved shopping and dining event where downtown stores and restaurants offer special deals and seasonal treats. Mark your calendar for another popular event: the Jingle Bell Jog on Dec. 13, where locals lace up for a family-friendly 5K that raises funds for a good cause. &emsp;Wherever you wander this season, may you find magic in connection, the glow of a lantern, or the sharing of something handmade. Here in our small towns, the holidays shine brightest when we gather.