Winterfest

Winterfest 2019

Winterfest is 9 days (2/23-3/3/2019) covering the school February vacation where organizations, businesses, and local non-profits offer free and reduced cost events, programs, and activities for youth and families throughout Manchester.

Winterfest 2019 Full Schedule PDF     |     Winterfest Facebook Event

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Thank you to all our collaborators and donors who make Winterfest possible! Winterfest began in 1978 and is still going strong in our 41st year! This year, Winterfest has 49 events across 16 sites hosted by 14 organizations.

All events subject to change due to weather or other circumstances. No registration is required unless otherwise noted. All addresses are in  Manchester, NH unless otherwise stated.

Passes for swimming and the SEE Science Center are available the day prior of morning of use. Passes can be picked up at OYS, 848 Elm Street Suite 302, Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm.

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Questions about Winterfest? Call OYS: (603) 624-6470 or email Kristen.

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Winterfest 2019 Schedule

All week long:

• 9am-4pm - February Fun Vacation Camp (2/25-3/1) at New Hampshire Audubon-Massabesic Center, 26 Audubon Way, Auburn.  Children ages 6-12 will learn about nature in winter. Single day, several days, or the whole week. Sessions include outdoor excursions, games, crafts, stories, live animals, songs, and conservation projects to help participants discover the wonders of the season. Camp Fee: $44 (member)/$54 (non-member) per child, per day.  Register at: NHAudubon.org.
• 9am-4pm - February Vacation Art Camps (2/25-3/1) at the Currier Art Center, 150 Ash Street. Join us for week-long vacation camps for children aged 5 to 14. Imagination, inspiration, and creativity. All children’s art-making camps include a special tour of the Currier. Time Machines: 9 am to noon ($170). A Toy Story: 1 to 4 pm ($170), with optional aftercare to 5:30 pm ($30/week). Full Day: 9 am to 4 pm ($285), with optional aftercare to 5:30 pm ($30/week).  Register today at Currier.org/art-center/programs.
• 10am-3pm - Drama Time with Children Stage Adventures (2/25-3/1) at Northwest Elementary School, 300 Youville Street. Children age 6-16 can participate in a week of drama culminating in a high quality production of the classic tale The Fisherman & His Wife. Presented by Manchester Parks, Recreation, & Cemeteries Division and Rotary Club of Manchester. Friday session runs to 6pm. Bring a bagged lunch. Must attend all sessions. Registration is required. FREE
• 10am-4pm - SEE Science Center (2/25-3/1), 200 Bedford Street. Buy one admission ($9), get one free. Age 3 and under are free. Pick up vouchers at the Office of Youth Services (848 Elm Street), M-F 8am-5pm.
• 10am-4pm - Manchester Millyard Museum (closed Sunday & Monday), 200 Bedford Street. Free admission for youth 18 and under and self-guided crafts. Adult admission is $8.
• 11am-5pm - Currier Museum of Art, 150 Ash Street. Special vacation week pricing at the Currier Museum of Art – Monday, February 25th to Friday, March 1st. Free admission for youth 17 and under. $5 admission for adults. Museum closed Tuesdays.
• 11am - Vertical Dreams Climbing Gym, 250 Commercial Street. Vacation hours: Saturday & Sunday open at 11am, Monday-Friday open at 12pm.  Waiver forms required for climbers under 18 and must be signed by a parent/guardian. Waiver forms available online: VerticalDreams.com. Mention Winterfest to receive $5 off 1 beginner lesson at the Manchester or Nashua location.
• 12-4pm - Spare Time Manchester (2/25-3/1), 216 Maple Street.  Children bowl 2 games and receive a hot dog and soda for $10. Phone: 625-9656.
• 12-6pm - Movie Week (2/25-3/1) at the Boys & Girls Club of Manchester, 555 Union Street. Open to teens in grades 6-12. Free with membership or become a member for $10 for 1 year. The theme for the week will be Movie Week where we will celebrate movies from various genres, and conduct fun activities based on these themes. Lunch and snacks served daily. Field trips also available for members. More info: Shirley Tomlinson, Teen Director 603-625-5031 ext. 243.
• 2-4pm - Public Ice Skating (2/25-3/1) at JFK Coliseum, 303 Beech Street. Adults are $5 and students & seniors are $3. Limited rental skates available for $5 a pair (1st come, 1st served) or bring your own skates.

Saturday February 23:

• 4-8pm - Charmingfare Farm, 774 High St, Candia. Use promo code: winterfest19 for 40% off Sleigh Ride Social event, General Time or Prime Time ticket. Children under 23 months are free.  Purchase tickets online: VisitTheFarm.com/cff/sleigh-ride-social/

• And week long activities.

Sunday February 24:

• 4-6pm - Family Fun Movie Night: The Secret Life of Pets (PG) at YWCA NH, 72 Concord Street. We will be showing The Secret Life of Pets  as well as providing pizza and snacks! Bring a chair or blanket to sit on and wear your pajamas if you'd like! Children must be accompanied by adults. Free parking on street and in garage. Hosted by YWCA NH and SHNU Center for New Americans. FREE

• And week long activities.

Monday February 25:

• 10am - Toddler Storytime at the Manchester City Library, 405 Pine Street, in the Reading Room. Ages 2-3 years with an adult. Enjoy stories, songs, and a take-home craft. FREE
• 11am-3pm - Net Generation Tennis Kickoff at Beech Street School, 333 Beech Street. Tennis kickoff skills and games and free play. Grades 3-5 and 6-8. Bring a bagged lunch.  Must wear sneakers. FREE
• 12pm - Storytime in the Gallery - When Pigasso met Mootisse by Nina Laden at the Currier Museum of Art, 150 Ash Street. Recommended ages 3-5 with an adult, all ages welcome with an adult. Listen to Manchester City Library children’s librarian Ms. Karyn’s live reading of an art-related book, followed by an art-making activity. Museum admission required: youth 17 and under are free, $5 admission for adults, activity included.
• 1pm - Movie: Cool Runnings (PG) at the Manchester City Library, 405 Pine Street, in the Auditorium. Families welcome. Phone: 624-6560 ext. 3328. FREE
• 3-5pm - Maker Afternoon at the West Branch Community Library, 76 North Main Street, in the Meeting Room. Ages 5-10. Phone: 624-6560. FREE
• And week long activities.

Tuesday February 26:

• 10am - Preschool Storytime at the Manchester City Library, 405 Pine Street, in the Reading Room. Ages 4-5 with an adult. Classic and new picture books read aloud with accompanying craft. FREE
• 11am-3pm - 3-on-3 Basketball at Beech Street School, 333 Beech Street. Open gym and signups. Grades 3-8. FREE
• 2pm - Musician Aaron Jones at the Manchester City Library, 405 Pine Street, in the Auditorium. All ages welcome, space is limited. Phone: 624-6550 ext. 3328. FREE
• 3:30-5pm - Winter Crafts Afternoon at the West Branch Community Library, 76 North Main Street, in the Meeting Room. Grades K-5. Phone: 624-6560. FREE
• 3:30pm - Read to Cookie at the West Branch Community Library, 76 North Main Street, in the Children’s Room. Children of all reading levels.  Call 624-6560 to reserve a time slot. FREE
• 3:30pm - Read to Hazel at the Manchester City Library, 405 Pine Street, in the Winchell Room. Children of all reading levels.  Call 624-6560 ext. 3328 to reserve a time slot. FREE
• 5:30pm - SNHU vs. Assumption Women’s Basketball Game at Southern New Hampshire University Field House, 2500 North River Road. FREE
• 6:30-7:30 pm - PJ Storytime at the Manchester City Library, 405 Pine Street, in the Children’s Room.  Families are welcome. Phone: 624-6550 ext. 3328. FREE
• 7:30pm - SNHU vs. Assumption Men’s Basketball Game at Southern New Hampshire University Field House, 2500 North River Road. FREE

• And week long activities.

Wednesday February 27:

• 10am - Preschool Dance Party at the Manchester City Library, 405 Pine Street, in the Reading Room. Combines books, music, and movement activities for ages 3-5 with an adult. Phone: 624-6560 ext. 3328. FREE
• 10:30am-noon - Free Swimming at Southern NH University Field House, 2500 North River Road. All youth must be with an adult.  Passes required. Pick up passes and pool rules at the Office of Youth Services (848 Elm Street) Tuesday February 26th 8am-5pm or Wednesday February 27th, 8-10am. Limit 75 passes per sessions; first come, first served.
• 11am-2pm - Creative Studio at the Currier Museum of Art, 150 Ash Street. Create yarn paintings and learn about the fascinating history of Manchester’s textile industry. Museum admission required: youth 17 and under are free, $5 admission for adults, activity included.
• 11am-3pm - 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament at Beech Street School, 333 Beech Street. Grades 38. FREE
• 1-3pm - What’s the Scoop?  Ice Cream with Mayor Craig at Manchester City Hall, in the Aldermanic Chambers (third floor). All ages are welcome, children must be with an adult. Phone: 624-6500. FREE
• 1pm - Movie: Destined to Ride (G) at the Manchester City Library, 405 Pine Street, in the Auditorium. Families welcome. Phone: 624-6550 ext. 3309. FREE
• 3pm - Explore the Arctic - Science Afternoon at the Manchester City Library, 405 Pine Street, in the Winchell Room. Grades K-5, registration is required. Phone: 624-6550 ext. 3328. FREE
• 3pm - Escape from the 1980’s at the West Branch Community Library, 76 North Main Street, in the Meeting Room. Grades 6-12.  Registration is required. Call 624-6560. FREE
• 3:30pm - Read to Cody at the Manchester City Library, 405 Pine Street, in the Winchell Room. Children of all reading levels.  Call 624-6550 ext. 3382 to reserve a time slot. FREE

• And week long activities.

Thursday February 28:

• 10am-12pm - Celebrate Dr. Suess Morning at the Manchester City Library, 405 Pine Street, in the Winchell Room. All ages. Phone: 624-6550 ext. 3328. FREE
• 11am-2pm - Drawing in the Galleries at the Currier Museum of Art, 150 Ash Street. Grab a clipboard, some paper, and a pencil, and get inspired by the artworks at the Currier Museum. Museum admission required: youth 17 and under are free, $5 admission for adults, activity included.
• 11am-3pm - 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament at Beech Street School, 333 Beech Street. Grades 3-8. FREE
• 2pm - Wildlife Encounters at the West Branch Community Library, 76 North Main Street, lower level. Families are welcome, space is limited. Phone:  624-6560. FREE
• 3-5pm - Celebrate Dr. Suess Afternoon at the West Branch Community Library, 76 North Main Street, in the meeting room. All ages. Phone: 624-6560. FREE
• 3:30pm - Read to Hazel at the West Branch Community Library, 76 North Main Street, in the Children’s Room. Children of all reading levels.  Call 624-6550 ext. 3382 to reserve a time slot. FREE
• 5-8pm - Free Night at the Currier: A Family Affair at the Currier Museum of Art, 150 Ash Street. Looking for something special to do with your kids during vacation week? Bring them to a night at the museum! Participate in Surroundings: A Community Mural in the Galleries and make your mark on our walls! Enjoy a lively puppet show, raffles, and animated film shorts by Pixar too. FREE
• 5-8pm - LEGO Night at the Manchester City Library, 405 Pine Street, in the Winchell Room. Families welcome. FREE

• And week long activities.

Friday March 1:

• 10am - Lap-Sit Storytime at the Manchester City Library, 405 Pine Street, in the Winchell Room. Newborn-23 months with an adult. Stories, songs, finger play, and movement activities. Registration required: 624-6550 ext. 3328. FREE
• 10-11:30am - Family Fort Fun at the West Branch Community Library, 76 North Main Street, in the Meeting Room. Families welcome. Phone: 624-6560. FREE
• 10:30am-noon - Free Swimming at Southern NH University Field House, 2500 North River Road. All youth must be with an adult.  Passes required. Pick up passes and pool rules at the Office of Youth Services (848 Elm Street) Thursday February 28th 8am-5pm or Friday March 1st, 8-10am. Limit 75 passes per sessions.
• 11am-2pm - Invention Convention at the Currier Museum of Art, 150 Ash Street. Let’s invent together! Make your own creation inspired by our very own Manchester Bridges. Museum admission required: youth 17 and under are free, $5 admission for adults, activity included.
• 11am-3pm - 3-on-3 Basketball at Beech Street School, 333 Beech Street. Free Throw Contest and open gym. Grades 3-5 and 6-8. FREE
• 3-5pm - Book BINGO at the Manchester City Library, 405 Pine Street, in the Winchell Room. Families welcome. Phone: 624-6550 ext. 3328. FREE

• And week long activities.

Saturday March 2:

• Week long activities.

Sunday March 3:

• Week long activities.