Top 10 – Downtown Holiday Season Ideas
- Kick off the Holidays with Small Business Saturday (November 29, 2025)
The Saturday following Thanksgiving is Small Business Saturday around the country. Here in Manchester, especially Downtown, the businesses are decorated and welcoming shoppers with special promotions and giveaways including discounts, free items, gift card bonuses, prize wheels, photo contests, and much more! At Diz’s we kick off our annual paper-chain making! - Attend Downtown’s Annual Santa Shuffle and Holiday Parade (December 6, 2025)
Don your Santa suit and join in the fun. Run the Santa Shuffle put on by Millennium Running. Then stay for Manchester’s Holiday parade. This year Diz’s will be the sponsor for the Manchester Public Television’s Review Stand. Find your favorite place to watch the festivities. Don’t forget, Diz’s front window (and all seats) book up fast. It’s never too soon to reserve your table! - Pick the Perfect Tree or the Perfect Spot for It
Whether you’re visiting a local tree lot like the Rheaume’s lot featuring a Downtown icon “Creepy/Demented Santa” or setting up your favorite faux spruce in your apartment window, getting that tree up is the signal that Christmas has officially arrived. Bonus points for grabbing supper at Diz’s first or taking something home from our Monthly Specials Menu. - Decorate with a Downtown Twist
Add sparkle with city-style touches, twinkle lights around your window, ornaments from Downtown shops, or a DIY made with friends from the downtown’s AR Workshop or one of our galleries or studios. - Plan a “Holiday Lights Walk”
Bundle up and stroll Elm Street to take in all the lights and decorations. When your fingers get chilly, pop into Diz’s for soup, cider, or a festive cocktail. We have lights too! - Create a Family Movie Marathon Night (online or call – pick up or delivery)
Pick your lineup (Elf, Home Alone, The Grinch, Love Actually, Die Hard… yes, we said it.) Add cozy blankets, popcorn, and maybe some take-out from Diz’s to make it extra easy. Note: Diz’s prepared a Holiday Movie & Streaming Guide (with Perfect Comfort Food Pairings from Diz’s.) - Shop Local – Make It an Adventure (have your tap, cash, or credit cards ready)
Turn holiday shopping into a day downtown. Hit the local bookstore, The Bookery, and maybe Queen City Cupcakes & Gift Shop, grab lunch at Diz’s. Invite your shopping pals in for coffee and (those) Queen City Cupcakes while wrapping your finds. - Start a “Kindness Countdown”
Instead of expensive gifts, do 25 days of little good deeds. Be a human advent calendar and buy some chocolate from Granite State Candy. Tip your server a bit more and leave notes of cheer. You can find many toy drive locations along Elm Street (like at Diz’s neighbor the Woodstacker Beer Co.) - Host a “Wrap & Snack” Night
Turn the gift-wrapping marathon into a party. Invite friends, make a holiday playlist, and order Diz’s bulk appetizers to share. - Plan a Christmas Eve Eve Outing
Avoid the last-minute rush with a fun evening downtown on December 23 – supper at Diz’s, a stroll by the lights, maybe a drink or mocktail toast to the season. - Mix Up a Signature Family Cocktail (or Mocktail)
Channel your inner bartender! Try something festive like a cranberry-sparkle spritzer or a cocoa-peppermint martini. Bonus: see what holiday sips Diz’s is serving and borrow some inspiration. - Get Ready for Hanukkah (Dec. 14–22)
Polish the menorah and plan a night or eight of light, laughter, and latkes. Whether you are enjoying family at home or at Diz’s, take some time to watch “Eight Crazy Nights” a Hanukkah-themed (albeit crazy) animated film featuring Manchester’s very own, Adam Sandler. The story of Eight Crazy Nights takes place in the fictional town of Dukesberry, NH, a stand-in Manchester, where Sandler grew up. The film includes various details inspired by Manchester. Can you spot them all? One notable reference is the animated movie was inspired by the Red Arrow Diner.
