MANCHESTER NH — Welcome to February school vacation week. For those who are enjoying a staycation, the city of Manchester has lined up a calendar of fun and family-friendly events for you. Use code word “Winterfest 15” in some cases for discounts!
Note, all events are subject to change due to weather or other considerations. When passes are required they are available on a first come, first serve basis at the office of Youth Services, 8 a.m. to 5:30 pm. beginning the day before the scheduled event.) For more information, 603-624-6470 or www.manchesternh.gov/Youth
WEEKLONG EVENTS
Horse-drawn Sleigh Ride Social, Mon Feb 23 – Sun Mar 1, Charmingfare Farm, Candia: See mountain lions, Canadian lynx, black bears, reindeer, and more playing in the snow. Continues past winter pastures into the woods. 2 hours with 40 minute campfire stop. Hot dogs, marshmallows, and hot cocoa provided. RESERVED SEATS REQUIRED! Go to www.visitthefarm.com for reservations and information. Use promotional code winterfest15 to receive $12 discount per General Boarding ticket, any day 2/23 to 3/1/15. Call Rob at 603-483-3376 if there is trouble with the website.
Vertical Dreams Climbing Gym, Sat, Feb 21 thru Sun March 1, Vertical Dreams, 250 Commercial St., (fifth floor): Vacation Hours: Saturday & Sunday open at 11 a.m., Mon – Fri open at 12 p.m. Waiver forms required for climbers under 18, MUST BE SIGNED BY A PARENT. Available online at www.verticaldreams.com. More information available at 603-625-6919. Mention Winterfest 15 to receive $5 off a beginner lesson. Also applies to Nashua Vertical Dreams location – 25 E. Otterson St., tel. 603-943-7571.
Currier Museum of Art, 150 Ash St. Mon, Feb 23 thru Friday Feb 27 (closed Tues Feb 24) $5 flat-rate admission. Currier members & children under 13 always FREE. Special activities for children and families. Open Sat 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sun, Mon, Wed, Thu, & Fri 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Details at www.currier.org
Massabesic Audubon Center February Fun Camp – 26 Audubon Way, Auburn Mon – Fri, Feb 23 – 27 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. For ages 6 to 12. Cost $42/day for NH Audubon members/$52/day for non members. Children learn about NH’s nature in winter. Join us for a single day, several days or the week. Each day will include outdoor excursions, games, crafts, stories, live animals, songs, and conservation projects to help campers discover the wonders of the season. Register online at www.nhaudubon.org or stop in at the center for a registration form.
Free Swimming at Southern NH University 2500 North River Road: Mon Feb 23 thru Fri Feb 27, 9 – 10:30 a.m. AN ADULT MUST ACCOMPANY CHILDREN. PICK UP PASSES and pool rules at Office of Youth Services (OYS) the day before only, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., starting Friday Feb 21 for Monday Feb 23. Limit 75 passes per day.
Currier Museum Art Center 180 Pearl St. Mon Feb 23 thru Fri Feb 27, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Vacation Art Camp: Ages 5 to 14 Diners and Drives! During this camp week, we’ll create art with a retro feel when we look at the Currier’s Photorealism show. Campers bring their own lunches and snacks. Cost: $270 for full day, $160 for half-day (half days for 5 & 6 year-olds). After Camp Care is available from 3 – 4:30 p.m. for an additional $30/week. Call 669-6144 ext.122 or go to www.currier.org for more info and to register for Art Camp. To apply for tuition assistance, go to 669- 6144, ext. 122, visit the Art Center Front Office, or go to the “Art Center: Scholarships” section of www.currier.org for complete information.
SEE Science Center, 200 Bedford St.: Mon Feb 23 thru Fri Feb 27 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pick up “$2 off regular price” passes to SEE Science Center at Office of Youth Services (OYS) the day before you visit (Friday 2/20 for Monday 2/23). DISCOUNTED PRICE PER PERSON, $6. Information: www.seesciencecenter.org or 669-0400.
Amoskeag Fishways Learning & Visitors Center, 4 Fletcher St., 10 a.m. – Noon 2/23, 24, 26, 27; NOT Wed, Feb 25 Family Eagle Watching Days. Walk-in donations accepted. Call 626 FISH (3474) for details.
Bowling, Spare Time Manchester (formerly Stadium Ten Pin), 216 Maple St, Mon, Feb 23 thru Fri Feb 27, Noon to 4 p.m. CHILDREN BOWL TWO GAMES, WITH SHOES, AND HOT DOG AND SODA. Only $10 total! Phone 625-9656.
Skiing & Boarding at McIntyre Ski Area, 50 Chalet Way Mon, Feb 23 thru Fri, Feb 27, 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. only! Limit 100. GET DISCOUNT PASSES AT OFFICE OF YOUTH SERVICES (OYS) the day before (Fri 2/20 for Mon 2/23). Lift tickets $15 per person with pass. Tubing on Thu 2/26 & Fri 2/27, 6 – 8 p.m. and 7 – 9 p.m. only, $15 with discount pass. Must be 5+ years old, 44+ inches, and sign waiver at McIntyre to tube.
Public Ice Skating at JFK Coliseum: Mon, Feb 23 thru Fri, Feb 27, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Adults: $5.00, Children: $3.00. Rental skates available for $5.00 a pair or bring your own.
DAY-BY-DAY EVENTS
Feb 21, Collegiate Basketball Games, Southern NH U v. St. Michaels – Women’s Game at 1:30 p.m., Men’s at 3:30. SNHU Field House 2500 North River Rd, Hooksett. Children 12 and younger free when accompanied by paying adult. Ask for Winterfest 15 free admission at box office.
Feb 23, Wed Feb 25, & Thu Feb 26, Indoor Soccer Clinics for Middle School Students, Parkside Middle School, 75 Parkside Ave, 2 sessions per day, 9 – 10:15 a.m. and 10:15 – 11:30 a.m. Limit 20 players per session! MUST register at 624-6470 to attend. All players bring sneakers, shorts, and shin guards. Soccer balls optional. Players must be signed in by an adult at the start of each session!
Feb 23, Toddler Storytime, 10 a.m. Manchester City Library, 405 Pine St. Winchell Room, ages 2 – 3 , accompanied by an adult big book, singing, flannel stories and crafts. Call 624-6550, x 328 TO REGISTER – REQUIRED. FREE
Feb 23, “I Am” Workshop, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Youth explore and express using visual art, ages 8 – 13. Suggested donation $10. Register at 625-0010 or email stevendurost@castlecreate.com
Feb 23, Storytime in the Gallery, 11:30 a.m. Currier Museum of Art, 150 Ash St., Listen to Manchester City Library children’s librarian Ms. Karyn’s live reading of “Not a Box” by Antoinette Portis, followed by discovering what can be created using a box! Recommended ages 3 – 5, but all ages are welcome. CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT. Currier members & children under 13 FREE or FREE with $5 general Museum admission
Feb 23 “Teens in Motion” Action Method and Drama Workshop 2 – 4 p.m. Castle C.R.E.A.T.E. 141 Union St. Ages 13 – 17 use improvisation, theater games, and drama to tell their stories and life experiences. Suggested donation $10. Register by email stevendurost@castlecreate.com or 625-0010
Feb 23, “Critters & Creatures – Winter Animals” 3 p.m. Manchester City Library, 405 Pine St., Auditorium. Space is limited. NO registration and all ages welcome. Call 624-6550 ext. 328 Mon
Feb 23 Family Game Night, 3:30 to 5 p.m. YWCA, 72 Concord St., Board games in the community room, adults and youth welcome. Old school, hands on, no electronics! www.ywcanh.org FREE Tue
Feb 24, Pre-School Storytime, 10 a.m. Manchester City Library, 405 Pine St. Winchell Room, ages 4 – 5, Classic and new Picture books read aloud with craft. Details, 624-6550 x 328. FREE
Feb 24, “Box It Up” 10 a.m. – Noon, Castle C.R.E.A.T.E. 141 Union St. Ages 6 – 11 create and decorate a “Worry Box” to put their troubles in Suggested donation, $10. Register at 625-0010 or email stevendurost@castlecreate.com
Feb 24, Wed, Feb 25, Thu, Feb 26, 9:30 to 12 noon. 3 on 3 Invitational Basketball Tournament at Beech Street School, sponsored by OYS & Parks and Recreation: 5 th, 6th, 7th, & 8th graders only.! FREE. Register [Feb 24 & Feb 25 only, 9:30 a.m. at the School. There must be at least three and no more than four members on every team. Team members, please wear shirts of the same color!]
Feb 24: Life Size Game Afternoon, 2 – 5 p.m., Manchester City Library, 405 Pine St. Winchell Room, All ages welcome for life size Scrabble, Connect 4, and Dominos! Call 624-6550 ext 328 FREE
Feb. 25: Free nighttime skating event at Dorrs Pond in partnership with Intown Manchester, Rock 101 WGIR and A&E Custom Coffee Roastery, 7 – 9 p.m. There will be music, lights and the warming hut where patrons can use the restrooms and warm up by the wood stove with some hot chocolate. There will be NO skate rentals so you will need to bring skates with you to the pond. For additional information on winter parks activities please contact Don Pinard at 624-6565.
Feb 25 and Sat, Feb 28 Amoskeag Fishways February Vacation Program, 4 Fletcher St. $10 per family. Must pre-register & pre-pay. call 626-FISH (3474) to register. 9 a.m. to Noon, “Family Eagle Excursion and Program.”
Feb 25, Creative Studio, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Currier Museum of Art, 150 Ash St. Use magnifying glasses to see the details of ordinary objects and then create a drawing. All ages are welcome. CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT. Currier members & children under 13 FREE or FREE with $5 general Museum admission.
Feb 25, Movie Afternoon, “Milo & Otis” (Rated G) 1:00 p.m. Manchester City Library Auditorium, 405 Pine St., families welcome, 624-6550 x 328. FREE
Feb 25, LEGOS Club, 2 – 4 p.m. ages 4 & up, Manchester City Library, 405 Pine St., Registration suggested, call 624-6550 ext 328. FREE Thu Feb 26, Little Movers Storytime, 10 a.m., Manchester City Library, 405 Pine St. Winchell Room, ages 2 – 5, combines books, music & movement – no registration. More information, call 624-6550 ext 328. FREE
Feb 26, Drawing in the Galleries, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Currier Museum of Art, 150 Ash St. Like drawing? Get inspired by aspects of the Currier that are often overlooked! All ages welcome & drawing materials are provided. CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT. Currier members & children under 13 FREE or FREE with $5 general Museum admission.
Feb 26, Toe Jam Puppet Band, 2 p.m. Manchester City Library Auditorium, 405 Pine St., all ages, limited seating, call 624-6550 ext 328 FREE
Feb 26, Minecraft, 4 p.m., Manchester City Library, 405 Pine St., Winchell Room, Grades 6 – 12 welcome. No registration, details at 624-6550 x 345. FREE
Feb 27, Lap-Sit Storytime, 10 a.m., Manchester City Library, 405 Pine St., Winchell Room, newborn to 23 months, must be accompanied by adult. Stories, songs, finger play, and movement activities. Registration is required – call 624-6550 x 328. FREE
Feb 27, 10 to 12 noon, Basketball Free-throw Contest, Beech St. School: for boys and girls grades 3 thru 8. NO fee or passes necessary. Sign up same day at Beech St. School. FREE
Feb 27, Not Your Average Scavenger Hunt, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Currier Museum of Art, 150 Ash St. Complete the hunt that invites you to see the ordinary in new ways and collect a prize! All ages are welcome. CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT. Currier members & children under 13 FREE or FREE with $5 general Museum admission.
Feb 27, Minecraft Afternoon, 3:30 p.m., Manchester City Library, 405 Pine St., Winchell Room, Grades 3 – 5 welcome. Registration recommended. To register and for more information, call 624-6550 x 328 FREE
Feb 27, “Altered States” Book Workshop for Teens, 1 – 3 p.m. Castle C.R.E.AT.E, 141 Union St., Ages 12 – 17 transform used books into works of art to take home. Suggested donation, $10. Register at 625-0010 or email stevendurost@castlecreate.com
Feb 27, Movie Afternoon, “Boxtrolls” (PG Rating), 3:00 p.m. Manchester City Library Auditorium, 405 Pine St., all ages, no registration, FREE
Feb 27, Amoskeag Fishways, 4 Fletcher St., $5 per family. Must pre-register and pre-pay. Call 626-FISH (3474) to register. 6:30 to 8 p.m. “New Hampshire Wild Cats”
Feb 28, Messy Art Storytime, 10 a.m. Manchester City Library, 405 Pine St., Winchell Room, ages 3 to 7 years. Registration recommended. More information, call 624-6550 ext 328. FREE
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