Craft Fair Event To Benefit 2024 Exeter Holiday Parade

EXETER, NH — The all-volunteer Exeter Holiday Parade Committee is busy with events before the parade's big night on Saturday, Dec. 7.

First in line is the Craft Fair to benefit the Exeter Holiday Parade, taking place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 30, in the historic Exeter Town Hall across from the bandstand at 10 Front St. The 2024 Craft Fair vendor space was sold out very quickly, so patrons can expect two floors of terrific craft items from local crafters and artisans. The Craft Fair coincides with Small Business Saturday, so it’s a great day to go holiday shopping in downtown Exeter.

The Craft Fair vendors all pay a fee to participate in the fair. Those fees help fund the 2024 Exeter Holiday Parade and allow admission to the craft fair to be free to the public. More than 30 vendors will be on hand, and there will be an elevator in the building.

The Exeter Holiday Parade Inflatables Night happens during the Exeter Holiday Block Party on Thursday, Dec. 5, on the Town House Common Park on Court Street. Kids and kids at heart can stroll through the Festival of Trees, visit with Santa and then check out the holiday inflatables at Town House Common.

The Exeter Holiday Parade is always the first Saturday in December and always at night. The 2024 Exeter Holiday Parade theme is “Holidays Through the Eyes of a Child,” and will step off at 5:30 p.m. from Osram on Portsmouth Avenue and wind down Portsmouth Avenue to Water Street and past the Bandstand. New this year is a “Quieter Zone” for anyone sensitive to loud noises. From the parade starting point to New England Pizza and Prov Bank, fire trucks and vehicles towing floats will be asked not to use their air horns. The location also affords plenty of parking at the Exeter Commons parking lot.

Fans of the annual Holiday Parade are invited to join the more than 2,400 Exeter Holiday Parade Facebook page followers for the latest information about this year’s event.

The Exeter Holiday Parade is a more than 60-year tradition, and anyone interested in sponsorship, donations, or volunteering can contact the committee at exeterholidayparade@gmail.com.

The parade will be streamed live by ExeterNH.tv.

Businesses, non-profits, and community groups interested in participating in the 2024 parade are also encouraged to contact the committee at the same email address.

Submitted by the Exeter Holiday Parade Committee.