It is definitely not looking a lot like Christmas in the Monadnock region. Two months of drought, endless sunny blue skies, blooming dandelions and brush fires are not typically what we see heading into winter in New Hampshire. But the holidays are coming, no matter how strange the weather.

One of my favorite holiday events is local festivals of trees. We are fortunate to have multiple festivals happening in our region, in Antrim, Greenfield, Bennington and Peterborough. They are all worth a visit!

The Greenfield Festival of Trees is happening at Stephenson Memorial Library from Nov. 27 to Dec. 31. This festival was originally organized by the Friends of the Greenfield Community Meetinghouse back in 2021, after the Fire Department asked the FGCM to be a part of the first “Fire and Ice” event. Because part of the FGCM’s mission is to bring people into the Meetinghouse, we decided to have the festival at our lovely 1795 Greenfield Meetinghouse.

After a few years, however, we decided the Meetinghouse was not the best place to have the Festival of Trees – mainly because it is a lot of work to have the trees up for just one day! Last year, we asked librarian Ella Cademartori if she would be willing to host the Festival of Trees at the library, and she graciously agreed. More than a dozen families and town organizations took part. This year, the Friends of the Library are organizing the festival.

“We’re very excited, and we hope everyone will participate,” said Valli Hannings of Friends of the Library.

Everyone is invited to stop by Stephenson Library and vote for their favorite tree.

The fabulous Antrim Festival of Trees at the Tuttle Library starts Dec. 1. If you have never been to the Tuttle Library in Antrim, the Festival of Trees is a great excuse to visit this beautiful old building. It is always amazing to see just how creative people can be with holiday trees, from antique- and vintage-themed trees to futuristic and alien-themed. For 2024, the theme is “Home for the Holidays.” It is a lot of fun to explore every corner of the Tuttle Library and find every tree!

The Antrim Festival of Trees can be viewed whenever the Tuttle Library is open. Tuttle Library hours for Dec. 1 through New Year’s are Monday and Wednesday 2t o 6 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday 2 to 8 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Event information can be found at antrimfestivaloftrees.org or on the event’s Facebook page. For information, please send email to antrimFOT@gmail.com or call 971-330-8835.

The 11th annual Holiday Trees in Peterborough, organized by the Recreation Department, returns this year at the Peterborough Library on Friday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 7, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., followed by hot chocolate and a campfire (weather permitting) on the library patio from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Santa will be in attendance on Saturday. All visitors are invited to vote for their favorite tree, and winners will be announced at noon Saturday. For information, go to peterboroughnh.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=30084.

The Bennington Decorated Tree Stroll, organized by Bennington 4-H, is on Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., which is the same time as the Pierce School PTO’s Holiday Craft Fair. Town residents are invited to decorate trees in and around the Town Hall. Please send email to Bethany Craig at bethanylcraig@yahoo.com for more information or if you would like to enter a tree.

As far as I can find out, Francestown does not have any kind of tree festival, but the wonderful Holiday Market returns Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the horse sheds at the Francestown Town Hall. The market, inspired by a traditional German Christmas market, has been a huge success the past two years. Over 20 local vendors will be selling crafts, German-themed food, hot beverages and treats. The market will also have a “kids cafe” for small visitors. It is a wonderful new town tradition and definitely worth stopping by!

Community reporter Jesseca Timmons is secretary of The Friends of the Greenfield Community Meetinghouse. If you have an idea for The Greenfield Beat, email her at jtimmons@ledgertranscript.com.