Salem’s Tuscan Village has all you need for last-minute holiday fun

The holidays are upon us, but there’s still plenty of time to celebrate and shop at Tuscan Village in Salem.

Have you ever dreamt of spending the holidays in a charming European village? You could stroll through quaint markets featuring locally crafted gifts, artisanal treats, and the sounds and scents of the season in the fresh air.

Well, you can do that right here in New Hampshire, and you don’t even have to bring your passport. Tuscan Village in Salem has gone all out for the holidays, and you still have plenty of time to enjoy the offerings, including outdoor holiday shopping, live entertainment, visits from Santa, and a New Year’s Eve extravaganza.

Holiday Shoppes at Tuscan Village

Where: 9 Via Toscana, Salem

When: Now through Christmas Eve. Friday from 4 to 8 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

This open-air market, with its seasonal sounds and scents, features more than 50 vendors offering a diverse range of products, including crafts, original art, clothing, toys, home design, vintage items, decorations, and specialty foods. You can even buy a last-minute fresh or artificial Christmas tree.

After strolling and shopping, visitors can head to the heated tent to warm up with seasonal food and cocktails, including adult hot chocolate. There’s a Santa Corner, and for those who are celebrating a romantic holiday, you can place a love lock on a fence at Day’s Jewelers to symbolize a lifelong connection. Visitors can bring their own locks or get a complimentary one from the store.

There will be fire pits, games, a playground, and you can even take your fur babies to designated dog-friendly areas of the village, and plenty of selfie and family photo ops in front of a sparkling, 55-foot Christmas tree.

Santa visits at Tuscan Village

When: Saturday, December 20, 2 to 6 p.m.

Get your free photo taken with the big man himself and maybe drop a hint about what you’d like to see under the tree.

New Year’s Eve at Tuscan Village

Where: The Artisan at Tuscan Village

When: December 31, 8 to 11:45 p.m.

Tickets: $208.80

This sparkling celebration is held in a glass-enclosed veranda, which will provide plenty of prime viewing for the Village’s midnight fireworks display. The evening includes music, dancing, and a chef-designed buffet including a raw bar, a caviar blini station, cheeses, cured meats, Tuscan’s signature Italian dishes, desserts, and more.

You can buy tickets here.