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The Jingle Bell Chocolate Tour in Jackson, NH is one of New Hampshire’s best holiday traditions! Of all the Christmas activities in New Hampshire, this annual event is one of our favorites, and one you should absolutely put on your list for the future.
If you like sweet treats, small mountain towns, and getting to know fellow New Hampshire visitors in an Austrian horse-drawn sleigh, you’re going to love this tour!
We at New Hampshire Way recently had the opportunity to join the Jingle Bell Chocolate Tour in 2022. Here’s our experience and what to expect.
What is the Jingle Bell Chocolate Tour?
The Jingle Bell Chocolate Tour is a sweet way to enjoy the picture-perfect town of Jackson, New Hampshire. This tour is a tradition in Jackson Village and has been going on for more than 20 years!
The tour takes you around the town in Austrian sleighs, stopping at different local inns and B&Bs for sweet treats made by local chocolatiers. The sleighs are pulled by gorgeous horses, and don’t worry if there isn’t deep snow — the sleighs will be on wheels in that case!
We began our tour at the Snowflake Inn, right in the heart of Jackson Village, and picked up our bag, jingle bell, and first chocolate treats, courtesy of the harder-to-reach-by-sleigh properties like the Christmas Farm Inn and Nestlenook Farm.
Next we got situated in our sleigh, put our jingle bells around our neck, and set off on our tour! We traveled up and down Jackson Village, visiting several inns and businesses along the way.
At each stop, we rang our bells for chocolate and met a local innkeeper or business owner who delivered us chocolate treats, often telling us a few tidbits about their property’s history.
And the chocolate treats? They were fabulous! Sometimes we’d get soft melty chocolates, or chocolate minty fudge-like pieces, or chocolate pops in the shape of a Christmas tree. One of our favorites came from the Inn at Jackson — large homemade marshmallows topped with chocolate and sprinkles.
And there’s no pressure to eat it all at once — that’s what your bag’s for. Save some treats for later! Or don’t! It’s Christmas!
We finished our tour back at the Snowflake Inn and received a delicious chocolate mousse in a cup — with the option of one made with rum! Altogether, the tour took a little over an hour.
How to Get Tickets for the Jingle Bell Chocolate Tour
The Jingle Bell Chocolate Tour takes place on weekends in late November through mid-December. In 2022 the first tours were the weekend before Thanksgiving; we will update this post when we have 2023 dates.
You can get tickets at any time of year when booking a stay or dining at one of the tour’s partner properties. That includes the Christmas Farm Inn and Spa, Eagle Mountain House & Gold Club, An Elegant Country Inn, the Inn at Jackson, the J-Town Deli & Country Store, Nestlenook Estate, the Snowflake Inn, the Wentworth, or the Wildcat Inn & Tavern.
Otherwise, tickets go on sale to the general public on November 1. You get tickets from the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce by calling 978-580-0905. (Have a group of eight or more? You can call to make a booking any time of year.)
Tickets are $35 if you’re staying at one of the properties, or $40 if you’re not.
We recommend buying as soon as they go on sale, as prime dates like the Saturday after Thanksgiving tend to sell out quickly.
Finally, is this event for kids? You can absolutely bring kids; just know that kids pay full-price as well. And when we attended, our group was something like 90% adults!
Where to Stay in Jackson, NH
One reason why we at New Hampshire Way love Jackson is because there are so many wonderful B&Bs! If you want to nestle down in a small town in the White Mountains, you can’t do better than Jackson. Jackson also tends to be more adult-oriented than North Conway, making it a good spot for couples.
Here are a few of our favorite bed and breakfasts in town:
Snowflake Inn — The home base of the Jingle Bell Chocolate Tour is an adults-only property. The suites have jacuzzis built for two, making it a great choice for a romantic getaway.
Inn at Thorn Hill — If you’re looking for an elegant, upscale option in Jackson, this is where to stay. Enjoy spacious, comfortable rooms with thick linens and large bathtubs. The restaurant is special occasion-worthy.
Christmas Farm Inn and Spa — This inn is one of the coziest places around, with big fireplaces. The full-service spa uses Aveda products and there’s an indoor pool and jacuzzi to enjoy year-round.
Wildcat Inn and Tavern — Staying here feels like staying with a good friend in Jackson Village. The rooms have beds with homemade quilts, and downstairs you can enjoy hearty pub fare with other Jackson visitors.
See more places to stay in Jackson here. And our list of New Hampshire cabins with hot tubs includes many in Jackson!
More Things to Do in Jackson and North Conway
Jackson is just a 10-minute drive from North Conway, and there are plenty of fun things to do around this area. (Keep in mind that many local attractions are closed in November and December, including the Mount Washington Auto Road and the Conway Scenic Railroad.
In Jackson, be sure to check out the wonderful White Mountain Puzzles store, and visit the waterfalls at Jackson Falls. The honeymoon covered bridge in Jackson is one of the Granite State’s most famous covered bridges, while Flossie’s General Store next door is worth a perusal. Head to Nestlenook Farm for ice skating and more sleigh rides.
Skiing become an option later in December, and you can enjoy nearby ski resorts like Black Mountain, Attitash, Cranmore Mountain, and Wildcat Mountain.
In North Conway, there are so many great things to do. Enjoy the shops and restaurants of North Conway Village, from The Penguin to Zeb’s General Store, and hit up the Settlers Green outlets for more tax-free holiday shopping! If you’re up for boozy tastings, hit up Moat Mountain Brewing, Ledge Brewing Company, or Cathedral Ledge Distillery, New Hampshire’s only organic distillery.
And then there’s enjoying the great outdoors, if it’s not too cold! Glen Ellis Falls is a wonderful spot to visit near Jackson, while the pools and waterfalls of Diana’s Baths are worth the short hike.
We hope to see you on the Jingle Bell Chocolate Tour!
There’s no better way to get into the holiday spirit in the White Mountains! We had a great time on this tour and we hope you enjoy yourself, too!
More on Christmas in New Hampshire:
More on Jackson and North Conway:
- Visiting Jackson Falls, NH
- A Guide to Glen Ellis Falls, NH
- 31 Fun Things to Do in North Conway
- 12 Best Restaurants in North Conway
- 17 Best North Conway Hotels and B&Bs
- Best Bed and Breakfasts in North Conway
- A Guide to the Conway Scenic Railroad
More on the White Mountains:
- A Guide to Driving the Kancamagus Highway
- 27 Epic Things to Do in Lincoln, NH
- A Guide to the Mount Washington Cog Railway
- 25+ New Hampshire Cabins with Hot Tubs
- Hiking the Appalachian Trail in New Hampshire
- Snow and Ice Climbing in the White Mountains, NH
- Tips for Driving The Mount Washington Auto Road
- 23 Fun Things To Do In Littleton, NH
- 16 Best Things To Do in Jackson, NH
- 30 Unforgettable Things To Do In The White Mountains, NH
Best of New Hampshire:
- 50+ Best Things to Do in New Hampshire
- 13 Best Beaches in New Hampshire
- New Hampshire’s Best Breweries
- New Hampshire Fall Foliage Guide
- 30 Unforgettable Things To Do In The White Mountains, NH
Have you done the Jingle Bell Chocolate Tour? Any suggestions for Jackson?
