It’s another busy weekend of holiday festivities around Centre County.
Check out the community celebrations, festivals, markets, entertainment and more happening Dec. 8-10. And stay informed on what’s coming up throughout the season with our Holiday Guide!
BELLEFONTE VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS
Friday, Dec. 8, to Sunday, Dec. 10
Bellefonte
bellefontevictorianchristmas.com
A full weekend of activities are on tap for the 42nd Bellefonte Victorian Christmas. Events include the Festival of Trees, musical and theatrical performances, breakfast with Santa, an arts and crafts show, a Victorian tea party, a pop-up market, the Jingle Bell Bazaar, Holiday Cookie Crawl, Santa’s arrival and visits on the Diamond, the Winter Market, horse-drawn carriage rides, Fezziwig’s Holiday Party and much more. See the full schedule and all the details at bellefontevictorianchristmas.com.
CENTRE HALL COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS
Friday, Dec. 8, to Sunday, Dec. 10
Centre Hall
Facebook group
Centre Hall’s Christmas celebration kicks off with a tree lighting at 7 p.m. Friday at St. Luke Lutheran Church and continues on Saturday and Sunday. Activities include horse and carriage rides, a visit from Santa, children’s crafts and breakfast/lunch, Senior Reindeer Games, musical performances, a living nativity at Grace UMC, caroling and more. See the schedule.
LEMONT CHRISTMAS MARKET
5-8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 8
10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 9
lemontvillage.org/related/lemont-christmas-market
The annual Christmas market at the historic Grain Elevator and Coal Sheds on Mount Nittany Road is scheduled to feature about two dozen local vendors, music, live demonstrations, prize drawing, brats and hot dogs, baked goods, mulled wine and apple cider. On Saturday, Santa Claus will be on hand.
WINTER LIGHTS AT THE ARBORETUM
4-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8 and continuing into January
The Arboretum at Penn State
psu.edu/news/campus-life/story/winter-lights-transform-arboretum-penn-state-starting-friday-dec-8/
The Arboretum at Penn State transforms into a holiday spectacle with lighted displays throughout the grounds and wreaths and other decorations in the gardens. New this year will be lights and decorated trees and shrubs in the cave in the Childhood’s Gate Children’s Garden. The tree in the glass house in the Children’s Garden, decorated with ornaments made by volunteers, local schoolchildren and scouts, will be viewable as of Dec. 15. Holiday lights will be on from 6 to 8 a.m. and 4 to 9 p.m. daily through early January.
DOWNTOWN STATE COLLEGE TROLLEY RIDES
5-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, and 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9
Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza, 100 block S. Allen St., State College
downtownstatecollege.com
Hop on for a free holiday trolley ride around downtown State College. Santa has been known to enjoy a Saturday trolley ride, as well. And every night through December, be sure to check out the holiday light show in the MLK Plaza from 5 to 10 p.m.
ESSENCE OF JOY: OUR GIFT IN SONG
7:30-9 p.m., Friday, Dec. 8
Recital Hall, Music Building
University Park
arts.psu.edu
Singers from Essence of Joy, Essence 2 Ltd. and the Capital Area Music Association will perform a Christmas holiday work of classic carols and new pieces composed and arranged by Michael McElroy and Joseph Joubert. Free admission.
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA AND TREE LIGHTING
10 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5-7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 9
Nittany American Legion Post 245
1950 Pine Hall Road, State College
Facebook page
Visit the Nittany American Legion Post 245 in the morning for French toast sticks, eggs, sausage and a visit with Santa, sponsored by the State College Elks. Play games, enjoy activities and decorate ornaments for the new Christmas tree outside. Open to the public for kids ages 1-12. Then come back from 5 to 7 for the inaugural lighting of the post’s Christmas tree. Open to the community, and cookies and hot chocolate will be provided inside.
FROST FEST
10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 9
Schlow Centre Region Library
211 S. Allen St., State College
schlowlibrary.org
Enjoy a day of wintry family fun at Schlow with a life-sized Frost Fest Flurry game ice block Jenga and more games, storytime at 10:30 and 3, snowman cookie decorating and, for teens and adults, make a winter craft and take part in the Winter Tales Read-alod (2:30-4). No registration required.
HOLIDAY MARKET
10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 9
Rooted Farmstead
138 Scott Avenue, Bellefonte
facebook.com/rootedfarmstead
Shop from vendors for gifts and decor and visit Rooted Farmstead’s own merry-maker station, including wreath, ornament and potpourri bars, a boxing station and a free kids craft station. Warm up by fire pits courtesy of Pennwood Home & Hearth, and take advantage of market day deals.
A JOHN WATERS CHRISTMAS
8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 9
The State Theatre
130 W. College Ave., State College
thestatetheatre.org
Legendary cult film director and lover of Christmas John Waters takes the stage for his one-man holiday show filled with ribald humor from the “Pope of Trash.” Tickets for patrons 18 and older only are $68 in advance, $73 on the day of the show.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS ICE SHOW
1-3:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 10
Pegula Ice Arena
University Park
facebook.com/NittanyValleyFSC
Nittany Valley Figure Skating Club’s talented skaters will take you on a journey through a winter wonderland as they perform breathtaking routines that capture the spirit of the holidays. Attendees are invited to bring a non-perishable food items for a holiday food drive to support those in need this season. Tickets are $5 and admission is free for children 5 and younger.
MENORAH LIGHTING
5-6 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 11
Old Main
University Park
facebook.com/ChabadPennState
Chabad of Penn State will light a 12-foot tall public Hanukkah menorah on Sunday, the fourth night of the eight-day Festival of Lights, at Old Main on the Penn State campus. State College Mayor Ezra Nanes, state Rep. Paul Takac and university representatives are expected to join community members for the lighting. The event will feature music, latkes and hot chocolate. Complimentary Hanukkah menorahs and candles will be distributed as well for participants to light at home.
WWE LIVE: HOLIDAY TOUR
7 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 11
Bryce Jordan Center
University Park
bjc.psu.edu
WWE action returns to the Bryce Jordan with the Holiday Tour. Tickets range from $20 to $105.
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