The 44th annual Bellefonte Victorian Christmas will take place Dec. 12–14, bringing a full weekend of holiday events, performances and activities across downtown Bellefonte.
The festival begins at 6 p.m. Friday on West Howard Street outside the Miles-Humes House with Opening Ceremonies and a proclamation delivered by Mayor Buddy Johnson.
Victorian Brass will perform, Class Act Productions will present strolling scenes, magician Richard Benninghoff will appear and the Bellefonte Presbyterian Church, with support from the Bellefonte Lions Club, will serve treats.
At 7:30 p.m., Chris Collins will portray Jimmy Stewart in “It’s a Wonderful Life in Bellefonte” at the Bellefonte Presbyterian Church, followed by the Bellefonte Victorian Christmas Choir.
Weekend events include the Curtin & Armor Model Railroad Exhibit at Belle Mercantile, train rides hosted by the Bellefonte Historical Railroad Society, Breakfast with Santa at Faith United Methodist Church and Santa’s House on the Diamond at the Centre County Courthouse.
The Gingerbread House Competition entries will be displayed at the Diamond Deli. The Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science & Technology will host the Festival of Trees with more than 60 decorated trees, student displays, family activities and support for CPI student organizations.
Downtown businesses will offer holiday shopping throughout the weekend. On Saturday, the YMCA will hold the Indoor Arts & Crafts Show, and Talleyrand Park will feature the Outdoor Winter Market with artisan and holiday vendors.
A free concert series will run Saturday, including Youth in Harmony: A Christmas Celebration at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church with performers from Saint John, Bellefonte High School Chorale, Bellefonte School District 5th grade choir, Fraser Street Saxes and the school district strings program.
The Christmas SoundWalk will present performances at Trinity United Methodist Church at noon, St. John’s Episcopal Church at 2 p.m. and St. John’s United Church of Christ at 4 p.m. Concerts in the Parlor at the Miles-Humes House will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
On Sunday, the Bellefonte Community Band will perform at Bellefonte High School at 2 p.m. Faith Church will host the musical performance “Peace on Earth?” at 4 p.m., and St. John Church will hold its parish holiday concert at 6 p.m.
The event is organized by Historic Bellefonte Inc. and supported by a grant from The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau. The Festival of Trees will benefit CPI student groups, and weekend shopping will support local businesses.
Free parking will be available Saturday at Bellefonte Area High School with shuttle service to downtown and event locations. A downtown shuttle loop will also operate that day.
More information and full schedules are available here.
