Holiday Events Highlight Centre County Weekend

The calendar has turned to December, and that means holiday events are in full swing around Centre County.

From winter markets and craft fairs to seasonal entertainment to traditional celebrations, here’s a look at the holiday activities happening around the area this weekend.

Stocking Stuffer, A Magical Holiday Market
9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday and Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday
Centre Furnace Mansion, 1001 E. College Ave., State College

The 19th annual Stocking Stuffer is a three-day holiday shopping event featuring hand-crafted work by local artisans and fine antiques by local dealers, creating a festive indoor showcase with over 40 vendors. Proceeds from this special event benefit the Centre County Historical Society. Face masks will be required to enter.

For a full list of vendors and more information, visit centrehistory.org/events/stocking-stuffer.

Catholic Daughters Craft and Bake Sale
9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday; 8 :30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sunday
Our Lady of Victory, 820 Westerly Parkway, State College

The Our Lady of Victory Catholic Daughters of America’s Holiday Craft and Bake Sale will feature local vendors, holiday gifts including chalking, wreaths, home-made ornaments, fleece blankets and toys; Pampered Chef and Scentsy; a bake sale, including fresh homemade pies, cookies and nut roll; and a basket raffle. The kitchen will be open for lunch items.

December First Friday
5- 8 p.m. Friday
Downtown State College

Experience the holiday atmosphere with Downtown State College’s December’s First Friday event. Stop by the MLK Plaza on South Fraser Street to visit with Santa between 5 and 7 p.m. and enjoy free hot chocolate and popcorn. Keep an eye out for live ballerinas in the windows of businesses throughout downtown.

Be sure to check out the Light Up Downtown displays at MLK Plaza, Calder Way, Locust Lane, Centennial Walkway and the Allen Street Gates. Free trolley rides will loop through Light Up from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and again on Dec. 10 and 11. Trolleys run a continuous loop so hop on at any of the Light Up stops. Masks are required inside the trolley.

Other First Friday events include Open Music at 3 Dots Downtown, a gingerbread earrings make-and-take at The Makery (registration/fee required) and Affordable Art Sale at Woskob Family Gallery and longform improv sets at the Blue Brick Theatre (tickets required).

Parking is free in the Beaver, Fraser and Pugh garages with validations from participating merchants.

The Grinch
7 p.m. Friday
The State Theatre, 130 W. College Ave., State College

The State Theatre will host a free screening of “The Grinch” (2018), sponsored by the Downtown State College Improvement District. Walk-ins are welcome, or reserve free seats in advance online. Masks are required inside the State Theatre, per borough ordinance

Park Forest Christmas Bazaar
9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday
Park Forest Village United Methodist Church, 1833 Park Forest Avenue, State College

Park Forest Village United Methodist Church’s annual Christmas Bazaar will feature raft vendors, a bake sale, wreaths, pet gifts, ornaments, books, jewelry and more. Lunch will be served with homemade soups, sandwiches and pies.

Holiday Craft Fair
9 a.m-3 p.m. Saturday
Mount Nittany United Methodist Church, 1500 E. Branch Rd., State College

Start or finish your holiday shopping at Mount Nittany UMC’s annual Holiday Craft Fair. Vendors and items includeoriginal designs from repurposed material, crocheted items, Baskets by BJ, RADA cutlery, handmade clay earrings, wreaths and bows, decorative door fashions, Tastefully Simple, Tupperware, Pampered Chef, handmade jewelry, variety of jellies, LED plaques, needlework, paper flower arrangement and a variety of ornaments including beaded ornaments. Baked goods also will be available for purchase. Attendees are asked to wear masks.

Old Gregg School Winter Craft Fair
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday
Old Gregg School, 106 School Street, Spring Mills

This annual Winter Craft Fair in Penns Valley features local vendors with arts, crafts and more holiday shopping, food, live music and the Nittany Valley Model Railroad Club’s open house.

Frost Fest
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday
Schlow Centre Region Library, 211 S. Allen St., State College

Families are invited to join Schlow Library’s annual winter celebration. Pre-registration required for storytime at 10 a.m. and to play Frost Fest Flurry, a giant wintry board game. Just drop by the Children’s Department for Giant Ice Block Jenga, Wintry Sensory Bottles and Bags, Alphabet Ice Fishing and Wintry I Spy Tank. Kids can also enter to win a cozy stuffed animal. Masks are required inside the library for ages 2 and older.

Rhoneymeade Winter Cheer
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday
Rhoneymeade, 177 Rimmey Road, Centre Hall

Ring in the Holiday season with Rhoneymeade’s annual “Winter Cheer” event. The day will feature a small winter market, including hand made wreathes, as well as local artists on display and food available from Rimmey Road Farms. Warm up with apple cider while taking a tour of the Historic Rhoneymeade house. Much of Rhoneymeade’s appeal is located outdoors, so make sure to dress warm.

Potters Guild 50th Anniversary Holiday Sale
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday
Tussey Mountain lodge, 301 Bear Meadows Road, Boalsburg

Find unique, locally crafted gifts at the Art Alliance of Central Pennsylvania Potters Guild Annual Holiday Sale. The sale will feature the work of 11 local ceramic artists, with a wide selection of ornaments, bowls, platters, mugs, planters, sculptural forms and more. Artists selling their work include Autumn Anderson, Kristen Austin, Jan Dillon, Holly Foy, Tiffany Friday, Linda Goncalves, Linda Hale, Mary Hodges, Mark Messenger, Melanie Rosenberger and Christine Stangel.

To celebrate 50th anniversary of the Potters Guild, several artists will also be providing live demonstrations on the potter’s wheel throughout the sale.

Kristkindl Market
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday
Boal Barn at Boal Mansion Museum, 163 Boal Estate Drive, Boalsburg

Stop by the Boal Barn to shop for unique holiday gifts and decor from local crafters.

Boalsburg Hometown Christmas
4-6 p.m. Saturday
The Diamond in Boalsburg

The Village of Boalsburg kicks off the holiday season with its annual Hometown Christmas celebration. Enjoy free hot chocolate, coffee and Christmas music while visiting shops on the Diamond. Apple spice wine from Seven Mountains Wine Cellars and Wassail from Duffy’s Tavern also will be available for purchase Grange Fair Queen Mattee Stoicheff will be on hand to help give out gift bags to kids. Caroling will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the lighting of the tree happens at 6 p.m. followed by Santa’s arrival.

Happy Holidays Ice Show
1-3 p.m. Sunday
Pegula Ice Arena, University Park

A State College holiday tradition returns after a one-year absence. The Nittany Valley Figure Skating Club’s annual holiday ice show will feature talented local figure skaters of all ages. Admission is $5 per person and free for children 5 and younger. Enter through gates B or C.

Alternative Christmas Fair
11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday
University Baptist and Brethren Church, 411 S. Burrowes St., State College, or online through Dec. 19

Twenty-nine local, national, and international charities are set to benefit from the 39th Alternative Christmas Fair, being held again this year at University Baptist and Brethren Church and online. The annual December event gives people the opportunity to earmark donations to their favorite charities in the names of their friends and family members. Since the event began in 1982, a total of $787,404 has gone to the participating organizations. All money goes to the charities.

Holiday shoppers who want to take part online can do so at ubbcwelcome.org/acf between Dec. 5 and 19.

Blue & White Society Winter Festival
1-4 p.m. Sunday
Hintz Family Alumni Center, University Park

The Blue & White Society, a Penn State student organization, hosts its annual Winter Festival benefiting THON. The festival is open to all community members and features winter crafts, activities, a holiday movie, winter light walkthrough, hot cocoa and pictures with Santa. Admission is $4.99 and all proceeds will be donated to THON.