The upcoming weekend is one of the busiest of the season for holiday festivals, markets and entertainment throughout Centre County.
From Boalsburg to Bellefonte, Lemont to Millheim and State College to Spring Mills, here’s a look at what’s happening around the area Dec. 6-8. For more of what’s going on around the region, visit our Community Calendar.
MULTI-DAY EVENTS
Stocking Stuffer Magical Holiday Market
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Sunday
Centre Furnace Mansion, 1001 E. College Ave., State College
This treasured local tradition welcomes the public to experience the magic of the holidays while supporting local artists, businesses and historical preservation. Featuring nearly 50 regional fine artists, antique dealers and crafters, the Stocking Stuffer Holiday Market offers a curated selection of unique, high-quality gifts. Shoppers will also enjoy a winter wonderland, with the mansion decorated by local florists Avant Garden and Daniel Vaughn Designs. $5 admission is valid for re-entry throughout the weekend. Marking its 22nd year, the Stocking Stuffer is the signature fundraiser for the Centre County Historical Society.
Titan’s Christmas Market
9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday
Titan Market, 2042 Axemann Road, Bellefonte
Enjoy wine, food and music while doing holiday shopping with local artisans, crafters and small businesses. Santa’s Workshop will be open for kids to shop from 10 to 2 on Friday and Saturday, with items priced 25 cents to $5 and proceeds going to the YMCA Anti-Hunger Program. More info.
Bellefonte Holiday Bash
7 to 9 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday
Brass 16823, 2042 Axemann Road, Bellefonte
Shop from handmade, vintage and independent businesses all under one roof at this inaugural event hosted by Brass 16823 and Smith + Front. Festivities kick off with a preview party on Friday to browse and meet the makers while enjoying local food, coffee and cocktails. ($25 preregistration required.) The market gets underway with a VIP hour ($10) from 9-10 a.m., followed by general admission at 10 a.m. and continues on Sunday
Lemont Christmas Market
5 to 8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday
The Granary, 133 Mount Nittany Road, Lemont
Lemont’s 14th annual German-style Christmas market will offer local crafts, music, food beverages and good spirits. Local products and arts and crafts by more than 25 vendors will be available in The Granary. The market opens Friday evening, with a warming fire outside, music and grilled bratwurst and hotdogs for supper. Santa will be on hand Saturday, and food and beverages, including hot cocoa and a warming German drink, will also be available all day. (Be sure to dress for the weather — there’s no heat in the Granary.)
Merry Millheim
5-8 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday
Downtown Millheim
Millheim’s Christmastime tradition kicks off on Friday with a live manger and a visit from Santa, local vendors at the Millheim Hotel and special treats at Elk Creek Cafe & Aleworks and Pisano Winery. The fun continues Saturday with duck races at the winery, delicious eats at the Meandering Mallard and local shopping. See more info here.
Christmas at The Curtin
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday
Eagle Ironworks and Curtin Village, 251 Curtin Road, Howard
The Curtin Mansion parlors will be decked out in traditional 1850s and 1970s holiday decor for the Eagle Ironworks and Curtin Village’s annual fundraiser. Take your holiday family photo at Curtin, with or without Santa, in the decorated parlors on Saturday and Sunday. A photographer will be on hand to help take the perfect shot. Cost is donations only. A ticketed evening reception also will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday, when guests are encouraged to wear 70s attire for wine, reading of a special Christmas story, finger foods, music, Christmas carols sing along. Tickets are $30 and must be purchased in advance at curtinvillage.com.
FRIDAY, DEC. 6
First Friday
5-8 p.m.
Downtown State College
Downtown State College Improvement District’s December First Friday is a winter festival, including a visit from Santa in the MLK Plaza, free trolley rides, the holiday light display in the plaza and the Enchanted Forest on Locust Lane. The evening will also feature the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts’ first Krist KIDL Market, winter crafts, strolling carolers from Mount Nittany Middle School, art exhibitions, deals at participating businesses and more. See the map and full schedule here.
Ullr Fest
5-10 p.m.
Tussey Mountain, 301 Bear Meadows Road, Boalsburg
Mythology meets modern tradition Tussey Mountain pays respects to Ullr, the Norse god of winter, ahead of skiing and snowboarding season. The family-friendly, all-ages event includes live music with Kate & Jules starting at 6 p.m, with a bonfire and solo stoves burning all night. No cover charge. The beer shack will be open on the back deck for spectators, along with the bar inside. New this year is a King and Queen of the Mountain race, where runners will battle it out on a 1-mile dash. More info.
SATURDAY, DEC. 7
Christmas Craft Market
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Park Forest Village United Methodist Church, 1833 Park Forest Avenue, State College
Park Forest Village United Methodist Church’s Christmas Market will feature handmade crafts, vendors, baked goods, jewelry, books, quilts, ornaments and more. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Winter Craft Market
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Nittany Valley Sports Centre, 177 Champion Drive, State College
The Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen Central PA Chapter’s 47th annual juried winter market showcases painters, woodworkers, jewelers, potters and photographers along with multimedia, fiber, paper and glass artists. Concessions will also be available. Admission is $5, and free for children 12 and younger.
Boalsburg Hometown Christmas
9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Boalsburg
Celebrate the holidays with a full day of activities in the village of Boalsburg. The fun starts with Breakfast with Santa at the Boalsburg Fire Company and concludes with Santa’s arrival by fire truck to light the village Christmas tree. In between, there’s music, live reindeer, carriage rides, food, shopping, entertainment and more. See the schedule here.
Nearby, also check out the Kristkindl Market from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Columbus Chapel and Boal Mansion Museum, 163 Boal Estate Drive, featuring more than 20 artisans and vendors, horse and carriage rides, entertainment, a meet and greet with St. Nicholas and $5 museum tours.
Old Gregg School Winter Craft Fair
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
106 School Street, Spring Mills
The popular annual craft fair at the Old Gregg School and Community Center will feature plenty of vendors for holiday shopping, hot food, live music and an open house at the Nittany Valley Model Railroad Club.
Milk and Cookies With Santa
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Dolce Vita Desserts, 2490 Commercial Boulevard, State College
Decorate a holiday cookie, then enjoy it with a glass of milk and a visit and photos with Santa at Dolce Vita Desserts. $10 in advance or $12 at the door. Substitutes are available for those with gluten or dairy allergies.
Winter Wonderland Craft/Vendor Fair
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
State College Area Delta Program, 653 Westerly Parkway, State College
The Delta Middle/High PTSO’s second annual fair and gift wrapping service will feature local vendors and crafters offering a variety of items for holiday gifts and stocking stuffers. Gift wrapping is available for items bought at the fair or that have already been purchased elsewhere, for a pay-what-you-want donation. The popular Delta Cookie Dough will also be available for purchase.
Frost Fest
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Schlow Centre Region Library, 211 S. Allen St., State College
Join Schlow Library for winter family fun, including a life-sized Frost Fest Flurry game, storytime (10:30 a.m.), snowman cookie decorating, ice block Jenga, sensory bottles, “ice fishing” and more.
Blue & White Society Winter Festival
Noon to 3 p.m.
Hintz Family Alumni Center, Penn State
The Blue & White Society, the student arm of the Penn State Alumni Association, will host its Winter Festival featuring festive fun for all ages, including photos with Santa, hair tinsel, ornament decorating, a snack station, a holiday movie and more. Admission is a suggested $5 donation per person to support the society’s THON efforts.
Christmas Gloria Concert
3 p.m.
State College Area High School Performance Hall
The State College Choral Society’s free concert features John Rutter’s seasonal masterpiece “Gloria,” a carol sing-along and special guests including the State High Chamber Singers, Park Forest Sylvan Singers, Mount Nittany Clef Hanger and Centre Brass.. Attendees are invited to bring a non-perishable dry good to be donated to a local food bank.
Wreck the Halls
4:30 p.m.
C3 Sports, 200 Ellis Place, State College
State College Area Roller Derby gets in the holiday spirit with its “Wreck the Halls” event on Saturday. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. and the festive fun gets underway at 5 p.m. with a seasonally-themed bout between the Happy Valley Hellbenders and the Nittany Nightmares. Tickets are $10 at the door, and kids age 10 and younger are admitted for free
Batman Returns
8 p.m.
The State Theatre, 130 W. College Ave., State College
The Christmas-set 1992 sequel returns to the big screen at The State Theatre. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students.
SUNDAY, DEC. 8
Alternative Christmas Fair
10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
University Baptist & Brethren Church, 411 S. Burrowes St., State College
A Centre County tradition for 42 years, the Alternative Christmas Fair honors the spirit of the season by providing opportunities to give to charitable causes. Shoppers will be able to visit with representatives of 31 charities and make donations in the names of their loved ones as gifts. After checking out, they’ll receive cards they can give to friends and family showing a donation has been made in their name. Sandwiches, soups and desserts will also be available for purchase during the fair.
Happy Holidays Ice Show
1 to 3 p.m.
Pegula Ice Arena, Penn State
See the talented skaters of the Nittany Valley Figure Skating Club in a festive performance that will entertain all ages. Tickets are $5, and admission is free for ages 5 and younger with a donation of a non-perishable food item. All are invited to bring a donation for the club’s holiday food drive to support those in need.
Mosaic
4 p.m.
Eisenhower Auditorium, Penn State
The annual student concert showcase features the Penn State School of Music’s most talented ensembles and soloists. With the use of special lighting effects, performances on the stage, grand tier and balcony connect seamlessly in a fast-paced and unique concert experience. Tickets are $33 for adults and $10 for students, with a portion of benefiting student scholarships.
Miracle on 34th Street
7:30 p.m.
The State Theatre, 130 W. College Ave., State College
See the timeless Christmas classic on the big screen at The State Theatre. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students.
