The holiday season is in full swing, and the weekend around Centre County is filled with ways to celebrate.
From craft fairs to concerts to family events, there’s something for everyone throughout the area. Here is your guide to what’s happening the next few days.
Stocking Stuffer Sale
Friday, Dec. 1, 9 a.m-4 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 2, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 3, noon-4 p.m.
The Stocking Stuffer sale at Centre Furnance Mansion, 1001 E. College Ave. features the hand-crafted work of local artisans and fine antiques by local dealers creating a unique indoor showcase for more than 50 vendors. Gift items for sale include: Fresh holiday arrangements, ceramics, fine paper arts, pewter, china and glassware, antiques and vintage collectibles, hand-made figurines, linens, photography, jewelry and more. The Historical Society’s museum store also features books on local history and historic map reproductions.
Admission is $5 and free for children 12 and under. The sale is the largest annual fundraiser for the Centre County Historical Society
Christmas Bazaar and Bake Sale
Friday, Dec. 1, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 2, 9 a.m. – noon
Park Forest Village United Methodist Church, 1833 Park Forest Avenue, will feature homemade crafts and decorations, cat and dog treats and a bake sale, along with used books and gifts in Mrs. Claus’s closet. Lunch served Friday.
First Friday
Friday, Dec. 1, 5-9 p.m.
Downtown State College’s monthly celebration gets into the Christmas spirit with an evening of holiday and cheer. Clef Hangers from Mount Nittany Middle School will travel around town singing Christmas carols, dancers from PASCP will be performing selections from ‘The Nutcracker in store windows, Jon Vickers Jones will read Christmas stories at Webster’s and The Makery will have a cookie decorating workshop. Plus enjoy art exhibits, free beverages and snacks and more. Full schedule.
Merry Millheim
Friday Dec. 1; Saturday, Dec. 2; and Sunday, Dec. 3
Millheim’s annual Christmas celebration is a full three days of shopping, live entertainment and activities for families, as well as the Festival of Trees at the Millheim Theatre. Events begin each morning and continue into the evening. Check out the full schedule here.
Lemont Christmas Market
Friday, Dec. 1, 5-8 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
The ninth annual German-themed Christmas market at the Granary will offer crafts, art, food and drinks. Friday will feature live music by Group Therapy from 6-8 p.m. and on Saturday many Lemont businesses also will be having special events and sales. Details.
Boalsburg Hometown Christmas
Friday, Dec. 1 and Saturday, Dec. 2
The epitome of a community Christmas celebration, Boalsburg’s annual event offers visits with Santa, a caroling, the lighting of the Christmas tree and more. Festivities begin with drop-off for the cookie contest from 3-6 p.m. on Friday at Boalsburg Heritage Museum and the Taste of Boalsburg from 7 to 9 p.m. at Liberty Hill. (Tickets are $35, email tasteofboalsburg@gmail.com for reservations.
Saturday is a full day of activities:
Boalsburg Fire Company, 113 E. Pine St.
8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. – Breakfast with Santa & Mrs. Claus, $5 per person
8:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. Display of Drawing Competition Entries, Children’s Book Sale
9 a.m. – 11 a.m. – Christmas Crafts with Santa’s Elves – Girl Scout Troop #1152
10 a.m.-3 p.m. – Presentation of awards to cookie contest winners with cookie plates on sale at the Heritage Museum until 3 p.m.
10 a.m. – 11 a.m. – Children’s Sing-a-Long
6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Boalsburg’s Holiday Hop (Free, family friendly)
Around Boalsburg Village
10:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. – Restless Winds carriage rides. Board at the Diamond. $3 per person (children under 5 – free)
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Petting zoo on the Diamond
All Day – Visit the village shops
Boal Mansion Museum
4 p.m. Candlelight tour of the museum
Early Evening on the Diamond
4:45 p.m. – 5:15 p.m. – Caroling at the community tree, with hot chocolate courtesy of the Boalsburg Lions Club
5:15 p.m. – Lighting of the Community Tree – Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive on Company 3 fire engine
5:30 p.m. – Announcement of Christmas drawing contest winners
5:45 p.m. – Drawing for the Best of Boalsburg and Friends of Boalsburg Christmas Packages. Register to win at Boalsburg Main Street shops.
St. John’s United Church of Christ, 218 N. Church St.
5 p.m.- 7 p.m. Living Nativity
Arietta Holiday Concert
Friday, Dec. 1, 7:30 p.m.
Welcome the holidays with a choral concert presented by Arietta Women’s Ensemble on Friday at Grace Lutheran Church, 205 S. Garner St. No charge for admission but donations of $10 for adults and $5 for students are suggested.
Winter Craft Market
Saturday, Dec. 2, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
The Central Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen’s 42nd annual Winter Craft Market will be held at Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel. More than 70 artisans will be in attendance offering a wide variety of handmade treasures. Admission is $3 and free for children 12 and under. A juried art event and sale, the market is dedicated to supporting art and artists in Centre County.
Elves’ Gift Shop
Saturday, Dec. 2, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
The Junior Woman’s Club of State College will host its annual Elves’ Gift Shop at the Park Forest Middle School. Held for more than 30 years and it is the club’s major fundraiser. The gift shop is designed to allow children to purchase reasonably priced crafts and gifts for family members, friends, teachers and pets with the help of “elves, ”young volunteers from the community. The gift shop has expanded to include inviting local business consultants and crafters to sell items for adult shoppers. Parents will be able to shop and enjoy refreshments in the cafeteria while their children are busy at the gift shop.
Gingerbread House Kids Workshop
Saturday, Dec. 2, 9 a.m.-noon
Build holiday memories in a hands-on workshop Home Depot, 1615 Green Tech Drive. Parents and children can put together a wooden gingerbread house that will last year after year, no frosting required. Once the gingerbread house is built, your child can decorate it with paint and stickers. Register in advance here, as workshop kit quantities are limited.
Christmas Extravaganza
Saturday, Dec. 2, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Warriors Mark United Methodist Church, 1840 Centre Line Road, hosts its fourth annual Christmas Extravaganza with a pancake breakfast with Santa ( 9 a.m. to noon, admission is $7 for adults and $3 for children under 10). The day features pictures with Santa, free magic reindeer food for all kids, returning and new crafters and vendors, lunch, funnel Cakes and homemade pies
Palmer Museum Art and Ornament Sale
Saturday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
The Friends of the Palmer Museum of Art will host their annual Holiday Art and Ornament Sale fundraiser at the museum on Penn State’s University Park campus. Local artists will be offering ornaments and other works of art for sale throughout the museum’s galleries and lobby.
Penn State Model Railroad Club Open House
Saturday Dec. 2 and Sunday, Dec. 3, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Penn State Model Railroad Club will have an open house with a special winter and holiday themed display in Pinchot Hall, University Park. Young engineers will have a chance to drive the trains on our layout. and with the holiday seasonhere, the Polar Express may even make an appearance.
Polar Express
Saturday, Dec. 2, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 3, 2 p.m.-4:20 p.m.
Listen to the story of ‘The Polar Express’ in the Schlow Library Children’s Department, then children will be given a velveteen pouch containing a bell and a coin to spend at Santa’s Workshop. After a trolley ride around the block, attendees will arrive at Santa’s winter wonderland. Upon arriving at Santa’s Workshop (State College Borough Municipal Building), children can get a photo taken with Mr. Claus and will be given a print. There is also a card creation station where children can use their photo with Santa to create a decorative card for someone special. Readings occur every 20 minutes.
The event is free and pre-registration spots are filled. Learn about day-of walk-in registrations here. The event will be held again on Dec. 9 and 10.
Kids Design Their Own Gift Wrap
Saturday, Dec. 2, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 3, 2 p.m.-4:20 p.m.
Children can bring their gifts to Schlow Library Children’s Activity Room and wrap them in their own creative, one-of-a-kind gift wrap. No registration necessary. The activity will be held again on Dec. 9 an 10.
Flutopia Falala
Saturday, Dec. 2, 11 a.m.
The annual drop-in, come-as-you-are Flutopia Initiative concert at Robert M. Sides, 1801 N. Atherton St., will feature Cathy Herrera (flute) and Anne Sullivan (harp) offering Celtic Christmas selections, State High Chamber Singers, and Flutopia Jazz. Admission is a canned food item or monetary donation for State College Food Bank.
Alternative Christmas Fair
Sunday, Dec. 3, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
University Baptist and Brethern Church, 411 S. Burrowes St., hosts its 35th annual Alternative Christmas Fair. The event offers alternative shopping for meaningful holiday gifts by donating to any of 26 participating nonprofit organizations.
Happy Holidays Ice Show
Sunday, Dec. 3, 1 p.m.
The Nittany Valley Figure Skating Club will perform its ‘Happy Holidays’ Ice Show on the varsity ice at Pegula Ice Arena. Talented local figure skaters of all ages will help you glide into the holiday spirit. Tickets are a $5 donation and are available at the door. (Ages 3 and under are free).
Taste of the Town
Sunday, Dec. 3, 5-8 p.m.
The signature fundraising event for Centre County United Way will be held at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel. The night features 32 vendors offering some of the area’s finest food and drink, and the silent and live auctions offer a great opportunity to find holiday gifts while supporting United Way. Tickets are $75, or $650 for a table of 10. More information.
