State College Holiday Weekend Plans: Friday, Dec. 23, to Sunday, Dec. 25

Planning for a holiday weekend in central Pennsylvania? We’re here to help. StateCollege.com highlights many of the State College area’s scheduled activities every Friday in Weekend Plans.

For even more suggestions, check out our calendar of events, weekly newsletter, yard-sale classifieds and open-house listings. The StateCollege.com holiday guide is available here. Or visit our weather page for the latest forecasts.

Friday, Dec. 23

Movies

In ‘We Bought a Zoo,’ a father moves his young family to the California countryside to to renovate and reopen a struggling zoo. This movie is showing this weekend at the College 9 Theatre and the UEC 12 Theater.

In ‘Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows,’ Holmes and Dr. Watson try to outwit their most fierce adversary, Professor Moriarty. This movie is playing this weekend at the College 9 Theatre and the UEC 12 Theater.

The State Theatre is showing the classic ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ several times on Friday.

More complete movie listings throughout the weekend are available on StateCollege.com. 

Bars and Clubs

The Autoport will host Scott Mangene at 8 p.m. Happy hour there is set for 5 to 7 p.m.

At Bar Bleu, happy hour will run from 9 to 11 p.m. 

And at the Gingerbread Man, DJ Boner will entertain starting at 10 p.m.

For more complete bar specials and entertainment listings, visit StateCollege.com’s Bar Tour page.

Community Events and Performing Arts

Biscuit Jam is scheduled to play the Red Horse Tavern at 9 p.m.

Santa will be available for photos at the Nittany Mall through 4:45 p.m. Additional photo availability will continue Saturday.

Saturday, Dec. 24

Community Events and Performing Arts

The State Theatre will continue to host the Bill Welch Memorial Cartoon Series. Cartoons will begin showing at 10 a.m.

A variety of churches will be hosting special Christmas Eve services. Many are posted on the Saturday page in the StateCollege.com community calendar. Any organization may add its own event or events there, as well.

The Alpha Fire Company will be running its annual Alpha Santa Express through local neighborhoods in the evening hours.

Sunday, Dec. 25

Community Events and Performing Arts

Faith Church in Bellefonte will host a free annual community dinner at 4 p.m. The State College Presbyterian Church has a community Christmas Day dinner scheduled for 3:30 p.m.