From a helicopter-riding Santa Claus to a puppet show and cookie crawls, the options are varied for Centre County residents and visitors looking to enjoy Christmas celebrations this holiday season. Several local towns are hosting their own unique Christmas festivals, some of which have a long and cherished history while others are new on the scene, including Philipsburg’s Mid-Century Modern Christmas event, which is returning for its second year.
Mid-Century Modern Christmas
Dec. 13
Sponsored by the Philipsburg Revitalization Corporation, Mid-Century Modern Christmas aims to recapture the look and feel of the holiday season during the 1940s through the late 1960s. Julia Houston, head of the Mid-Century Christmas Committee, details how the event first came together last year and what the town has in store for its second iteration.
“We all got together last fall and decided we wanted to do something a little different for downtown Philipsburg,” says Houston. “Back in the mid-century, we were a hustling, bustling town; that’s the heyday. We had a lot of industry, and our downtown was thriving before the malls came into play, so it would be packed on the weekends. People would go shopping, out to eat, and to the movies. We had that vision in our head to try to bring back because a lot of us can still remember those days.”
For anyone who has been to Philipsburg, you might have correctly guessed that another key inspiration for this event is the famous Santa display that’s located in Cold Stream Park every December. This giant (over 37 feet tall) Santa was built in 1962 by Bill Adams, a well-known Philipsburg resident, and is typically featured alongside toy soldiers and a bag of gifts. But while this particular Santa is a popular attraction during the holidays, it won’t be the only one making an appearance in Philipsburg.
“Back in the 1960s, Santa Claus came to town on a helicopter that landed out at the Mid-State Airport in Black Moshannon, and he would get on a fire truck and go into town,” explains Houston. “So last year, Santa Claus came to town in a helicopter, but instead of landing at the airport, he landed right in town. The kids and everyone in the community all ran down to the end of the street and they were able to see Santa get out of the helicopter. Weather permitting, that will happen again. This year, we have a vintage fire truck for Santa to ride through Front Street.”
Front Street is the main destination for all of the Mid-Century Modern Christmas festivities, including a window decorating contest participated in by local businesses. Event organizers hope visitors will check out the window displays throughout the day.
“We have thought about bringing in food trucks, but we don’t want to detract from our downtown merchants. We really want them to see a lot of foot traffic, so we have businesses that run specials all day.”
Other activities planned throughout the day include a “Wreaths Across America” convoy at 11 a.m., live music, a nativity scene, and a Christmas movie at the Rowland Theatre. A new addition this year will be the “Silver Screen Stroll: A Non-Motorized Parade.” Sponsored by the theater, the parade kicks off at 5:30 p.m. and is open for anyone to join and even compete to win a trophy. The night ends with a “Mid-Century Bash” at The Dead Canary, a local brewery.
The festivities start at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13, with additional details and the latest updates available at welovephilipsburg.org/mid-century-christmas.
Bellefonte Victorian Christmas
Dec. 12-14
While Philipsburg’s new Christmas tradition is just getting started, Bellefonte is preparing to host its 44th Victorian Christmas festival, albeit with a new twist. In recent years, the town has decided to differentiate each festival with a unique theme, this year deciding on “It’s a Wonderful Life in Bellefonte.” Phil Breidenbaugh, co-chair of the Bellefonte Victorian Christmas Committee, talks about some of the special themed activities that visitors will be able to enjoy.
“For our opening night, there’s a Jimmy Stewart impersonator coming to town to do a one-person skit. The Courthouse Pub is going to do a pizza party that’s supposed to mimic Martini’s Bar from the movie. We’re giving away some things that might be tied to the movie. The theme just gives us an opportunity to do something a little different each year,” he says.
The event officially kicks off Friday night, Dec. 12, with a welcome proclamation from Mayor Gene “Buddy” Johnson, live music, and other festivities, although food and shopping will be available earlier in the day at Titan Market. For the remainder of the weekend, there are a number of both free and ticketed events.
“Saturday’s probably our busiest day for shopping opportunities, including an outside winter market, an arts and craft show at the YMCA, and all the other unique shops in town,” says Breidenbaugh. “There’s also ticketed train and carriage rides, concerts that are free during the day, and some special ticketed events like Victorian Christmas teas.”
At these tea events hosted by various historic houses and bed-and-breakfasts throughout town, guests can enjoy a variety of teas and treats while immersed in Bellefonte’s history. Other special attractions include a “Fireside Ghost Tale” at the Gamble Mill Speakeasy, concerts, a cookie crawl, gingerbread house contest, breakfast with Santa featuring a kids’ puppet show, and much more.
While Bellefonte is known for its steep hills, the committee ensures plenty of parking and transportation options. A shuttle will be running on a loop from the Bellefonte Area High School parking lot to the Centre County courthouse, with additional shuttles and trolleys picking up and dropping people off at various destinations around town.
For more information about Bellefonte Victorian Christmas, including the opportunity to purchase tickets for select events, visit bellefontevictorianchristmas.com.
Boalsburg Hometown Christmas
Dec. 6
Another longstanding celebration returning this year is Boalsburg Hometown Christmas. Sponsored by the Boalsburg Village Conservancy, the annual celebration took a brief pause during the COVID pandemic but has made a comeback in recent years, spearheaded by committee members Annette Yorks and Robin Brouse.
“We were approached in 2023 to see if we would help get it going again,” says Brouse. “It’s really been a concerted effort of a few members on the committee to take on different aspects and run with it.”
After a smaller celebration in 2023, the festival is back in full force with plenty of holiday sights, sounds, and events for visitors to enjoy, beginning with a breakfast at the Boalsburg fire hall. The breakfast features activities for kids, including a chance to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. Another returning event is the cookie crawl, which gives participants a chance to explore Boalsburg and interact with several local businesses and organizations.
“People buy a cookie tin in advance and pick it up, and then we give them a list of the businesses that are participating in the community, and they can visit them during the day and pick up a couple cookies,” says Brouse. “I just had a call this morning from another business that wants to participate, and our two local churches are going to have cookies, so I’m guessing most people are going to need to bring an extra tin to fit them all, but that’s okay — we love it.”
Like Philipsburg and Bellefonte, Boalsburg has a rich history that the organizers have helped integrate into the celebration.
“The Boalsburg Heritage Museum will have activities going on throughout the day, and they do a giveaway auction. And this year, the blacksmith is going to open up their shop and give people a sense of the history of Boalsburg. We’re also planning an organ recital at St. John’s United Church of Christ. There’s a gorgeous old organ in that church, and so it’s just nice to give people somewhere to go inside, especially if it’s colder or rainy.”
The festivities will take place mainly along Main Street and in the Boalsburg market square, known as the Diamond. Other highlights will be photo opportunities with Santa and Mrs. Claus in front of the gift shop A Basket Full, carriage rides, a live reindeer, and a barbershop quartet singing throughout town.
Later in the day, the Diamond is closed off to traffic so food trucks and a local band can set up on the street. There will be plenty of food, hot chocolate, and more for people to enjoy while they wait for Santa to arrive on a firetruck at 6 p.m. and light the village Christmas tree.
As for why people should make a point to visit Boalsburg during the holiday season, Brouse offers a compelling vision of the town.
“We’re just a small community and I always joke that my daughter-in-law, who’s from New York, says being in Boalsburg feels like you’re in a Hallmark Christmas movie. There are some great little shops here, but it’s really about the community and sharing in the camaraderie and having a fun, relaxing day. It’s a busy time of the year for everyone, but you should just spend some time having an enjoyable day in a quaint village. It’s really your quintessential holiday atmosphere.”
The Boalsburg Hometown Christmas takes place on Saturday, Dec. 6. Find the latest event details at historicboalsburg.com/hometown-christmas-2. T&G
Matt Farley is a freelance writer in State College.
