From flea markets to train rides, your 2023 guide to holiday events in Centre County
The holiday season is in full swing, and there are plenty of events in Centre County to help you and your family ring in the season.
Celebrations surrounding Christmas, music, light displays and all things winter are heading this way in the next few weeks. If you’re itching to celebrate the season with a shopping spree, live concert, festival or night on the town, you’ve got plenty of options to explore.
Here’s what you need to know about holiday festivals and events in and around Centre County this year.
Holiday Light Show
When: 5 to 10 p.m. nightly
Where: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza in State College
What: A free holiday light show from the Downtown State College Improvement District will play daily from 5 to 10 p.m. until Jan. 1. A special show that lasts until midnight is slated for Dec. 31 to help ring in the new year. Free trolley rides are also available Dec. 1, 2, 8 and 9, according to the event page.
Stocking Stuffer — A Magical Holiday Market at Centre Furnace
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1 and Saturday, Dec. 2, noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3
Where: Centre County Historical Society, 101 Old Evergreen Lane in State College
What: This annual holiday sale will feature the hand-crafted work of local artists, vendors and antique dealers. Available items are expected to include fresh wreaths, holiday arrangements, ceramics, pewter, china, glassware, hand-made figurines, linens, photography, jewelry and more, plus books on local history and reproductions of historic maps.
A $5 fee includes hot cider and offers admission all weekend. Children 12 and younger receive free admission.
Boalsburg’s Hometown Christmas
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2
Where: Boalsburg Heritage Museum, 304 E. Main St. in Boalsburg
What: The Boalsburg Heritage Museum’s annual Christmas celebration invites guests to purchase homemade cookies, sample festive treats, listen to “yuletide tales” and craft their own Victorian ornaments. Entertainment includes puppet shows and holiday music provided by a high school brass ensemble.
State Theatre Christmas movies
When: Throughout December
Where: State Theatre, 130 W. College Ave. in State College
What: The State Theatre will screen several Christmas films throughout the month, including longtime classics and newer favorites. The full schedule, available at thestatetheatre.org/upcoming-movies, includes “The Muppet Christmas Carol” Dec. 2, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” Dec. 5, “Elf” Dec. 11, “White Christmas” Dec. 17 and several showings of “It’s A Wonderful Life” between Dec. 21 and 23. Ticket discounts are available for students.
Kristkindl Market
When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2
Where: 163 Boal Estate Drive in Boalsburg
What: Columbus Chapel and the Boal Mansion Museum will host a day of holiday shopping featuring hand-crafted gifts, meet-and-greets with Santa Claus, sleigh rides, live music and more. A $5 admission fee includes access to all attractions.
Alternative Christmas Fair
When: 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3
Where: 411 S. Burrowes St. in State College
What: University Baptist and Brethren Church will host its 41st annual Alternative Christmas Fair, which is expected to feature representatives from at least 30 local, national and international charities. Guests can use a single form to choose charities to support and provided cards to let friends and family know a gift has been made in their name. Lunch options are available, according to the event page.
Those who can’t attend Dec. 3’s fair can still make a gift online between Dec. 3 and 17 by visiting ubbcwelcome.org/acf.
Lemont Christmas Market
When: 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9
Where: 133 Mt. Nittany Road in Lemont
What: The 13th annual Lemont Christmas Market invites guests to shop local crafts, listen to live music, chow down on bratwurst and holiday treats and more. More than 25 local vendors are expected to offer goods at the market, hosted in the Grain Elevator and Coal Sheds (the Granary). Guests are advised to dress for colder weather, as no heat is available inside the buildings.
Bellefonte Victorian Christmas
When: Friday, Dec. 8 through Sunday, Dec. 10
Where: Downtown Bellefonte
What: Bellefonte’s marquee Christmas tradition returns this year with three days of holiday entertainment and community engagement. Highlights on this year’s agenda include horse-drawn carriage rides, visits from Santa Claus, the “Festival of Trees” holiday walk-thru attraction, live entertainment (including radio plays and Christmas concerts), tea parties and more.
Free parking, including a shuttle service, is available at Bellefonte Area High School Saturday, Dec. 9, between 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Buses will run from the high school to the Centre County courthouse, the Festival of Trees on Harrison Road and Titan Market.
Visit bellefontevictorianchristmas.com for a day-by-day schedule of this year’s events.
Bellefonte Historical Railroad Society train rides
When: Throughout December
Where: 320 W. High St. in Bellefonte
What: The all-volunteer Bellefonte Historical Railroad Society will host several holiday-themed train rides in December. Here’s a quick overview of the available excursions:
First up is a 30-minute trip aboard the Sugar Plum Limited, a newly restored Budd rail diesel car that will travel north along Spring Creek to Milesburg and back. Tickets start at $15 with departures ranging from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10.
A sensory-friendly holiday excursion will offer a quieter, 60-minute holiday train ride to Pleasant Gap and back for guests who prefer to ride without the distraction of music and characters. Tickets start at $15 for this trip, which will leave the station at noon Sunday, Dec. 17.
The famed Candy Cane Express offers a more whimsical 60-minute holiday train ride to Pleasant Gap, complete with cookies and goodie bags for everyone aboard and a visit from Santa Claus himself. Tickets for the train’s “vintage” car with minimal heating start at $15, while passes for heated cars start at $17 for children and $23 for adults. Excursions depart from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 17 and from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 23.
All aboard! Train rides are back in Bellefonte after decade-long rail car restoration
Happy Holidays Ice Show
When: 1 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10
Where: Pegula Ice Arena, 250 University Drive in State College
What: The Nittany Valley Figure Skating Club will host a holiday-themed show coupled with a community food drive and a 50/50 raffle. Tickets start at $5, and children younger than 5 get in for free.
Hanukkah Menorah Lighting
When: 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10
Where: Old Main on Penn State’s University Park campus
What: Chabad of Penn State will light a 12-foot Hanukkah menorah on the fourth night of the eight-day holiday. State College Mayor Ezra Nanes and Rep. Paul Takac (D-College Township) will join university officials at the ceremony. Guests in attendance can enjoy live music, festive snacks and complimentary Hanukkah menorahs and candles to light at home.
Bellefonte Community Band Victorian Christmas Concert
When: 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10
Where: Bellefonte Area High School, 830 E. Bishop St. in Bellefonte
What: Head to Bellefonte Area High School’s auditorium for a free holiday concert from the Bellefonte Community Band. Featured performances include selections from “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” “Sleigh Ride” and “Blue Christmas.” Though the concert is free, donations are encouraged.
Cirque Dreams Holidaze
When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13
Where: Bryce Jordan Center, 720 Curtin Road in State College
What: Cirque Dreams Holidaze, a Cirque du Soleil company, will visit Penn State’s Bryce Jordan Center as part of its seven-week, 70-city U.S. tour. The holiday-themed show will feature circus acts, jugglers, acrobatics, music, dancing and more.
Tickets for the show start at $35, according to the Bryce Jordan Center’s website.
The Live Nativity: The Reason for the Season
When: 6:30 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15 to 17
Where: Eagle Towing & Recovery, 1049 S. Eagle Valley Road in Milesburg
What: Bald Eagle Valley Community United Methodist Church will host two 20-minute outdoor live Nativity scene presentations each night, paired with narration and music. Bleacher seating is available for this free program, but be sure to dress warmly.
This list of Centre County Christmas and holiday events is not exhaustive. If you know of an additional event that should be included, please email mdisanto@centredaily.com to have it added to the list.
