Holiday events in central Pa.: From York County trees to Adams County gingerbreads
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, or at least it may be the busiest. Whatever you celebrate, Central Pa. has you covered with events, festivities, craft shows and more.
Here is a look at what's happening throughout central Pa. This is an evolving post and will be updated with events as information becomes available. You can send additional events to aalbring@ydr.com.
Adams County
Gingerbread Celebration: The 13th annual event runs Dec. 2-3 at the Arts Education Center, 125 S. Washington St., Gettysburg, with vendors and the famous viewing/voting on gingerbread houses. Admission is free for children, $1 or a donation for adults.
Gettysburg Christmas Festival: A weekend of holiday fun (Dec. 2-4) including a Christmas scavenger hunt, pop up holiday market, gingerbread celebration, music, food and more will be held throughout Gettysburg.
Tuba Carol Fest: Tuba players from around the country will join in Gettysburg's Lincoln Square to play Christmas carols at 7 p.m. Dec. 9. Hot chocolate will be served.
Dauphin County
HersheyPark Christmas Candylane: Open daily through Jan. 1. In addition to five million lights, roller coasters and "over-the-top" hot chocolate, the park also features all nine reindeer used to pull Santa's sleigh.
PA Christmas and Gift Show: Opens Nov. 30 and runs through Dec. 4 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center. The show features crafts, jewelry, clothing, Christmas decorations, toys, furniture, artwork and holiday food.
More to see:YDR Christmas Emergency Fund benefits the York County Food Bank this year
More Christmas in Central Pa.:Hershey Christmas Tree Showcase: Central Pa. designers combine comfort with tradition
Franklin County
Festival of Trees: The decorations are up and ready for guests to vote for their favorite tree, wreath or swag being displayed in the lobby and second floor great room of the 11/30 Visitors Center. There will also be a silent auction. Proceeds of the voting and auction benefit the Cumberland Valley Breast Care Alliance. Admission is free.
Candle Night: Held 5-8 p.m., Dec. 4 in downtown Chambersburg, visitors can follow luminaries to their favorite shops and restaurants.
Lebanon County
Christkindl Market: The market, fashioned after a traditional German Christkindl Market, takes place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 3 around the carriage house in Coleman Memorial Park, Lebanon. Outdoor booths will feature handmade crafts and traditional Christkindl treats.
York County
Santa Express: Santa is ready to greet guests on a ride from New Freedom to Glen Rock on the Northern Central Railway. Tickets are available now. Listen to a variety of holiday music during the ride, which ends with a free cookie and hot chocolate.
Steam Whistle concert: If you are near downtown York in the early morning minutes of Christmas day, you can step outside and hear the whistle's 25-minute concert. The whistle, located at 240 Arch St., in York, has been used for the Christmas concert for more than 130 years. You can also follow a livestream on the YorkPaWhistle Facebook page.
Christmas Magic: Rocky Ridge County Park is lit by more than 600,000 lights and displays through Dec. 30 (closed Dec. 24 and 25). Tickets are required and can be purchased at ChristmasMagicYork.com.
The Festival of Trees: The Goodridge Center will host this annual event, beginning 5- p.m. on Dec. 2. The public can view over a dozen decorated trees throughout the museum. Donations are requested for admission.
Spruce’d Up: A Celebration of Trees: After opening on First Friday, Dec. 2, Spruce’d Up: A Celebration of Trees presented by Traditions Bank will return to the home of the York Revolution, 5 Brooks Robinson Way, York each Friday and Saturday until Dec. 17. The event is free to the public and features dozens of decorated trees, each of which will represent a local nonprofit supported by the tree’s sponsor. The three trees that earn the most votes by visitors will earn a total of $5,000 in donations to their nonprofit.
Santa Crawl: Dress up as Santa and follow along on a planned bar crawl beginning at noon Dec. 3.
Christmas spirit in full-swing: York's stout 2022 Christmas tree will feature some new sparkles
More Christmas in York:It's that time of year again! 'Christmas Magic' is returning to Rocky Ridge County Park
Breakfast with Santa: Mr. And Mrs. Claus will make an appearance at the Avenue at Heritage Hills Resort between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Dec. 14. There will be Christmas music, cookie decorating, a Toys for Tots collection site, photos with Santa, a hot chocolate bar, and more. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for kids 10 and under.
12th Night After Tour Reception: The York Twinning Association will host this event on Jan. 8 with special guest Consul General Francois Penguilly, Embassy of France, at the Box Hill Mansion at Regents Glen, 1501 Copper Beech Dr., York. Doors open at 5 p.m. Dinner will be served and there will be a cash bar. The fee to attend is $60.00. For more information, contact Mary Homsher at 717-659-6136.
Christmas City Express: Come enjoy the Christmas season with a train ride and story experience, presented by the Ma & Pa Railroad Preservation Society, on December 3-4, 10-11 and 17-18. This holiday adventure, complete with a train journey through the Muddy Creek Valley, features crafts for all ages, operating antique Lionel trains, and more. Everyone in attendance will receive a keepsake ornament.
This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Holiday events return to central Pa., offering something for everyone
