Spreading Christmas cheer: Holiday happenings in the Poconos
From Christmas concerts to nostalgic visits back in time, there's plenty of holiday-themed events happening in the Poconos and Lakes Region.
Check out some of the holiday happenings listed below.
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A merry musical
Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol," gets a modern makeover at the Shawnee Playhouse.
The holiday hit is directed and written by composer Michael DeMaio, and features beloved characters such as Ebenezer Scrooge and Bob Cratchit.
When: 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 18.
Cost: $16-$29
Info: 552 River Road, Shawnee on Delaware, bit.ly/3ih8B3b
An old time Christmas
Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm will spread its holiday cheer over two weekends.
Visit with a Victorian family (who are preparing for an 1890s holiday), as they tell tales of 19th century farm life. Then head over the barnyard to find the true meaning of Christmas, as you visit the live Nativity complete with farm animals.Visitors will also learn about Pennsylvania German folklore while awaiting the arrival of Belschnikel, aka Santa Claus.
Cost: $16 Adults, $8 ages 3-12 in advance. $18 Adults, $10 Ages 3-12 at the gate.
When: Tours depart between 2:30 and 7 p.m. Dec. 3-4 and Dec. 10 - 11. Tour times average about 90 minutes.
Info: 347 Quiet Valley Road, Stroudsburg, 570-992-6161,quietvalley.org
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Motown moves
Brining your dancing shoes to "A Merry Motown Christmas," a holiday concert that pays tribute to Motown hitmakers such as The Supremes, Marvelettes, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Mary Wells, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and the Four Tops.
The cover groups will perform a mix of festive tunes ("Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer) along with Motown's most memorable chart-toppers.
When: 3:30 p.m. Dec. 6
Cost: $40
Info: Mount Airy Casino, 312 Woodland Road, Mount Pocono, mountairycasino.com/events/merry-motown-christmas.
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Dine with Saint Nick
Have breakfast with Santa and his elves at these area venues.
Lehighton Area Lioness Lions Club hosts its morning meal with Saint Nick at 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 3 at the Lehighton Boys and Girls Band Hall, 197 N. 6th St., Lehighton.
Cost is $5 per person. For info, go to bit.ly/3VmtX
Shawnee Inn and Golf Resort hosts its breakfast with Santa from 9 to 11 a.m. every Saturday through Dec. 17.
Munch on morning faves such as pancakes, bacon and eggs and take your photo, submit your wish list and chat with the big guy.
Cost: $19.95 (adults), $11.95 (ages 3-11) and children under 2 eat free.
Info: River Room restaurant, One River Road, Shawnee on Delaware, 570-424-4000, bit.ly/3OJOrLe
For a roaring good time, visit Kriss Kringle at the Pocono Mountain Harley Davidson for a morning meal from 10 a.m. to noon on Dec. 17.
The cost is $5 per plate and includes pancakes, eggs, sausage and choice of coffee, orange juice or tea.
Bring an unwrapped gift, which will be donated to Toys for Tots.
Info: 110 Hill Manor Lodge Road, Tannersville, bit.ly/3XMEC3c
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A classical Christmas
The Bach and Handel Chorale of Jim Thorpe perform some of the holiday season classical favorites at Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Church (526 North St., Jim Thorpe) at 2 p.m. on Dec. 3 and at St. Paul Lutheran Church (158 Fish Hill Road, Tannersville) at 3 p.m. on Dec. 10.
Cost: $15 (children under 2 free) at Saint Joseph. Free admission (with offering to church) at St. Paul.
Info: bhchorale.org/concert_schedule.html
Songs of joy
The Pocono Concert Chorale's annual holiday performance takes place 2:30 p.m. at Dec. 4 at the First Presbyterian Church, 575 Main St., Stroudsburg.
This year's theme is "Christmas in America thru the ages," and will include Christmas music from colonial times to present day.
Cost: $10 adults, $8 seniors, $5 students.
Info: poconoconcertchorale.org
Merry in the mansion
Staff and volunteers from the Grey Tower National Historic Site and the Milford Garden Club have decked the halls and hung the wreaths just in time for the holidays.
Tour the grounds and check out the festival decorations inside the picturesque mansion.
When: 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. through Dec. 18 (call ahead for schedule).
Cost: $8 (adults),$7 (seniors 62 years and older), $5 (12-17 years), children under 12 are free.
Info: 151 Grey Towers Drive, Milford, 570- 296-9630, greytowers.org
Quaint winter fun
'Tis the season for gift-giving and being merry.
Support local businesses while traveling back into simpler holiday times at the Hawley Winterfest taking place Friday, Dec. 9 through Sunday, Dec. 11.
The Arcadia Chorale group, led by Hawley native, Matthew Rupcich, will be performing at the Hawley United Methodist Church at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9. Tickets cost $10-$15. To purchase, go to visithawleypa.com/winterfest/arcadia-chorale
The festivities also include the annual Winterfest parade through town at 11 a.m. on Dec. 10 from Main Avenue to Bingham Park. Wear your ugliest Christmas sweater to join in the end of the parade. After the parade, visit with Santa at the park where there will be live music, hot cocoa for sale and other treats.
Also on Saturday: the 21st annual cookie walk takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Hawley (815 Church Street). Choose from over 25 different types of cookies from the table of holiday goodies. Cookies cost $10 per pound, and specialty itemsare $5 per bag.
There will be horse and carriage rides from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday leaving from Miss Elly's Antiques, 518 Church Street. Tickets available for purchase on Church Street. Cost is $10 for carriage ride or $6 for wagon ride.
For the faithful: Celebrate Advent season with a live nativity from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Hawley United Methodist Church, 315 Church Street.
For a complete list of Winterfest events, go to bit.ly/3XOCrwq
An organic Christmas
Pocono Organics will transform into a winter wonderland featuring a festive scene with yummy eats, vendors and displays.
When: 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 10
Take an indoor stroll through the decorated hallways and market café where you'll find gift ideas, crafts, and activities.
Be on the lookout for displays highlighting regenerative organic farming with Pocono Organics and Rodale Institute, in addition to, opportunities in the new year like joining the farm’s community supported agriculture membership and market café loyalty program perks. There’s also family-friendly fun like gingerbread cookie decorating.
There will also be a special free story-time hour with Mrs. Claus and a meet-and-greet with Santa.
Enjoy a special winter-themed café menu created by Pocono Organic’s chef that includes a mashed potato bar and grilled cheese and soup station.
Info: 1015 Long Pond Road, Long Pond, PoconoOrganics.com/WinterWonderland
This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: Christmas events in the Poconos, Stroudsburg, Hawley and more
