Yuletide joy: Christmas tree lightings in Stroudsburg, Camelback and Honesdale

Micaela Hood and Peter Becker, Pocono Record
·4 min read

The holiday season in the Poconos kicks off this weekend with Christmas tree lightings in the Poconos and Lakes Region.

Gather your loved ones and friends and spread some holiday cheer at these celebrations listed below.

Santa in Stroudsburg

The Christmas tree at Courthouse Square in Stroudsburg
The Christmas tree at Courthouse Square in Stroudsburg

The holidays officially start in the Burgs with live music, refreshments, plus a visit from Santa Claus on a fire truck in Courthouse Square.

While you're in town, visit local restaurants and shops to get a head start on your Christmas shopping.

When: 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25. The Christmas tree lighting takes place at 6:20 p.m.

Info: 600 Main St., Stroudsburg, bit.ly/3UYNroY

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Light up the mountain

Santa and Mrs. Claus will make a cameo at Camelback Resort to light the Christmas tree and spread some holiday cheer.

The free event is open to the public and includes entertainment, kid's activities, and a hot cocoa bar.

Attendees who bring an unwrapped toy ($10-$30 in value) for Toys for Tots of Monroe County will receive a custom reindeer pillowcase.

When: 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 2.

Info: 193 Resort Drive, Tannersville, camelbackresort.com/mec-events/santas-arrival-christmas

Bring your letters to Santa

The Rotary Club Christmas celebration, now in its fifth year, will feature a tree lighting , carol singing, and a special visit from the North Pole's most famous resident, who will arrive on the back of one of Barrett Township Volunteer Fire Company's firetrucks.

Each child will receive a bag of holiday treats and Santa will be available for safely distanced photos.

Don’t forget bring your letters to Santa (volunteers say they will make sure they get delivered directly to Saint Nick and be sure to include your return address in case he writes back!).

When: 6 p.m. Dec. 2.

Info: Mountainhome Methodist Church, Route 390, Mountainhome, rotaryclubofthepoconomountains.com

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S'mores and hot cocoa in Pocono Twp.

Santa greets children at the 2021 Olsen Christmas Wish event.
Santa greets children at the 2021 Olsen Christmas Wish event.

Hosted in partnership with the Pocono Chamber of Commerce, Pocono Township welcomes the holiday season with hot chocolate, s'mores, Christmas carols, and a surprise visit by Santa.

The township will also be collecting donations for Olsen Christmas Wish to help families in need.

Call 570-629-1922 (extension 1210) with donation questions.

Attendees can park in the Township's parking lot (112 Township Drive) and take a free shuttle to the park.

Park in the Township parking lot (112 Township Drive) and take the shuttle to TLC Park.

When: 7 p.m. Dec. 2.

Info: TLC Park, 2658 Route 715, Tannersville bit.ly/3TW7FhT.

Victorian yuletide cheer

Jim Thorpe will be decked in Victorian style for the annual Olde Time Christmas celebration, with special events held over three magical weekends in December.

Festivities begin with the tree lighting ceremony in Josiah White Park at Route 209 and Broadway near the train station.

Historic Jim Thorpe is scenic at nighttime during winter.
Historic Jim Thorpe is scenic at nighttime during winter.

The holiday happenings continue on Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 18 with strolling carolers, visits from Santa, his elves and reindeer, plus Christmas carol sing-alongs.

For a complete list of activities, go to bit.ly/3hVjesh

When: Tree lighting takes place 5 p.m. Dec. 2

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A winter wonderland

Richard "Dick" B. Smith, who wrote the lyrics to Winter Wonderland, is shown at the piano. Smith (1901-1935) was born in Honesdale, Pa,
Richard "Dick" B. Smith, who wrote the lyrics to Winter Wonderland, is shown at the piano. Smith (1901-1935) was born in Honesdale, Pa,

The Greater Honesdale Honesdale is gearing up for the holiday season with a "Winter Wonderland" on Friday, Nov. 25 and Saturday, Nov. 26.

On Friday, Santa and friends will march in a parade at 6 p.m. down Main Street.

From 6:30 to 8 p.m., directly after the parade, there will be a Christmas tree lighting in Central Park, along with lighting of the Star on Irving Cliff overlooking the town. Santa, carolers, cocoa and donuts planned.

On Saturday, the festivities take place from noon to 2 p.m. with refreshments and tours of "Winter Wonderland," song writer Dick Smith's boyhood home, 922 Church Street (currently Campbell Law Offices).

Santa will be visiting the pavilion on Main Street from11 a.m. - 3 p.m.,

Info: visithonesdalepa.com/event/winter-wonderland

Merry in Milford

Light Up Milford is an all-day holiday happening on Saturday, Dec. 3.

The event starts with a Christmas Village at The Lumberyard Shops, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

A holiday model train displayfrom noon to 7 p.m. at the Milford Community House (corner Harford and Broad Streets), noon- 7 p.m.

There will also be Christmas music on the lawn, Milford Community House, 1:30 -3:30 p.m.

A free, love performance of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Milford United Methodist Church, 2 p.m.

The Milford tree lighting takes place from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Community House Lawn and features carols, hot chocolate, cookies. Just before 5 p.m., count-down to the lighting of the tree and Santa's arrival by the Milford Fire Department, escorted by ABATE motorcycle reindeer.

There will also be a living nativity at the Presbyterian Church on Broad Street, 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. and a Frank Sinatra Holiday Show (tickets required) at the Milford Theater at 7 p.m.

Info: milfordpa.us/event/annual-tree-lighting

This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: Christmas tree lightings, Santa and Winter Wonderland in the Poconos