Spread holiday cheer with festivals, flea markets, goat yoga and more in Centre County
Now that Thanksgiving is in the rearview mirror, the holiday season is entering full swing.
Celebrations of winter, light displays and more are heading this way over the next few weeks. Whether you’re itching to chow down on a holiday feast, shop for local goods or take the family to meet Santa Claus, 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.
State Theatre movies
When: Throughout December
Where: 130 W. College Ave. in State College
What: The State Theatre will screen a long list of Christmas and holiday-themed films, in addition to some other favorites, throughout December. Here’s a look at the upcoming schedule:
- “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” Thursday, Dec. 5
- “Batman Returns” Saturday, Dec. 7
- “Howl’s Moving Castle” Sunday, Dec. 8
- “Miracle on 34th Street” Sunday, Dec. 8
- “Elf” Monday, Dec. 9
- “The Muppet Christmas Carol” Tuesday, Dec. 10
- “A Christmas Story” Thursday, Dec. 12
- “The Polar Express” Saturday, Dec. 14
- “White Christmas” Saturday, Dec. 14
- “It’s a Wonderful Life” Dec. 16, 22 (two showings) and 23 (two showings)
With fees included, most movie tickets start at around $12 for adults and $10 for students.
Those who haven’t visited the theater in a few months may notice a brighter and clearer picture quality made possible by a new digital projection system. A successful $120,000 fundraising campaign completed this fall helped pay for the new tech.
Bellefonte Holiday Bash
When: 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8
Where: Brass 16823 (2022 Axemann Road in Bellefonte)
What: Join Brass 16823 and Smith + Front for a holiday market featuring handmade crafts and vintage gifts from local vendors and artisans. Parking and admission are free at this event.
Stocking Stuffer Magical Holiday Market
When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 6 and 7 and noon to 4 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 8
Where: The Centre Furnace Mansion (1001 E. College Ave. in State College)
What: Celebrate the holiday season at this festive market featuring roughly 50 regional artists and goods, including fresh wreaths, holiday arrangements, ceramics, china, glassware, antiques, hand-made figurines and more.
The event’s $5 fee includes hot cider and admission for the entire weekend, and each purchase at the market directly supports the Centre County Historical Society and its public programming and preservation efforts. Admission is free for children ages 12 and younger.
Lemont Christmas Market
When: 5 to 8 p.m. Dec. 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 7
Where: 133 Mt. Nittany Road in Lemont
What: This 14th annual German-style market will feature local crafts, live music, bratwurst and treats, warm beverages and more. Guests can enjoy a warming outdoor fire and stop by for a visit with Santa Claus Saturday afternoon. Guests should dress for the weather, as no heat is available in the buildings. All proceeds from the event will benefit restoration and maintenance efforts for the Historic Grain Elevator and Coal Sheds.
Boalsburg’s Annual Hometown Christmas
When: Saturday, Dec. 7
Where: Boalsburg Heritage Museum (304 E. Main St. in Boalsburg)
What: At this annual Christmas celebration at the Boalsburg Heritage Museum, guests can purchase homemade cookies, sample festive treats, listen to “yuletide tails” and craft Victorian-style ornaments. Live entertainment options include puppet shows and holiday music performances.
Kristkindl Market
When: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7
Where: Columbus Chapel and Boal Mansion Museum (163 Boal Estate Drive in Boalsburg)
What: This traditional German Christmas market will feature goods from local artisans and crafters, plus offerings from food vendors. The event will also feature an appearance from St. Nicholas himself, as well as live music, museum tours and horse and carriage rides throughout the day. Event admission, which costs $5 per person, directly benefits museum preservation, according to an event flyer.
Ugly Sweater Goat Social
When: 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7
Where: Nittany Meadow Farm (227 Nittany Meadow Farm Lane in Boalsburg)
What: Enjoy hot chocolate and coffee in a complimentary Nittany Farm Meadow mug while spending time with the farm’s goats in their holiday best. Guests are encouraged to wear their ugliest holiday sweater. Admission costs $25 and is limited to the first 25 people who sign up. Attendees must be at least 18 years old.
Alternative Christmas Fair
When: 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8
Where: University Baptist and Brethren Church (411 S. Burrowes St. in State College)
What: UBBC’s 42nd annual Alternative Christmas Fair will host 31 local, national and international charities manning booths and displays to share their missions with attendees. Guests are invited to support the charities of their choosing while enjoying a home-cooked meal in a festive setting.
Those who can’t attend in person Dec. 8 are invited to support charities online while the church accepts donations between Dec. 1 and 22.
Since its inception in 1982, the annual event has raised more than $992,000 for the charities it serves.
Happy Holidays Ice Show
When: 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8
Where: Pegula Ice Arena (250 University Drive in University Park)
What: This Nittany Valley Figure Skating Club event, sanctioned by U.S. Figure Skating, offers festive performances featuring talented local skaters. Tickets are $5, but guests ages 5 and younger can receive free admission with a food bank donation.
Winter Celebration at the Arboretum
When: 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13
Where: H.O. Smith Botanic Gardens
What: The Arboretum at Penn State will host a holiday celebration with themed light displays, live entertainment, food for purchase from local food trucks and more. Free programming includes a nighttime bird walk, drop-in crafting session and Our Lady of Victory handbell choir performance. Additional events requiring paid registration include children’s ornament-crafting sessions and a wreath workshop.
Bellefonte Victorian Christmas
When: Friday, Dec. 13 through Sunday, Dec. 15
Where: Downtown Bellefonte
What: Bellefonte’s beloved Christmas tradition returns in 2024 with three jam-packed days of holiday entertainment and community engagement. Some highlights on this year’s schedule include horse-drawn carriage rides, live music from local groups, visits from Santa Claus, the “Festival of Trees” walk-thru attraction and more.
Free parking, including a shuttle service, is available at Bellefonte Area High School between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. Buses will loop through the Centre County courthouse, the Festival of Trees along Harrison Road and Titan Market.
Visit bellefontevictorianchristmas.com for a day-by-day schedule of events and a closer look at this year’s attractions and offerings.
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 holiday-themed train rides in December. Here’s a brief overview of the available excursions this year:
- The Candy Cane Express will feature visits from Santa Claus and his pals once this train leaves the Bellefonte Station at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, Saturday, Dec. 21 and Sunday, Dec. 22. Most tickets start at $23, but children’s tickets are available for $17 for guests ages 3 through 12.
- The Candy Cane Express also offers a sensory-friendly excursion at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21. Organizers say this calmer ride is designed for those who want a holiday experience without loud music, bright lights or characters. All tickets for guests start at $15.
- The Sugar Plum Limited, in conjunction with Bellefonte Victorian Christmas, will bring guests on a 30-minute ride to Milesburg to view a well-decorated “North Pole” before returning home. Trains will depart every hour from noon through 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. All tickets start at $15 for these rides.
Nittany Ballet’s The Nutcracker
When: 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15
Where: Eisenhower Auditorium (367 Shortlidge Road in University Park)
What: Catch this beloved holiday tradition live on stage with a twist under the Nittany Ballet’s new artistic director. Tickets start at $36 for adults, $25 for children and students and $30 for seniors.
Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra holiday concert
When: 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15
Where: State College Area High School (650 Westerly Parkway in State College)
What: The Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra will perform Camille Saint-Saëns’ “Christmas Oratio” with the help of the State College Area High School Master Singers. Those in attendance will also hear selections from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite and Handel’s Hallelujah from “Messiah.” Tickets start at $10 for students and $30 for adults.
Car Menorah Parade and Menorah Lighting
When: 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29
Where: State College Municipal Building (243 S. Allen St. in State College)
What: Chabad of State College will light a 9-foot menorah at the State College Municipal Building on the fifth night of Hanukkah. Guests are invited for entertainment suitable for all ages, including music, dancing and plenty of treats, including hot drinks and traditional Hanukkah foods. The evening’s car parade will start at 4:30 p.m.
First Night State College
When: Tuesday, Dec. 31
Where: Downtown State College
What: Cap off 2024 and ring in the new year at this annual event in downtown State College. Guests can view dozens of ice sculptures sponsored by local businesses, enjoy live entertainment, chow down on food and put their creativity to use through crafting expositions, puppet workshops and more. Other offerings include a 5K “Resolution Run,” horse carriage rides and ice skating at Pegula Ice Arena.
A $15 festival button, available for purchase throughout State College, grants admission to workshops and indoor performances on a first-come, first-served basis. Children 12 and younger are admitted for free alongside a button-wearing adult.
Visit firstnightstatecollege.com for entertainment schedules and a full look at this year’s offerings.
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 information to mdisanto@centredaily.com.
This story was originally published December 4, 2024 at 6:00 AM.
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