Plan out your December with this guide to Centre County holiday events

The holiday season has arrived, and there are plenty of ways to get into the spirit in Centre County. There are craft markets to shop, tree lightings to see, and pictures to take and breakfasts to eat with Santa. There are big Christmas events in Bellefonte, Boalsburg and Philipsburg, plus lots of holiday music.

Here’s a listing of local holiday events to help plan the next few weeks. Check back for updates at www.CentreDaily.com as more events are added.

Dec. 1-8

Dec. 2: A winter-themed First Friday in downtown State College will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Santa will be at MLK Plaza, which will host a dynamic holiday display. Visitors can see the downtown lighting displays via trolley, visit the Enchanted Forest on Locust Lane and see the evergreen tree at the Allen Street Gates.

Dec. 2-3: The Gallery Shop will hold a Holiday Market featuring paintings, woodworking, jewelry, pottery and other works by local artists. Details: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Dec. 2; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 3 at 824 Pike St., Lemont

Dec. 2-4: The Stocking Stuffer Magical Holiday Market celebrates its 20th anniversary. Shop for the holidays and support the Centre County Historical Society’s programming and preservation efforts. The Centre Furnace Mansion will be decorated for the holiday season. Details: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 2-3; noon-4 p.m. Dec. 4 at 1001 E. College Ave., State College

Dec. 3: The Winter Craft Market is in its 45th year and will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Nittany Valley Sports Centre, 177 Champion Drive, State College. More than 50 artists will display their works. Admission is $5 cash and free for children 12 and younger.

Dec. 3: Rhoneymeade, 177 Rimmey Road, Centre Hall, will host the annual “Winter Cheer” event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit a winter market offering wreaths, local art and food, and take a tour of the historic Rhoneymeade house. Dress for the weather.

Dec. 3: A Kristkindl Market will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Columbus Chapel and Boal Mansion Museum, 163 Boal Estate Drive, Boalsburg. Shop in the Boal Barn’s Great Room, take pictures with St. Nicholas and go on sleigh rides.

Dec. 3: Boalsburg’s Hometown Christmas will be held from 4 to 6:45 p.m. on the Diamond. Santa will arrive just before 6 p.m. to light the tree. The event is organized by the Harris Township Lions Club and Boalsburg Village Conservancy and will include hot chocolate, snacks and live music.

Dec. 3: Celebrate with downtown businesses at the Philipsburg Christmas Festival from noon to 5 p.m. There will be Christmas music, craft and candy vendors, and hot chocolate. The tree lighting is set for 5 p.m.

Dec. 3: Good Intent Cider, 167 S. Potter St., Bellefonte, will hold a tree lighting from 5-7 p.m. Visitors can make an ornament for the tree or to take home. There will be hot cider at 6 p.m. before the tree lighting at 6:30.

Dec. 3-4: The Potters Guild will hold its annual Holiday Sale at Tussey Mountain Lodge. There will be a variety of ornaments, bowls, platters, mugs, planters and more for sale. Details: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days at 301 Bear Meadows Road, Boalsburg

Dec. 3-4: Eagle Iron Works and Curtin Village, 251 Curtin Road, Howard, will hold a popup photo fundraiser, Christmas at the Curtin, from 1 to 4 p.m. both days Visitors can bring their camera to take holiday photos in the decorated parlors of the Curtin Mansion and/or outside with the Curtin Excursion Wagon. Details: Reservations and a sitting fee are required for Dec. 3, while no reservation is required but donations will be taken on Dec. 4.

Dec. 4: About 30 charities will attend the 40th annual Alternative Christmas Fair from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at University Baptist & Brethren Church, 411 S. Burrowes St., State College. Visitors can purchase donations in others’ names as holiday presents. The fair will also hold an online event Dec. 4-18.

Dec. 4: The Performing Arts School of Central Pennsylvania’s Nittany Ballet will present Clara’s Nutcracker Tea Party at 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, 867 Gray’s Woods Blvd., Port Matilda, ahead of “The Nutcracker” performances. Dancers will perform pieces from the show and teach children basic ballet moves, and there will be tea, cookies and a craft.

Dec. 4: Centre County PAWS will hold a Holiday Bingo charity fundraiser at Mountain View Country Club, 100 Elks Club Road, Boalsburg. Doors open at 1:30 p.m.

Dec. 4: Columbus Chapel and Boal Mansion Museum, 163 Boal Estate Drive, Boalsburg, will hold a Christmas tea and candlelight tour at 4 p.m. in the mansion ballroom. Tickets can be purchased online.

Dec. 6: Karla Bonoff and Livingston Taylor will perform as part of their “Home for the Holidays” tour at 8 p.m. at The State Theatre, 130 W. College Ave., State College.

Dec. 9-15

Dec. 9-10: Celebrate the season in Lemont at the 12th annual German Christmas Market. Local products and crafts will be on display, and there will be music, drinks and food. Dress for the weather, as there is no heat in the buildings. Businesses will have special hours and offerings. Details: 5-8 p.m. Dec. 9; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Granary, 133 Mount Nittany Road. Santa will stop by for visits and photos from noon-4 p.m. Dec. 10.

Dec. 9-11: The 41st Bellefonte Victorian Christmas has the theme “Fill the Town with Music.” Traditional events include horse-drawn carriage rides, Victorian high teas, the strolling Dickens troupe and a model train display. There will also be new events this year, including a holiday cookie crawl. Visit bellefontevictorianchristmas.com for a complete schedule.

Dec. 9-11: Apple Hill Antiques will hold its traditional open house featuring decorations, refreshments and sales. Details: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. each day at 105 Gerald St., State College.

Dec. 10: Gregg Township Fire Company, 106 Water St., Spring Mills, will serve Breakfast with Santa from 8:30 to 11 a.m. There is no cost, but donations will be accepted.

Dec. 10: Universal Settlement Services of PA is partnering with Kylee Renee Photography for Photos with Santa for children and pets. Registration is encouraged. Details: 10 a.m.-noon, photos for children; noon-1 p.m., photos for pets. 1423 N. Atherton St., State College

Dec. 10: The Boalsburg Heritage Museum, 304 E. Main St., Boalsburg, will hold a Holiday Open House from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be music, children’s crafts, festive beverages and a homemade Christmas cookie sale.

Dec. 10: Santa Claus will be traveling around Gregg Township from 6 to 9 p.m.

Dec. 10-11: Nittany Ballet, with students ages 4-18, will present “The Nutcracker.” The performance returns to State College after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Details: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10; 2 p.m. Dec. 11 at Eisenhower Auditorium, University Park.

Dec. 11: The Bellefonte Winter Market will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Talleyrand Park. There will be live entertainment, a craft beverage garden, food vendors and more than 70 artisan and maker booths.

Dec. 11: The Nittany Valley Figure Skating Club will perform its “Happy Holidays” Ice Show. The show will be from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Pegula Ice Arena. Tickets, which cost $5, can be purchased at the door or online. There is no cost for children 5 and younger.

Dec. 11: Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra will present “A Holiday Celebration” Holiday Concert at 3 p.m. in the Penn State Recital Hall. The performance will include highlights from “The Nutcracker” and a telling of “ ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.”

Dec. 15: The YMCA of Centre County, 677 W. Whitehall Road, State College, will host a Holiday Sing-Along from 10:15 to 11:30 a.m. with local singer/songwriter Mary Madigan. Coffee and desserts will be served.

Dec. 16-31

Dec. 16-17: Centre Dance will perform “The Nutcracker” at The State Theatre. Tickets can be purchased online. Details: 7 p.m. Dec. 16; 1 and 7 p.m. Dec. 17 at 130 W. College Ave., State College

Dec. 17: Have Breakfast with Santa from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Walker Township Fire Company, 125 Fire House Lane, Howard. Visitors can bring their camera for free photos with Santa.

Dec. 19: Flute choir Toot-in-Common will perform a free one-hour holiday concert at 7:30 p.m. of Christmas favorites, dance-inspired music and modern classics at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 208 W. Foster Ave., State College. A light reception will follow.

Dec. 20-23: There will be screenings throughout the week before Christmas of “It’s a Wonderful Life” at The State Theatre. Details: 4 and 7 p.m. Dec. 20, 21, 22, 23 at 130 W. College Ave., State College

Dec. 31: Ring in the new year with First Night State College. The daylong event includes performances, workshops, the 5K Resolution Run and the Grand Procession.

This story was originally published November 29, 2022 at 2:44 PM.