Dozens of holiday events on tap in Centre County this weekend. Here’s a look
There will be nearly two dozen opportunities to take in the holiday cheer this weekend in Centre County, including Santa visits, arts and crafts and five different holiday markets.
For those hoping to avoid the crowds, there are also many home holiday light displays throughout the area.
Here’s what you need to know about the many Christmas events around Centre County this weekend.
Friday, Dec. 5
Holiday market at Centre Furnace Mansion
Local craftsmen and women will sell antiques, wreaths, ceramics and more at the Centre Furnace Mansion from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the 23rd installment of the Stocking Stuffer Magical Holiday Market. Admission is $5 for those 12 and older and includes hot cider. The market will return on Saturday and Sunday, and admission is good for the whole weekend.
Proceeds benefit Centre County Historical Society.
Address: 1001 E. College Ave., State College
Holiday market at Bellefonte’s Titan Market
Titan Market becomes Titan’s Christmas Market starting Friday, with everything from knitwear to soap available for purchase from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Low-cost gifts will be available at Santa’s Workshop from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with proceeds benefitting YMCA of Centre County’s anti-hunger program. The Christmas market will return on Saturday and Sunday, while Santa’s Workshop will return only on Saturday.
Address: 2042 Axemann Road, Bellefonte
Santa visits State College
Santa Claus will visit Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza in State College from 5 to 8 p.m., part of First Friday activities. Santa’s visit also lines up with the daily Light Up Downtown musical holiday light show, which runs from 5 to 10 p.m.
A free trolley around downtown will be available from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. It picks up and drops off at the MLK Plaza.
Address: Near 125 S. Fraser St., State College
Holiday market in Lemont
The 15th annual Lemont Christmas Market will be held at the Lemont Granary, with pottery, hot sauce, mittens and more available for purchase. The indoor and outdoor market will run from 5 to 8 p.m. and return for a second day on Saturday.
Address: 133 Mount Nittany Road, Lemont
Saturday, Dec. 6
Holiday market at Centre Furnace Mansion
The Stocking Stuffer Magical Holiday Market returns for its second day, open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Address: 1001 E. College Ave., State College
Holiday market in Patton Township
The 48th annual juried Winter Craft Market will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with more than 60 artists of all stripes exhibiting and selling their work. Concessions will be available for purchase, and admission is $5 cash for everyone over 12.
Address: Nittany Valley Sports Centre, 177 Champion Drive, State College
Boalsburg Hometown Christmas
Boalsburg will hold upward of a dozen activities as a part of its annual Hometown Christmas celebration. Among the festivities: breakfast with Santa at 9:30 and 11 a.m., a puppet show at the Boalsburg Heritage Museum at 11 a.m. and live reindeer carriage rides at the Boalsburg Fire Department from noon to 3 p.m. The day will wrap up with a second Santa appearance, when he will light the Christmas tree at 6 p.m.
Address: Main Street, Boalsburg
Holiday market at the Old Gregg School
The Old Gregg School will host the Winter Craft Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring crafts and food for purchase and live music.
Address: 106 School St., Spring Mills
Santa visits the Curtin Mansion
Santa and his elves will be available for free photos at Eagle Iron Works and Curtin Village from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Address: 251 Curtin Village Road, Howard
Holiday market at Bellefonte’s Titan Market
Titan’s Christmas Market returns for its second day, open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Low-cost gifts will be available at Santa’s Workshop from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Address: 2042 Axemann Road, Bellefonte
Holiday market at Bellefonte’s Brass 16823
The Smith and Front gift shop will join forces with the Brass 16823 event venue for the Bellefonte Holiday Bash from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wooden crafts, candles, plants and more will be available over two days at the holiday market, right next to Titan’s Christmas Market.
Address: 2042 Axemann Road, Bellefonte
Holiday market in Lemont
The Lemont Christmas Market returns for its second and final day, running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Santa will make an appearance in the afternoon.
Address: 133 Mount Nittany Road, Lemont
Frost Fest at Schlow Centre Region Library
Games, story time, snowman decorating and more will take place at Schlow Centre Region Library from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. as a part of the library’s Frost Fest event.
Address: 211 S. Allen St., State College
Winter Cheer at Rhoneymeade
Rhoneymeade will offer house tours, free apple cider and handmade wreaths from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. as a part of its Winter Cheer event. Jewelry, art and herbal products will also be featured.
Address: 177 Rimmey Road, Centre Hall
Santa visits Centre Hall’s Pets Come First animal shelter
Santa Clau– no, Santa Paws, will sit down for photos with families with or without pets from noon to 4 p.m. at the Pets Come First animal shelter. Admission is a donation to the shelter.
Address: 2451 General Potter Highway, Centre Hall
Santa visits Philipsburg
Santa may have double-booked himself with another engagement in Boalsburg, but he will nonetheless appear at The Dead Canary Brewing Company in Philipsburg for free photographs from 5 to 7 p.m. Hot chocolate will also be available.
Address: 5 N. Front St., Philipsburg
Sunday, Dec. 7
Holiday market at Bellefonte’s Titan Market
Titan’s Christmas Market returns for its third and final day, open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Address: 2042 Axemann Road, Bellefonte
Holiday market at Bellefonte’s Brass 16823
The Bellefonte Holiday Bash returns for its second and final day, open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Address: 2042 Axemann Road, Bellefonte
Alternative Christmas Fair at University Baptist & Brethren Church
The University Baptist & Brethren Church will hold its 43rd annual Alternative Christmas Fair, which allows patrons to browse booths manned by charities. Instead of purchasing items, people can decide which of the dozens of Centre County and Pennsylvania-based charities to donate to. Lunch will be available.
Address: 411 S. Burrowes St., State College
Holiday market at Centre Furnace Mansion
The Stocking Stuffer Magical Holiday Market returns for its third and final day, open from noon to 4 p.m.
Address: 1001 E. College Ave., State College
Monday, Dec. 8
‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ screening and cast member Q&A in Boalsburg
One of four living cast members from “It’s a Wonderful Life” (1946) will appear at Boalsburg’s Calvary Church for a screening of the classic film. Karolyn Grimes, who at age 6 played Zuzu Bailey in the movie, will sit for a Q&A. The event is set to run from 6 to 9 p.m.
Address: 150 Harvest Fields Drive, Boalsburg
