From wreath-making to Santa: A guide to holiday events this weekend in Centre County
Dozen festive opportunities await the weekend of Friday, Dec. 12 in Centre County, with performances, a menorah lighting and lengthy Christmas celebrations in Bellefonte and Philipsburg.
There are also some dazzling home holiday light displays throughout the area.
Here’s what you need to know about the many holiday events around Centre County this weekend.
Friday, Dec. 12
Bellefonte Victorian Christmas
Bellefonte will kick off Day 1 of its weekend-long Christmas celebration Friday. There will be festivities, such as horse and carriage rides, throughout the day, but the celebration begins in earnest at 6 p.m. at the Miles-Humes House with music, magic acts and more.
Address: Throughout Bellefonte
Saturday, Dec. 13
Bellefonte Victorian Christmas
Bellefonte’s Christmas celebration returns for its second day, with two dozen events throughout the borough. The day will kick off with the Raider Reindeer 4K at 7:30 a.m., and canned food will be accepted for the Bellefonte Food Bank. Other highlights include breakfast with Santa at 8:30 a.m., a cookie crawl starting at 10 a.m. and a fireside ghost story at 12:30 p.m.
Address: Throughout Bellefonte
Santa visits Spring Mills
Santa Claus will visit the Gregg Township Fire Company from 8 to 11 a.m. for a free breakfast. Arts and crafts will be available for children. The fire company will accept donations.
Address: 106 Water St., Spring Mills
Holiday market at Delta High School
Craftsmen and women will take to Delta High School in State College for its annual Winter Wonderland Holiday Craft & Vendor Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Food will be available for purchase, and there will be a gift-wrapping service, silent auction and other activities.
Address: 653 Westerly Parkway, State College
Philipsburg’s Mid-Century Christmas celebration
Downtown Philipsburg will be transformed into a winter wonderland starting at 10 a.m. Saturday, as its annual Mid-Century Christmas celebration takes place. Included in the festivities are musical performances, a 12:30 p.m. Santa visit and a parade. New for this year: non-motorized parade floats will be entered into a competition, with a trophy awarded to the best one by the Rowland Theatre.
Address: Front Street, Philipsburg
Free trolley rides in State College
Downtown State College will offer free trolley rides from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with pickup at Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza. Trolleys will stop by the plaza every 15 minutes.
Address: 127 S. Fraser St., State College
Christmas program at the Egg Hill Church
The historic Egg Hill Church will hold a Christmas Homecoming program from 2 to 5 p.m. There will be Christmas carols, songs by the Penns Valley Men’s Chorus and a Christmas message from a pastor. The organizers note the Civil War-era church, which is made of wood, does not have heating.
Address: 283 Egg Hill Road, Spring Mills, with bus transportation from 134 N. Witmer Ave., Centre Hall
Christmas caroling in Boalsburg
Zion Lutheran Church will have Christmas caroling from 2:30 to 4 p.m., with printed music available for those who wish to join in. Refreshments and fellowship will follow.
Address: 105 Old Boalsburg Road, Boalsburg
The Arboretum at Penn State hosts Winter’s Glow
Penn State’s Winter’s Glow will take place from 4 to 8 p.m. with workshops, performances and a light show taking place at different points throughout the evening. The craft workshop is $5 per person, while the wreath workshop is $35 per person. The other events are free.
Free parking is available next to the Lewis Katz Building.
Address: East Park Avenue and Bigler Road, University Park
Performance of “The Nutcracker” at Penn State
The Performing Arts School of Central Pennsylvania’s Nittany Ballet will hold two performances of “The Nutcracker” with the first show Saturday at 7 p.m. Adult tickets are $40. Those 55 and up, as well as students and children, pay $34.
Address: 367 Shortlidge Road, University Park
Free children’s choir performance at Penn State
The Nittany Valley Children’s Choir will perform its Holiday Sing concert starting at 7 p.m. While the concert is free, the choir will accept $5 donations.
Address: 425 Allen Road, Unit 1, University Park
Sunday, Dec. 14
Bellefonte Victorian Christmas
Bellefonte’s Christmas celebration returns for its third and final day. The celebration will end with three back-to-back Christmas concerts throughout the borough.
Address: Throughout Bellefonte
Figure skating show at Penn State
The Nittany Valley Figure Skating Club will hold its Happy Holidays Ice Show from 12:30 to 3 p.m. Tickets are $5 for those 5 and over, and the club will also hold a raffle and a food drive.
Address: 250 University Drive, State College
Performance of “The Nutcracker” at Penn State
The Performing Arts School of Central Pennsylvania’s Nittany Ballet will its second and final performance of “The Nutcracker” at 2 p.m. Sunday. Adult tickets are $40. Those 55 and up, as well as students and children, pay $34.
Address: 367 Shortlidge Road, University Park
Polar Express Day at the Philipsburg YMCA
The Philipsburg YMCA will show 2004’s “The Polar Express” Sunday as a part of its Polar Express Day. The event, which runs from 2 to 6 p.m. and costs $5 per child, will also include ornament making, letters to Santa and an appearance by the Grinch.
Address: 113 N. 14th St., Philipsburg
Santa visits Bellefonte
Cookies and hot chocolate will be provided at the Logan Fire Company as Santa Claus visits for story time. The cost of the event, which runs from 4 to 6:30 p.m., will be a $5 donation.
Address: 120 E. Howard St., Bellefonte
Menorah lighting at Old Main
Chabad of Penn State will light a 12-foot menorah at Old Main at 5 p.m. The event will include the ceremony will include entertainment, hot drinks and Hanukkah foods.
Address: Pollock Road, University Park
This story was originally published December 11, 2025 at 7:59 AM.
