Concerts, high tea, outdoor market and more: Tradition to return with Bellefonte Victorian Christmas

For 38 years, Bellefonte Victorian Christmas has been delighting locals with an array of holiday-themed activities and events over the course of one weekend in December. What started as an idea to draw more attention to Bellefonte has grown into a top-rated event that attracts travelers from all over the East Coast and as far away as Canada, according to organizer Sally Houser.

“We are pretty proud of this accomplishment and strive each year to keep the event fresh,” she said.

Bellefonte Victorian Christmas kicks off Friday, Dec. 13, with opening ceremonies taking place at 6:30 p.m. at the Centre County Courthouse. The following Saturday is full of fun, with tours, concerts, craft shows and sales occurring all day, starting at 8:30 a.m. and lasting until late evening.

Many of the events have been long-standing staples of the Bellefonte Victorian Christmas experience, such as the concerts that take place at Trinity United Methodist Church throughout the day. Trinity has participated as a concert venue since 2005, said Karen Arnold, who organizes the Trinity concerts.

“The concerts in the earlier years were predominantly local volunteers, a Bellefonte-based brass quintet which has since disbanded, with folk groups sometimes coming to perform from other counties,” she said. “The program has built over the years into a 10 a.m.-to-4 p.m., all-day concert event, Concerts at Trinity, with six, 45-minute concerts, which begin on the hour, and an all-day reception for concert attendees and stop-by Bellefonte Victorian Christmas tourists.”

Another staple of the event is the troupe of Dickens characters that wanders the streets. Brian Belge, who has been playing the character of Scrooge in some capacity of his career since 1987, has led the troupe around Bellefonte for about a decade. The troupe provides what Belge calls “interactive theater.” The costumed performers greet guests, carol on corners and even perform the occasional comedic skit.

“We’re kind of like the hosts of the town,” he said.

Reynolds Mansion has likewise participated in Bellefonte Victorian Christmas for the past decade, first offering mansion tours and now hosting Victorian high teas. Reynolds Mansion owner Mike Andriaccio said attendees enjoy a two-course tea with selections of teas and sweet and savory items, in the fully-decorated and festive mansion, with entertainment provided by the Dickens troupe. More than just the food, the high tea is an experience and something Andriaccio says many attendees choose to share with their friends, parents or children.

One relatively new addition to the event is the Bellefonte Lights Winter Market, which takes place 4-9 p.m. on Lamb Street Bridge. The market premiered at Bellefonte Victorian Christmas last year and attracted approximately 1,500-2,000 attendees. This year, the market, which is sponsored by SPE Federal Credit Union, is larger, with expectations for more than 50 total makers on display. Food trucks will be on site and craft beverages will be available; additionally, Confer’s Jewelers will sponsor a photo booth and Fulton Bank will sponsor a gift-wrapping station.

Organizer Melissa Hombosky said she and her team hope the winter market provides visitors with “that Hallmark movie feeling: the perfect outdoor community celebration with your friends and neighbors and then — right on cue — the lightly falling snow. Above all, we want to connect shoppers to shop small, local businesses on a fun and memorable night.”