As the calendar turns to December, holiday festivities will be in full swing throughout Centre County.
Here’s a look at the markets, fairs and festivals happening around the area for the weekend of Dec. 2-5 to get you into the spirit of the season.
STOCKING STUFFER, A MAGICAL HOLIDAY MARKET
Friday, Dec. 1, and Saturday, Dec. 2, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 3, noon-4 p.m.
Centre Furnace Mansion
1001 E. College Ave., State College
centrehistory.org/events/stocking-stuffer/
The 21st annual Stocking Stuffer market features hand-crafted treasures of local artisans and fine antiques by local dealers in a festive indoor showcase. Admission is $5 and free for children 12 and under. The event is the Centre County Historical Society’s largest fundraiser, providing up to 20% of its annual budget.
ARTISTS’ WINTER MARKET
Friday, Dec. 1, 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Gallery Shop
818 and 824 Pike Street, Lemont
facebook.com/galleryshop
Visitors can meet and buy from artists at indoor booths and have the opportunity to shop from extra inventory of The Gallery Shop’s artists.
MERRY MILLHEIM
Friday, Dec. 1, 4-8 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Downtown Millheim
facebook.com/EPVCBA
Millheim’s annual holiday festival will be filled with music, shopping and festive activities. Santa Claus arrives at 5 p.m. Friday and will be at the Millheim Hotel to meet with kids from 6 to 8 p.m. Vendors will be at the hotel and the Brementown Ballroom 5 to 7 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The Millheim Hotel, Pisano Winery and Elk Creek Cafe will feature live music, and a live nativity scene will be set up in town.
FIRST FRIDAY
Friday, Dec. 1, 5-8 p.m.
Downtown State College
downtownstatecollege.com
The Downtown State College Improvement District’s final First Friday celebration of the season will have a holiday theme. Meet with Santa and enjoy free hot cocoa and popcorn from the State College Lions Foundation at the Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza on South Fraser Street, where community members can also check out the holiday light show. Free trolley rides around town will depart from the plaza as well. Tempest Studios will host Mrs. Claus and friends for a cookie party. The Makery and The Squirrel & Acorn Bookshop will have holiday crafts and Growing Tree Toys will host a coloring contest. You’ll also find music, art, special deals and more. For the full schedule and a map of activities, visit the DSCID website.
NATIVITY FESTIVAL
Friday, Dec. 1, 5:30-9 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 2, 4-8:30 p.m.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
842 W. Whitehall Rd., State College
facebook.com/events/324842850187955/
The festival will kick off the Christmas season with nativity displays, musical performances and children’s activities.
TUSSEY MOUNTAIN ULLR FESTIVAL
Friday, Dec. 1, 5:30-10 p.m.
Tussey Mountain
311 Bear Meadows Road, Boalsburg
facebook.com/events/700177115391351
Tussey Mountain kicks off the ski and snowboard season by celebrating the coming cold temperatures and paying respects to Ullr, the Norse god of snow. The family-friendly, all-ages event will debut the lodge’s newly remodeled outside bar on the back deck. Live music with Kate Twoey of Pure Cane Sugar is from 7-9 p.m., with a bonfire and solo stoves burning all night. Indoor seating also will be available. Norwegian meatballs, chili hot dogs and more will be available to order, along with a selection of beers on tap and other cocktails.
PHILIPSBURG CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL
Saturday, Dec. 2, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Downtown Philipsburg
happyvalley.com/events/philipsburg-christmas-festival
Philipsburg’s annual Christmas festival will include specials and activities at downtown businesses, a visit from Rudolph and Rudy from noon to 1:30 p.m. and Musser Studios playing Christmas music downtown. The Painting Broad will host Cookies with Santa and Shindig Alley will have free photos with the Grinch. Philipsburg-Osceola Area School District choir students will be caroling and the festival will be capped off by the Christmas tree lighting at 5 p.m. See the full schedule.
WINTER CRAFT MARKET
Saturday, Dec. 2, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Nittany Valley Sports Centre
177 Champion Drive, State College
wintercraftmarket.org
The Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen Central PA Chapter’s 46th annual winter market will feature more than 50 artisans in a wide range of media for the juried exhibition and sale. Admission is $5 and free for children 12 and under.
MEET SANTA & INDOOR WINTER CRAFT SHOW
Saturday, Dec. 2, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Way Fruit Farm
2355 Halfmoon Valley Road, Port Matilda
wayfruitfarm.com/events-1
More than a dozen local vendors and Santa will be on hand for Way Fruit Farm’s winter craft show in the packing house. Visitors will also find plenty of gift basket and foodie gift ideas. Kettle corn will be available, and the Way Cafe will be open for breakfast and lunch.
HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR AT MOUNT NITTANY UMC
Saturday, Dec. 2, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Mount Nittany United Methodist Church
1500 E. Branch Rd., State College
mtnittanyumc.org
Shop for the holidays with local craft vendors. Homemade soup, baked goods and other foods also will be available for purchase.
WINTER CHEER
Saturday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Rhoneymeade
177 Rimmey Road, Centre Hall
facebook.com/rhoneymeade
Rhoneymeade rings in the holiday season with its annual ‘Winter Cheer’ event, featuring a small market with handmade wreaths and local artwork. Warm up with apple cider while taking a tour of the Historic Rhone House.
BOALSBURG HOMETOWN CHRISTMAS
Saturday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Boalsburg
historicboalsburg.com/hometown-christmas
The Boalsburg community hosts its annual Christmas celebration with events throughout the village on Saturday.
Boalsburg Heritage Museum, 304 E. Main St., 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.
- Puppet show with Adam Swartz (10:30 a.m.)
- Homemade Christmas cookie sale
- Ornament making
- Olde tyme Christmas dress up for children
- Music by Cardinal Brass Quartet and harpist Claire Packer
- Hot chocolate in the Summer Kitchen
- Happy Valley Nomadic Spirits
- Tours of the house, the light house, the barn and the 1804 David Boal Tavern
Columbus Chapel & Boal Mansion Museum, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Kristkindl Market with craft and food vendors
- Horse and carriage rides
- Live music
- Saint Nicholas meet & greet
A Basket Full, noon-3 p.m.
- Meet Santa on the porch
- Hot cocoa and treats
- DIY sugar cookie decorating with Nuttree Bakery
10 a.m.- 5 p.m.:Specials and activities at Boalsburg businesses.
4 p.m. Carolers around downtown.
5 p.m. Bellefonte Community Band, hot cocoa, coffee and popcorn on the Diamond.
6 p.m. Santa arrives by fire truck; lighting of the Village Christmas tree
HOLIDAYS AT THE FRONT
Saturday, Dec. 2, and Sunday, Dec. 3, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Pennsylvania Military Museum
51 Boal Avenue, Boalsburg
pamilmuseum.org/events/holidays-at-the-front
An outdoor living history event that will showcase a timeline of how American soldiers spent their holidays throughout history. Inside the museum, visitors can take selfies with Santa.
POTTERS GUILD HOLIDAY SALE
Saturday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Boalsburg Fire Company
113 E. Pine St., Boalsburg
facebook.com/TheArtAllianceofCentralPennsylvaniaPottersGuild
The Potters Guild’s annual sale will feature the work of local ceramic artists, with a wide selection of ornaments, bowls, platters, mugs, planters, sculptural forms and more.
BLUE & WHITE SOCIETY WINTER FESTIVAL
Saturday, Dec. 2, 1-4 p.m.
Hintz Family Alumni Center, University Park
facebook.com/BlueWhiteSociety
Penn State Blue & White Society’s annual winter festival benefitting THON will feature winter crafts, pictures with Santa and other photo opportunities, games, a holiday movie, hot chocolate bar and more. Free-will donations will be accepted at the door.
ALTERNATIVE CHRISTMAS FAIR
Sunday, Dec. 3, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
University Baptist & Brethren Church
411 S. Burrowes St., State College
ubbcwelcome.org/acf
The 41st annual Alternative Christmas Fair will host 30 local, national and international charities. On a single form, shoppers select which charities to support and how much to give to each. Cards are provided to let loved ones and friends know that a gift to charity has been given in their name. Lunch options will be available. Can’t make the fair on Dec. 3? An online giving option will be live at ubbcwelcome.org/acf from Dec 3-17.
CHRISTMAS AT THE CURTIN
Sunday Dec. 3, noon-4 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Eagle Iron Works and Curtin Village
251 Curtin Road, Howard
curtinvillage.com/newsevents-calendar.html
The third annual fundraiser event will kick off with holiday photos with Santa from noon to 4 p.m. in the parlors of Curtin Mansion, which will be decorated in 1850s and 1950s styles. No registration is required, and donations will be accepted. Bring your own camera or use one on site. An evening holiday reception begins at 5 p.m. and will include a reading of Dylan Thomas’ “A Child’s Christmas in Wales,” finger foods, wines, ciders and non-alcoholic beverages. Tickets are $30, with instructions for purchase and reservations on the Curtin Village website. All proceeds will benefit the Roland Curtin Foundation’s efforts to preserve the history of Eagle Iron Works and Curtin Village.
