Happy Friday, Happy Valley!
Thanksgiving is just ahead, and the holiday season is kicking off. Santa arrives at the Nittany Mall with the Candy Cane Festival and the annual Country Holiday Bazaar comes to Spring Mills.
The weekend is filled with theater and performing arts, including fall productions at Bellefonte Area and State High, an innovative premiere production based on the work of Edgar Allan Poe at The State Theatre and the CPYO Fall Concert.
Plus, enjoy the Centre County Community Super Fair, Penn State sports and much more this weekend.
Of course this isn’t all that’s happening. There is plenty more around the area for you to enjoy and you can find it all on our calendar page. Explore the weekend’s events and add your own if it isn’t listed. Or see our Bar Tour and Movies pages for more options this weekend or anytime.
Spending some time looking for your next place to live? Check out the most complete inventory of apartments for State College and Penn State.
And if this weekend has you in the holiday spirit, visit our Holiday Guide for upcoming events, shopping, volunteer opportunities and more.
FRIDAY
Hockey Valley
The two newest NCAA Division I men’s hockey teams meet for the first time as No. 10 Penn State hosts Arizona State at 7 p.m. at Pegula Ice Arena. The Nittany Lions carry a 9-1-1 record into the weekend and are riding a 10-game unbeaten streak
Once in a Lifetime
The Bellefonte Area High School Theatre Department presents its fall production, “Once in a Lifetime,” with shows at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Recently revived on Broadway to great acclaim, this is the rollicking tale of three down and out troupers who decide to head for Hollywood and try their luck with the newly invented talkies. Tickets are $7 for adults, $5 for students and children. Tickets can be purchased online at www.basd.net/finearts or at the door.
Peter and the Starcatcher
State College Area High School Thespians present ‘Peter and the Starcatcher’ at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday in the North Building Auditorium. The Tony Award-winning show upends the century-old story of how a miserable orphan comes to be The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up, Peter Pan, in a wildly theatrical adaptation of Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson’s best-selling novels. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for youth and can be purchased at http://tinyurl.com/StateHighStarcatcher or at the box office one hour before performance.
Poe: Deep into That Darkness
Theatre, dance, poetry, film, spoken-word and performance art come together in the Tempest Productions premiere of ‘Poe: Deep Into That Darkness’ at 8 p.m. at The State Theatre. Descend into the maelstrom of Edgar Allan Poe with an innovative blend of forms that blurs the lines of traditional theatre, weaving together some of Poe’s most hypnotic, horrific tales and poems. [Ticket info]
SATURDAY
Country Holiday Bazaar
New Hope Lutheran Church, 119 Cobblestone Court in Spring Mills, holds its 13th Annual Country Holiday Bazaar from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The bazaar will have a variety vendors, homemade soups, fresh hoagies and baked goods. For more information, call 814-422-8318.
Candy Cane Carnival
Santa arrives at the Nittany Mall! From 10 a.m.-2 p.m. there will be crafts, activities and a petting zoo. The day also includes magic, face-painting, the Sugar Plum Fairy reading ‘The Nutcracker’ and a performance by the Central Pennsylvania Youth Orchestra. Santa will arrive at 11:30 a.m. [Schedule]
Centre County Super Fair
The Third Annual Centre County Community Super Fair, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Mount Nittany Middle School, highlights all that Centre County has to offer its residents, with local organizations showcasing a wide range of resources available and volunteer opportunities. The fair includes food, activities, music and giveaways.
Thanksgiving Storytime
In celebration of Thanksgiving, the Benner Pike Barnes & Noble will feature two special stories, ‘There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Turkey!’ and ‘The Great Thanksgiving Escape.’ Storytime begins at 11 a.m. with coloring and activities to follow.
PSU Hockey vs. Arizona State
The 10th-ranked Nittany Lions wrap up their first ever series against the Sun Devils at 3 p.m. at Pegula Ice Arena.
Women’s Volleyball vs. Purdue
The No. 15 Penn State women’s volleyball team returns to Rec Hall looking for a season sweep of Big Ten foe Purdue. First serve is at 7 p.m. and the first 1,000 fans receive a team poster that can be signed during a post-match autograph session.
SUNDAY
The Nutcracker at Schlow
Kids can celebrate the upcoming holiday season with excerpts from the seasonal favorite ballet ‘The Nutcracker’ at 2:30 p.m. in Schlow Library‘s Downsbrough Community Room
Ukulele Jam
The Allegheny Ukulele Kollective hosts an open jam for all skills levels, ages 15 and up, at 2 p.m. in the Nittany Mall Community Room. Beginners are welcome (a few ukes will be available to borrow during the jam) and the first half will be easier music. Bring the club song book available at AlleghenyUkes.com or borrow one at the jam.
CPYO Fall Concert: Tour of Europe
Central PA Youth Orchestra presents its fall concert, Tour of Europe, at 7 p.m. in Esber Recital Hall, Penn State Music Building I. Tour of Europe will feature guest soloist Grace Kim, violin. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and children. Tickets will be available at the door.
Lady Lions vs. Tennessee
The 2-1 Penn State women’s basketball team wraps up a three-game home stand as the Lady Lions look to take down No. 10 Tennessee. Tipoff is at 5 p.m. in the Bryce Jordan Center.
