December is here and ’tis the season for holiday fun and celebrations throughout Centre County.
From State College to Millheim, Boalsburg to Philipsburg and everywhere in between, here’s a look at the holiday events to plan for over the next week, Dec. 2-8. And check out more fun in our Holiday Guide.
Stocking Stuffer: A Magical Holiday Market at Centre Furnace Mansion
9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Dec. 3; noon-4 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 4
1001 E. College Ave., State College
The annual Stocking Stuffer market at Centre Furnace Mansion celebrates its 20th year, as the hand-crafted work of local artisans and fine antiques by local dealers create a unique indoor showcase. Gift items for sale include fresh wreaths and holiday arrangements, ceramics, fine paper arts, pewter, china and glassware, antiques and vintage collectibles, hand-made figurines, linens, photography, jewelry and more. Book signings with local authors will be held each day. Admission is $5. Proceeds benefit the Centre County Historical Society, which raises nearly 20% of its annual budget from the market. See the full vendor lineup and signing schedule.
Santa’s Workshop at Titan Market
10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Dec. 3
2042 Axemann Road, Bellefonte
Kids can bring their shopping lists and budgets to Titan Market and pick out gifts priced from 25 cents to $5 as volunteers help them shop and gift wrap. Proceeds will benefit the YMCA of Centre County Anti-Hunger Program. Santa will make a visit to the market from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.
State College Holiday Market
11 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2
243 S. Allen St., State College
Looking for special holiday gifts that are grown, produced and made locally? Visit the State College Holiday Market every Friday through Dec. 23 at the State College Municipal Building. Find food, coffee, plants, soaps, decorations and more as the tradition of the Friday Downtown State College Farmers Market continues indoors into December.
Gallery Shop Holiday Market
11 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3
824 Pike Street, Lemont
Find paintings, hand-bound books, woodworking, weaving, jewelry, pottery and more — all from local artists — at The Gallery Shop’s annual holiday market.
December First Friday
5-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2
Downtown State College
The Downtown State College Improvement District hosts a winter-themed First Friday celebration to close out the 2022 season. Visit with Santa and check out the dynamic light show at the Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza on South Fraser Street and hop on a free trolley ride* to see downtown lighting displays. Stop by the Enchanted Forest, decorated by local nonprofits, on Locust Lane and the evergreen tree at the Allen Street gates. The Clef-Hangers will be caroling around downtown from 6:30 to 8 p.m. See participating businesses and events here. Garage parking is free for the first two hours. Street meters and lots are free after 5 p.m.
*Trolley rides will also be offered 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, 5 to 8 p.m. on Dec. 9 and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 10.
Merry Millheim
5-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2; 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4
Downtown Millheim
Enjoy a weekend of festivities in Millheim featuring shopping, food, music and family fun. Santa will be at the office of attorney James Bryant, 107 E. Main St., from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, while businesses and organizations will have various activities, such as music at multiple venues to a makers’ market at the Millheim Hotel throughout the weekend.
Boal Mansion Candlelight Tours
6, 7 and 8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Dec. 3
163 Boal Estate Drive, Boalsburg
Candlelight tours of the historic Columbus Chapel and Boal Mansion Museum will begin on the hour between 6 and 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the visitor center. Reserve tickets are $15 each and participants should arrive 15 minutes before their scheduled tour.
Mount Nittany UMC Holiday Craft Fair
9 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3
1500 East Branch Road, State College
Mount Nittany United Methodist Church’s annual holiday craft fair will feature a variety of vendors, as well as baked goods and other foods for sale.
Winter Craft Market
9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3
177 Champion Drive, State College
The Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen Central PA Chapter hosts its 45th annual Winter Craft Market in a new location: Nittany Valley Sports Centre. The market features handmade treasures created by more than 50 artisans, including jewelry, ceramics, fiber, wood, mixed media, glass, metal, photography, painting and more. Parking is free and refreshments will be available. Admission is $5 cash and free for children 12 and younger.
Old Gregg School Winter Craft Fair
10 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3
106 School Street, Spring Mills
The Old Gregg School Community Center’s annual winter craft fair features more than 40 vendors, including artists, crafters and home businesses selling many locally made products. Food will be available, and musicians will be on the stage to entertain visitors. The Nittany Valley Model Railroad Club, located in the building’s basement, will have an open house during the event.
Christmas Craft Show
10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3
2355 Halfmoon Valley Road, Port Matilda
Way Fruit Farm hosts its second annual indoor Christmas craft show, featuring local craft vendors, Bee’s Knees coffee, tea and hot chocolate, kettle corn and a visit from Santa.
Winter Cheer at Rhoneymeade
10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3
177 Rimmey Road, Centre Hall
Rhoneymeade’s annual Winter Cheer event gives visitors a chance to take home handmade wreaths, purchase art by Rhoneymeade member artists, design and decorate their own holiday card and explore the grounds in a nature mystery scavenger hunt. Refreshments such as mulled cider and desserts will be available and Jay Vonada will perform from noon to 1 p.m. and 2 to 3 p.m.
Kristkindle Market
10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3
163 Boal Estate Drive, Boalsburg
Join the Columbus Chapel and Boal Mansion Museum for Christmas shopping in the Boal Barn Great Room, with vendors, music, food and drink. St. Nicholas will be on hand from noon to 2:30 p.m. and Teddy Bear storytime will take place at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on the stage in the theater. Misty Lane Farms will provide sleigh rides throughout the day.
Potters Guild Holiday Sale
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 and Sunday, Dec. 4
301 Bear Meadows Road, Boalsburg
The Potters Guild’s annual holiday sale at Tussey Mountain Lodge will feature the work of 12 local ceramic artists, with a wide selection of ornaments, bowls, platters, mugs, planters, sculptural forms and more.
Philipsburg Christmas Festival
Noon-5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3
Front Street, Philipsburg
Join downtown Philipsburg businesses for holiday sales and festivities. Enjoy the sounds of Christmas music and some hot chocolate while perusing craft and candy vendors. Activities will take place throughout the day leading up to the 5 p.m. tree lighting.
Christmas at the Curtin
1-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 and Sunday, Dec. 4
251 Curtin Village Road, Howard
Eagle Iron Works and Curtin Village hosts a pop-up photo opportunity offering visitors the opportunity to take their holiday photos taken in the decorated parlors of Curtin Mansion and with the Curtin Excursion Wagon. Reservations and a sitting fee are required for Saturday, when professional photographers will be on hand. Sunday is first-come, first-served and do it yourself, with donations requested.
Winter Festival
2-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3
Hintz Family Alumni Center, University Park
The Penn State Blue and White Society’s annual festival benefiting THON will feature winter crafts, pictures with Santa and other photo opportunities, games, a holiday movie, hot chocolate bar, Berkey Creamery ice cream and more. Free-will donations will be accepted at the door.
Boalsburg Hometown Christmas
4-6:45 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3
On the Diamond in Boalsburg
Organized by the Harris Township Lions Club and the Boalsburg Village Conservancy, this year’s Hometown Christmas will feature hot chocolate, popcorn, cookies and live music. Santa will arrive shortly before 6 p.m. to light the tree.
Alternative Christmas Fair
10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 4
411 S. Burrowes St., State College
Celebrating its 40th year, the Alternative Christmas Fair at University Baptist and Brethren Church welcomes the community to learn about more than 30 nonprofit organizations and purchase donations in others’ names as holiday gifts. See the full list of participating charities here. The event is being held in person for the first time since 2019, but an online donations also can be made from Dec. 4-18.
PAWS Holiday Bingo
1:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4
100 Elks Club Road, Boalsburg
Mountain View Country Club hosts an afternoon of holiday bingo to benefit Centre County PAWS. Doors open at 1:30 p.m., early bird begins at 2:30 p.m. and regular bingo starts at 3 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance online or $30 at the door. Twenty games of bingo are included with admission for the chance to win a variety of prizes, gifts, and gift cards.
Clara’s Nutcracker Tea Party
2:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 4
867 Grays Woods Boulevard, Port Matilda
Presented by Nittany Ballet at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, this holiday event invites you to join Clara to enjoy tea party treats, make a fun Christmas craft, become part of the Sugar Plum Fairy’s court, learn some choreography from the ballet and see excerpts of the youth ballet company’s upcoming performance of “The Nutcracker,” complete with photo ops. Limited tickets are available for $18 each and can be purchased in advance online.
Christmas Tea and Candlelight Tour
4 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 4
163 Boal Estate Drive, Boalsburg
Boal Mansion will host a Christmas Tea in the mansion ballroom followed by a candlelight tour. Tickets are $65 and seating is limited to 30 people.
Karla Bonoff & Livingston Taylor: Home For The Holidays
8 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 6
130 W. College Ave,, State College
Singer-songwriters Karla Bonoff and Livingston Taylor stop at The State Theatre to perform holiday classics, including songs from Karla’s critically acclaimed album “Silent Night,” as well as some of their best-known songs. Tickets are $46 in advance through the State Theatre website and $51 day of show.
