December Community Corner
Holiday Chocolate Labs
Dec. 1-Jan. 1: Guests of The Hershey Story, 63 W. Chocolate Ave., can enjoy classes to learn about chocolate and a treat. Class themes include “Candy Cane Bark,” “Chocolate Reindeer,” “Create a Kris Kringle,” “Make a Very Merry Bar,” “Let it Snow Chocolate” and “Marshmallow Mischief.” Visit HersheyStory.org.
Learn at Lunchtime
Dec. 2: The State Museum of Pennsylvania, 300 North St., Harrisburg, will offer free admission, 12:15 to 12:45 p.m., so lunchtime visitors can explore the museum and tour the “Sixty Years with the Seven Lively Artists: 1956-2016” exhibit. Visit statemuseumpa.org.
Elegant Progressions
Dec. 2-3: Historic Harrisburg Association and Kidney Foundation of Central Pennsylvania will host its 25th annual “Elegant Progressions” black-tie progressive dinner at three country estates in Bowmansdale. Enjoy chauffeured service to the mansions for hors d’oeuvres and aperitifs, a formal dinner and dessert. Visit elegantprogressions.org.
HBG Flea
Dec. 3: The HBG Flea outdoor market will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Strawberry Square, bringing artists, small businesses and shoppers together to foster community. Shop for local art, handmade gifts and vintage wares. Visit hbgflea.com.
Diversity Luncheon 2016
Dec. 3: Join the Pennsylvania Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Network for its annual “Celebrate the Holidays with Diversity” event, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the State Museum, 300 North St., Harrisburg. Celebrate with music, singing, dance and food from around the world. Bring a cultural dish to share. Visit pairwn.org.
Market of Curiosities
Dec. 3: Miss Ruth’s Time Bomb presents the annual Market of Curiosities at Carlisle Expo Center, 100 K St., 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. This circus of imaginative holiday gifts will feature more than 60 independent artists, vintage dealers and DIY creators. Relish the tastes of micro-brews and food. Live music will play. Visit marketofcuriosities.com.
Spa Open House
Dec. 3: SPAtacular Escapes, 200 Technology Dr., Mechanicsburg, will host a grand opening and open house to showcase its facilities, talent and services, 12 to 8 p.m. The event includes refreshments, swag bags, a grand prize spa package giveaway, discounts on appointments, demonstrations and free massages. Visit spatacularescapes.com.
Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus
Dec. 3: Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, will host “Beyond the Hallelujah Chorus: The Life and Work of George Frideric Handel,” 1:30 to 3 p.m. Visit fredricksenlibrary.org.
Holiday Soiree
Dec. 3: Art Association of Harrisburg will host a holiday soiree from 5 to 8 p.m. at Tracey Meloni’s Harrisburg home, with refreshments, music and artists. “Le Réveillon de Nöel” will be an elegant party inspired by a New Orleans tradition. $50 in advance and $55 at the door. Visit artassocofhbg.com.
Merry Kitsch-mas
Dec. 3, 4, 9, 11: The Harrisburg Gay Men’s Chorus presents “Merry Kitsch-mas” at four mid-state locations. The chorus will perform unconventional Christmas tunes with vocal stylings sure to amuse. Visit harrisburggaymenschorus.org for ticketing and locations.
Snowball Saturdays
Dec. 3-17: Kids participate in friendly indoor snowball fights, meet the Hershey Bear’s mascot and listen to stories about wintertime fun at The Hershey Story, 63 W. Chocolate Ave. Visit hersheystory.org.
Toy Train Exhibit
Dec. 3-18: Keystone Model Railroad Historical Society returns to Fort Hunter Centennial Barn, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg, with a display of HO gauge trains, Saturdays and Sundays from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Visit forthunter.org.
Festival of Trees
Dec. 3-18: Christmas trees trimmed by local garden clubs and decorated with handmade ornaments are displayed at the Fort Hunter Tavern House, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Trees are available for raffle. Ornaments will be for sale. Visit forthunter.org..
Anniversary Brunch
Dec. 4: To mark is 100th anniversary, the Civic Club of Harrisburg will host a holiday champagne brunch at 12:30 p.m. at its historic headquarters, Overlook, 612 N. Front St., with music, entertainment and catering by Stock’s on Second. Tickets cost $35. Proceeds benefit the Civic Club. Visit civicclubofharrisburg.com.
Sugar Plum 5K
Dec. 5: Wear a holiday-themed costume for the 3rd Annual Sugar Plum Run 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run. The race starts at 11 a.m. at the Coffee Beanery, 1215 Research Blvd., Hummelstown. Proceeds benefit the Children’s Miracle Network at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center Children’s Hospital. Visit sugarplumrun.com.
Toys for Tots
Through Dec. 9: The National Civil War Museum, 1 Lincoln Circle, and the United States Marine Corps are collecting toys for Harrisburg’s children in need. Drop off unwrapped toys valued at $10 or more at the museum and receive one free museum admission for the day of donation or two coupons for 50 percent off a future visit. Visit nationalcivilwarmuseum.org.
Foreign Film Friday
Dec. 9: Join Fredricksen Library for “Guten Tag, Ramón,” a PG-13 film about a young man from a small Mexican town who travels to Germany to find work to support his family, but becomes stranded without shelter or money. Showings are start at 2 and 7 p.m. Visit fredricksenlibrary.com.
Local Lunch
Dec. 10: Join Friends of Midtown at its monthly community lunch, which will be held at Yellow Bird Café, 1320 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg, 12 to 2 p.m. Contact business@friendsofmidtown.org or visit friendsofmidtown.org.
Nutcracker Ballet
Dec. 10-11 & Dec. 17-18: Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet will present an annual holiday tradition, the region’s only production of “The Nutcracker.” CPYB will perform at Whitaker Center, 222 Market St., Harrisburg, on Dec. 10 and 11, and Hershey Theatre, 15 E. Caracas Ave., Hershey, on Dec. 17 and 18. Visit cpyb.org for ticketing information.
Community Breakfasts
Dec. 10 & 30: Join Common Grounds Café for free breakfast, 8 to 11 a.m., at the Common Ground Community Center, 1508 Market St., Harrisburg. The cafe serves a restaurant-style breakfast to residents. If interested in volunteering to serve, prepare or cleanup meals, email annie.warenka@gatherthespirit.org.
Candlelight House Tour
Dec. 11: Historic Harrisburg hosts its 43rd annual Candlelight House Tour, 1 to 6 p.m., highlighting homes and businesses in Harrisburg’s Capitol neighborhood. Tickets cost $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Visit historicharrisburg.com.
Christmas at the Mansion
Dec. 11: Join the Historical Society of Dauphin County for “Christmas at the Mansion and Holiday Market” at Harris-Cameron Mansion, 219 S. Front St., 1 to 6 p.m. Tour the decorated mansion, view an exhibit of antique toys, visit Santa and shop a holiday market featuring local artists. Admission is $5 suggested donation. Children, society members and Candlelight House Tour ticketholders enter for free. Visit dauphincountyhistory.org.
Carlisle Passenger Stations
Dec. 13: National Railway Historical Society Harrisburg Chapter will host “The Passenger Stations of Carlisle,” an illustrated talk with railroad and fire department historian Randy Watts at Hoss’s Restaurant, 743 Wertzville Rd., Enola. The speaker starts at 7 p.m. Dinner begins as early as 5 p.m. Call 717-439-9744 or email sloan@auchincloss.com.
Networking Mixer
Dec. 14: Join the West Shore Chamber of Commerce and other local business professionals at the December networking mixer, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at PinnacleHealth System Fredricksen Outpatient Center, 2015 Technology Parkway, Mechanicsburg. The free event is open to Chamber members. Potential members may attend up to three free chamber events per year. Visit wschamber.org.
Climate Change
Dec. 15: Climate and national security expert David W. Titley will speak on “The Geopolitics of Climate Change” at 7:30 p.m. at the Radisson Hotel Harrisburg, Camp Hill. Titley, a retired naval admiral, teaches meteorology and international affairs at Penn State. Guests enjoy a reception and dinner prior to the talk. Visit fpa-harrisburg.org.
3rd in The Burg
Dec. 16: Enjoy the best of Harrisburg during 3rd in the Burg, the monthly arts and culture event at galleries, restaurants and art spaces throughout downtown and Midtown. Check out all the action at thirdintheburg.org.
Mini HBG Flea
Dec. 16: A mini HBG Flea will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. at St@rtup Harrisburg, 922 N. 3rd St., and will feature small tables of some old favorites and newcomers, along with an Elementary Coffee pop-up. Shop for local art, handmade gifts and vintage wares. Visit hbgflea.com.
Candlelight Concerts
Dec. 16-18: Susquehanna Chorale will hold its evening Candlelight Christmas concert series, featuring traditional and contemporary arrangements and carols, and holiday favorites. A pre-concert recital by cellist Lisa Caravan and pianist Daniel Dorty will be presented 15 minutes prior to each concert. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door; students are $5. Visit susquehannachorale.org for a listing of concert locations.
Holiday Celebration
Dec. 17: In conjunction with the Writer’s Workshop and Jump Street, the State Museum of Pennsylvania, 300 North St., Harrisburg, will host a Holiday Celebration Market Place and Showcase with gift vendors and entertainment featuring local youth performers, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Museum admission is free for the day. Visit statemuseumpa.org.
Author Appearance
Dec. 17 & 19: Harrisburg author Eugenio Albano will introduce his newest book, “The Other Marconi” at two local venues this month: The Cornerstone Coffeehouse in Camp Hill on Dec. 17, 1 to 3 p.m., and Café Fresco downtown Dec. 19, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The Cornerstone appearance will include an author reading and discussion.
Winter Discovery
Dec. 17-31: Visit the Olewine Nature Center at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, where exhibits will highlight Wildwood’s animals in winter, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day in December, excluding Dec. 19, 26 and 26. Self-guided stations will teach visitors about natural history and enhance the outdoor winter experience. Visit wildwoodlake.org.
Santa in Midtown
Dec. 18: Meet Santa, enjoy a free snack and get a museum tour at the Friends of Midtown event, Santa in Midtown, 1 to 4 p.m. at the PA National Fire Museum, 1820 N. 4th St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit friendsofmidtown.org.
Christmas Service
Dec. 18: Pine Street Presbyterian Church, 310 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg, presents a musical worship service at 11 a.m. The church choir will perform selections from Robert Shaw’s “The Many Moods of Christmas.” A Christmas tea will follow. The South Street garage will have free parking. Visit pinestreet.org.
Teen Gingerbread Houses
Dec. 18: The Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, invites teens to the annual Gingerbread Extravaganza, 2 to 4 p.m. Teens will make a gingerbread house with a fully supplied kit. Enjoy music, hot cocoa, a s’mores bar and book prizes. This event, for ages 12 to 18, costs $3. Visit fredricksenlibrary.org.
Photography Contest Display
Dec. 20-Jan. 15: Visit Wildwood Park’s Olewine Nature Center during regular business hours to view photographs entered in the Friends of Wildwood annual photography contest. On Jan 8 at 1 p.m., prizes will be awarded for winning entries, which will be displayed at the Olewine Nature Center. Visit wildwoodlake.org.
Noon Year’s Eve
Dec. 30: The State Museum of Pennsylvania, 300 North St., welcomes the New Year with its annual “Noon Year’s Eve” for young children and families, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The celebration features dancing, crafts, snacks, live performances by Steven Courtney, seasonal planetarium show and the museum’s famous firefly drop. Visit statemuseumofpa.org.
New Year’s Eve Countdown
Dec. 31: Families celebrate the day of New Year’s Eve at The Hershey Story, 63 W. Chocolate Ave., 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Kids can make some noise with Hershey characters and “bubble-wrap stomps” at 11 a.m., 1.p.m. and 3 p.m. Visit hersheystory.org.
Children’s New Year
Dec. 31: Children will count down to a noon balloon drop at the Popcorn Hat Players’ New Year’s Eve party. The 24th annual event begins at 11 a.m. at Whitaker Center, 222 Market St., Harrisburg, and includes a performance of “Cinderella.” Tickets are $12 per person. This event sells out fast; reserving tickets in advance is highly recommended. Visit gamuttheatre.org.
Harrisburg New Year’s
Dec. 31: Harrisburg will ring in the new year with fireworks and a celebration at the MLK Government Center, 10 N. 2nd St., and in downtown Harrisburg. Watch the strawberry drop at midnight outside the Hilton Hotel. Visit harrisburgpa.gov.
