Rubies & Roses
Dec. 1: Alder Health Service hosts its annual Rubies & Roses, an HIV awareness event and annual fundraiser in honor of World AIDS Day, 6 to 10 p.m. You are invited to wear something red and attend an evening of celebration, glamour and fun. www.alderhealth.org
Elegant Progressions
Dec. 1-2: Historic Harrisburg Association and Kidney Foundation of Central PA host the 31st annual “Elegant Progressions,” with two black tie progressive dinners. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and aperitifs, a formal dinner and dessert at decorated mansions in Harrisburg. www.elegantprogressions.org
Christmas Show
Dec. 1-3: Shop the 40th Annual Pennsylvania Christmas and Gift Show at the PA Farm Show Complex, 2301 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg. Meet actress and author Karolyn Grimes, best known for her role as Zuzu Bailey in the classic 1946 holiday film “It’s A Wonderful Life.” www.pachristmasshow.com
Light Show
Dec. 1-29: Messick’s Equipment, 1475 Strickler Rd., Mount Joy, will host its 11th annual Christmas Light Show of 70,000 lights choreographed to holiday music. Drive up and watch the show from your car or park and enjoy from the bleachers. The show is free and open to the public, but donations will be collected for local charities. www.messicks.com
Light Show
Dec. 1-31: Experience the Christmas Spirit Light Show at Clipper Magazine Stadium, 650 N. Prince St., Lancaster, a festive drive-through show, with hundreds of thousands of color-changing lights, synchronized to classic Christmas music. Visit with Santa and live reindeer inside the stadium. www.christmasspiritlightshows.com
Tree Showcase
Dec. 1-Jan. 1: Hershey Gardens welcomes the holiday season with a festive exhibit of beautifully decorated Christmas trees by local artists, sparkling lights, a 14-foot white poinsettia tree and appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus and children’s crafts, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day). www.hersheygardens.org
Cocoa Challenge
Dec. 1-Jan. 5: Kids are invited to participate in a reading challenge at New Cumberland Public Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza. Grab the library’s packet and fill your hot cocoa cup with “marshmallows” (reading challenges). www.newcumberlandlibrary.org
HBG Flea
Dec. 2: Shop the holiday HBG Flea for local art, vintage treasures, curated curios and unique gifts, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Strawberry Square, 320 Market St., Harrisburg. The mission of the HBG Flea is to create a platform for community growth by bringing artists, small businesses and patrons together. www.hbgflea.com
Holiday Homes
Dec. 2: The Strasburg Heritage Society hosts the 12th annual Strasburg Holiday Tour, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The seven featured homes vary in age and style and will be decorated for the season. Tour tickets, lunch, greens, craft vendors and a silent auction will be available at First Presbyterian Church, 101 S. Decatur St. www.strasburgheritagesociety.org
Holiday Concert
Dec. 2-3: Kick off the holiday season with the Harrisburg Singers’ holiday concert of sacred, secular and inspirational works. Dec. 2 concert takes place at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mechanicsburg, at 7:30 p.m., and the Dec. 3 concert will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, Camp Hill, at 3 p.m. www.harrisburgsingers.org
Victorian Tea
Dec. 3: Sample sweet and savory treats and sip spiced tea while enjoying holiday décor at Fort Hunter Mansion, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg, 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Tour the mansion decorated for the holidays by the Civic Committee of the Harrisburg Garden Club, hear holiday music, view a clear toy candy demonstration and more. www.forthunter.org
Makers Market
Dec. 3: The Englewood, 1219 West End Ave., Hummelstown, hosts a Makers Market to celebrate the holiday season with 21 vendors, a photo station, classic holiday music, a sock drive and more, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Santa will visit from 2 to 4 p.m. Admission and parking are free. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. www.englewoodhershey.com
Annual Meeting
Dec. 5: Join West Shore Chamber of Commerce for its annual meeting and dinner at the Penn Harris Hotel, 1150 Camp Hill Bypass, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., to celebrate the chamber’s accomplishments throughout the year. www.wschamber.org
Deck the Halls
Dec. 6: Dauphin County Historical Society hosts the 28th annual “Deck the Halls” gala at the Harris-Cameron Mansion, 219 S. Front St., Harrisburg, 6 to 9 p.m. Enjoy food, desserts, craft wines and beer, musical performances, holiday décor, a silent auction, a raffle and networking. Tickets start at $80. www.dauphincountyhistory.org
Film Friday
Dec. 8: Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, will show “Joyeux Noel” at 2 p.m. and “Woman in Gold” from Vienna at 6:30 p.m. Read the films’ descriptions on the library’s website. Stick around for discussions after the films. www.fredricksenlibrary.org
Light Parade
Dec. 8-9: Camp Hill Borough hosts the Parade of Lights for Toys for Tots on a walking trail through Willow Park, 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. On Dec. 8, in addition to walking the trail, a trolley will be available at the borough building for visitors who prefer to ride around the display. New unwrapped toy donations are requested as admission. www.camphillborough.com
Christkindlmarkt
Dec. 9: Get in the holiday spirit at the Lower Paxton Christkindlmarkt, a traditional German Christmas market with more than 100 craft vendors, craft activities, German and festival food, a live nativity, pictures with Santa, live music and a holiday sing-a-long, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. www.facebook.com/LPChristkindlmarkt
Holiday Village
Dec. 9: Explore Camp Hill’s Makers Market and Holiday Village, a magical winter wonderland reminiscent of European holiday markets, 12 to 4 p.m. Willow Park will be lit up, and 24th Street will be lined with various makers of apparel, crafts, food, art and more. Grab food from vendors and visit with Santa. www.camphillborough.com
Diversity Fest
Dec. 9: The PA Immigrant & Refugee Women’s Network hosts the 20th Annual Diversity Festival at the State Museum of Pennsylvania, 300 North St., Harrisburg, 4 to 7 p.m. Attendees can enjoy stories, performances and food. Registration is $10. www.pairwn.org
Christmas Fest
Dec. 9-10: Bethesda Mission hosts “Christmas at Italian Lake,” 3rd and Division streets, Harrisburg, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 9 and 12 to 5 p.m. on Dec. 10. The event features a market of local artists, a tree lighting, caroling by local churches and schools, food trucks, sleigh rides and more. www.bethesdamission.org
House Tour
Dec. 10: Join Historic Harrisburg Association for the 50th Annual Candlelight House Tour, 1 to 6 p.m. Advanced discounted tickets are on sale through Dec. 10 for the self-guided holiday tour. Day-of-tour tickets are on sale at HHA, 1230 N. 3rd St., for $25 each. www.historicharrisburg.org
Candlelit Carols
Dec. 10: Arts on the Square hosts “Carols by Candlelight—A John Rutter Christmas” at Market Square Presbyterian Church, 20 S. 2nd St., Harrisburg, 4 p.m. Enjoy carol singing and candle lighting. www.marketsquarechurch.org
Lessons & Carols
Dec. 10: Pine Street Presbyterian Church, 310 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg, presents a service of scripture and song at 4 p.m. A gala reception follows. www.maps.pinestreet.org
Holly Lunch
Dec. 12: Friends of the New Cumberland Library, Foundation House, 1 Benjamin Plaza, presents its annual Holly Lunch and a presentation of “The Story of the Little Drummer Boy,” 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The program is free; luncheon is $10. www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org
Holiday Luncheon
Dec. 12: Harrisburg Garden Club hosts a holiday luncheon and raffle at the Country Club of Harrisburg, 401 Fishing Creek Valley Rd., 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Donald Koones will present “Pierre C. Dupont, the Visionary Genius who created Longwood Gardens.” www.gardenclubofharrisburg.org
Photo Display
Dec. 12-Jan. 26: View photographs entered in Friends of Wildwood Park’s annual contest in the Olewine Nature Center, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, during business hours. Vote for your favorite photos. Winners will be announced on Jan. 14 at 1 p.m. People’s Choice Award winners will be named at the show’s conclusion. www.explorewildwoodpark.org
Holiday DIY
Dec. 14: Join Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, for a Holiday Décor Make and Take, 6 to 8 p.m. Create a sustainable and reusable base that can be transformed into a table centerpiece, doorway swag or foundation for a holiday mantel. Workshop cost is $30, and all materials are provided. www.explorewildwoodpark.org
3rd in The Burg
Dec. 15: Explore the best of Harrisburg during 3rd in the Burg, the monthly arts and culture event, where you can visit and enjoy galleries, restaurants and art spaces throughout downtown and Midtown, 6 to 9 p.m. www.thirdintheburg.org
Candlelight Concerts
Dec. 15-17: Susquehanna Chorale presents its annual Candlelight Christmas concerts series on Dec. 15 at Messiah University, Mechanicsburg; Dec. 16 at Elizabethtown College; and Dec. 17 at Market Square Presbyterian Church, Harrisburg. www.susquehannachorale.org
Blanket Display
Dec. 21: The Homeless Memorial Blanket Project will display handmade baby blankets and handmade quilts—which will be given to people experiencing homelessness—on the state Capitol building steps. The organization seeks donations of blankets, quilts, diapers, wipes, formula and other necessities for infants. www.memorialblanket.org
Candlelight Service
Dec 24: Historic Salem UCC, Chestnut Street, Harrisburg, hosts its annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 6 p.m., with pre-service music starting at 5:45 p.m. Enjoy holiday decorations in the sanctuary as you sing familiar carols, light candles, and listen to the story of Christmas. www.salemuccharrisburg.org
Curiosity Kids
Dec. 29: Kids ages 3 to 6 are invited to the State Museum of PA, 300 North St., Harrisburg, to learn about the wild canines that have lived, and still live, in Pennsylvania, 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Curiosity Kids events are included with museum general admission, but space is limited. www.statemuseumpa.org
Noon Year
Dec. 30: State Museum of PA, 300 North St., Harrisburg, welcomes families to ring in the “Noon Year,” 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Bring the whole family to enjoy hands-on crafts and games, a story time, a planetarium show, and the dropping of the firefly at noon. The event is included with general admission. www.statemuseumpa.org
Family Countdown
Dec. 31: Families are invited to celebrate New Year’s Eve at The Hershey Story, 63 W. Chocolate Ave., 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Kids can get in the party spirit by making noise stomping on bubble wrap and taking part in fun activities. www.hersheystory.org
Kids’ New Year
Dec. 31: Children can count down to noon at the Popcorn Hat Players’ 31st annual New Year’s Eve party and performance of “The Three Little Pigs,” starting at 11 a.m. Tickets include admission to the show, noisemakers, party hats, a Hawaiian lei, and don’t forget the balloon drop. Reservations recommended. www.gamuttheatre.org
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