December Community Corner
Christmas Party
Dec. 1: Blues Society of Central PA invites members and guests to their annual Christmas party with live music and food at the Hummelstown Fire Hall, 249 E. Main St. Doors open at 1 p.m., and the show begins at 3 p.m. www.bscpblues.com
Wreath Workshop
Dec. 1, 2: Use natural materials to create an evergreen wreath at Wildwood Lake, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The workshop cost is $30 per person, which includes supplies to make a wreath with natural decorations. www.explorewildwoodpark.org
Festival of Trees
Dec. 1-22: View Christmas trees decorated with handmade ornaments and trimmed by local garden clubs at the Fort Hunter Tavern House, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg, Saturdays and Sundays, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Trees will be up for raffle and a selection of ornaments available for purchase. www.forthunter.org
Toy Train Exhibit
Dec. 1-22: Keystone Model Railroad Historical Society returns to Fort Hunter Centennial Barn, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg, with a display of HO gauge trains that travel over a large layout representing communities in central PA. www.forthunter.org
Holiday Trains
Dec. 1-30: All aboard for a magical journey at the Hershey History Center, 40 Northeast Dr., Hershey. Experience a display of festive model trains with intricate tracks, scenery and locomotives. Exhibit included with admission. www.hersheyhistory.org
Holiday Puppets
Dec. 1-31: Join Imaginary Friends Puppet Theater, Strawberry Square, Harrisburg, for a festive and whimsical production, “Holiday Hullabaloo.” Catch the show at 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., Thursdays through Saturdays. www.puppetfriends.com
Cocoa Challenge
Dec. 1-Jan. 3: Kids through 18 years old 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
Tree Showcase
Dec. 1-Jan. 5: Hershey Gardens welcomes the holiday season with a festive exhibit of Christmas trees by local artists, sparkling lights, a 14-foot white poinsettia tree, photo opportunities, appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus and kids’ crafts, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. www.hersheygardens.org
Light Show
Dec. 1-31: Experience the Christmas Spirit Light Show at Clipper Magazine Stadium, 650 N. Prince St., Lancaster, with a drive-through light show with color-changing lights, synchronized to Christmas music. www.christmasspiritlightshows.com
Holiday Market
Dec. 2: Penn Cumberland Garden Club hosts its 55th annual Holiday Market Benefit & Lunch at Penn Harris Hotel, Harrisburg, noon. Enjoy a luncheon, presentation by Polly Berginc, Phipps Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, and floral demonstration. www.penncumberlandgardenclub.org
Giving Tree
Dec. 3: Join Dauphin County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for a virtual Giving Tree-Lighting ceremony, 5:30 p.m. at the Linglestown Christmas Tree at the Square, 5967 Linglestown Rd. Free to the public, with free hot cocoa and cookies. www.dauphincountycasa.org
Christmas Show
Dec. 4-8: Shop the 41st annual Pennsylvania Christmas and Gift Show for gifts, decor, apparel, jewelry, seasonal items, gourmet food and more at the PA Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg. www.pachristmasshow.com
Holiday Stroll
Dec. 5: Take a festive evening stroll along Market Street in Camp Hill from 5 to 7 p.m. Enjoy shopping, dining, live music, photos with Santa, hot beverages and activities. The borough parking lot hosts a tree lighting ceremony and visit with Santa at 6 p.m. www.camphillborough.com
Deck the Halls
Dec. 5: Dauphin County Historical Society hosts the 29th annual “Deck the Halls” gala at the Harris-Cameron Mansion, 219 S. Front St., Harrisburg, 6 to 8:30 p.m. Enjoy food, desserts, craft wines and beer, musical performances, holiday décor, a silent auction, a raffle and networking. Tickets start at $90. www.dauphincountyhistory.org
Light Parade
Dec. 6-7: Camp Hill Borough hosts the Parade of Lights for Toys for Tots on a walking trail through Willow Park, 6 to 8:30 p.m. New, unwrapped toy donations are requested as admission. www.camphillborough.com
Black Nativity
Dec. 6-8: Sankofa African American Theatre Co. returns to the West Shore Theatre, 317 Bridge St., New Cumberland, for its annual Gospel musical celebration, Langston Hughes’ “Black Nativity.” Performances are 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 6, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 7 and 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 8. www.sankofatheatrehbg.com
Light Show
Dec. 6-29: Messick’s Equipment, 1475 Strickler Rd., Mount Joy, hosts its 12th annual Christmas Light Show choreographed to holiday music. The show is free and open to the public, but donations will be collected for local charities. www.messicks.com
Greens & Gifts
Dec. 7: Shop festive greens and gourmet gifts at the Gettysburg Garden Club annual Christmas Greens & Gourmet Gifts sale, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Gettysburg Fire Hall, 35 N. Stratton St. Sales benefit Lincoln Square Flower Gardens and horticulture scholarships. www.gettysburggardenclub.org
HBG Flea
Dec. 7: Explore 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. 7: Strasburg Heritage Society hosts the 13th annual Strasburg Holiday Tour, with unique holiday décor featured in homes and churches, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. First Presbyterian Church of Strasburg, 101 S. Decatur St., will have tickets, lunch, greens, craft vendors and a silent auction. www.strasburgheritagesociety.org
Diversity Fest
Dec. 7: The PA Immigrant & Refugee Women’s Network hosts the 21st annual Diversity Festival at the State Museum of Pa., 300 North St., Harrisburg, 3 to 7 p.m. Attendees enjoy stories, performances and food. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. www.pairwn.org
La Festa Italiana
Dec. 7: Join the Hershey History Center, 40 Northeast Dr., Hershey, 5 to 9 p.m., for La Festa Italiana, its annual festival celebrating the borough’s rich Italian history. Savor a multi-course seafood dinner with hors d’oeuvres, seven seafood dishes, an aperitivo and a digestive. Enjoy live music and bid on silent auction items. www.hersheyhistory.org
Elegant Progressions
Dec. 7: Historic Harrisburg Association and Kidney Foundation of Central PA host the 33rd annual “Elegant Progressions,” with two black tie progressive dinners, 6:30 to 11:45 p.m. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and aperitifs, a formal dinner and dessert at decorated mansions in Harrisburg in support of both organizations. www.elegantprogressions.org
Holiday Fundraiser
Dec. 7: Sing along to classic holiday tunes and Summer Club favorites at a festive fundraiser for Gretna Theatre’s 2025 season at Gardner Theatre, 725 Hamilton Rd., Lancaster, at 7:30 p.m. VIP tickets include a pre-show reception. Other ticket options also available. www.gretnatheatre.org
House Tour
Dec. 8: Join Historic Harrisburg Association for the 51st Annual Candlelight House Tour, 1 to 6 p.m. Advance discounted tickets are on sale through Dec. 8 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
Lessons & Carols
Dec. 8: Pine Street Presbyterian Church, 310 N. 3rd St., Harrisburg, presents “A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols” service of scripture and song at 4 p.m. A gala reception follows. www.maps.pinestreet.org
Natural Ornaments
Dec. 8, 15: Turn nature into holiday ornaments at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Craft unique ornaments using pinecones, milkweed pods and more. All materials included. www.explorewildwoodpark.org
Holly Lunch
Dec. 10: Friends of the New Cumberland Library, Foundation House, 1 Benjamin Plaza, presents its annual Holly Luncheon with live music by Sweet Adelines Barbershop Octet, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Program is free to attend; luncheon is $10 per person. www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org
Annual Meeting
Dec. 10: 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. www.wschamber.org
Photo Display
Dec. 10-Jan. 25: View photographs entered in Friends of Wildwood Park’s annual contest in the Olewine Nature Center, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg. Vote for your favorite photos. Winners announced on Jan. 12 at 1 p.m. People’s Choice Award winners will be named at the show’s conclusion. www.explorewildwoodpark.org
Food Rally
Dec. 12: Enjoy fresh, savory foods at the New Cumberland Food Truck & Restaurant Rally every second Thursday of the month, 5 to 8 p.m. Grab dinner from food trucks or restaurants and enjoy shopping and special promotions. www.newcumberlandpa.org
Curiosity Kids
Dec. 13: Kids ages 3 to 6 are invited to the State Museum of Pa., 300 North St., Harrisburg, to learn about Victorian holiday celebrations, 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Curiosity Kids events are included with general admission. www.statemuseumpa.org
Music in Motion
Dec. 13-14: The West Shore Symphony Orchestra presents “Music in Motion,” an original concert drama that teaches about rhythm and tempo, at St. Patrick School Activity Center, 87 Marsh Drive, Carlisle. See website for details of each concert. www.westshoresympony.org
Christkindlmarkt
Dec. 14: Enjoy a holiday outing at the Lower Paxton Christkindlmarkt, a traditional German Christmas market with more than 100 juried craft vendors, craft activities, German and festival food, a live nativity, pictures with Santa, live music, dancing and more, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. www.facebook.com/LPChristkindlmarkt
Christmas Fest
Dec. 14: Bethesda Mission hosts “Christmas at Italian Lake,” 3rd and Division streets, Harrisburg, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event features a carriage ride, photos with Santa, a petting zoo, a market of local artisans, a tree lighting ceremony, live performances, food trucks, s’mores and more. www.bethesdamission.org
Dance Night
Dec. 15: Dance enthusiasts are invited to join Harrisburg USA Dance Chapter #3009 for an afternoon of social dancing and music by Dance Avanti at PA DanceSport, 585 E. Main St., Hummelstown. Admission is $15, $10 for members and $5 for students. Facebook: USA Dance Chapter #3009 – Harrisburg Area PA
3rd in The Burg
Dec. 20: 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 Tour
Dec. 21: Experience Fort Hunter Mansion, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg, by candlelight, 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Explore the halls decked out for the holidays and learn about past holiday traditions. Tour tickets are $8. www.forthunter.org
Reindeer Workshop
Dec. 22: Create a set of three wooden reindeer at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 1:30 to 3 p.m. All materials and decorations provided. The workshop is open to children of all ages, who must be accompanied by an adult. www.explorewildwoodpark.org
Candlelit Carols
Dec. 22: Enjoy Arts on the Square’s Carols by Candlelight at Market Square Presbyterian Church, 20 S. 2nd St., Harrisburg, 4 p.m., with its 50-voice Sanctuary Choir, an orchestra and harpist. www.marketsquarechurch.org
Candlelight Service
Dec 24: Historic Salem UCC, 231 Chestnut St., 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, sing carols, light candles and listen to the Christmas story. www.salemuccharrisburg.org
Last Laughs of 2024
Dec. 31: Gamut Theatre, 15 N. 4th St., Harrisburg, will ring in the new year with “Last Laughs of 2024,” a series of short comedy shows by TMI Improv Comedy Troupe, 9 to 11 p.m. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. www.gamuttheatre.org
NYE Countdown
Dec. 31: Celebrate New Year’s Eve with the whole family at The Hershey Story, 63 W. Chocolate Ave., at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Kids can get in the spirit stomping on bubble wrap and taking part in fun activities. www.hersheystory.org
Kids’ New Year
Dec. 31: Kids and families can count down to noon at Popcorn Hat Players’ 32nd annual New Year’s Eve party and performance of “Snow White & The Two Dwarfs,” starting at 11 a.m. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. Tickets include noisemakers, party hats, a Hawaiian lei and the balloon drop. Reservations recommended. www.gamuttheatre.org
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