Farmers’ Course
Dec. 1, 8, 15: Business owners, agricultural producers and entrepreneurs are invited to Farm Sense Farm Financial and Production Management at Penn State Extension Cumberland County, 310 Allen Rd. #601, Carlisle, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Attendees will receive hands-on business training from agriculture business educators. www.extension.psu.edu
Cars & Christmas Celebration
Dec. 1–Jan.: The galleries of the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) Museum, 161 Museum Dr., Hershey, will transform into wintery wonderlands with Christmas trees and special themed exhibits for the holiday season, including a snowmobile display, sleds and sleighs and “Sammy The Snow Plow.” www.aacamuseum.org
Chocolate Lab
Dec. 1-Jan. 2: The Hershey Story Museum, 63 W. Chocolate Ave., is hosting holiday-themed Chocolate Lab classes on the weekends like “Candy Cane Bark,” “Chocolate Reindeer,” “Marshmallow Mischief” and more. Guests can enjoy a 45-minute class to learn about chocolate and make their own chocolate treat. www.hersheystory.org
Festival of Ice
Dec. 2-3: Kick off the holiday season with a visit to downtown Lewistown for a viewing of ice sculptures and carvings, a parade, a live nativity, performances and music, food and kids’ activities, 6 to 9 p.m. www.jrvvisitors.com
Christmas Spirit
Dec. 2-Jan. 1: Experience the Christmas Spirit Light Show at Clipper Magazine Stadium, 650 N. Prince St., Lancaster, for a festive drive-through light show, with hundreds of thousands of color changing lights, synchronized to Christmas music. www.ChristmasSpiritLights.com
Elegant Progressions
Dec. 3-4: Historic Harrisburg Association and Kidney Foundation of Central PA host the 30th annual “Elegant Progressions” black-tie progressive dinner. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and aperitifs, a formal dinner and dessert at decorated mansions in Harrisburg. www.elegantprogressions.org
Light Show
Dec. 3-Jan. 1: Walk through thousands of lights lit in festive shapes and designs, and enjoy horse carriage rides, food, and more, at Kish Park, 1 Derry Park Dr., Lewistown.www.kishparkshininglight.org
HBG Flea
Dec. 4: Shop the HBG Flea for local art, vintage treasures, curated curios and unique holiday gifts, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., in Strawberry Square, Harrisburg. www.hbgflea.com
Kiwanis Parade
Dec. 4: The Lewistown Kiwanis Club’s annual Christmas parade steps off at 1 p.m. with floats, bands, Scout troops, firetrucks and Santa. This year’s theme is “Ugly Christmas Sweater.” www.facebook.com/lewistown.kiwanis
Snowball Saturdays
Dec. 4, 11, 18: Take the family to The Hershey Story Museum, 63 W. Chocolate Ave., for free Snowball Saturdays with indoor snowball fights, a visit with a snowman and to enjoy stories about wintertime fun, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. www.hersheystory.org
Festival of Trees
Dec. 4-19: View Christmas trees decorated with handmade ornaments and trimmed by local garden clubs at the Fort Hunter Tavern House, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg, on Saturdays and Sundays, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Trees will be up for raffle, and a selection of ornaments will be available for purchase. www.forthunter.org
Fort Couture
Dec. 4-19: View Christmas tree dresses created by Fort Hunter friends and neighbors on Saturdays and Sundays, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., at Fort Hunter Mansion & Park, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg. Enjoy imaginative displays with unique dress forms adorned in Christmas decorations. www.forthunter.org
Toy Train Exhibit
Dec. 4-19: 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 central PA communities, Saturdays and Sundays, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. www.forthunter.org
Little Elves
Dec. 4-31: Kids are invited to The Hershey Story Museum, 63 W. Chocolate Ave, to journey through “Little Elves Workshop” using chocolate clay, icing and ribbon to fashion an ornament, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Children can try out vintage toys, and the whole family can pose in front of a snowy Hershey scene for a holiday photo. www.hersheystory.org
Victorian Tea
Dec. 5: Enjoy a Victorian tea in hybrid fashion at Fort Hunter Mansion, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg, 12 to 4 p.m. Tour the historic mansion in person to enjoy holiday décor by the Civic Committee of the Harrisburg Garden Club and view a clear toy candy demonstration. Pick up pre-purchased tea packages to enjoy at home. www.forthunter.org
Natural Ornaments
Dec. 5, 12: Create holiday ornaments with pinecones, milkweed pods and other natural materials at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg. All supplies will be included. Cost is $5 and pre-registration is required. www.wildwoodlake.org
Deck the Halls
Dec. 9: Dauphin County Historical Society will host its 26th annual gala at the Harris-Cameron Mansion, 219 S. Front St., Harrisburg, 6 to 9 p.m. Enjoy food, desserts, craft wines and beer, live music, holiday décor and a silent auction and raffle. www.dauphincountyhistory.org
Foreign Film
Dec. 10: Join Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, for “Koyla,” from the Czech Republic, recounting a love story between guardian and child that is universal in its storytelling. Showings are at 2 and 7 p.m. www.fredricksenlibrary.org
Christkindlmarkt
Dec. 11: Get in the holiday spirit at the Lower Paxton Christkindlmarkt and outdoor street festival with more than 75 craft vendors, craft activities, German and festival food, a living nativity, pictures with Santa, live music and a holiday sing-a-long, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. www.facebook.com/LPChristkindlmarkt
Christmas Fest
Dec. 11-12: Bethesda Mission hosts “Christmas at Italian Lake,” 3rd and Division streets, Harrisburg, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Enjoy photos with Santa, sleigh rides, caroling by local choirs, food truck foods and a holiday market. A tree lighting ceremony will be held on Dec. 11 at 5 p.m. All proceeds benefit Bethesda Mission. www.bethesdamission.org
Winter Discovery
Dec. 11-Jan. 30: Visit the Olewine Nature Center at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, where special exhibits will highlight some of Wildwood’s animals in winter, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. www.wildwoodlake.org
Carols by Candlelight
Dec. 12: Arts on the Square presents a free Christmas concert at Market Square Presbyterian Church, 20 S. 2nd St., Harrisburg, at 4 p.m. Enjoy J.S. Bach’s “Magnificat in D” and Randol Bass’ “Gloria” with the Sanctuary Choir, Harrisburg Camerata, organ, orchestra, brass and percussion. Enjoy carol singing and candle lighting. www.marketsquarechurch.org
Kids Cocoa Club
Dec. 15-Jan. 15: Curl up with a good book at New Cumberland Public Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza. Grab the library’s packet and fill your hot cocoa cup with “marshmallows” (winter reading challenges). Update a reading log to earn a completion badge and prize. Grab your hot chocolate reward at the library before Jan. 31. www.newcumberlandlibrary.org
Reindeer Craft
Dec. 16: Make your own wooden reindeer at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, with Friends of Wildwood vice president and craftsman Jim Caufield. All supplies to make two small reindeer will be provided, with your choice of decorations from nature. www.wildwoodlake.org
3rd in The Burg
Dec. 17: 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, 6 to 9 p.m. www.thirdintheburg.org
Candlelight Concerts
Dec. 17-19: Susquehanna Chorale presents its annual evening Candlelight Christmas concert series. Tickets are $22 in advance, $27 at the door and $5 for students. www.susquehannachorale.org
Holiday Concerts
Dec. 18, 19: Whitaker Center, 222 Market St., Harrisburg, will host the Harrisburg Gay Men’s Chorus holiday concerts. www.harrisburggaymenschorus.org
Mural Tour
Dec. 19: Pine Street Walkers take a tour of downtown Harrisburg’s outdoor murals, accompanied by Christmas caroling. The free event begins at 1 p.m. at N. 3rd and Pine streets, Harrisburg.
Radio Theater
Dec. 19-20: Radio theater comedy troupe, The Not Ready For Drive Time Players, presents “Winter Radio Theater 2021” at Center Street Grille, 4 Center St., Enola, 7 p.m. Actors will read from scripts like old-fashioned radio theater performers, with a modern spin. Admission is $5. randy.gross@yahoo.com
Curiosity Kids
Dec. 23: Young visitors in grades K-2 and families are invited to “Curiosity Kids” at the State Museum of Pennsylvania, 300 North St., Harrisburg, 11:30 a.m. Kids can discover holiday traditions, decorations and toys of the 1950s and 1960s, and create their own glittery ornament. www.statemuseumpa.org
Kids’ New Year
Dec. 31: Children can count down to noon at the Popcorn Hat Players’ 29th annual New Year’s Eve party with a balloon drop, noisemakers, party hats, Hawaiian lei and a performance of “Thumbelina,” starting at 11 a.m. at Whitaker Center, 222 Market St., Harrisburg. Reservations are recommended. www.gamuttheatre.org
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 making noise stomping on bubble wrap and take part in fun activities. www.hersheystory.org
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