Festival of Ice
Dec. 1-2: Kick off the holiday season with a visit to downtown Lewistown to see ice sculptures and carvings, enjoy carol singing, take an old-fashioned carriage ride, visit with Santa, and enjoy music, food and kids’ activities, 6 to 9 p.m. www.jrvvisitors.com
PA Gift Show
Dec. 1-4: Enjoy festive fun at PA Christmas & Gift Show at the PA Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg. The show features 500-plus vendors filled with unique gifts, in addition to entertainment, food, drink and more. www.PAChristmasShow.com
Light Show
Dec. 1-31: 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
Kids Cocoa Club
Dec. 1-Jan. 2: Curl up with a good book and participate in a reading challenge with 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
Elegant Progressions
Dec. 2-3: Historic Harrisburg Association and Kidney Foundation of Central PA host the 30th annual “Elegant Progressions,” this year 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
HBG Flea
Dec. 3: Shop the HBG Flea for local art, vintage treasures, curated curios and unique gifts, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 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
Open House
Dec. 3: Create a special holiday craft (ages 14 and older) and enjoy puzzles and activities at New Cumberland Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, New Cumberland, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Children ages 3 and older can create a special ornament. Friends of the Library will hold a book sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. www.newcumberlandlibrary.org
Holiday Concert
Dec. 3-4: Kick off the holiday season with the Harrisburg Singers’ holiday concert of sacred, secular and inspirational works. Dec. 3 concert takes place at Trinity Lutheran Church, Camp Hill at 7:30 p.m., and the Dec. 4 concert at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Mechanicsburg at 3 p.m. www.harrisburgsingers.org
Festival of Trees
Dec. 3-18: 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 will be available for purchase. www.forthunter.org
Fort Couture
Dec. 3-18: 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. 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 that travel over a large layout representing communities in central PA, Saturdays and Sundays, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. www.forthunter.org
Crafty Christmas
Dec. 3-Jan. 1: Families are invited to Hershey Gardens, 170 Hotel Rd., to make holiday crafts from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Education Center, located in the Children’s Garden. Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus on Dec. 11 and Dec. 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Butterfly Atrium will be decorated for the holidays. www.hersheyardens.org
Victorian Tea
Dec. 4: Enjoy a Victorian tea 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. www.forthunter.org
Open House
Dec. 4: The public is invited to the Keystone Musical Arts Center, 3705 E. Trindle Rd., Camp Hill, 1 and 3 p.m., to enjoy holiday cheer with live music by teachers and students. Guests can meet the teachers and staff and enjoy refreshments. www.KMACenter.org
Natural Ornaments
Dec. 4, 11: Create holiday ornaments with pinecones, milkweed pods and other natural materials at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. All supplies included. Cost is $5 and pre-registration is required. www.wildwoodlake.org
Christmas Fun
Dec. 8: Take an evening stroll along Market Street in Camp Hill for “‘Twas the Night Before,” 5 to 8 p.m., when the street is lit up for visitors to enjoy with shopping, dining, photos with Santa, live music, tree lighting, hot beverages and fun activities. www.camphillborough.com
Food Rally
Dec. 8: 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 area food trucks or New Cumberland restaurants and enjoy shopping and special promotions. www.newcumberlandpa.org
Deck the Halls
Dec. 8: Dauphin County Historical Society hosts its 27th annual “Deck the Halls” gala at the Harris-Cameron Mansion, 219 S. Front St., Harrisburg, at 6 p.m. Enjoy food, desserts, craft wines and beer, live music, holiday décor and a silent auction and raffle. www.dauphincountyhistory.org
Film Friday
Dec. 9: Join Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, for “Jinn,” a film about Summer, a 17-year old girl whose world is turned upside down after her mother has a religious conversion, prompting Summer to reevaluate her own identity. Showings are at 2 and 7 p.m. www.fredricksenlibrary.org
Secret Shop
Dec. 10: The Women’s Club of New Cumberland and Highland sponsors Santa’s Secret Workshop for children to holiday shop for family members, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Items are reasonably priced and gift-wrapped. Cash only. www.newcumberlandlibrary.org
Snowball Saturday
Dec. 10: Take the family to The Hershey Story Museum, 63 W. Chocolate Ave., for friendly, indoor snowball fights, a visit with a snowman and a fun winter storytime, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. www.hersheystory.org
Christkindlmarkt
Dec. 10: 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. 10-11: Bethesda Mission hosts “Christmas at Italian Lake,” 3rd and Division streets, Harrisburg, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 10 and 12 to 5 p.m. on Dec. 11. The event features a market of local artisans, tree lighting, caroling by local churches and schools, food trucks, sleigh rides and an ice-skating rink. A tree lighting ceremony will be held on Dec. 10 at 5 p.m. All proceeds benefit Bethesda Mission. www.bethesdamission.org
Winter Discovery
Dec. 10-Jan. 23: Visit the Olewine Nature Center at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, where special exhibits and activities highlight some of Wildwood’s animals in winter, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Follow self-guided signs along the Towpath Trail to enhance your winter outdoor experience while learning the natural history of the park. www.wildwoodlake.org
House Tour
Dec. 11: Join Historic Harrisburg Association for the 49th Annual Candlelight House Tour, 1 to 6 p.m. Advance price tickets for $20 on sale through Dec. 10. Day-of-tour tickets are on sale at HHA, 1230 N. 3rd St., for $25 each. www.historicharrisburg.org
Youth Celebration
Dec. 11: Enjoy Harrisburg Christian Performing Arts Center’s Youth Christmas Celebration at 1000 S. Eisenhower Blvd., Middletown, with Christmas skits, songs and dances, pictures with Santa, the Christmas story and a sing-along, 3 to 5 p.m. The celebration includes performances by HCPAC workshop and production participants. www.thehcpac.org
Candlelit Carols
Dec. 11: Arts on the Square hosts “Carols by Candlelight” at Market Square Presbyterian Church, 20 S. 2nd St., Harrisburg, 4 p.m. Market Square Church sanctuary choir, chamber orchestra and organist will perform Vivaldi’s “Gloria,” Randol Bass’ “Feast of Carols” and other favorites. Enjoy carol singing and candle lighting. www.marketsquarechurch.org
Lessons & Carols
Dec. 11: Pine Street Presbyterian Church presents a service of scripture and song at 4 p.m., taking the audience on a progression from prophecy to fulfillment, from Old Testament foretelling to a birthday celebration. A gala reception follows the service. www.maps.pinestreet.org
Holly Lunch
Dec. 13: Friends of the New Cumberland Library, Foundation House, 1 Benjamin Plaza, presents its annual Holly Lunch, with basket drawings, cookie and poinsettia sales, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The program is free; lunch is $10. Register for the lunch at the library, or call 717-774-7820. www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org
Book Event
Dec. 13: Harrisburg Center for Peace and Justice and Harrisburg Friends Meeting, 1100 N. 6th St., celebrate the release of George Lakey’s book, “Dancing with History: A Life for Peace and Justice,” in a free event, 7:15 p.m. Lakey will discuss his life as a Quaker activist, and Midtown Scholar Bookstore will have books available for signing and purchase. www.harrisburgquakers.org
Curiosity Kids
Dec. 15: Young visitors in grades K-2 and families are invited to a retro holiday-themed “Curiosity Kids” at the State Museum of PA, 300 North St., Harrisburg, 11:30 a.m. Kids can discover holiday traditions, toys and games of the 1970s and 1980s and create their own retro ornament. www.statemuseumpa.org
European Security
Dec. 15: Heather Conley, president of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, will discuss the future of European security at a meeting of the Foreign Policy Association of Central Pennsylvania, 7:30 p.m. at the Susquehanna Club in New Cumberland. www.fpaharrisburg.org
3rd in The Burg
Dec. 16: 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. 16-18: Susquehanna Chorale presents its annual Candlelight Christmas concerts series on Dec. 16 at Messiah University, Mechanicsburg; Dec. 17 at Leffler Chapel and Performance Center, Elizabethtown College; and Dec. 18 at Market Square Presbyterian Church, Harrisburg. www.susquehannachorale.org
Stained Glass
Dec. 17: Design a Wildwood-themed stained-glass ornament at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, in a beginner’s stained-glass workshop, 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Workshop cost is $50, and all equipment, materials and colored glass will be provided. Pre-registration required. www.explorewildwoodpark.org
Hanukkah Party
Dec. 18: Join the Harrisburg Jewish Federation of Greater Harrisburg, 3301 N Front St, for a community Hanukkah party, 10 to 11:30 a.m., with games, crafts, snacks and more. Admission is $10 per family; families should pre-register. www.jewishharrisburg.org
Reindeer Craft
Dec. 18: Make a wooden reindeer at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. All supplies to make two small reindeer will be provided, with your choice of decorations from nature. All ages welcome; pre-registration required. www.wildwoodlake.org
Candlelight Service
Dec 24: Historic Salem UCC invites you to attend their annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. Enjoy a beautifully decorated sanctuary as you sing familiar carols, participate in the lighting of candles, and listen to the story of the night that changed the world. Children are welcome. Pre-service music begins at 5:45 p.m.; service begins at 6 p.m. at 231 Chestnut St., Harrisburg. https://salemuccharrisburg.org
Noon Year
Dec. 30: State Museum of PA, 300 North St., Harrisburg, invites families to ring in the “Noon Year,” 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Enjoy hands-on activities, crafts and the dropping of the firefly at noon. Event is included with general admission. www.statemuseumpa.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 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’ annual New Year’s Eve party with a balloon drop, noisemakers, party hats, Hawaiian lei and more starting at 11 a.m. at Whitaker Center, 222 Market St., Harrisburg. Reservations recommended. www.gamuttheatre.org
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