Community Corner: Notable December Events

Dec. 1: Penn Cumberland Garden Club hosts its 55th annual Holiday Market Benefit & Lunch at Penn Harris Hotel, Harrisburg, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy a luncheon, a presentation and a floral demonstration. www.penncumberlandgardenclub.org

Dec. 1-29: Take a magical journey at the Hershey History Center, 40 Northeast Dr., Hershey, viewing a festive display of model trains with intricate tracks, scenery and locomotives. Exhibit is included with admission. www.hersheyhistory.org

Dec. 2: 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. Enjoy free hot cocoa and cookies. www.dauphincountycasa.org

Dec. 3-7: 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

Dec. 3-31: Enjoy the holiday season at the Christmas Spirit Light Show at Clipper Magazine Stadium, 650 N. Prince St., Lancaster, with a festive drive-thru light show, including hundreds of thousands of color-changing lights, synchronized to Christmas music. www.christmasspiritlightshows.com

Dec. 5: Army Heritage Center Foundation will host a book launch and signing for “Operation Desert Storm” by Col. Frank Hancock, a West Point graduate and Dickinson College adjunct professor, at Whistlestop Bookstore, 129 West High St., Carlisle, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. www.armyheritage.org

Dec. 5: Shop for gifts at the Holiday Makers’ Market at Ware Center, 42 N. Prince St., Lancaster, where you’ll find unique crafts, jewelry, fine art, homemade soaps and more, by local artisans, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Millersville University’s National Society of Black Engineers will collect winter wear donations. www.artsmu.com

Dec. 5: River 97.3 and the Central PA Music Hall of Fame present Rock the Food Bank, a benefit concert at XL Live, 801 S. 10th St., Harrisburg, 7 p.m. The show features the Van Wirsing Valen Talen Tribute and The Jelly Bricks, among others. All proceeds benefit the Central PA Food Bank. www.theriver973.iheart.com

Dec. 5-6: Camp Hill hosts the Parade of Lights for Toys for Tots on a walking trail through Willow Park, 6 to 8 p.m. New, unwrapped toy donations are requested as admission. www.camphillborough.com

Dec. 5-7: 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. 5, 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 6 and 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 7. www.sankofatheatrehbg.com

Dec. 6: Shop for festive greens and gourmet gifts at the Gettysburg Garden Club annual Christmas Greens & Gourmet Gifts sale at Gettysburg Fire Hall, 35 N. Stratton St., 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. www.gettysburggardenclub.org

Dec. 6: Explore the 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

Dec. 6: Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, hosts mystery parties for tweens and teens to solve a fictional “Murder at the Ugly Sweater Party.” The tween session (ages 9 to 12) runs 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., and the teen session (ages 13 to 18) runs 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Attendees should wear ugly holiday sweaters. www.fredricksenlibrary.org

Dec. 5-6: Kidney Foundation of Central Pennsylvania and the Historic Harrisburg Association host the 34th annual Elegant Progressions over two evenings, 5:45 to 11 p.m. An all-inclusive reservation includes transportation between stops for hors d’oeuvres and aperitifs, a formal dinner and a dessert buffet. www.historicharrisburg.org

Dec. 6: Strasburg Heritage Society hosts the 14th annual Strasburg Holiday Home Tour, with unique historic district homes decorated for the season, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Presbyterian Church Event Center will have tickets, lunch, greens and vendors beginning at 9:30 a.m.. www.strasburgheritagesociety.org

Dec. 6-7: Use items found in nature to create unique holiday ornaments at Wildwood Park, 100 Wildwood Way, Harrisburg, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Craft ornaments using provided materials like pinecones and milkweed pods. Pre-registration is required. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Dec. 6-21: View Christmas trees decorated with handmade ornaments and trimmed by local garden clubs at 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

Dec. 6-21: 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 and interactive elements, Saturdays and Sundays, 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. www.forthunter.org

Dec. 7: The Woodrow Wilson Birthday Association of Cumberland County will host a dinner to mark its 100th anniversary at the West Shore Elks, 108 St. Johns Rd., Camp Hill. Social hour begins at 12 p.m., followed by a 1 p.m. buffet lunch and an address by historian Richard Striner. www.arundelynn.com

Dec. 7: Manor on Front, 2917 N. Front St., Harrisburg, will host a Mansion Concert with Swearingen & Kelly with Jon Beedle at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m. Guests should register for the invitation list on the Mansion Concert website. www.mansionconcert.com

Dec. 9-Jan. 24: 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 at a reception on Dec. 14 at 1 p.m. www.explorewildwoodpark.org

Dec. 9: Friends of the New Cumberland Library hosts their annual Holly Luncheon, with entertainment by the Cedar Cliff Singers Octet, at Foundation House, 100 Bridge St., New Cumberland, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The performance is free to attend, and the luncheon is $10 per person. www.newcumberlandlibrary.org

Dec. 11: 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 New Cumberland restaurants and enjoy shopping and promotions. www.newcumberlandpa.org

Dec. 12, 19: Kids ages 3 to 6 are invited to the State Museum of Pa., 300 North St., Harrisburg, to learn about the winter solstice on Dec. 12 and 1970s and 1980s holiday traditions on Dec. 19, 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Curiosity Kids events included with general admission.  www.statemuseumpa.org

Dec. 12: Harrisburg Area Contra Dance Association hosts a 2nd Friday Contra Dance with live music, 8 to 10:30 p.m., at Silver Spring Presbyterian Church, 444 Silver Spring Rd., Mechanicsburg. There will be a free beginner lesson at 7:30 p.m. www.harrisburgcontra.org

Dec. 13: 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

Dec. 14: 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 will follow. https://maps.pinestreet.org

Dec. 14: The 52nd annual Candlelight House Tour will showcase Harrisburg residences and architectural landmarks decorated for the holidays on a self-guided tour, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Admission ticket includes a 60-plus page guidebook with a map and property descriptions. www.historicharrisburg.org

Dec. 14: 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

Dec. 19: 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

Dec. 19-21: Susquehanna Chorale presents its Candlelight Christmas Concerts, with a variety of traditional and contemporary seasonal pieces. Enjoy a holiday concert on Dec. 19 at Messiah University; Dec. 20 at Market Square Presbyterian Church, Harrisburg; and Dec. 21 at Elizabethtown Church of the Brethren. www.susquehannachorale.org

Dec. 20: Attend the Sips & Sweets Market at The Winery at Hunters Valley, Liverpool, for a holiday shopping and tasting event with local bakers and sweet makers, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guests can enjoy holiday cocktails, mulled wine and spiked hot chocolate and cookies, cupcakes and candies. www.huntersvalleywines.com

Dec. 20: Experience Fort Hunter Mansion, 5300 N. Front St., Harrisburg, by candlelight and see the historic halls decked for the holidays while hearing about past traditions. The tour is offered at 4:30, 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. www.forthunter.org

Dec. 21: Harrisburg USA Dance Chapter #3009 invites dance enthusiasts to a dance lesson at 2 p.m., followed by three hours of social dancing in ballroom, swing and Latin style, at PA DanceSport, 585 E. Main St., Hummelstown. All levels are welcome. Facebook: USA Dance Chapter #3009 Harrisburg Area PA

Dec 24: Historic Salem UCC, 231 Chestnut St., Harrisburg, hosts its annual Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 6 p.m. Enjoy holiday decorations, special music, carols and listen to the Christmas story. Worship closes with a candlelit singing of “Silent Night” followed by refreshments. www.salemuccharrisburg.org

Dec. 31: Gamut Theatre, 15 N. 4th St., Harrisburg, will ring in the new year with “Last Laughs of 2025,” a series of short comedy shows by TMI Improv Comedy Troupe. Three showtimes begin at 9, 10 and 11 p.m. www.gamuttheatre.org

Dec. 31: Families are invited to ring in the New Year early at Popcorn Hat Players’ 33rd annual “Countdown to Noon,” New Year’s Eve party. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. and the show, “The Ugly Duckling,” beings at 11 a.m. Attendees can dress up, walk the red carpet and celebrate with noisemakers and a balloon drop. www.gamuttheatre.org

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

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