‘Tis the season to bask in the magic of the holidays across the Keystone State. From holiday markets that will transport you to Europe to seasonal train rides with Santa, there are an abundance of festive holiday events to add to your winter #PABucketList this season. Read on to find even more of the best holiday fun in PA ever.
1. Merry Meadville
Kick off the holiday season off with a magical weekend at Merry Meadville! Celebrate with a festive tree lighting ceremony, themed ice sculptures, visits from Santa, charming horse drawn carriage rides, and shopping throughout the picturesque town decorated for the holidays.
When: Dec. 1-2, 6-7
Where: Meadville
Cost: Free
2. Tamaqua Spirit of Christmas Festival
The Tamaqua Spirit of Christmas Festival brings holiday cheer to life with a weekend full of festive delights. Enjoy a jolly Santa parade, the magical lighting of Depot Park, breakfast with Santa, train rides with Old Saint Nick himself, and vintage toy displays at the Tamaqua Historical Society Depot. Help the town of Tamaqua celebrate 25 years of this timeless tradition!
When: Dec. 5-8
Where: Tamaqua
Cost: Price varies
3. 40th Annual Dickens of a Christmas Celebration
Get into the old-fashioned holiday spirit at Wellsboro's 40th Annual Dickens of a Christmas Celebration. The historic downtown becomes a Victorian-era holiday market for this “A Christmas Carol”-inspired, one-day event. The Arcadia Theater and many local churches offer special performances celebrating Charles Dickens and Christmas. Stroll the streets of downtown as they fill with vendors, costumed entertainers, and great food. Scrooge doesn't stand a chance with these merry festivities!
When: Dec. 7
Where: Wellsboro
Cost: Free
4. Annual Christmas Tea at the Oldest House
Step into the past at this 2024 Christmas event during the Annual Christmas Tea at Laceyville’s Oldest House. Sip mulled cider and snack on cookies as you wander from floor to floor discovering fiber and textile arts decor. With the theme of “Songs of the Season,” learn about the history and origins of some of your favorite traditional tunes the season brings. Be sure to attend the kickoff event on Friday featuring a Dulcimer concert and sing-along. Later in the month, spend an evening with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and be sure to bring your little ones and their holiday wish lists along!
When: Dec. 6-8
Where: Laceyville
Cost: Free
5. Delco for the Holidays
Cross items off your wish list while shopping local in Delaware County this holiday season at the annual Delco for the Holidays. Roam Rose Tree Park after taking in the dazzling light displays of the Festival of Lights to find local merchants and food trucks. For three consecutive weekends in December, Friday and Saturday will feature different vendors, so return often for more holiday shopping and festive fun.
When: Dec. 5-Jan.4
Where: Media
Cost: Free
6. 12 Movies of Christmas
On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me...a free Christmas film festival in PA! Visit the Dietrich Theater for their 5th Annual 12 Movies of Christmas. For two weeks straight, watch 12 classic holiday films on the Dietrich Theater’s big screen, with three showings of the quintessential holiday classic, “It’s a Wonderful Life” on Dec. 17!
When: Dec. 6-19
Where: Tunkhannock
Cost: Free
7. First Commonwealth Presents: "It's A Wonderful Life" Festival
Indiana, proudly known as the “Christmas Tree Capital of the World”™, is also the hometown of Jimmy Stewart, award-winning star of the beloved holiday classic, “It's A Wonderful Life.” Celebrate the season at this 2024 holiday festival by watching the iconic film with daily matinees at the vintage theater inside The Jimmy Stewart Museum. During the annual “It’s A Wonderful Life” festival, Indiana transforms into a modern-day Bedford Falls, complete with twinkling lights and a 30-foot live Christmas tree. Visit with Santa and enjoy family fun activities, holiday treats, boutique shopping, sparkling light displays, and a unique theme featured each Saturday.
When: Dec. 7, 14, 21
Where: Indiana
Cost: Free
8. An Endless Mountain Christmas
Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, experience the nostalgic charm of the season with festive events and activities across the small mountain towns and farm communities of northeastern PA at An Endless Mountain Christmas. From exquisite light shows and Santa visits to nurseries where families can cut down their own Christmas tree, this month-long celebration invites you to make magical memories across the region.
When: Dec. 1-31
Where: Various locations across Wyoming, Sullivan, Bradford, and Susquehanna counties
Cost: Price varies
9. 9th Annual Christmas on Main Street
Stroll along Wellsboro’s picturesque Main Street with its gas-lit light fixtures and unique local shops during Christmas on Main Street, and you just might think you’ve stepped onto the set of a Hallmark holiday movie! Now in its ninth year, the town celebrates its crucial role in keeping the country’s Christmas spirit alive in the years just before and then during World War II when the local glass factory first churned out its Shiny Brite ornaments to adorn family Christmas trees. See 30 displays of ornaments made in the early 1940s, enjoy a horse-drawn wagon ride, and celebrate the season in the “town that saved Christmas.”
When: Dec. 10-15
Where: Wellsboro
Cost: Free
10. Bellefonte Victorian Christmas 2024
A cherished Happy Valley tradition that has enchanted generations for more than four decades, Bellefonte Victorian Christmas returns for a full weekend of holiday delight. Make lasting memories with brand new live performances, rides on the Bellefonte Historical Railroad, and the open-air market in Talleyrand Park featuring artisan vendors and a variety of craft food and beverages. Santa arrives at his House on Diamond on Saturday morning, an event the little ones won’t want to miss. Don’t forget to buy a gift for those on your nice list from the talented artisans at the Victorian Christmas Arts and Crafts Show!
When: Dec. 13-15
Where: Bellefonte
Cost: Price varies
11. Shop Late Nights
Located in the heart of the Allegheny National Forest, the small town of Kane goes big during the holiday season! Gather under the glow of a winter’s night during Kane’s Shop Late Nights festivities with horse-drawn carriage rides, special guest appearances, and fantastic holiday sales for all your shopping needs. You can even bring your furry friend for a photo with Santa!
When: Dec. 13, 20
Where: Kane
Cost: Price varies
12. Country Christmas at the Farm
Find your perfect Christmas tree and enjoy more festive fun at Port Farms’ Country Christmas at the Farm. Hop on a horse-drawn sleigh, wagon, or carriage to ride throughout the farm’s scenic tree farm then shop for holiday décor, handmade wreaths, and Christmas trees at their Harvest Barn gift shop. Venture into Santa’s Workshop (aka the events barn) every Saturday and Sunday to find live music, holiday food and drink specials including a few adult beverages, crafts, and cookie decorating.
When: Now-Dec. 22
Where: Waterford
Cost: Free
13. Yuletide at Liberty Hill
Yuletide at Liberty Hill returns for another year of festive fun at a new location. This spectacular 2024 Christmas festival near Philadelphia blends a traditional European Christmas market with the thrill of a top-tier music festival and gourmet farm-to-table food experiences. Stroll through more than 35 high-end market shops, enjoy free rides and live music, savor fresh food, and sip on crafty Christmas cocktails. Don’t miss the chance to take a picture with Santa amidst the holiday magic.
When: Now-Dec. 23
Where: Lafayette Hill
Cost: Price varies
14. Five Christmases at the Shriver House Candlelight Tour
Take a candlelight tour of the exquisitely decorated Shriver House for a glimpse of how Christmas was celebrated in the mid-1800s during Five Christmases at the Shriver House. See the decorations, stockings hung on the mantle, the Christmas tree sitting in its place of honor in the holiday greenery room, and the candy and springerle cookies set out in anticipation of a visit from Santa.
When: Now-Dec. 31
Where: Gettysburg
Cost: $20 for adults; $15 for children ages 7-12
15. Hersheypark Christmas Candylane
Step into a winter wonderland where five million lights illuminate Hersheypark Christmas Candylane, a holiday tradition for more than 40 years. Guests can enjoy holiday thrills on select family rides and seven coasters, marvel at Santa and all nine of his reindeer up-close for the first time. Explore the enchanting TREEville trail (opening Dec. 6) with trees decorated to themes you can only see in Hershey, and Sweet Greets with the Hershey Characters will showcase the iconic park figures donning their coziest winter apparel. Warm up with signature hot chocolate, including a new spiked hot chocolate bar for adults, and treat yourself to sweet treats like s’mores and the award-winning King Size Shakes.
When: Now-Jan. 1 (closed Dec. 25)
Where: Hershey
Cost: Price varies
16. Historic Grange Estate
You’ll find history and holiday merriment at the Historic Grange Estate, one of Delaware County’s hidden gems and home to more than 300 years of history. Uncover the joy of Christmases past with a themed tree in every room and the Cobbs Creek Lines Holiday Railroad model train rumbling through mini magical scenes. Stop by their Gift Shoppe for unique hand-crafted items made locally for a touch of hand-made history for your loved ones. Delight in the fun-filled, fantastic displays scattered throughout this unique architectural marvel.
When: Every weekend until Jan. 5
Where: Havertown
Cost: $5 for adults; $1 for children ages 5-12
17. Sesame Place's A Very Furry Christmas Celebration
Ring in the holidays with your favorite Sesame Street characters at A Very Furry Christmas! Sesame Place transforms into a winter wonderland for this 2024 Christmas event with millions of twinkling lights, whirling rides, and festive decorations. Enjoy savory Christmas menus, shop for holiday gifts, take photos with Sesame Street friends, and visit Santa in his Furry Workshop this holiday season.
When: Now-Jan. 5
Where: Langhorne
Cost: Included with admission
18. Christmas Tree @ Central Park
In the heart of winter’s wonderland, the Christmas Tree @ Central Park shines as a 36-foot tall masterpiece, its animated lights sync up to your favorite holiday music! The tree is surrounded by the Christmas Village, filled with miniature houses crafted by local businesses. Hailed as “One of the 15 Best Holiday-Light Displays in the USA” by Macaroni Kid and deemed “Simply Incredible,” this display captures the spirit of the season. Throughout the holidays, Central Park transforms into a winter wonderland with cozy events like S’mores Night and whimsical rides aboard the Christmas.
When: Now-Jan. 7
Where: Johnstown
Cost: Free
19. Christmas Tree Tours at Warehime-Myers Mansion
Hanover’s stunning neo-classical Warehime-Myers Mansion sparkles and shines this holiday season with two beautifully decorated floors lined with dozens of dazzling trees decorated by local civic and school groups. There will be live music on select evening tours adding to the festive atmosphere. As a bonus, stop in the Hanover Area History Museum located behind the historic mansion to learn a bit more about the region’s history and heritage.
When: Now-Jan. 11
Where: Hanover
Cost: $5 for adults; free for children ages 12 and under
20. Peddler's Village Gingerbread Competition & Display
Feast your eyes on more than 100 amazing masterpieces crafted from gingerbread at Peddler’s Village’s annual Gingerbread Competition & Display! A tradition since 1984, professional and amateur bakers of all ages showcase their gingerbread baking, decorating, and construction skills with creations ranging from the whimsical to the fantastical, and featuring holiday scenes and local landmarks. Pick your favorite gingerbread creation and vote for the winner of the coveted People’s Choice Prize.
When: Now-Jan. 19
Where: Lahaska
Cost: Free
For more holiday events in PA, check out the VISIT PA website. Follow us on Facebook, X, Pinterest, Threads, YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram to stay up to date on even more great ideas and places to visit around our state. Don’t forget to never miss an update and sign up for our monthly PA travel e-newsletter.