What’s Happening | December 1 – 3
Here’s a list of opportunities to get out and about this weekend!
Shippensburg
The SHAPE Gallery will have their Annual Holiday Party on Friday, December 1. Musical guest Tresa Day, see glass artist Mike Peluso create one-of-a-kind glass ornaments, shop for gifts, and enjoy refreshments! The doors open at 6PM.
The Fellowship Ministry of Memorial Lutheran Church will be hosting a Free Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 2. The annual Santa Breakfast will be held at Memorial Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 34 E. Orange St. from 8AM – 11AM. Reservations are appreciated but drop-ins are welcome.
Phi Sigma Sigma and Lambda Chi Alpha are teaming up to assist children make gifts for their friends and family this holiday season. On December 2 from 9AM – 1PM at the Vigilant Hose Company #1, children can choose 3 gifts to make. $15 first child/$10 each additional child.
Southampton Township Cumberland County is hosting a Holiday Marketplace on December 2 9AM – 1PM. The event will be held at the Cleversburg Community Center, 56 Cleversburg Rd. Local crafts and vendors in one place for your holiday shopping convenience. From 3PM – 5PM, Cookies with the Clauses will include a small craft, sweet treat and picture with Mr. & Mrs. Claus. Come and go as you please! Bring your camera.
Tiny World is now decorated and lighted for the holidays. Visit Tiny World at 6720 Rice Road and see a miniature village whose tiny buildings are landscaped, lighted and furnished.
Pleasant Hall
A holiday craft and vendor extravaganza will be held at Pleasant Hall Volunteer Fire Company on December 2. This event will be held from 9AM to 3PM. Other activities included in this extravaganza: Meet and Greet With Santa Claus from 10AM-1PM; Face Painting; Ticket Raffles; Food Sales; Fire Safety Information and Engine/Ambulance Displays; Free Gift Bags For Kids.
Newburg
The Newburg Area Community Voices will present the story of Christmas through song, storytelling, and Christmas lights. The 43rd Annual Living Christmas Tree Presentations are: November 30, December 1, December 2 at 7PM & December 3, 2017 at 3:30PM. The Newburg First Church of God is located at 260 Newburg Road.
Newville
Doubling Gap Church of God, 50 McCrea Rd, Newville is presenting a free live drive-thru nativity on December 1 & 2 from 6:30PM to 8:30PM.
Carlisle
Carlisle’s Christmas Parade is December 1 at 7PM. The parade will include marching units, marching bands, floats, auto units and fire trucks parading through Historic Downtown Carlisle on Hanover Street. Santa will conclude the parade and join the public on the town square for the annual Christmas Tree Lighting, Caroling and Pictures with Santa. On Friday at 9PM there will be a free showing of the holiday movie, Home Alone at the Carlisle Theatre.
Benchfield Farms will be offering Carriage rides in downtown Carlisle (weather permitting) on Friday, December 1 after the parade (with Santa). Saturday, December 2, 10AM – 4PM (not with Santa). Carriage rides will cost $5 for Adults, $3 Children Ages 6 -12, children 5 and under are free. Rides will load and unload next to the Old Courthouse.
The Market of Curiosities, an odd market for everyone takes place on December 2, 2017. Doors open at 11AM and close at 7PM. An alternative, craft and vintage market will feature independent artists, vintage collectors, DIY crafters, breweries for beer tasting, food, and live musical acts. Circus Stella will perform at 2PM and 5PM. The market will be hosted at the Carlisle Expo Center at 100 K Street, Carlisle. $3/person; children under 12/free.
Carlisle Barracks is hosting the Christkindlesmarkt Holiday Crafts Bazaar on December 2 from 9AM – 2PM. Free Admission and Parking. Open to the Public. The event is held the U.S.Army Heritage and Education Center (AHEC) located at 950 Soldiers Drive, Carlisle. Entertainment, Music, Artisans, and Food.
The Downtown Carlisle Association and Bosler Library invite you to Doughnuts with Santa. Enjoy Saturday morning doughnuts, coffee and juice with Santa at the Bosler Library from 9AM – 11AM on Saturday, December 2. No registration necessary.
The Carlisle Sertoma Club is having a Breakfast with Santa on December 2 from 8AM – 10AM. $3 Donation. Kids 5 & Under eat free. Free crafts with Santa’s helpers. Carlisle Sertoma Clubhouse, 311 E. North Street, Carlisle.
There will be a Holiday Open House at the Kings Gap’s Mountain Mansion on Sunday, December 3 and Sunday, December 10 from Noon to 4PM. Enjoy this free opportunity to take a self-guided tour in seasonal decor. Musical entertainment will be provided by Celtic harpist Patricia Putz on December 3.
Chambersburg
The Drying Shed is having a Holiday Open House on December 1 & 2 (Fridays 10 – 7 and Saturdays 10 – 4). The Drying Shed, 1587 Newcomer Rd, Chambersburg is a dried flower farm and greenhouse. Choose from a selection of fresh evergreen wreaths, swags, basket arrangements and bunches. Also, find a variety of bows, candles, grapevine and ribbon.
The Annual Cocoa Crawl is December 1 from 6PM – 8PM. Vote for your favorite downtown Chambersburg merchant’s hot cocoa recipe. Buy a commemorative mug for $5 and receive your ballot. Only 350 mugs available.
On December 2 from 10AM to 4PM is the grand re-opening of Coyle Free Library at 102 North Main Street. There will be snacks, music, activities, and more.
Donate a new, unwrapped toy and have your photo taken with Santa – on a Harley Motorcycle! On December 2 from 10AM – 3PM at M & S Harley Davidson, Falling Spring Rd, Chambersburg, start a family tradition by having L.A. Cameras take your picture with Santa on his Harley-Davidson.
Greencastle
Santa’s Stop & Shop will be Saturday, December 2 from 9AM to 3PM at the Blue Heron Event Center, 407 S. Washington Street, Greencastle. Cash & Carry gifts to go. Santa Claus is coming from Noon to 2PM. Kids get pictures with Santa & gifts. Raffle items & door prizes all day.
Green Grove Gardens Christmas Craft Show is Saturday, December 2 & 3, 2017. The Christmas Craft Show will include local artisans, craft vendors, food and beverages. Admission & Parking are FREE. Green Grove Gardens is located at 1032 Buchanan Trail East, Greencastle.
Waynesboro/Rouzerville
Enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of Christmas at Renfrew Museum and Park on Friday December 1, 5:30-8:30PM, Saturday December 2, 2-8PM, and Sunday December 3, 1-5PM. The Museum House will be festively decorated for the holidays and interpreted by actors in period clothing. Refreshments and live entertainment. In addition tour the big stone house located at 13028 Welty Road this year. Admission: $8 for adults $7 seniors $5 ages 7-18. Free ages 6 & under. Free to Members.
The Waynesboro Children’s Theatre Troupe will present Annie! on November 30, December 1, 2, and 3, 2017, at the Waynesboro Area High School, 550 East Second Street.
The Red Run Express, weather permitting, will run from 1PM to 3PM on Saturday, December 2 at Red Run Park in Rouzerville. Free miniature train rides for ALL ages. Meet Santa and his elves, Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
McConnellsburg
The Fulton County Festival of Lights is a “Drive Through” Christmas Light Display located at the Fulton County Fairgrounds in McConnellsburg. The 2017 Festival of Lights will be held Friday, Dec. 1 and Saturday, Dec. 2 and the following week Friday, Dec. 8 and Saturday, Dec. 9. The times are 6PM – 9:30PM on all nights. Visitors to the light display enter through the upper fairgrounds gate and pay $4 per vehicle.
Gettysburg
Join the businesses on Steinwehr Avenue in Gettysburg for a Victorian Christmas on Saturday, December 2. Some highlights include free carriage rides, Mr. & Mrs. Santa Claus, children’s activities, refreshments, music and more! 
The Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg offers FREE Carriage Rides on Fridays & Saturdays through December 23 from 5PM-8PM each night.
Mechanicsburg
Oakes Museum of Natural History is having a FREE Holiday Open House on Saturday, December 2 from 1PM- 5PM. There will be a winter craft project, a story time, a winter photo booth, special discounts in the gift shop, and refreshments.
Harrisburg
PA Christmas & Gift Show is being held November 29 – December 3 at the PA Farm Show Complex. Weis Markets is currently offering discounted tickets for $7 (regular price $8). Wednesday, Nov 29 — 9 AM to 7 PM; Thursday, Nov 30 — 9 AM to 7 PM; Friday, Dec 1 — 9 AM to 7 PM; Saturday, Dec 2 — 9 AM to 7 PM; Sunday, Dec 3 — 10 AM to 5 PM.
Maryland
On Saturday evening December 2, Antietam National Battlefield, Sharpsburg, MD will host the Annual Memorial Illumination in honor of those soldiers who fell during the Battle of Antietam. The Illumination opens to the public at 6PM. The driving tour through the park is approximately 5 miles long.
Ongoing Holiday Attractions
The Middletown and Hummelstown Railroad operates tourist passenger trains, Santa Surprise Trains and the Polar Bear Express Trains. Reservations are required for these trains, but any unsold seats will be available first-come-first-serve.
Pennsylvania’s oldest operating trolley museum, Rockhill Trolley Museum is now open for the holiday season with the Polar Bear Express and Santa’s Trolley. Come to the Rockhill Trolley Museum for the Polar Bear Express on Fridays and Saturdays through December 9.
Save on Admission to Dutch Winterland Wonderland. Celebrate the magic of the season at Dutch Winter Wonderland with rides, entertainment, and the Royal Light Show, a spectacular display of thousands of twinkling lights dancing to music. Open select weekends and weekdays.
Hersheypark Christmas Candylane is now open with select dates until January 1, 2018. Admission to Candylane is regularly $24.85 for ages 3 and up. Children ages 2 and younger are FREE. More than 50 rides are open, including 6 coasters, a choreographed light show, festive live entertainment, and more. Santa and his 9 reindeer make a stop in Hershey too! Giant sells discounted tickets..
Santa’s Wonderland is at Bass Pro Shops, 3501 Paxton Street, Harrisburg. There are free crafts, games, and activities. Please refer to the website for specific times.
The Trains of Christmas at Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum continues Fridays, Saturdays, & Sundays from 1PM – 5PM. Enjoy Christmas at the Roundhouse Celebration, featuring the Polar Express. This 3-rail “O” scale layout features your favorite steam & diesel trains operating on 4 levels of winter wonderland. Admission: $6 adults; $1 for ages 4 to 15; those ages 3 and younger are free.
Whitaker Center’s Holiday Winter Wonderland exhibit is open. Whitaker Wonderland offers indoor winter fun for the whole family. Take a few laps around the sock skate rink, check out the snowball pit, and take the Cranky Cars for a spin! Included with standard Science Center admission. Find the Holiday Film Series at the Whitaker Center schedule on their website. The Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts is located at 222 Market Street, Harrisburg.
