What’s Happening | December 8, 9, 10

Here’s a list of opportunities to get out and about this weekend!

Shippensburg/Orrstown

• Katie’s Place Thrift Shop is having its next monthly sale December 7, 8, & 9 from 8AM – Noon.  The store is located at the old Martin’s Bakery Building (go down the hill to the bottom of the building) at the corner of S. Penn and E. Garfield Streets in Shippensburg.

• Visit Tiny World (6720 Rice Road) to see a miniature village whose tiny buildings are landscaped, lighted and furnished.  Santa will be coming Friday and Saturday at 6PM. Bring your cameras.
  

• New Hope Mennonite Church’s “Journey to Bethlehem” is December 7 & 8 from 7PM – 8:30PM.  You will join “family guides” taking you on an adventure where you will talk to shop keepers, meet with angels, discourse with wisemen, and ultimately learn the real reason for Christmas through a live nativity scene.

• There will be Pictures with Santa Paws and a Gift Wrapping Fundraiser at Shippensburg’s Tractor Supply on Saturday December 9 from 10AM – 2PM.  You are welcome to bring your furry and not so furry friends as long as they are leashed, cagged, cooped, or even in a bowl!  $10 donation for a digital print.  All proceeds benefit the Franklin County 4-H Poultry Club.
  

Newburg

• Breakfast with Santa will be held Saturday, December 9 from 8AM – 10AM. The event is held at the Hopewell Township building on Three Square Hollow Road.  An auction will be held at 9AM.  $8 for adults; $3 for children 6 to 12; Free for children 5 and younger.
  

Newville/Carlisle/Camp Hill

• “Portraits of White” concert on December 9 at 7PM includes great music, a live orchestra, and a beautiful venue.  In “Portraits of White” singer/songwriter Frances Drost shares her talents and heartwarming original music.  In addition, this year’s concert has a high quality line-up of top-notch musical entertainment featuring a 25-piece orchestra and songs – vocal and instrumental – across multiple musical genres and styles.  For tickets go here. “Portraits of White” will take place at Christ Community Church in Camp Hill, PA.

• Middlesex United Methodist Church (118 N. Middlesex Road, Carlisle) is hosting a Live Nativity Hayride.  Take a 40 minute hay wagon ride through the Christmas story.  Live actors, animals and musicians along the way.  This event is FREE and for all ages.  Friday December 8th 6PM to 9PM and Saturday December 9th 4:30PM to 8PM.

• On Sunday, December 10 from Noon to 4PM, enjoy this once-a-year opportunity to explore the Cameron-Masland Mansion at Kings Gap. Take a self-guided tour of both floors of the mansion in seasonal decor.

• Benchfield Farms will be offering Carriage rides in downtown Carlisle (weather permitting) on Friday, December 8 and Saturday, December 9.  Carriage rides will cost $5 for Adults, $3 Children Ages 6 -12, children 5 and under are free.
  

Chambersburg

• On Saturday, Dec. 9 from 8AM to 10AM at the Marion Volunteer Fire Company (MVFC) is a Breakfast with Santa.  F&M Bank will be taking free pictures for each family.  Donations will benefit the MVFC.  There is no registration necessarily.

• Breakfast with Santa Cow on December 9 at Chambersburg Chick-fil-A. Cost $5.  One ticket per child. Ticket includes craft, Story Time, and a 4-count Chick-n-Mini meal. The event also includes pictures with Santa Cow.  You must register & pay here!

• The Cumberland Valley Model Railroad Club will be opening its doors on Sunday December 10 from Noon – 4PM.  The public is invited to see over 55 model trains running of all sizes – from the tiny T-scale up to the G-gauge set.  This is a FREE event with plenty of parking.  The clubhouse on 440 Nelson Street in Chambersburg.

Greencastle

•  Greencastle’ Heritage Christmas is Friday night starting at 5:30PM.  Pictures with Santa, Train Display, Free Popcorn, Live Wreath Market, S’Mores, Crafts, Horse & Wagon Rides (Call the Chamber for Tickets 717-597-4610), Antique Sleigh Display, and More.

• The 2017 Greencastle Heritage Christmas Home Tour is Sunday, December 10 from 1 – 5PM. Visit four beautiful homes & a church in Greencastle.    Advance tickets are $15. Tickets the day of are $20.

Mercersburg

• On Saturday December 9, come see the Conococheague Institute during the Christmas Open House from  1 – 4PM.  Tours of historic houses decorated for the holidays using natural objects, music, colonial games, wooden toys, books by local authors and other unique gift items, living historians.

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. 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.

Biglerville/Gettysburg 

• The Outlet Shoppes at Gettysburg offers FREE Carriage Rides on Fridays & Saturdays through December 23 from 5PM-8PM each night.

• Victorian Carriage Company offers Holiday Carriage rides with special musical guests and Civil War Santa.  Enjoy a 30-minute horse drawn carriage ride through the town of Gettysburg on December 9, December 10, December 16 and December 23.  Rides times vary, please see the Calender for exact departure times or to make your reservation.
  

• The annual festive tour of Gettysburg area historic homes, inns and properties is December 9.  The Tour Begins on Sat 9AM to 11AM at the Dobbin House for a Tour and History of this property. Then move on to all the other properties on the tour from 12 to 5PM, Fairfield Inn, Hickory Bridge, Battlefield Inn, Inn at Herr Ridge, Baladerry Inn, Trinity United Church of Christ, General Lee’s Headquarters, Adams County Winery and the GAR Building! For online tickets ($20) go here.

Maryland

• The 9th annual Charlie Brown Christmas inside the Barn at Springfield Farm is December 8-10, 3PM-8PM.  Find a stunning display of more than 100 decorated trees.  Visitors can meet Santa & Mrs. Claus, pose with “Buster the Talking Bear”, see a train display, enjoy yummy elf snacks, and take a horse drawn wagon ride around the barn (small fee).  For GPS, use 12 Springfield Ln, Williamsport, Maryland 21795.

• Dollar Days, an annual Baltimore tradition, are on December 9 and 10, 2017.  Participating downtown museums and attractions, including the National Aquarium, will offer admission for just $1!

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.