Editor’s note: We will be updating this list. Send your event to tneditor@tnonline.com

Concerts

• The Ben Salem UCC Handbell Choir will present a free Christmas Concert titled “Celebrate the Child” at 2 p.m. Sunday in the church sanctuary located at 1965 Church Hill Road, Lehighton. The first half of the program will feature Christmas carols from around the world celebrating the birth of Jesus while the second half of the program will feature secular Christmas songs celebrating the child in all of us. Free refreshments will follow the concert. All are welcome.

• The Bach and Handel Chorale, based out of Jim Thorpe, will begin its 40th year of performances. Randall Douglas Perry, founder, artistic director and conductor will conduct and accompany the concerts at 2 p.m. Sunday at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, 526 N. St. in Jim Thorpe; at 3 p.m. Dec. 14 in St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 158 Fish Hill Road in Tannersville; and at 3 p.m. Dec. 15 in St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Trexlertown. Visit www.bhchorale.org or call 570-325-4794.

• The Magical Polar Experience comes to Sherman Theater in Stroudsburg on Dec. 12. The night begins with a screening of “The Polar Express” on the big screen, plus live musical performances, dancers and ballerinas, northern lights display and Santa. Wear pajamas to the event. For tickets and more information, visit shermantheater.com or call 570-420-2808.

• The Belles, an award-winning Nashville a cappella group, hosts a singing and performance workshop to learn Christmas music Dec. 13 for ages 7-12, from 5 to 7 p.m. and ages 13+, 7-9 p.m. at Yenser’s Tree Farm, 1910 Mahoning Dr. E. Lehighton. followed b two shows at 2 and 7 p.m. Dec. 14 at Lehighton High School. 610-674-9221.

• The Lehighton Boys and Girls Band will hold its annual Christmas concert at 2 p.m. on Dec. 14 at the Lehighton Boys and Girls Band Hall, 197 N. Sixth St., Lehighton.

This year’s concert theme is “What This Concert Needs is More Jingle Bells!” with several selections featuring or inspired by the festive tune “Jingle Bells.” The band consists of students from fourth through 12th grade.

• The Valley Voices Community Chorale “Winter/Christmas” concert at 3 p.m. Dec. 22 at the Slatington United Presbyterian Church located at 6750 Route 873, Slatington. Free will offering will be taken. Information: 610-767-8337.

Events

• Lights in the Grove, Union United Church of Christ, 5550 Route 873, 3-5 p.m. Saturday. Santa and Mrs. Clause will come for pictures. Crafts, snacks, s’mores, and hot chocolate. Lots of lights and Christmas music. Free, but donations of hats or gloves accepted.

• Lehigh Gap Nature Center holiday open house, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, rain or shine, crafts, music, more. Center is located at 8844 Paint Mill Road, Slatington. Information: mail@lgnc.org or 610-760-8889.

• Reading of “The Polar Express,” presented by Palmerton Area Historical Society at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Little White Church, 911 Third St, Palmerton, free, rain or shine event.

• Christmas Festival takes place in Saints Peter and Paul parish hall on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon. Baskets, gift cards and hot food available. 260 N. Third St., Lehighton.

• Hometown Volunteer Fire Company’s Christmas festival, from 3-7 p.m. Saturday both inside and outside the fire company at 45 Mahanoy Ave. (Route 54) in Hometown. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on hand, a hayride with Santa, and a story time with Mrs. Claus, crafts games.

• Third Annual Krampus Ball from 7-10 p.m. Friday at the Stabin Museum, 282 W Broadway, Jim Thorpe in Jim Thorpe. A Klezmer Band, Dan Blacksberg’s Freilachs Music will perform. Food, drinks available.

• Tamaqua Family Christmas Extravaganza, Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m., Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mauch Chunk and Greenwood, Tamaqua.

A free community program by kids, for kids. Come enjoy activities, crafts, games, make your own sundaes and other refreshments. Santa will make an appearance. If you are able, please bring a nonperishable food item to be donated to the People’s Pantry. Children of all ages are welcome.

• Grace-St. Paul’s Church, 410 Center Ave., Jim Thorpe, will hold a Gingerbread House Building Competition in Room 103 at 6 p.m. on Dec. 10. Everyone is invited. Cookies and hot cocoa will be available. The event is free and all supplies for the build will be provided.

• Santa Meet and Greet, Event by Stoney Ridge Lights at Becky’s Drive In, 4548 Lehigh Drive, Walnutport, Dec. 14 and 15 from noon to 4 p.m. Enjoy free pictures with Santa, and bring a nonperishable food donation to receive a ticket for a free small hot chocolate or popcorn.

• Breakfast with Santa, 7-11 a.m. Dec. 15 at Polk Township Volunteer Fire Company. Annual breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Santa arrives at 8 a.m. Photographer will be on hand.

• Christmas at the Kindreds, 137 Pleasant Valley Lane, Brodheadsville, light display taking donations for Operation Touch of Home, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15.

Attractions

• Shankweiler’s Drive-In Theatre in Orefield teaming up with local filmmaker, Daniel Roebuck, to premiere his new holiday feature, “Saint Nick of Bethlehem” beginning Thursday. The film will screen as the first feature through Sunday, followed by “Wicked.” Showtimes will begin at 7 p.m. tonight, with the special matinee screening of 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are available on the theater’s website and at the box office on night-of-show. www.shankweilers.com.

• Holiday Lights Spectacular, Stoney Ridge Lights at Becky’s Drive-In, 4548 Lehigh Drive, Walnutport, 250,000 lights. Shows every Thursday through Sunday at 5:30, 7 and 8:30 p.m. https://beckysholidayspectacular.com.

Shopping

• One Stop Holiday Vendor Craft Show to support the Schnecksville Fair, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at 4523 Old Packhouse Road, Schnecksville. There will be a Chinese Auction and food available to purchase. This event is located in the main hall attached to the fire company.

• Christmas Bazaar, noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Ukrainian Homestead of ODWU Inc., 1230 Beaver Run Drive Lehighton. Arts and craft vendors will be present.

• Shop & Be Merry!, Jim Thorpe Christmas Shopping Event Dec. 14 and 15. Tickets include a commemorative tote filled with samples.

• The Annual Christmas Shopping Wonderland at the Cancer Telethon office at 33 W. Ridge St. in Lansford from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Saturday until Christmas. Any additional sale dates will be posted on social media. There are great savings on every item, but the group has also included an additional feature each Saturday.

• Tonight, 4-7 and Saturday: Holiday Tree Special.

• Dec. 14: Electronic/T-shirt Special.

• Dec. 21: End of Season Special.

Items that will be for sale include Christmas gifts, lights, decorations, household items, pet gifts, toys, games, puzzles, jewelry, makeup, clothing and more. Additional items will be added each week. All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society.

For more information, call 570-805-4555 or email Madula@ptd.net.

Tree lightings

• The Annual Tamaqua Spirit of Christmas Festival, through Sunday. The tree lighting ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. today at Depot Square Park near the Five Points intersection. After the Christmas tree is lighted, Little Miss Spirit of Christmas and her court, along with Santa, will arrive via “a special vehicle.” The countdown begins and the entire park will be illuminated. Santa will then meet children in the gazebo.

• Breakfast with Santa and The Grinch will be held at 8 a.m. Saturday from the Perla Building, 105 W. Broad St. The Tamaqua Public Library, 30 S. Railroad St., has events between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Complete schedule at the Tamaqua Spirit of Christmas Facebook page or by calling the arts center.

• Jim Thorpe’s Olde Time Christmas — Tree Lighting Ceremony, 6 p.m. today in Josiah White Park. Music by the Jim Thorpe High School Band, Jim Thorpe cheerleaders, chorus and the arrival of Santa at 6 p.m.

• Palmerton Christmas in the Park, Saturday with opening ceremonies at noon. Free face painting 1 to 4 p.m. Santa will greet children from 1 to 3 p.m., followed by songs and tree lighting at 4:45 p.m.

• Walnutport Recreation Board’s 8th annual tree lighting, 2-6 p.m. Saturday at the park, 215 S. Lincoln Avenue.

• Lehighton 9th annual Christmas in the Park, beginning at 3 p.m. Sunday. Santa arrives at 4 p.m., tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m.

• Slatington tree lighting, presented by the Greater Northern Lehigh Chamber, proud partner of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, from 5:30 to 7 tonight. Festivities will be held at Veterans Memorial Park (509 Main Street, Slatington).

The event will feature festive holiday performances from Northern Lehigh School District Choir and Band along with Rhythm and Sole Dance Studio, along with complimentary hot chocolate and popcorn for participants. The Elf on the Shelf will make an appearance, as well as Santa Claus, who will arrive at 6:30 p.m. to light the tree.

In addition to the tree lighting festivities, the event will also host a food drive benefiting the Northern Lehigh Food Bank. The food bank is seeking donations of non-perishable items, including canned goods, jelly, cereal, spam, and soup. s, government affairs initiatives and public policy advocacy, and community development enterprises.

• Santa Claus will make a stop in Summit Hill on Sunday at the annual Christmas on the Hill event in Summit Hill. The program is sponsored by the Summit Hill Recreation Commission and will be held in Ludlow Park from 5-7 p.m. Free trolley rides, refreshment, free teddy bears and, of course, the arrival of Santa. Gieniec said Santa will be transported to the park via a fire truck at about 6:30 p.m. in date: Dec. 15.

• Polk Township tree lighting, 4 p.m. Sunday at the memorial on Route 209 and Salem St. Paul Church, Kresgeville.