Holiday events list
We’ve complied a list of events for the holidays. To add your event, send an email to tneditor@tnonline.com
This weekend
• Tricky Tray to benefit St. Peter the Fisherman Food Pantry, noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at Nick’s Lake House, 20 South Lake Drive, Lake Harmony during the Christmas shopping afternoon featuring local artists and business people. Jim Thorpe Girls Basketball Team will be selling Blue Mountain candles and poinsettias. 570-722-2500 or www.nickslakehouse.com
• Penn Forest Recreation Committee will host its annual tree lighting at 5 p.m. Saturday at the park on Route 903. Santa will arrive at 6 p.m.
• Annual Christmas Shopping Wonderland at the Cancer Telethon office at 33 W. Ridge Street, Lansford. All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society.
It will be open from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, 2-6 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays and noon-5 p.m. Fridays (except Nov. 24). Any additional times will be posted on social media. This is an opportunity to buy Christmas gifts, lights, decorations, gift boxes, household items, pet gifts, toys, games, puzzles, jewelry, makeup, clothing and more, at low prices. 570-805-4555.
• Blue Ridge Estate Vineyard & Winery lighting of the vineyards, 5-7 p.m. Saturday with free music and fireworks. If you can, bring an unwrapped donation for Toys for Tots.
Nov. 30-Dec. 3
• Tamaqua Spirit of Christmas Festival, will begin Nov. 30 with a Mistletoe Reception at the Tamaqua Station Restaurant. Tickets may be purchased at https://tamaquaarts.thundertix.com/events/219113
Tree lighting, which will begin at 6 p.m. Dec. 1 at Depot Square Park. After the tree is lit, Little Miss Spirit of Christmas and her court will escort Santa across the train station platform to Broad Street and continue to the fountain at Depot Square Park. A countdown begins and the entire park will be illuminated.
Santa will proceed to the gazebo in the park where he will meet and greet the children.
On Dec. 2, beginning at 9 a.m. the Tamaqua Public Library will have a include a book sale, T-shirt printing, and story time with Santa’s elves. Visits with Santa will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Check out the library’s website and Facebook page for more information.
Also Dec. 2, there will be an Open Air Old Fashioned Christmas Market from 5-8 p.m. at Tink’s Antiques on South Railroad Street. Craft vendors, entertainment and food will be available.
A Toolshed Jack Christmas Party will begin at 7 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Tamaqua Community Arts Center. Tickets are required. The event is almost sold out.
From 8 a.m. to noon Dec. 3, a breakfast with The Grinch will be held at the Perla Building, the former Salvation Army. The event is sponsored by the Eastern Schuylkill Recreation Commission. There is a fee to attend and information is available by calling 570-239-6436.
From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 3, a “Santa Pics with Pets” will be held on South Railroad Street by Tink’s Antiques.
Some events will take place on Dec. 2 and 3. They include train rides with Santa provided by Reading & Northern Railroad. Excursions will be held each day at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
The Tamaqua Area Historical Society Museum on West Broad Street will hold an open house on both days from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum will have holiday music, treats and refreshments for visitors. Admission is free.
See the Spirit of Christmas Facebook page or contact the Tamaqua Community Arts Center at 570-668-1192.
• Krampusnaught Kreepshow, 6-9 p.m., Dec. 1, The Hofford Mill, 500 Bridge St., Weissport.
• Nesquehoning Borough Christmas tree lighting, 6 p.m., Dec. 1 in the former St. Patrick’s Cemetery, located across the street from Turkey Hill on West Catawissa Street. Refreshments and caroling at Meeds UMC after the lighting.
• The Handbell Choir at Ben Salem UCC will present a Christmas Concert at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3 in the church sanctuary.
• Lehighton’s tree lighting ceremony will be from 4-6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3 in the Upper and Lower Park.
• On Dec. 2 and 3, 9 and 10, Quiet Valley will present its 33rd Old-time Christmas from 2:30 to 7 p.m., with public tours every 15 minutes. Live Nativity, carols in the School House, Christmas Tales of Yore, PA German holiday traditions, a visit from the Belsnickel, handcrafted holiday gifts, and tasty treats. Call 570-992-6161 or visit www.quietvalley.org/old-time-christmas.
• On Dec. 2, beginning at 6 p.m., the Kunkletown Christmas will be celebrated at St. Matthew’s UCC. One can join RJ Cramer, Gina Serrano, Brian Dean Moore, St. Matthew’s choir and more to celebrate the holidays.
• The Ross Township Veterans Memorial annual tree lighting is from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Dec. 2.
• The Summit Hill Recreation Commission will have Christmas on the Hill at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 3 at the Gazebo in the park. Santa will be in attendance for photos and will hand out gift bags.
• The Jim Thorpe Olde Time Christmas is the first three Saturdays and Sundays in December. The events kick off with a tree lighting on Friday, Dec. 1.
• Black Forrest Krampus Nacht Festival, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 2, The Hofford Mill, 500 Bridge St., Weissport.
• Palmerton Christmas in Park, noon to 4:45 p.m., Dec. 2. Christmas tree lighting at 4:45 p.m. Santa greets children from 1-3 p.m. at the gazebo.
• The Bach and Handel Chorale of Jim Thorpe will perform at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 526 North St., Jim Thorpe.
• All You Can Eat Breakfast With The Grinch, Dec. 3, Hometown Fire Company.
• Nearly 50 themed Christmas trees will light up John F. Kennedy Park in Lansford Dec. 3, as Lansford Friends of Recreation and Lansford Alive host the Trail of Trees. Tree lighting is at 5 p.m, followed by Santa’s arrival by firetruck. Holiday music starts at 4 p.m. in the park.
Dec. 9-15
• Children’s Ornament Painting, 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, Hometown Fire Company. To register, call/text Lori Kane at (570) 449-1776. Seating is limited.
• On Dec. 9, Santa will be back at the Chestnuthill Park in Brodheadsville. He is making a grand entrance on a firetruck at 10 a.m. It will include a visit with Santa Claus from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
• The Nesquehoning recreation commission will hold the borough Children’s Christmas Party at 5 p.m. on Dec. 10 at the recreation center on West Railroad Street. The party is open to all children of the borough ages 0 to 10. Deadline to register is Nov. 27. Registration is at https://form.jotform.com/233077052670049.
• The Summit Hill Recreation Commission will have a paint and snack event, on Friday, Dec. 15. There is a cost. To register, private message the Summit Hill Recreation Commission on Facebook or contact Steber.
Dec. 15-17
• Lehighton Boys and Girls Band concert, 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 at the Boys and Girls Band Hall.
• Zion UCC, Second and Iron streets in Lehighton, annual ecumenical Christmas cantata, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 3.
• East Stroudsburg University’s Al Cohn Memorial Jazz Collection will once again present the Duke Ellington Nutcracker Suite. This will be the fifth year for the holiday concert at ESU. In addition, a performance of The Grinch Suite by Matt Vashlishan will be included in the concert for a second year. The performance will take place on Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. in the Cecilia S. Cohen Recital Hall of the university’s Fine & Performing Arts Center, Normal and Marguerite streets, East Stroudsburg.
The 18-piece ensemble will be joined by local jazz vocalist Nancy Reed and Duke Ellington’s grandson, Edward Ellington II, as guest narrators telling the story of the Nutcracker, as well as special guest Gary Smulyan on baritone saxophone. Tickets and info: www.esufoundation.org/nutcracker2023, or by calling the special events coordinator at 570-422-3156.