Sleigh bells are starting to ring, so far, we’ve been pretty lucky in that our lanes aren’t glistening…
There is a lot going on this time of year to help celebrate the holidays. I thought it might be fun (and convenient) to do a bit of a ‘Holiday Round-Up’ to let you know about all of the great events that are happening locally for the holiday season! I’m sure my list is incomplete, and I do apologize for that, but I did my best to dig up as many events that I could.
The Community Theater League in downtown Williamsport still has a couple of nights left of their production of “Miracle on 34th Street.” They have shows on December 15th-18th. Tickets are $27 for adults, and $22 for seniors, and $20 for students, and are available at ctlshow.com, or by calling the box office at 570-327-1777. In case you aren’t familiar, “Miracle on 34th Street” is about, “Kris Kringle, an old man in a retirement home, gets a job working as Santa for Macy’s. Kris unleashes waves of good will with Macy’s customers and the commercial world of New York City by referring parents to other stores to find exactly the toy their child has asked for. Seen as deluded and dangerous by Macy’s vocational counselor, who plots to have Kris shanghaied to Bellevue Psychiatric Hospital, Kris ends up in a court competency hearing. Especially at stake is one little girl’s belief in Santa.”
On December 18th, at 3:00 p.m., St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 1400 Market St., Williamsport, will be hosting an Interactive Nativity Story of Christmas for Families. Families get to participate in the telling the Christmas Story as angels & stars, lambs & shepherds, and kings and camels.
If you would rather not cook on Christmas, the Young Men’s Democratic Club is offering a Christmas Dinner Buffet from 12:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m. The dinner will feature baked ham, Italian seasoned chicken, scalloped potatoes, sweet potatoes, veggies, cole slaw, roll/butter & dessert. Cost is $12 for members, and $15 for non-members, open to the public. Reservations must be made by December 16th, by calling 570-326-7609.
December 16th brings us Trinity Episcopal Church’s ‘Dwell in the Light of Christmas,’ event. This event will feature Christmas caroling and giving to benefit children in foster care in our community. Musicians from Williamsport and Loyalsock high schools, the Civic Chorus and Epic Percussion will be there. Assemble at 5:30 p.m. in Trinity’s parking lot, 844 W. 4th St., Williamsport. Candlelit processional at 6:00 p.m. to Park Place for caroling.
You still have time to make some ‘sweet’ memories by heading to Purity Candy in Allenwood to watch them make candy canes! They are open Monday-Saturday from 9:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. They are even open Christmas Eve from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
If you have an antique lover in the family, and still need some last minute gifts, be sure to check our Roan Inc.’s annual pre-Christmas auction. The auction will be Friday & Saturday, December 16th & 17th, beginning at 10:00 a.m. each day.
Celebrate the joys and traditions of Christmas in community at First Church Williamsport, 604 Market St., Williamsport. This service is traditional in style and worship: a brass ensemble and organ accompany our chancel choir leading the hymns that anticipate the coming of Christ. Scripture, prayer, a brief message, and candle lighting are also included. The December 24th 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. services are identical.
The Williamsport City Jazz Orchestra and the Community Theater League present their annual Holiday Jazz concert at the Community Theatre League on Tuesday, December 20 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: http://www.ctlshows.com or call (570) 327-1777.
Join New Covenant Church of Christ for a traditional Christmas Eve service, Saturday evening, December 24th at 7:00 p.m. The service will include the singing of carols, the Nativity story, a message for all ages and the lighting of candles. There will also be a more reflective service at 11:00 p.m.
Take a scenic “Tour of Lights” aboard a Williamsport Trolley, December 15th-December 18th! Families will enjoy a sightseeing tour of the beautiful holiday lights. You will also have the opportunity to have photos taken with Santa and his friends. All tours will begin at the Lycoming County Visitors Center. Trolleys will depart every 15 minutes starting at 5:30 with 15 excursions per night. Tickets can be purchased online 8th by going to http://www.williamsport.org. Tickets are $10 per person. Children 2 and under are free. Each trolley has limited seating. So get your tickets soon.
Trolley Schedule for Thursday and Sunday: 5:45 p.m., 6:00 p.m., 6:15 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 6:45 p.m., 7:00 p.m., 7:15 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 7:45 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Additional times are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday: 8:15 p.m., 8:30 p.m., and 8:45 p.m.
“The Best Christmas Pageant Ever~ The Musical” is playing at the Millbrook Playhouse in Mill Hall. “The Herdmans are the worst kids in the history of the world – so when they crash Sunday school and demand parts in the Christmas pageant, the whole town panics. There’s not supposed to be cigar-smoking in Bethlehem, and while these kids have never even heard the Christmas story, they definitely have rewrites! Soon, everyone calls for director Grace Bradley to cancel the whole thing. It’s up to Bradley and the Reverend to help everyone see the Christmas story and the Herdman kids through new eyes in this musical adaptation of the funny and touching holiday classic.” The show run through December 18th, and tickets can be purchased at millbrookplayhouse.org. Tickets are $27.50 for adults, $23.50 for seniors/veterans, $18.25 for students 13-college, and $12.50 for 12 and under.
Kickoff your holiday weekend at Bald Birds Brewing’s Christmas Bash, on December 23rd from 7:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. They will have a Live DJ, grab bags filled with gift cards, Bald Birds merchandise and holiday cheer, Reindeer Games (Corn Hole & Ping-Pong), and drink specials and holiday themed cocktails. Bald Birds is located at 220 Shaffer Lane, Jersey Shore.
There will be a Family & Kid’s Christmas Eve Service — “Little Drummer Boy” on December 24th at 4:00 p.m. hosted at Trinity UMC, 1407 Allegheny St., Jersey Shore.
Join the folks at the Lycoming County Fairgrounds for their 2nd annual drive thru light display! Free to enter! Donations accepted! Enter on Lycoming Street, in Hughesville. You can check it out Friday and Saturday starting at 6:00 p.m.
The Hughesville Area Public Library will be offering ornament painting on Saturday, December 17th at 1:00 p.m. Come and craft some beautiful ornaments to take home and hang on your tree. Please call to sign up. 570-584-3762.
On Christmas Eve at 6:30 p.m., join Friends Church Hughesville for a special night of Communion, Carols, and the true meaning of Christmas. The service will be filled with music, calm candlelight, children’s story, a live nativity, and communion. Friends Church Hughesville is located at 137 S. 3rd St., Hughesville.
First United Methodist Church Cantata Choir Presents “And There was Light.” The Cantata Choir and Orchestra of First United Methodist Church of Muncy will present Joseph Martin’s joy-filled Cantata “And There was Light” on Sunday, December 18 in two performances. This celebration of light uses scripture, time-honored carols, and original songs, sharing the story of Jesus’ birth. With a large choir and 30-piece orchestra, the songs and narration offer prophecies associated with the coming of the “Light of the World” combined with the declaration of tidings of great joy as the Bright and Morning Star appears. Presentations will be at 10:45 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. in the First United Methodist Church sanctuary, 602 South Market Street, Muncy.
Once again, the man from the North Pole has called and asked to visit the Warrior Run Area Fire Department. So come drive through the fire station and give Santa your list. They will have a mailbox for your letter to Santa and they will take unwrapped presents to give to the Chief Reed Christmas program. The event is Saturday, December 17th from 10:00 a.m.-noon, at the Warrior Run Fire Department, 1125 Main St., Watsontown.
On Sunday, December 18th, from 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., Lyter & Loyalsock Valley PTOs are hosting an Oh, What Fun Festival! Come & enjoy a family fun community event. Free hot cocoa & candy cane for everyone! There will be selfies with Santa, Mrs. Claus & their reindeer, a coloring contest, & stocking stuffers for sale. The event is at Lyter Elementary, 900 Spruce St., Montoursville.
Looking for a Christmas Eve service that is for younger children? Bethany Evangelical Lutheran’s 7:00 p.m. service, led by Pr. Shipman is based on traditional carols and lessons. They will also have a special guest appearance with our favorite furry friend, Simon, Pr. Shipman’s pet skunk. 369 Broad St., Montoursville.
Before you open those gifts, Faith Church invites you to celebrate at one of their four unique worship experiences — 3:00 p.m. – Traditional Service with carols; 4:30 p.m. – Traditional Family Candlelight Service; 7:00 p.m. – Contemporary Candlelight Service; 9:00 p.m. – Acoustic Contemporary Service with communion.
Also, Hanukkah begins on Sunday the 18th at sunset, so Hanukkah Sameach to all of our Jewish friends! And Heri Za Kwanzaa, to our friends who celebrate! Kwanzaa begins December 26!
And of course, last but certainly not least, there is Candy Cane Lane! Be sure to check it out once, or maybe twice over the holiday season!
As you can see there are plenty of holiday events coming between now and Christmas. Head out and support our local community in these great events. And don’t forget to shop local while you are out and about also!
