Well, y’all. This is it. We are down to the Christmas wire! Before you ask, no, I’m still not ready. I will be. Promise. I’m just not there yet.
In the meantime, let’s talk about the final days of the holiday season. There is still plenty of fun to be had and things to do in the days leading up to Christmas. If, unlike me, you are ahead of the Christmas game, now is the time for you to sit back, relax, and enjoy some Christmas cheer!
If you aren’t sure what Christmas cheer to celebrate or where to find it, don’t worry—I’ve got you covered.
Wednesday, December 18th:
Junior League of Williamsport will host their Holiday Auction at 6 p.m. at the Community Arts Center. Tickets include finger foods, entertainment, and more! If you are unable to join them in person, you can still bid online and support our event. Purchase tickets at JLWilliamsport.givesmart.com
Thursday, December 19th:
Since 2012, Williamsport Area High School students have come together to help make the dreams of sick children from the Greater Williamsport area come true. When a wish is granted, a child replaces fear with confidence, sadness with joy, and anxiety with hope. The majority of wish kids go on to overcome their critical illnesses, and research shows that a wish can help children build the physical and emotional strength they need to fight, giving them a better chance of surviving and thriving. This year, the commUNITY: Make-A-Wish Benefit Concert will be held on Thursday, December 19th, at 6:30 p.m. at Williamsport Area High School. Enlisting the help of students from the area, this inspirational concert will feature singing, dancing, and a whole lot of fun. This is a donation-based event, and the concert is free for the public to attend. We hope to make more children’s dreams come true than ever before, but this is something that cannot be done without your help!
Friday, December 20th:
Come see Santa at Blaise Alexander Subaru, 595 Alexander Drive, Muncy. Bring the kiddos for a Santa Claus Meet and greet! They will have coloring books and cookies for some jolly, good fun from 5 to 7 p.m.!
Pull out your ugly sweaters and head to the Bar on Market! DJ KEii will be spinnin’ from 10 p.m.-1 a.m.
Ebenezer Baptist Church will hold its “Ball of the Fall – Snowflake Soiree” at the Scottish Rite at 6 p.m.
Dress in your ugliest sweater or anything festive. And come party with Trifecta Bar and Grill in Montoursville. Live music from Izzy Butters Live Acoustic will also be there, starting at 6 p.m.!
Saturday, December 21st:
Breakfast with Santa, 8-11 a.m., at the Safar Grotto, 381 E 2nd Ave., South Williamsport. Bring the kids to the Grotto to have breakfast with Santa and get a gift bag.
The jolly ole elf himself is coming to Rosko’s Brew House on Saturday, December 21st, at 1 p.m. The first 50 children will receive a candy and sticker from Santa Claus. Bring your phone for pictures. This encounter gives you one last chance to see Santa before he heads back to the North Pole to deliver presents to all the good boys and girls!
The 3rd Annual Straggler’s Ball! This year, Kimball’s Pub is extending the stage to even more of their talented friends, and proceeds will go towards Milo’s Mission. Milo is a 4-year-old from Montoursville who has Adrenoleukodystrophy disease (ALD). Milo has undergone a bone marrow transplant and continues treatment at the Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia. The Marchese family has been close to many in the Straggler family for a long time. This event has continued to gain momentum each year and is a celebration of family, friends, and live music. Come support the Marchese family and another year of stragglin’. Them Blue Cats 4:30-5:30 p.m.; Green Divide 6-6:30 p.m.; The Sylvan Dell Stragglers 7-8:30 p.m.; Gray Valley 9-??
If holiday prep has you not wanting to cook another thing, be sure to head to New Trail Brewing. They will be hosting Cousin’s Maine Lobster from noon to 8 p.m. There is Nothing better to take the edge off of holiday stress than a beer and lobster roll!
You’ll end up on the naughty list and being beaten with a broom if you miss the Downtown Krampus Crawl! “Come one, come all! Bring the kiddos to see the creepier side of the holidays! We will have treats and trinkets for them all! Come take pictures! Ask about the lore! Dress up with us and parade around town in a creepy holiday fashion! Yule, be sorry if you don’t! We will be starting at Brandon Park in the parking lot next to the stage. The next stop is the Little League statues on Market St. Then up to the Bar on Market. Next, find us at the fountain outside the courthouse and the Whiskey Room. After that, we will crawl over to the Back Alley Bar to play some giant Jenga. Then, hopping on over to the Bullfrog. And last but not least, checking out the new Jackass Brewery!” The fun starts at 5 p.m.
Brunch with Santa! From 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at Horsepower Harley-Davidson, 1910 E. 3rd St., there will be plenty of holiday cheer and fun! Snap a FREE picture with Santa himself, and there will be big savings throughout the store!
Have breakfast with Santa at Haywoods Bar & Grill Muncy, 113 W. Water St., Muncy. Saturday, December 21st, from 9-11 a.m. and Sunday, December 22nd, from 9-11 a.m. Reservations are not required but highly recommended. Give them a call to reserve your table today! 570-546-1011!
Sunday, December 22nd:
New Covenant United Church of Christ, 202 E 3rd St., Williamsport, invites you to a no-rehearsal Christmas Pageant. Costumes will be available for those who wish to participate. The service will be streamed on Facebook and YouTube and available in person. It is at 1045 a.m.
If you need to decompress from holiday stress, welcome the Winter Solstice with some candlelight yoga at Tula Virya Yoga, 1764 E. 3rd St., Williamsport, at 5 p.m. Let the warm glow of candlelight soften the chill as we enter the beginning of the winter season. A gentle flow with ample time for savasana is planned. Bring your favorite mug to enjoy a cup of warm tea—$20 drop-in. Reserve your spot via text or call 570.540.1870.
Join the Hughesville Volunteer Fire Department, 30 South Railroad St., Hughesville, for Breakfast with Santa! From 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Come enjoy a delicious all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet. Then, Santa himself will come to visit and hang out with us to see all the good boys and girls before he heads back to the North Pole to prepare for Christmas! Pancakes, sausage, bacon, home fries, eggs, toast, and beverages will be available. Takeout will be available.
Tuesday, December 24th:
There are plenty of Christmas Eve services throughout the area, including:
– Trinity Episcopal Pro-Cathedral, 844 W. 4th St., Williamsport, will hold two Candlelight Christmas Eve Services with Holy Communion on Tuesday, December 24th at 6 & 9 p.m. The 6 p.m. service will include the children’s program, and the 9 p.m. service will include traditional carols. Nursery care is available during the early service.
– New Covenant United Church of Christ, 202 E 3rd St., Williamsport, at 7 p.m., will host a meaningful service with scripture and stories of the true meaning of Christmas, as well as a candlelight time to sing carols.
– Pine St. UMC, 441 Pine St., Williamsport at 9:30 a.m. Bring the whole family for a joyful Christmas Eve morning in Wesley Hall! Arrive early to enjoy donuts and refreshments, then join us for a one-of-a-kind, kid-focused service that brings the Christmas story to life through all five senses. With hands-on elements, lively storytelling, and plenty of room for little ones to move around, this service is designed to engage young hearts and minds in the wonder of Christ’s birth. Or at 8 p.m., end Christmas Eve with a serene and traditional candlelight service in the Pine Street Sanctuary. Featuring scripture readings, beloved carols, and special music, this service is a time for reverence and reflection as we celebrate the miracle of Christ’s birth. Gather with us in the peaceful glow of candlelight for a meaningful, beautiful night together.
– At 6 p.m., CitychurchPa, 36 E. 4th St., Williamsport, will host a time of celebration, and we come together to worship our savior’s birth. Candlelight service to close
– All Saints Episcopal Williamsport, 1656 Scott St., Williamsport, will have their candlelight service at 9 p.m.
First Church Williamsport, 604 Market St., celebrates the joys and traditions of Christmas in community. 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. Identical services will be at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
– Hope River Church, 325 Thomas St., Jersey Shore – join us for this inspiring Christmas Eve service. Our service at 7 p.m. will be filled with music and singing by candlelight. They will also have a special service of hope as they bring in Christmas Day. Starting at midnight on Christmas Eve, they will celebrate the heart and hope of Christmas in this service.
– Join Pine Street United Methodist Church at 5 p.m. and celebrate Christmas Eve under the glow of twinkling lights and candlelight in Short Park! Surrounded by festive decorations, we’ll sing cherished carols, hear the Christmas story, and bask in the beauty of the season. With cookies, hot cocoa, and a warm community, this outdoor service offers a unique, heartwarming way to celebrate the birth of Christ. Bundle up, bring a chair or blanket, and join us for this special candlelit evening!
– Join Muncy Christian Fellowship, 28 Brummer Pond Rd./East Penn St., Muncy, to sing Christmas songs, short message, and candlelight as we prepare for the Birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. Service is at 6 p.m.
Finally, we are down to the last minute for entry into our Blaise Alexander Christmas Fun Coloring Contest! Jazzy Brightbells, Noel Hollyfluff, and Jingle Snowsparkle have been hard at work sorting and filing all the contests! We have gotten a ton already, and I’m sure they will be coming in HOT this week! Be sure to get entered! We have a lot of great prizes! Remember, 1st place in each age group wins a $200 gift card to Kaos Fun Zone! Imagine all the fun you could have this winter with that!!
As you can see, there is plenty to keep you busy in the final run-up to Christmas! Unless you are me. I have no business doing anything other than prepping for Christmas. If you see me doing anything else, mind your business unless you are willing to help!
I hope y’all are enjoying your holiday season! Merry Almost Christmas!
Now, if you’ll excuse me — I have shopping…and wrapping…and grocery shopping…and cooking to do!
