December Events in NEPA | Things to Do This Month

Things To Do in NEPA This December

December in NEPA means sparkling lights, chilly nights, and a packed calendar of local events. It’s the perfect time to enjoy cozy indoor gatherings and community celebrations as winter makes her appearance.

From Scranton and Wilkes-Barre to Jim Thorpe, Honesdale, and the Poconos, the month is filled with opportunities to get outside, give back, and enjoy the region’s creative spirit. Spend the day at a local craft fair, take a scenic train ride, or lace up for a New Year’s run. With live music, brewery events, food tours, and holiday light displays popping up across NEPA, there’s always something new to experience.

This curated roundup highlights 20 can’t-miss December events across Northeastern Pennsylvania, from small-town celebrations to major seasonal festivals. Whether you’re planning a weekend road trip or searching for something fun nearby, these featured picks capture everything that makes December in NEPA unforgettable.

Looking for even more? Browse our full NEPA Events Calendar, updated daily with concerts, festivals, races, workshops, and outdoor adventures happening across all ten counties.

Top Events & Things to Do in NEPA This December

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Check out standout December events across Northeastern Pennsylvania — from from holiday markets and festive pop up experiences to concerts, theatrical performances, and community celebrations. These featured happenings showcase the magic of the season in NEPA, offering plenty of ways to get into the spirit all month long.

Dec 01

Elysburg

Joy Through the Grove

Daily until 12/31

@ 05:30 pm

Knoebels Amusement Resort

Dec 03

Hazleton

32nd Annual CAN DO Community Christmas

@ 06:00 pm

Christ Lutheran Church

32nd Annual CAN DO Community Christmas image

Christmas Snow Tubing

Ryan Pelton – An Elvis Christmas Show

Lackawanna Winter Market

Wassailfest & Downtown Hazleton’s Night Market

@ 04:30 pm

CAN DO Community Park

Promotional graphic for Wassailfest: Downtown Hazleton Night Market in Hazleton, PA, featuring a penguin mascot and text advertising free pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a tree lighting ceremony, vendors, carolers, and event details for Friday, December 5 from 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM.

Dec 05

Pittston

La Festa Di Natale Holiday Market

Free Horse Drawn Carriage Rides

Eckley Miners' Village

A clean white event graphic for Christmas at Eckley in Foster Township, PA, showing the museum building illustration with event dates and pricing.

Christmas In Our Hometown

Superhero Chanukah Festival

@ 01:00 pm

Jewish Community Center of Scranton

Bright blue superhero-themed flyer for a Chanukah Festival on December 21, 2025, featuring cartoon superheroes and event details for a family celebration.

Dec 14

Scranton

Holiday Market at Lace Village

Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol

@ 07:00 pm

F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts

Colorful stage poster for Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol at the F.M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre, PA with the text “A New Twist on an Old Classic” and “December 15.”

Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple

Promotional cast photo of the musical The Book of Mormon, part of the Broadway Theatre League series in Scranton, PA.

Dec 26

Jim Thorpe

Winter Character Train Ride

Fri-Mon

@ 11:00 am

Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway

The characters from the winter train ride in Jim Thorpe, PA

Dec 31

Luzerne

Back Mountain Trail 5K – New Year’s Eve

@ 04:00 pm

Back Mountain Trail

Runners gather at the starting line beneath an orange NEPA Running Company archway during a New Year’s Eve 5K event.

December Inspiration & Seasonal Highlights

Celebrate the most festive time of year with event spotlights, holiday features, and winter photo stories from the DiscoverNEPA team. Our seasonal highlights and insider tips help you plan cozy weekends, support local businesses, and enjoy everything that makes winter in NEPA so magical.

Sign up for the DiscoverNEPA Newsletter to receive monthly highlights, event guides, and local recommendations delivered straight to your inbox so you never miss what is happening across Northeastern Pennsylvania.

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