NEPA Weekend Round-Up 12.04.20
Posted: December 2, 2020
Welcome the First Weekend of the Holiday Season with a Little Wine, a Lot of Shopping, Classic Christmas Movies and More
Start the weekend with a full slate of kid-friendly, holiday fun on Saturday and Sunday. Hop aboard the Santa Christmas Tree Express at the Stourbridge Line in Honesdale. Or, look for the big guy on the Santa Claus Special at the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway in Jim Thorpe. On Sunday, learn to ice skate for free at the Revolution Ice Centre in Pittston. And then head to the Greater Carbondale YMCA for their popular Christmas Festival.
Tackle those long holiday wish lists all weekend long with a little local shopping. Visit the outdoor Holiday Pop-Up Shops on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre. Then, spend some time taking in the rural charms, small town shops, tree farms and more during An Endless Mountains Christmas.
Vote for your favorite Christmas tree at the Walk In Art Center in Schuylkill Haven on Friday and Saturday during the Festival of Trees. Celebrate an Old Time Christmas on Saturday and Sunday at Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm in Stroudsburg. Head to Bloomsburg for their 31st Annual TreeFest all weekend. And, don’t miss classic holiday movie favorites daily starting Friday at the Dietrich Theater in Tunkhannock.
Save some room for a little adult fun on the Columbia-Montour Holiday Wine Trail. Starting Friday, get your ticket stamped at all 6 participating local wineries for a chance to win awesome prizes.
Mark Your Calendars For:
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Holiday Pop-Up Shops
Daily through December 12 at 11 a.m.
Do a little downtown holiday shopping on Wilkes-Barre’s Public Square at this safe, socially-distant outdoor pop-up market. The open-air marketplace features individual shop stalls for each vendor and will run every day until December 12.
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31st Annual TreeFest
Friday, Saturday & Sunday, December 4, 5 & 6 at 3 p.m.
Take part in a classic holiday fundraising tradition presented by the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble at the iconic Caldwell Consistory. The event features uniquely decorated trees that offer amusing and sometimes inspiring holiday themes.
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An Endless Mountains Christmas
Weekends through New Year’s
Experience the spirit of the season all month long in NEPA’s Endless Mountains region. Treat yourself to a truly nostalgic holiday season with stunning lights displays, small town shopping, tree farms and tons of rural charm.
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Santa Christmas Tree Express
Every Saturday & Sunday through December at 4 p.m.
Hop onboard a magical holiday train ride at the Stourbridge Line in Honesdale. The train takes you to a trackside Christmas tree farm, where you can pick the perfect tree and watch the crew load it onto the train. The kids can visit with Santa, and all ages can enjoy hot cocoa and cookies.
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Festival of Trees
Friday, December 4 & Saturday, December 5 at 9 a.m.
Visit the Main Gallery at the Walk In Art Center in Schuylkill Haven and vote for your favorite Christmas tree. The festival culminates with the announcement of winners, complimentary refreshments and more.
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Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway – Santa Claus Special
Weekends through December 12 at 10:30 a.m.
Enjoy a scenic, winter ride through the beautiful Lehigh Gorge State Park with Santa Claus aboard a vintage railcar. The roughly 80-minute excursion departs from the old station on Hazard Square in Jim Thorpe.
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Columbia-Moutour Holiday Wine Trail
Friday, December 4 through Saturday, December 13 at 12 p.m.
Discover some of NEPA’s finest wines along this short, but sweet wine trail through Columbia and Montour Counties. Buy a ticket and have it stamped at all 6 participating wineries for a chance to win amazing prizes.
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Old Time Christmas 2020
Saturday & Sunday, December 5, 6 & 12, 13
Head to the Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm for a truly authentic 19th century Christmas. Enjoy demonstrations, a live barnyard Nativity, carolers, complimentary hot chocolate and treats and an adorable holiday gift shop.
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Twelve Movies of Christmas
Friday, December 4 through Thursday, December 17 at 1 p.m.
Get cozy and watch some of your favorite Christmas movies at the Dietrich Theater in Tunkhannock. They’ll host free movie showings, including family favorites like Elf, It’s a Wonderful Life and Polar Express. Reservations are highly recommended.
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Skate for Free
Sunday, December 5 at 4 p.m.
The Blue Ridge Figure Skating Club is holding a free learn-to-skate session at Revolution Ice Centre in Pittston. Kids ages three and up can come to learn the basics. Skate rentals are included, and pre-registration is required.
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Greater Carbondale YMCA Christmas Festival
Sunday, December 5 at 11 a.m.
The Greater Carbondale YMCA is planning a whole day of family activities like “Elf School,” open swim, Build-a-Bear Workshop, basket raffles and more. Spaces are limited for each activity, so call to pre-register.
Holiday Weekend Bonus – Lights, Lights, Lights…
All month long, the spirit of the season is alive and twinkling throughout NEPA. Round up the kids. Bundle up in your best winter gear. Hop in the car and head out for some classic Christmas cheer.
Some of NEPA’s favorite parks and golf courses have transformed their grounds into glowing, holiday light displays. In addition to miles of Christmas magic, enjoy mini-pop-up markets, hot chocolate, s’mores, fire pits and more. NEPA’s holiday lights displays are open all season long. Check em’ out.
NEPA’s Extraordinary Holiday Lights Displays
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Festival of Lights
Daily through December 31 at 5 p.m.
The Festival of Lights at Stone Hedge Golf Course in Tunkhannock is nothing short of Christmas magic. This massive drive-through light display is about 2.5 miles long. Snap some pictures in the photo op area or warm up at the socially distanced s’mores pits.
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Joy Through the Grove
Daily through January 3 at 5:30 p.m.
Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg is flipping the switch on their first-ever drive-through Christmas light display. Over 400 light-up pieces will turn the park and campground into a winter wonderland.
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Holiday Lights Spectacular at Nay Aug Park
Daily through January 7 at 5 p.m.
Drive through Scranton’s Nay Aug Park for a stunning show of over 100 light displays. Visits from Santa, socially distanced hayrides and horse-drawn carriage rides will also be available on select dates. This event is free, although donations are accepted.
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2nd Annual Light Up Campus
Daily through January 10 at 4:30 p.m.
Gather up the kids and take a drive through Marywood University’s Christmas display. Tune in to the college’s radio station at 91.7 for non-stop holiday tunes. This event is free and open to the public.
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Tall Pines Forest of Lights
Wednesdays – Sundays through December at 5 p.m.
Tall Pines Players Club in Friendsville has decked out the entire golf course for the holiday season. This drive-through display features over a mile of colorful lights and stunning winter scenes.
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Light the Night at Sugarloaf
Weekends through December at 5 p.m.
Get in the holly jolly spirit at Sugarloaf Golf Club. Their first-ever walk-through holiday light display will make you feel like you’re in the North Pole. Stick around for seasonal food and drinks, s’mores and other family activities.
