Holiday events in the area
Go out and have a jolly old time!
By Hannah Pasquarella
Knightly News Reporter
As the year winds down and the weather turns chilly, communities across Central Pennsylvania are prepared for a lineup of holiday and winter events that help celebrate the spirit of the season. From family-friendly activities to long-standing traditions, communities will have plenty of opportunities to get into the holiday spirit.
From Harrisburg to Lancaster to Hershey and many other places, there are holiday festivities everyone has a chance to attend. Here are some that are happening now.
Refreshing Mountain, Lancaster County: Nov. 21 – Jan. 3
Stroll through a winter wonderland full of beautifully lit trails that will take you on a spectacular journey of supernatural mystery, wonder and joy this holiday season. The walk ends at the Wildlife Center, where visitors can see reptiles and amphibians. This experience is perfect for people of all ages, with hot cocoa and warm campfires throughout the grounds.
Looking for a view from above? A skybridge will take you to a 35-foot descent back to the ground, followed by two levels of high-ropes obstacles lit by Christmas lights. This experience is great for ages 5+. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.
Koziar’s Christmas Village, Berks County: Nov. 1 – Jan. 3
Koziar’s Christmas Village is a park-and-walk vintage-style Christmas-lights experience. This village features paved, lighted walkways that are wheelchair- and stroller-friendly. Guests can explore at their own pace, taking in displays across 11 themed buildings filled with holiday scenes, shops, food and drinks, an indoor train display and photo opportunities with Santa. For more information or to plan your visit, click here.
Christmas Tree Lane, Lancaster: Dec. 5 – Dec. 23
Located at Penn Medicine Park, Christmas Tree Lane features more than 100 decorated trees provided by Elizabeth Farms. Visitors can vote for their favorite tree for $2 per vote, with 100 percent of voting proceeds benefiting nonprofit organizations. The event also includes nightly visits with Santa, reindeer on some nights and other holiday activities.
Hot food, snacks, sweet treats and beverages are available for purchase. Admission is free, and you can find more information here.
Christmas at Fort Hunter, Harrisburg: Dec. 2 – Dec. 23
The Fort Hunter Mansion glows with the sights and sounds of the holiday season. Visitors can experience a 45-minute guided tour of the historic Fort Hunter Mansion, which is elegantly decorated for the Christmas season. The tour focuses on holiday traditions and seasonal details, rather than on the detailed history of the house.
The Fort Hunter Mansion has a wide variety of other holiday-themed events throughout the month that are perfect for friends and family. More information on Christmas at Fort Hunter and their other events can be found here.
Christmas Spirit Light Show, Lancaster: Nov. 28 – Dec. 31
Returning for its eighth season at Penn Medicine Park, the Christmas Spirit Light Show is a drive-through holiday experience featuring a mile-long route filled with thousands of color-changing lights synchronized to Christmas-music classics. Enjoy Christmas lights from the comfort of your own vehicle. For more information on this event, click here.
The National Christmas Center, Elizabethtown: Nov. 21 – Jan. 3
Located at Stone Gables Estate, the National Christmas Center tells the story of an 8-year-old boy named Jim who was touched by the Lord with a mission: to tell the true meaning of Christmas, the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Savior. This exhibit spans more than 18,000 square feet of nostalgic Christmas decorations, a choir of over 900 Gurley Candles from the 1950s, a toy store with over 5,000 hand-painted toy soldiers and more. For more information on this experience, click here.
Pasquarella is vice president of The Knightly News Media Club @ Central Penn College.
Edited by media-club advisers Paul Miller and Michael Lear-Olimpi.
