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Spooky Adventures and Holiday Cheer
One thing I truly enjoy about living and working in Northeast Pennsylvania is changing seasons under our mountain canopy. It’s another gorgeous October afternoon as I write this, and the canopy is beginning to churn some vibrant hues. Spooky vibes are settling in too. It’s a perfect time for enjoying festivities.
Haunting Live Performances
If you’re thinking about paying us a visit this month, we have some great community theater and musical entertainment happening that pair beautifully with the fall foliage. You will find some cool little towns to explore in our neck of the woods with community theaters, historical societies and small shopping experiences.
The Haunting of Hill House
In Saint Clair, the Actors Guild of Schuylkill County presents The Haunting of Hill House at The Kelsey Theater October 18-20. Tickets can be purchased in advance.
Spooky Strings
Our community musical groups, including vocal and instrumental, perform year-round at a number of different venues. One such group, the Anthracite Philharmonic will present Spooky Strings on October 19 at The Majestic Theater in Pottsville. Tickets can be purchased through the Anthracite Philharmonic’s website.
Hawk Mountain’s Owloween
Outdoor fun is a staple in Schuylkill County. In Kempton, Hawk Mountain’s Owloween on October 27 celebrates the holiday with creepy crawly cold-blooded creatures that are slithery, scaly and have lots of legs! Learn all about owls — and even meet one up close — and bats with the PA Bat Rescue too.
Spooky Schuylkill 5k
Another cool outdoor event is the Spooky Schuylkill 5k on October 26. Creep, crawl, walk, or run along the Schuylkill River Trail in Landingville in costume…or not! This family friendly 5k has top finisher awards as well as costume contests with prizes for adult, child, group, and dog. Register in advance.
Explore Schuylkill Holiday
Heading into November, both the light and the landscape continue to change, and I appreciate that golden light left in our days all the more. I’m still taking walks and enjoying nature wherever I find it. Join me outdoors at An Explore Schuylkill Holiday at Pioneer Evergreen Farms in Orwigsburg on November 30 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Set in the picturesque fields of the evergreen tree farm, you can visit with Santa Claus and his reindeer, stroll the fields of trees, or take a horse and carriage ride!
The dynamic donkey duo of Dominic and Matilda will be with us as well as a bevy of carolers from the Schuylkill Chorale Society, the Schuylgurlz, and the M&J Brass Trio. Children can get their faces painted in festive wintery designs, enjoy a free hot cocoa and cookie, visit with the animals, tell Santa their secret wishes, and join their family and friends in making free s’mores over several cozy fire pits. King Cole Winery will be on hand for making merry, too!
This is an outdoor event that combines local talents, organizations, and holiday traditions for all ages to enjoy. It is non-ticketed, free and open to the public. We have a Toys-for-Tots drop-off barrel for the day, and we hope you will consider a donation for those in our community in need.
Ashland’s Old-fashioned Christmas
Quaint downtown celebrations are kind of our thing too in Schuylkill County. We take to our main streets and parks to celebrate the season together. Ashland’s Old-Fashioned Christmas is December 7 from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. and includes a gingerbread house contest, Santa parade, horse-drawn carriage rides, lighting the community tree and more.
Tamaqua’s Spirit of Christmas Festival
Tamaqua’s Spirit of Christmas Festival is December 5 through 8 in downtown Tamaqua. The weekend’s festivities include a Santa parade, lighting Depot Park, breakfast with Santa, Santa train rides, and vintage toy displays at the Tamaqua Historical Society.
Valley View Park’s Annual Christmas in the Park
Valley View Park’s Annual Christmas in the Park will be December 14 from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m. At this old-fashioned Christmas event you can expect to visit Santa in the Christmas cottage, a Christmas tree decorating contest, horse drawn wagon rides, holiday arts and crafts vendors, a Chinese auction, cookie decorating, tree ornament making, model trains with a Christmas village, carolers, musicians, a live nativity play, as well as food and bevvies to warm you up and keep you going.
Schuylkill Winterfest
Rolling into January, we celebrate winter with Schuylkill Winterfest in downtown Pottsville on January 18 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jam-packed with a diverse group of vendors, delicious food trucks, a variety of live entertainment throughout the day, a spirited beer garden, and a hopping kids’ corner, this year’s festival will bring out your inner Jack Frost!
But First, Love Yourself: February Self-Care in Schuylkill County
Or how about a little self-care and reflection while nature hibernates? The Tree of Life Shoppe in Ringtown is an ideal place to do just that. The Tree of Life Shoppe is a holistic service business with yoga and meditation sessions, make and takes, drumming, and the Raven’s Nest Salt Room. Check them out on February 8 for their But First, Love Yourself event. No matter what season you choose, we’d love to have you explore Schuylkill County with us!
