Celebrate the Winter Holiday Season with Festive Events Across Northeastern PA
When it comes to celebrating winter holidays in Northeaster Pennsylvania, there’s no shortage of festive events to choose from. From Christmas traditions and Winter Solstice hikes to Hanukkah festivities and Kwanzaa celebrations, NEPA has winter events to cover it all. These family-friendly celebrations ensure that everyone is able to enjoy some time out of the house during the holiday season. So, get out to your small-town celebration, stop by a local community center festival, or brave the cold and welcome longer days with a solstice hike at one of NEPA’s state parks.
Whether you’re looking for community events or a quiet, reflective opportunity, NEPA has it all. Social gatherings celebrate the season with crafts, DJs, a variety of food, and even an opportunity to serenade cows. Recharging is made easy with the organized hikes and yoga sessions the area has to offer. Check out this list of awesome winter holiday celebrations happening across Northeastern PA.
December 6—7, 13–14 & 20–21 | Jim Thorpe, PA
Olde Time Christmas in Historic Downtown Jim Thorpe takes place on the weekends of December 6—7, 13–14 and 20–21. Visitors can explore decorated streets, browse local shops and enjoy seasonal activities spread across the walkable downtown. The Shop and Be Merry promotion on December 13–14 allows guests who make a purchase at participating merchants to enter to win one of fifty prizes.
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December 12 & 13 | Tunkhannock, PA
Christmas in Our Hometown in downtown Tunkhannock takes place on December 12–13 and fills Tioga Street and the surrounding town center with festive lights, music and seasonal activities. Guests can enjoy a Santa parade, a tree lighting at Peoples Security Bank, wagon rides, an outdoor holiday marketplace and special events at the Dietrich Theater.
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December 13 | Dalton, PA
Nurture and Nourish’s Caroling and Cow Birthday Bash at Indraloka Animal Sanctuary in Dalton takes place on Saturday, December 13 at 12 p.m. with registration required. Guests can take part in a guided tour, sing secular winter carols to the sanctuary’s animals and participate in a cow birthday celebration featuring handmade, animal-friendly cakes.
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December 13 & 14 | Stroudsburg, PA
Old Time Christmas at Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm takes place on December 13–14 and offers visitors an immersive look at historic holiday traditions. Guests can view a live Nativity, listen to storytelling in the Grandaddy Cabin, meet the Belsnickel and explore the one-room schoolhouse decorated for the season. The event also features a Christmas Tree Forest, warm seasonal refreshments and a Holiday Gift Shop filled with handcrafted items.
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December 14 | Scranton, PA
Superhero Chanukah Festival at the Jewish Community Center of Scranton takes place on Sunday, December 14 at 1 p.m. Families can meet Batman, Wonder Woman, Superman and Rob the Juggler while enjoying activities such as donut decorating, balloon art, candle making and an olive press demonstration. The free event also includes a Latke Bar, Ice Cream Bar and entertainment from EJ the DJ.
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December 19 | Pocono Pines, PA
Family Hanukkah Party at Congregation B’nai Harim in Pocono Pines takes place on Friday, December 19 at 4 p.m. Guests may bring a menorah and candles for a shared community lighting before taking part in cookie decorating, scratch-art projects, a menorah craft and dreidel games. Homemade latkes and a Hanukkah sing-along lead into a Kabbalat Shabbat service that concludes the celebration.
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December 20 | Dalton, PA
The December Self-Care Saturday: Winter Solstice Meditation Walk at Indraloka Animal Sanctuary in Dalton takes place on Saturday, December 20 at 10 a.m. Participants will spend time with rescued farm animals, enjoy a slow nature walk around the property and visit an outdoor meditation space for quiet reflection.
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December 21 | Jim Thorpe, PA
Solstice Ride on the D&L Trail in Jim Thorpe takes place on Sunday, December 21 at 6 p.m. with riders meeting in the Carbon County lot at 5:45 p.m. Participants will ride north on the trail for about thirty minutes before turning back, using required helmets and lights for safe night riding and optional decorative holiday lighting on their bikes. After returning to the lot, the group will gather at the nearby observation deck to enjoy a beverage together and take in nighttime views.
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December 21 | White Haven, PA
Winter Solstice Light Hike at Hickory Run State Park in White Haven takes place on Sunday, December 21 with visitors welcome to begin the one-mile walk anytime between 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. More than three hundred lanterns outline the mostly flat loop, guiding guests from the pavilion to the lake and back. Afterwards, attendees can warm up by the pavilion fire and roast a s’more before departing.
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December 21 | Dallas, PA
The Winter Solstice Celebration at Back Mountain Brewing Company in Dallas takes place on Sunday, December 21, featuring a rag-tree craft workshop at 12 p.m., a White Elephant gift exchange at 2 p.m. and brewery hours from 1–5 p.m. The workshop costs twenty-five dollars and includes a beverage for participants.
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December 21 | Tunkhannock, PA
Winter Solstice Walk at Vosburg Neck State Park in Tunkhannock takes place on Sunday, December 21 at 4 p.m. Attendees will follow a short luminary-lit trail to the river and back, creating a quiet opportunity to mark the seasonal transition. Visitors should check the DCNR Calendar of Events beforehand for any updates.
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December 21 | Kingston, PA
Community Chanukah Celebration at the Friedman JCC in Kingston takes place on Sunday, December 21 with the Mayrutz Run at 5 p.m., the Chanukah lighting at 5:30 p.m. and a kosher dairy dinner at 6 p.m. The dinner menu includes salad, salmon, pasta, mac and cheese, latkes and sufganiyot prepared under the supervision of Temple Israel. Tickets cost $25 for adults and $8 for children, with scholarships available to ensure everyone can participate.
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December 21 | Forty Fort, PA
Winter Solstice Candlelight Yoga at Balance Yoga + Wellness in Forty Fort takes place on Sunday, December 21 at 6 p.m. Instructor Lisa Mo leads a 75-minute, candlelit slow-flow session enhanced with guided meditation and winter-inspired music. Participants should bring a mat and water and arrive early to settle into their space before class begins.
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December 27 | Scranton, PA
A Rocking Kwanzaa Evening at the Black Scranton Project Center for Arts and Culture in Scranton takes place on December 27 and features an evening of live performances and community celebration. The lineup includes Ed Cuozzo of University Drive, The Broke Pines, Betty White Devil and additional acts, with proceeds supporting the Black Scranton Project.
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December 25 | Wilkes-Barre, PA
The 49th Annual Christmas Together Community Dinner at First Presbyterian Church in Wilkes-Barre takes place on December 25 and offers individuals, families and seniors a free holiday meal in a welcoming community setting. Guests can enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner, festive music and friendly conversation supported by volunteers who help create an inclusive atmosphere.
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Your Ultimate NEPA Holiday Bucket List
Article updated from its original version published on 12/16/24
