Celebrate the Winter Holiday Season with Festive Events All over NEPA
When it comes to celebrating our winter holidays in NEPA, there’s no shortage of festive events. From Christmas trees to menorahs to the year’s shortest span of daylight, NEPA has a party or festival or even a nature hike to cover it all. And here’s the most beautiful part – at these family-friendly, public events, all are welcome. So, get out to your small-town celebration. Stop by your local community center festival. Or, just brave the cold and bring on those longer days with a solstice hike.
Check out this list of awesome winter holiday celebrations.
Wednesday, December 18
Get together with United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania at the Capouse Corner Green Space in Scranton for this beloved, annual tradition. Enjoy holiday songs from many different cultures, hot chocolate from The Retro Café and festive crafts.
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Thursday, December 19
Stop by Rodano’s on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre and enjoy this annual fundraiser for Valley Santa, a Luzerne County nonprofit that brings Christmas joy to local families in need. The event includes a free buffet, basket raffles and prizes.
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Saturday, December 21
Head out to Indraloka Animal Sanctuary in Dalton to celebrate the Winter Solstice with the beloved rescued farm animals. The event includes a 1-mile nature walk, quality time with the animals and space to “simply, BE.”
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Saturday, December 21
Sign up for this self-guided, illuminated walk around Lake Frances at Nescopeck State Park to celebrate the Winter Solstice, or the shortest day of the year. Stop by the fire for complimentary s’mores, hot chocolate and crafts.
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Saturday, December 21
Join Winter Solstice revelers at Vosburg Neck State Park in Tunkhannock for an inspiring, illuminated, half-mile walk. After the walk, stop by the barn to purchase hot chocolate and snacks in support of the Tunkhannock Area High School Environmental Club.
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Saturday, December 21
Enjoy the shortest day of the year and celebrate longer days to come on this 2-mile hike along the Abington trail at Lackawanna State Park in North Abington Twp. the hike also includes a discussion with a park naturalist.
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Saturday, December 21 & Sunday, December 22
Celebrate the season in Downtown Jim Thorpe. Stroll Broadway and enjoy the charming Victorian style holiday décor. Enjoy carolers, live music, train rides, shopping horse and carriage rides and so much more.
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Wednesday, December 25
On Christmas day, stop by Wilkes-Barre’s First Presbyterian Church and Gather Community Space for its 48th annual Christmas Together Dinner. The annual event provides a hot dinner with all the trimmings, music and entertainment for those in need in our community.
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Friday, December 27
Bring the whole family and your menorah to this community lighting event at Congregation B’nai Harim in Pocono Pines. The event includes cookie decorating, Hanukkah candle making, homemade latkes, a Hanukkah sing-a-long and so much more.
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Sunday, December 29
All are welcome to the 3rd annual Steven Bruce Arenberg Memorial Unite for Israel Chanukah Festival at the Scranton JCC. Enjoy free admission, plenty of free food, arts & crafts, a magic show, music and so much more.
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Sunday, December 29
Don’t miss this Chanukah festival at the Hilton Scranton & Conference Center in Downtown Scranton. The event will include local vendors, hand-crafted kosher sweets, gifts and Judaica, a grand menorah lighting, kid’s crafts and live entertainment.
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Sunday, December 29
Start you Hanukkah festivities with the Mayrutz Run from Wilkes-Barre to the Friedman Jewish Community Center in Kingston. The community culminates with a Hanukkah celebration featuring a menorah lighting, singing, hot chocolate and treats.
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