a By Elizabeth Schwartz
Bellefonte Victorian Christmas, one of the communitya s most cherished Christmas traditions, will deck the streets with holiday cheer for its 42nd year thisA December 8-10th. All are invited to partake in Christmas festivities throughout the weekend.
The merrymaking will begin with opening ceremonies onA Friday, December 8th at 6 PMA along Howard Street near the Miles-Humes House, home of the Centre County Historical Museum. The Victorian Brass band,A Class Act ProductionsA community theatre, and magicianA Richard BenninghoffA will provide entertainment while refreshments are served. Mayor Buddy Johnson will proclaim the opening of the weekend atA 7:15 PM. After the opening ceremonies, join together for a musical extravaganza at the Bellefonte Presbyterian church to hear free dual concerts starting atA 7:30. If you are looking for a Christmas party that evening in town, plan to attend the a Christmas Cordiala at nearbyA State Burger Co.A to enjoy music, drinks, and hors devours.
An engaging variety of festive activities will be available all weekend to fill your time. Tour theA Festival of TreesA at The Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology or ride in aA horse drawn carriageA along the streets of Bellefonte. If trees and horses dona t strike your fancy, make some crafts at theA Bellefonte Art Museum, go on a train ride with theA Bellefonte Historical Railroad Society, or check out the model train display atA Belle Mercantile. Attend one of the three showings of a live a radio playa ofA a Ita s a Wonderful Lifea A performed byA Sock and Buskin Theatre CompanyA atA Bellefonte Springboard. There are events for everyone to enjoy at Bellefonte Victorian Christmas!
Victorian Christmas will truly settle on BellefonteA Saturday, December 9th.A Breakfast with SantaA will start off the day atA 8:30 AMA at Faith United Methodist Church. When you arena t hanging out with Santa, enjoy aA Victorian Christmas TeaA at a nearby historic home (for adults) or atA The Little HouseA (for children). If you are a music lover, experience the SaturdayA Christmas Music CrawlA 11 AM to 6 PMA by hopping from place to place to enjoy free music throughout Downtown Bellefonte. Check the website for times, locations and performers. Purchasers of our limited edition cookie tins will participate in a holiday cookie crawl, visiting businesses throughout Bellefonte to fill their tins with cookies. Need to finish up buying your Christmas gifts? Check out theA Victorian Christmas Arts and Crafts Show, open fromA 9 AM to 5 PMA at the YMCA and Bellefonte Elementary School or visit one of Bellefontea s many quaint shops as you stroll the sidewalks.A The Saturday fun will culminate atA Fezziwiga s Holiday Dinner PartyA held at the American Philatelic Society atA 6:30 PM.
OnA Sunday at 10 AM, continue your Christmas shopping at the Bellefonte Winter Market, held along Spring Creek in the beautiful Talleyrand Park. You can pick up a limited edition cookie tin there if you didna t previously get a chance. AtA 2:00 PM, a brand new Victorian Christmas event will happen at the park: Christmas Cruise on the Creek. Bellefonte locals and visitors alike can purchase boat kits to decorate atA Art a la CarteA and then sail them on Spring Creek during theA Christmas Cruise. You dona t want to miss this photo opportunity! Music lovers can rejoice again as the Bellefonte Community Band, Faith Church, and St. Johna s Evangelist Church will all put on Christmas concerts. Check our website atA bellefontevictorianchristmas.com or our guidebook for the full schedule.
Is there anything that a visitor or local Bellefonte lover needs to do to prepare for their perfect Victorian Christmas? Visit our website atA bellefontevictorianchristmas.comA or pick up one of our printedA guidebooks. Then, decide what events you would like to attend. Some events are ticketed and in high demand, so please sign up for them before supplies and space run out. Make sure to order a limited edition cookie tin if you would like to participate in our cookie crawl, or buy tickets to attend theA Fezziwig DinnerA orA Christmas Cordial. You dona t want to miss out on an event that you are excited about! Follow us onA FacebookA orA InstagramA @BellefonteVictorianChristmasA for any updates about this magical weekend. Start planning for your holiday adventure in Bellefonte and markA Bellefonte Victorian ChristmasA on your calendar today!
Funding for this event was provided through a grant made possible byA The Happy Valley Adventure BureauA and theA Centre County Board of Commissioners.
