First Posted: 12/5/2014
THIS WEEK: Dec. 10 to 16, 2014
Classic Movie Series, a showing of the musical “Holiday Inn,” starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. Dietrich Theater, 60 E. Tioga St., Tunkhannock. Noon and 7 p.m. Dec. 10. $5. 570-996-1500.
Hors d’Oeuvres Swap. Bring your favorite prepared hors d’oeuvres along with the recipe and sample other participants goodies. Bring a take-home container. West Pittston Library, 200 Exeter Ave. 2 p.m. Dec. 10. 570-654-9847.
The Sacred Art of Tibet Tour, with six Tibetan monks sharing the art and culture of Tibet. Stops include a lecture and meditation 7 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 20 Church Road, Wyoming; lecture, meditation and discussion 6:30 p.m. Dec. 11 at Balance Yoga & Wellness, 900 Rutter Ave., Forty Fort; lecture on “6 Perfections” 7 p.m. Dec. 12 followed by construction of a sand mandala and meditation 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 13, both at Wellspring House, 11 W. Tioga St., Tunkhannock; a blessing of the animals, vegan potluck and lecture 11 a.m. Dec. 14 at Indraloka Animal Sanctuary, Meshoppen; and an empowerment ritual 6:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at Wellspring House in Tunkhannock. 570-344-6375.
Mifflinburg Christkindl Market, the 26th annual authentic German-style event with more than 100 festive outdoor huts offering unique gift items and German-style foods. Also: live music and dance, Kinder World with children’s attractions, the Tinsel Angel, the five-foot Prune Man, life-sized nutcrackers, St. Nicholas, the Christkindl Pub with Glow Wine and German beers, and the 15-foot German Christmas Pyramid. Downtown Mifflinburg. 4:30 to 9 p.m. Dec. 11; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Dec. 12; 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 13. Free admission. 888-666-0877.
Socrates Cafe, a philosophical discussion group. Osterhout Free Library, 71 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre. 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11. 570-823-0156.
Glass Etching and Wine. Choose from an array of holiday-inspired stencils to create an etched glass. One glass — and some wine to sip — will be provided but feel free to bring your own glasses, if desired. West Pittston Library, 200 Exeter Ave. 6:30 p.m. Dec. 11. $10. 570-654-9847.
Civil War Roundtable, a talk by member Wendell Jones on “Horses and Mules in the Civil War,” followed by a holiday party. Bring a treat to share. Daddow-Isaacs American Legion, 730 Memorial Highway, Dallas. 7 p.m. Dec. 11. $3. 570-675-8936.
Railway Program, with photos of scenes from past rail activities in the area. Sponsored by the Lackawanna and Wyoming Valley Railway Historical Society at the Iron Skillet Restaurant, Petro Plaza, Avoca. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11. Free. 570-822-0693.
Hawley Winterfest, the annual holiday weekend with ice sculptures, Cookie Walk and Victorian Luncheon, Holiday Artisans Fair, Holiday House Tour, Safe Kids Fair, Beer Tour, towed tube rides, horse-drawn carriage rides, live music, Santa’s Workshop, open houses with music and treats, living Nativity, breakfast with Santa, art exhibits, Christmas stage show and more. Village of Hawley and nearby vicinities. Dec. 12 to 14. See schedule at hawleywinterfest.com. 570-226-4064.
Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem, the annual German-style holiday marketplace with works by the nation’s finest artists along with live music, glassblowing, food booths, Breakfast with Santa and a Gingerbread House exhibit. ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem. Through Dec. 21 with hours 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays; 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. 610-297-7100 or christmascity.org.
Parade of Trees, holiday trees decorated by area organizations. Vote for your favorite for $1. Grotto Pizza, 3445 Lakeside Drive, Harveys Lake. Through Dec. 31 with hours daily from 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. 570-639-3278.
Holiday Film Festival, a screening of “Meet Me in St. Louis” (1944), the classic MGM musical starring Judy Garland. Osterhout Free Library, 71 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre. 2 p.m. Dec. 12. Free. 570-823-0156.
Christmas Candylane, holiday festivities at Hersheypark in Hershey with two million twinkling lights, more than 30 rides for all ages, the Music Box Christmas Show “Up on the Rooftop,” breakfast and lunch with Santa, Hershey Sweet Lights Drive-Thru Spectacular, Noel (with 150,000 lights synchronized to Christmas music), Santa’s Reindeer Stables, holiday storytime, ice skating and choral groups. 5 to 10 p.m. Dec. 12; noon to 10 p.m. Dec. 13; noon to 9 p.m. Dec. 14; 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 15 to 18. Continues through Dec. 31. $12. Info at hersheypark.com.
Holiday Light Show, a drive-through display of more than 100 lighted structures depicting scenes of the season. Horse-and-wagon rides dependent upon the weather. Refreshments available. Nay Aug Park, 1901 Mulberry St., Scranton. 5 to 9 p.m. nightly through Jan. 2. 570-348-4186.
Holiday Open House. Join the Lackawanna Historical Society for wassail, sweet treats, stories and games along with horse-drawn carriage rides around the downtown. Catlin House, 232 Monroe Ave., Scranton. 7 p.m. Dec. 12. 570-344-3841.
An Olde-Time Christmas, the annual holiday celebration in downtown Jim Thorpe with a live nativity, historic walks, strolling carolers and musicians, train rides with Santa, Asa Packer Mansion Tours, Gingerbread House Contest, a display of more than 500 crèches, an Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest, Victorian horse-and-buggy rides, scavenger hunt, model railroad exhibit and more. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 13 and 14. See schedule at jimthorpe.org.
Festival of Trees, a display of trees decorated by area businesses. Luzerne County Community College, 1333 S. Prospect St., Nanticoke. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 13 and 14; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 15 to 19. 570-740-0602.
Christmas Cookie Walk. Fill a container with your favorites from more than 40 varieties of homemade cookies for $8. Complimentary hot drinks. Holy Cross Church, 420 Main Road, Hanover Township. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 13. 570-814-6444.
One More Row, a knit-and-crochet group for all ages. Osterhout Free Library, 71 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre. 10:30 a.m. to noon Dec. 13. 570-823-0156.
Pet Photos with Santa. Dymonds Farm, 352 Brace Road, Dallas. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 13. 570-333-5265.
Model Railroad Open House, a custom-built layout depicting Lehigh Valley’s Hazleton Branch passing through the towns of Weatherly, Cross Creek, Ashmore, Jeddo, Drifton and Eckley along with a model of Hazleton in the 1940s and ’50s. Anthracite Model Railroad Club, 1057 Hanover Court, Hazle Township. Through Jan. 4: noon to 7 p.m. Saturdays; 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. Free but donations accepted. Details at amrclub.org.
Model Railroad Open House, an HO-scale, 2000-square-foot layout modeling northeastern railroads from various eras. Hudson Model Railroad Club, 97 Martin St., Hudson. Noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Jan. 4 but closed on Dec. 7 and 14. Free but donations accepted. See hudsonmodelrailroadclub.com.
Christmas at Eckley, a holiday celebration with Victorian-style decorations, children’s activities, strolling carolers, choirs, a performance by the Eckley Players and visits by Santa and Mrs. Claus. Eckley Miners Village, Highland Road, off Route 940. Noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 13 and 14. $7. 570-636-2070.
Holiday Open House at the Northeast Pennsylvania Genealogical Society, Hanover Green Cemetery Caretaker’s House, 689 Main Road, Hanover Township. Noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 13. 570-829-1765.
Old-Time Christmas, the annual holiday tours centering on traditions of a 19th-century Pennsylvania Dutch farm. With Victorian skits, a Christmas Putz, living Nativity, caroling in the one-room schoolhouse, storytelling, refreshments and a visit by the Belschnikel. Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm, 347 Quiet Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 3 to 7 p.m. Dec. 13 and 14. $10, $5 children. 570-992-6161.
Christmas Party, sponsored by the Tunkhannock Lions. Lake Winola Fire Company, 1204 Route 307. 6 p.m. Dec. 13 with a social hour (BYOB) followed by a chicken-and-biscuit dinner. $10 plus an unwrapped children’s toy. Open to the public. Reservations: 570-836-1205.
50/50 Bingo, with food and beverages available. Noxen School and Community Center, School Street. 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 13. Proceeds benefit the Noxen-Monroe Sportsmen’s Club. 570-298-2052.
Story Time for Grown-Ups! Adult stories and games along with wine, holiday-themed drinks and snacks. Christmas sweaters encouraged. West Pittston Library, 200 Exeter Ave. 7 p.m. Dec. 13. $20 advance; $25 at the door. 570-654-9847.
Community Christmas Celebration, with a baked-ham dinner, an original puppet show “The Most Wonderful Time,” and a concert “Noel: A Night of Everlasting Love” by the Wally Gordon Community Singers. Fairdale United Methodist Church, Route 706 and Ridge Road, five miles south of Montrose. Dec. 14 with dinner seatings at 4 and 5 p.m., puppet show at 4:20 and 5:20 p.m. and choir concert at 6 p.m., followed by a dessert reception. Free will offering. Reservations: 570-737-4077.
The Life of a Civil War Soldier, a presentation on life in a Civil War Camp and on the march by re-enactor Mark Kahn. Hoyt Library, 284 Wyoming Ave., Kingston. 6:30 p.m. Dec. 15. 570-287-2013.
It’s a Wonderful Life, the annual free showing of the classic holiday film. Dietrich Theater, 60 E. Tioga St., Tunkhannock. 2, 7 and 8 p.m. Dec. 16. 570-996-1500.
FUTURE
Paint Your Own Ornament, an art session with wine sipping. West Pittston Library, 200 Exeter Ave. 6:30 p.m. Dec. 18. $5. 570-654-9847.
Holiday Film Festival, a screening of “Holiday Inn,” the 1942 musical starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. Osterhout Free Library, 71 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre. 2 p.m. Dec. 19. Free. 570-823-0156.
Hanging of the Greens, a family program with each decoration representing a part of the Christmas story. Also: a Christmas concert by singer Sue Yurkanin and refreshments. St. John’s Lutheran Church, 231 State St., Nanticoke. 6 p.m. Dec. 21. 570-735-8531.
Holiday Film Festival, a screening of “Christmas in Connecticut,” the 1945 romance starring Barbara Stanwyck. Osterhout Free Library, 71 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre. 2 p.m. Dec. 26. Free. 570-823-0156.
One More Row, a knit-and-crochet group for all ages. Osterhout Free Library, 71 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre. 10:30 a.m. to noon Dec. 27. 570-823-0156.
First Night Scranton, the family-oriented, alcohol-free patriotic-themed celebration of arts and culture with live music, dancing, interactive performances, horse-and-carriage rides, bingo, magicians, ventriloquists, jugglers, balloon artists, face painters and more performing in venues throughout downtown Scranton. Culminates with a fireworks spectacular at midnight. 3 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Dec. 31. Schedule at firstnightscranton.com. $10, $5 seniors and members of the military. 570-344-1967.
Pennsylvania Farm Show, the largest indoor agricultural exposition in the country with nearly 6000 animals, 10,000 competitive exhibits and 300 commercial booths along with youth livestock shows, cooking demonstrations, horse and tractor pulls, rodeo finals, a food court and more. Farm Show Complex, North Cameron and Maclay streets, Harrisburg. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Jan. 10 to 16; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 17. Free but $10 parking. 717-787-5373 or farmshow.state.pa.us.
A Downton Abbey Holiday, a luncheon of soup, fresh greens, tea sandwiches, biscuits and scones to celebrate the premier of the fifth season of the PBS program following the ups and downs of the British aristocracy. Frederick Stegmaier Mansion, 304 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre. 2 to 5 p.m. Jan. 11. $38. Reservations: 570-332-4250.
Martin Luther King Jr. Program, honoring the services and contributions of the civil rights leader. Snyder and Walsh Rooms, Sheehy-Farmer Campus Center, King’s College, Wilkes-Barre. 11 a.m. to noon Jan. 19. Free. 570-208-5900.
Snowflake Gala, a benefit for Leader Dog for the Blind sponsored by the Eynon-Archbald Lions Club. With cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, dinner, open bar and entertainment. Fiorelli’s, 1501 Main St., Peckville. 6 to 11 p.m. Jan. 31. $75. 570-470-7838.
AMSOIL Arenacross, arena-based, off-road motorcycle racing competition with two main events during each night of action. Mohegan Sun Arena, 255 Highland Park Blvd., Wilkes-Barre Township. 7 p.m. Feb. 6 and 7; Amateur Day at noon Feb. 8. $35, $20, $10; $15 on Sunday. 800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.
The Great American Outdoor Show, a nine-day event celebrating hunting, fishing and outdoor traditions with more than 1000 exhibitors. Also: country concerts, speakers, archery competitions, celebrity appearances, seminars and more. Farm Show Complex, Cameron and Maclay streets, Harrisburg. Feb. 7 to 15 with hours 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays. 800-672-4868.
Candy, Cards and Confections Workshop, a morning of making chocolate-covered treats, Valentine cards and more. Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm, 347 Quiet Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 7. $30. Reservations: 570-992-6161.
Harlem Globetrotters, the comic hoopsters in a game against the Washington Generals. Mohegan Sun Arena, 255 Highland Park Blvd., Wilkes-Barre Township. 3 p.m. Feb. 22. 800-745-3000.
Monster Jam, the edge-of-your-seat motor-sports show with 10,000-pound monster trucks including Grave Digger, Backwards Bob, Sonuva Digger, Thrasher, Crushstation and Stinger. Mohegan Sun Arena, 255 Highland Park Blvd., Wilkes-Barre Township. 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28; 2 p.m. March 1. 800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.
An Evening of Fine Food and Wine, samplings of food-and-wine pairings offered by area restaurants. Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave. 5:30 p.m. April 26. Reservations: 570-344-1111.