Be sure to visit the Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau website for times, locations, fees and new listings. Also, be sure to sign up for our e-weekly newsletter to have all the event details delivered to your in box.
The fun and festivities get started this weekend. Milton is in high gear with American Heritage Crafters' Winter Wonderland celebration, Friday and Saturday, featuring carriage rides, hot cocoa, kids' crafts, petting zoo, hot dogs and shopping discounts. Milton's Milltown Christmas Celebration (through Dec. 10) features a variety of events, including an art show and open house by the Milton Historical Society, a scavenger hunt, cookie decorating, and a visit with Santa. You won't want to miss the Milton Model Train Museum, open every Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 31. Train lovers will also want to see the annual model train display at our Visitor Center in Lewisburg, Dec. 16 to 18.
Lewisburg's Late Shopper's Night is Friday, followed by a Victorian Parade Saturday and a free holiday movie to follow at the Campus Theatre. Rollermills' holiday open house - with sales, free antique and gift card drawings - will be held Sunday and Monday. Mifflinburg's Christkindl Market, Dec. 8 to 10, offers a wide variety of German food, entertainment and holiday shopping.
Downtown Selinsgrove offers a Late Shoppers night Tuesday, including hot cider, carriage rides and roasted chestnuts. Danville's Iron Heritage Festival hosts a Holiday House Tour, Dec. 10 and 11, offering ticket holders the opportunity to visit Danville homes all decked out for the holidays.
There are plenty of performances in December. The Susquehanna Valley Chorale's winter concert at Zion Lutheran Church in Sunbury takes place Dec. 10 and 11. The Community Arts Center in Williamsport presents the Repasz Band 1831 Holiday Concert Tuesday and the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra's A Broadway Holiday on Dec. 13.
The Buffalo Valley Singers will perform their holiday concert at St. John's United Church of Christ in Lewisburg Dec. 17 and 18. Other performances you won't want to miss include the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble's Holiday Memories show through Dec. 23, based upon Truman Capote's holiday memories of his eccentric, Southern aunt, "A Christmas Carol," performed by the great-great grandson of Charles Dickens Wednesday at the Country Cupboard and the Slifer House Museum's Holiday Soiree on Dec. 11 that will celebrate the holidays in Victorian style with period music, caroling, hors d'oeuvres and antique cookie and candy molds.
If you enjoy the music and serenity of holiday candlelight services, be sure not to miss Evangelical Hospital's annual Lights of Love Sunday, Bucknell University's service Friday, Sunday and Tuesday at Rooke Chapel, Susquehanna University's service Dec. 8 in the Weber Chapel, or Warrior-Run Fort Freeland Heritage Society's candlelight service Dec, 10 at the Warrior Run Church near Watsontown.
What are the holidays without seasonal wreaths, greenery or trees? Just outside of Milton, discover Kohl's Stony Hill Tree Farm and Christmas Shoppe, Pennsylvania's largest Christmas tree stand collection on display, offering fresh cut Christmas trees, wreaths, garland, a Christmas Shoppe and wholesale wreaths.
We encourage everyone in the Susquehanna River Valley to support local and family-owned businesses throughout the upcoming holiday season. Find unique or handmade gifts at local shops, businesses, art galleries, wineries, antique shops or auctions. Dine with visiting friends or family at area coffee shops, pubs and restaurants
For more information about these and other holiday events in the Susquehanna River Valley, go to VisitCentralPA.org, call us at 524-7234, or stop by our Visitor Info Center. Get our new mobile app for your smartphone at VisitCentralPA.org/mobile.asp
(Miller is executive director of the Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau. "Backyard Tourist" is published the first Friday of each month. It appears a day early this month to correspond with this holiday events page.)