Celebrate the Holiday Season With These Fun (But Safe) Things to Do in PA: Dec. 11-13

There are things to do inside or outside. If you decide to venture out, make sure to wash your hands, wear a mask, and follow social distancing guidelines.

Weekends in Pennsylvania have no shortage of things to do, especially during the holiday season. While events might look different during the coronavirus pandemic, there are plenty of ways to have fun on your own, or with the family or friends in your quarantine bubble.

Here’s a roundup of activities to participate in the weekend of Dec. 11-13.

If you decide to venture out, make sure to wash your hands, wear a mask, and follow social distancing guidelines.

Philadelphia 

Hanukkah Happenings and Open House at Society Hill Synagogue

Enjoy Hanukkah treats and a special celebration at Society Hill Synagogue’s Hanukkah Happenings & Open House this weekend. There will be dreidel games, face painting, Hanukkah crafts, photos with “Mr. Latke,” sufganiyot, and more. 

For more information, contact [email protected] or call 215-922-6590.

Virtual Performance of One Man’s Adaptation of “A Christmas Carol”

Playwright and actor Anthony Lawtown performs his one-man adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol.” Lawton’s 95-minute performance was filmed at St. Stephens Theater in Center City Philadelphia, and you can watch it from the comfort of your living room any time of day or night.

The Lantern Theater Company is streaming Lawton’s performance through Dec. 27. Tickets cost $20 and are available through the Lantern Theater Company website.

Southeastern PA

Holiday Sale Home in Wallingford 

The Community Arts Center in Wallingford is featuring one-of-a-kind, handcrafted objects created by members of the Potters Guild and other local artists. You can buy unique, finely-made gifts like ceramic mugs, dinnerware, and more. The sale will continue through Friday and Saturday.

For safety, there is a limit on the number of shoppers allowed in the sale at a given time. You can pre-register for a one-hour time slot.

‘Light Up The Vines’ in Bucks County 

For the first time ever, the Bucks County Wine Trail is lighting up the vines of all seven wineries on the trail each night at dusk. Stay toasty by a fire pit or sip and stroll through the vineyards while listening to live music and enjoying delicious food. 

You have until Jan. 2 to enjoy this inaugural event. Social distancing is required at each winery. Guests unable to stand or sit within at least 6 feet of other guests are asked to wear a mask. Visit the wine trail website for more information.

Northeastern PA

Ice Skating in Easton’s Winter Village

Go ice skating in Easton’s Winter Village Ice Skating Rink.

The rink is open from 12 to 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and 12 to 6 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are free for Easton residents and $5 for people who live outside of the city. Ticket prices do not include the cost of skate rental. Get more information or reserve a ticket at Eventbrite.

Virtual Santa Trolley 

Santa Claus is coming to town, but he’s coming virtually to stay safe! The Electric City Trolley Station and Museum will offer a visit with ol’ St. Nick straight from the North Pole with an interactive virtual holiday children’s show on the trolley in an effort to provide a safe environment for the public. 

Through Dec. 20, there will be five virtual “rides” per day at the following times: 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3:15 p.m. Due to COVID-19, there will be limited seating on each ride. Reservations must be prepaid and masks are required.  

Tickets are $12 for adults, $11 for seniors age 62+, $10 for children ages 3-17. Kids 2 and under are free. Contact the Trolley Museum at 570-963-6590 for further information or to make a reservation.

South Central PA

A Big Boy Brass Christmas

Head over to the Phantom Power beer garden in Millersville to enjoy a live show by Big Boy Brass. There will be food served with alcoholic beverages, and there will also be non-alcoholic beverages available for those who don’t wish to eat. Masks are mandatory when customers are not seated, and all CDC COVID-19 protocols must be followed. Masks must be worn when you are not seated.

The concert will take place at 2 p.m. Saturday, and you can register for the free event on Eventbrite. 

A Cast of Blues: A Special Exhibition

This exhibition at Bosler Memorial Library in Carlisle features 15 resin-cast masks of legendary Blues musicians by local artist Sharon McConnell-Dickerson. Included in the exhibition are color photographs of Blues musicians and “juke joints” by photographer Ken Murphy.

The exhibit will be on display through Jan. 7. All visitors must make an appointment. Call Bosler’s Community Relations Department at 717-243-4642 ext. 3224 for more information.

North Central PA

Community Theatre League Celebrates Christmas 

Watch and listen as members of Williamsport’s local community theatre bring your favorite songs and stories of the season to life on-stage. There are a limited number of live, in-person tickets available to accommodate social distancing requirements. Additional tickets for the live simulcast via Zoom are also available as a safe alternative.

Visit the Community Theatre League website for more information or to purchase tickets.

Southwestern PA

Christmas Past: A Self-Guided Walking Tour Through the Laurel Highlands

Christmas Past is a self-guided outdoor walking tour along the paths at Historic Hanna’s Town in Greensburg. Signs along the paths explore the early history of Christmas, from its ancient origins to 19th-century traditions that still survive today, including the history of Christmas trees, Santa Claus, and holiday decorations. This tour complements the indoor Christmas Memories exhibit, focusing on Christmases from the 1930s-1950s, located in the Kendra Gallery at the Westmoreland History Education Center.

The self-guided walking tour is free and open to the public dawn to dusk in Historic Hanna’s Town, 809 Forbes Trail Road, Greensburg.

‘Winter Flower Show: Home for the Holidays’

The beloved Winter Flower Show at Phipps Conservatory features a magical carousel floating on a pond, a cabin sitting atop a snowy forest of plants, a topiary animal display, and a cozy living room holiday scene created entirely out of plants. The outdoor Winter Light Garden will be on hiatus this year due to the pandemic.

Flower show hours are 9:30 a.m.-11 p.m. daily through Jan. 3. You can reserve tickets at the conservatory website.

Northwestern PA 

‘A Christmas Carol’: A Live Radio Play

Load your family (and some warm blankets) in the car and head to Waldameer Park in Erie for a live radio performance of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Six actors will play the dozens of characters in this Christmas classic, and the radio show will feature live music and vintage commercials.

The radio play starts at 7 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. There will be another set of performances the weekend of Dec. 18-20. Tickets are $40 per vehicle. Get tickets at the Erie Playhouse website.

Make a Wreath

Make a fresh evergreen wreath to decorate your home during a class at Quiet Creek Herb Farm in Brookville.The farm will offer classes from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., and 1-3 p.m. on Saturday. The fee is $50. Visit Quiet Creek Herb Farm’s website to get more information.