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Holiday Happenings: Christmas and New Year's Events

Light Up Nights, Community Events, and Santa Sightings

November 26, 2015
Here's a list of November and December holiday events in the Beaver County area. Let me know if I'm missing something: danah@macaronikid.com

November Holiday Events

Light-Up Festival in Beaver: Friday, Nov. 27 starting before 6 p.m.
Children visit with Santa (FREE pictures with Santa) and there will be horse-drawn carriage rides, sleigh rides, wagon rides, and train rides. Hot cider, hot chocolate and cookies. Parade at 6 P.M. The streets light-up at 7 P.M. Fireworks too!
Where: Downtown Beaver
When: 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Cost: free
For more info: 724/773-6504 or http://beaverareachamber.com/events/light-up-festival/

26th Annual Beaver County Festival of Trees at the Brady's Run Lodge: Nov. 26 - 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Nov. 27 - Noon to 9 p.m.; Nov. 28 - Noon to 9 p.m.; Nov. 29 - Noon to 9 p.m.; Dec. 4 - 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Dec. 5 - Noon to 9 p.m.; Dec. 6 - Noon to 9 p.m.
Walk into a Winter Wonderland featuring the Spirit of Christmas. A wide variety of creatively designed Christmas trees displayed each with a different theme and wreaths. Visit the Kid’s Corner, the Candy Lane gift shop and enjoy the model train display.
Where: Brady's Run Lodge in Brady's Run Park
How: Nov. 26 - 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Nov. 27 - Noon to 9 p.m.; Nov. 28 - Noon to 9 p.m.; Nov. 29 - Noon to 9 p.m.; Dec. 4 - 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Dec. 5 - Noon to 9 p.m.; Dec. 6 - Noon to 9 p.m.
Cost: Ages 13-62, $5; seniors 63 and older $4; 6- 12 years old $2; ages 5 and under free.
For more info: http://www.beavercountyfestivaloftrees.org/

Enon Valley Light Up Night on Saturday, Nov. 28 from 6-7:30 p.m.
Join us for music, children's and adult craft, a photo booth, refreshments, tree light, and caroling.
When: 6 p.m. at the Enon Valley Fire Hall for indoor activities and 7 p.m. at Memorial Park for outdoor fun.
 
Beaver Falls Lighted Christmas Parade at 7 p.m. on Saturday, November 28.
Beautiful lighted parade featuring floats, fire trucks, antique and classic cars. Santaland will at the Carnegie Library at 7th Ave. and 13th St immediately after the parade. Children will receive a gift from Santa, hot dog, and drink. New night in 2015--Saturday!
Where: Seventh Avenue, Beaver Falls
When: 7 PM
Cost: free
For more info: 724/709-3386 or http://www.facebook.com/pages/Beaver-Falls-Lighted-Christmas-Parade/153734024656960

December Holiday Events

Holiday Ice Show
on Friday, Dec. 4 at 7:30 p.m
Join the Beaver County Figure Skating Club as we celebrate the holiday season with the return of the Annual Holiday Ice Show! The show will feature local skaters from the Club and its Basic Skills Program. The show will also feature Caitlin Nemastil, a national level freestyle competitor from the Winterhurst Figure Skating Club in Lakewood Ohio and the Steel City Blades, a syncronized skating team from the Pittsburgh Figure Skating Club.
When: The show begins at 7:30 pm
Where: Beaver County Ice Arena in Brady’s Run Park.
Tickets are available at the door for $8.00; children 5 and under are free. For more information, please contact the BCFSC at info@bcfsc.org.

Candyland
on Saturday, Dec. 5 from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Tour through our life-sized game of Candyland! Meet all the characters and hear their stories as you become a player in the game and get treats along the way, too.
Free
When: 9 a.m. -2 p.m.
Where: Four Mile Church, 6078 Tuscarawas Rd., Beaver

Visit with Santa at Hopewell Park
from 11 a.m - 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5.
Pictures with Santa and free cookie decorating in the Nature Center. Games, storytellers and crafts for the kids along with craft vendors, live entertainment, festive food and drinks.
Where: Hopewell Community Park in Hopewell Township 2500 Laird Drive, Aliquippa, PA 15001.
When: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Free Admission, Free Cookie Decorating and Crafting for Kids, Free Entertainment. Charge for your food purchases. All communities are welcome to the event and the trails are open for cool weather hiking!

Aliquippa Light-Up Night at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5
Santa will arrive by sleigh for the lighting of the City Christmas Tree followed by music, cookies and hot chocolate. Free.
When: 6:30 pm
Weere: Aliquippa Police Department, 581 Franklin Avenue, Aliquippa
For more information: 724/375-5188

Christmas at the Vicary Mansion from 2 -8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5
Various Christmas trees will highlight decorations from different eras. Candles on a Civil War decorated tree will be lit at 5 P.M. and 7 P.M. Christmas music will be performed by the Western Beaver Choir, String music by Debbie & James Tobin and guitar music played by John Savage throughout the evening. Demonstrations by bobbin lace makers, tatters and woodcarvers.  Make and take Christmas decorations for children of all ages.  Donations appreciated.  
When: 2-8 p.m.
Where: 235 Third Avenue, Freedom.
For info: 724/775-1848  www.bchrlf.org

Monaca's Hometown Christmas at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5.
This free event starts at 2 p.m. Kids visit Santa from 2 - 4 p.m., there will be gift bags, cookie decorating, crafts, horse-drawn carriage rides, face painting and balloon sculptures, and at 5 p.m. there is a Christmas parade followed by the tree lighting.
Where: VFD #1 Fire Hall at the Monaca Municipal Building
When: Santa's there from 2 to 4 p.m.

New Brighton's Christmas in the Park at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5
Join us in welcoming in the Christmas season with the New Brighton Community Life Committee and their annual Christmas in the Park – Brighton Lights event at Townsend Park. The event will begin at 5:00 PM, with the official lighting of the decorations at 6:00 PM. Wreaths decorated by New Brighton Elementary School students will be on display and auctioned off later in the evening.
Santa Claus will also be arriving after the decorations are lit. Children and families are welcome to visit with Santa during this festive occasion.
When: 5 p.m.
Where: Townsend Park

Christmas at Old Economy Village at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12 and Sunday, Dec. 13
Tour the decorated Village and step back in time to relive your favorite childhood Fairy Tale, Enjoy Musical performances throughout the site, Shop for unique gifts at the Weihnachtsmarkt, Experience the delights of homemade apple strudel and mulled cider.
Where: Old Economy Village, 270 16th St., Ambridge
When: 2-9 p.m. on Saturday and 2-7 p.m. on Sunday
Concerts in the Feast Hall Saturday and Sunday by several area choirs, many hands on activities for children. Storytelling and games. 19
Cost: $10 Adults ~ $9 Seniors -- Children 3-11 $6.00 ~ Under 3 free
For more info: http://oldeconomyvillage.org/

Breakfast with Santa at St. John the Baptist Preschool from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12
Where: St. John the Baptist RC Church, 1409 Pennsylvania Ave., Monaca
Cost: $5 a person to eat, make a craft, and meet Santa. The Santa workshop will also be open that day. Reservations can be made at St. John the Baptist Pastoral Center Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. by Dec. 6. Call 724-775-5774 for more information.

Skate with Santa from 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 19
Bring the kids and skate with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Fun for all ages!
Where: Beaver County Ice Arena, 121 Bradys Run Road, Beaver Falls.
Cost: $5; ages 5 and under free with paying adult. Skate rental included.
For more info: 724/462-8321 www.bcfsc.org

Harmony's Silvester Celebration on Wednesday, December 31
The Harmony Silvester Celebration is a family focused afternoon of fun in Historic Harmony that honors its German heritage by celebrating Silvester (New Year's Eve) on German time.
After the races, enjoy music, special food and drink, and special events. The day will be topped off with Harmony's very own ball drop and a Shively Fireworks Blast at 6 PM (midnight in Germany!)
Where: Harmony Museum and Harmony Square, 218 Mercer Street, Harmony
When: 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
For more info: http://www.harmonymuseum.org/Silvester.html

First Night Pittsburgh 2016 on Wednesday, December 31
Centered in the Cultural District, First Night Pittsburgh has something for everyone, from children’s activities and performances by nationally-known musicians, to installations by local artists and a spectacular fireworks finale.
Where: Downtown Pittsburgh
When: 6:00 PM
How: First Night Pittsburgh is a free event, but you'll need a button for indoor venues.
Cost: Buttons are just $8 in advance or $10 night-of-event.  Kids 5 and under are free.
For more info: http://www.firstnightpgh.com/

Christmas Lights

Oglebay Festival of Lights: Through Jan. 3, 2016. Oglebay, and the Winter Festival of Lights, is located 4 miles from I-70 at Exit 2A. It is 60 miles from Pittsburgh via I-79 south and I-70 west and around 60 miles from the center of Beaver County using the Southern Beltway.
When: 5:00 PM open until 10 p.m. Sun-Thurs. & open until 11 p.m. Fri.-Sat.
Cost: A per car donation is requested and is valid for the entire festival season.
For more info: http://www.oglebay-resort.com/fol.htm

Holiday Lights at Kennywood. November 27, 28, 29, December 4, 5, 6, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 26, 27 from 5-9 p.m.
See America’s Finest Traditional Amusement Park transformed with more than one million dazzling lights. Enjoy songs of the holiday performed by local choirs. See the spectacular light show on the lagoon choreographed to your favorite holiday melodies. Visit Santa, ride the Gingerbread Express and more!
Cost: $17.99 at the gate. Tickets available to some Giant Eagle locations for just $15.99. Online purchases just $14.99, plus tax and free.

Shadrack's Christmas Wonderland in Butler County:
Friday, November 20 through January 3, 2016.
The WORLD'S LARGEST drive-through, fully synchronized, LED Christmas light and music show of its kind! Featuring Santa's Village! Santa will be there taking pictures with the good boys and girls! Hot Cocoa and various other refreshments
Where: Big Butler Fairgrounds, 1127 New Castle Rd., Prospect, PA 16052
When: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays are very popular nights to visit the light show. Because of this, long lines should be expected and wait times can be long. Please visit Mondays - Thursdays to avoid extended wait times.
Cost: Cars or family vans: $25 per vehicle
For more info: http://shadrackchristmas.com/pittsburgh-pa/

Clinton Christmas Light Up Celebration: Through Jan. 3, 2016.
A One-Mile Drive Through Holiday Experience: The Christmas Light Up Celebration in Clinton, PA is the best kept holiday secret in Pittsburgh. We have over a mile of lights and displays in a beautiful, enchanted woodland setting. We are open on all holidays.
Where: On Route 30, only two miles from the Pittsburgh International Airport, and fifteen minutes from shopping at the Mall at Robinson. 600 Clinton Park Drive, Clinton, PA 15026
When: 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Cost: $10 donation per car is asked.
For more info: http://www.christmaslightup.com/

Model Train Displays
Beaver County Model Train Christmas Open House: Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11-27-15 to 1-03-16.
Where: Beaver County Model Railroad and Historical Society, 416 6th Street, Monaca.
Cost: Free admission, but donations are always accepted!
For more info: http://bcmrr.railfan.net/openhouse.html

Ellwood City Historical Society Model Train Show: Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays from November 27-Dec. 20.
Beaver-Lawrence County Railroad Historical Society Christmas train show.
Where: Ellwood City Historical Society, 310 Fifth St.
Cost: free
For more info: http://www.ellwoodcityledger.com/news/community_briefs/running-model-trains-pulling-into-ellwood-city-historical-society/article_07086aa0-87cc-11e5-8d86-9391e62e39f7.html

Ohio Valley Holiday Model Railroad Show: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Starts November 28 and 29, goes through all weekends in Dec. and first weekend in January.
The display features a depiction of Western Pennsylvania from the Ambridge/Pittsburgh area to Wheeling, WV.
Where: Old Economy Historic District, Ambridge
Cost: Donation is $6 for adults and $2 for kids
For more info: http://www.ohiovalleylines.org/

Santa Sightings
Beaver Valley Mall: Photos with Santa go through December 24. Santa hours are Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. (except Thanksgiving). Pricing for pics is here.
Robinson Mall: Photos with Santa go through Dec. 24. Santa hours are Monday -Friday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (except Thanksgiving), Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. View specific days here.
Pictures with Santa from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. at North Sewickley Volunteer Fire Department, 887 Mercer Road Beaver Falls, PA.
All ages welcome. Just walk in to get your pictures taken with Santa. No RSVP required! Packages starting at $15. All proceeds go to NSVFD. For more info call 724-843-4015 or “like” us on Facebook (facebook.com/NSVFDPWS)