Here's a list of December's holiday events in the Beaver County area.
December 2016 Holiday Events
25th Annual Beaver County Festival of Trees at the Bradys Run Lodge: Dec. 2 - 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Dec. 3 - Noon to 9 p.m.; Dec. 4 - 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
Cost: Ages 13-62, $6; seniors 63 and older $5; 6- 12 years old $3; ages 5 and under free.
For more info: http://www.beavercountyfestivaloftrees.org/
Ellwood City Light Up Night on Friday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Dec. 3
Light up night on Friday from 6-8 p.m. and parade and Christmas in the Park on Saturday
When: 6 p.m. on Friday and 3:30 - 9 on Saturday
Where: downtown Ellwood City
Candyland on Saturday, Dec. 3 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
Kids Christmas Town at CUMC on Sat., Dec. 3 from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Kids enjoy breakfast with Santa, pictures with Santa, a gift shop, and craft center
When: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Where: Chippewa United Methodist Church
Visit with Santa at Hopewell Park from 11 a.m - 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3
Santa visits 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!
Christmas at the Vicary Mansion from 2 -8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3
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. 3.
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. 3 and Sunday, Dec. 4
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.
Cost: $10 Adults ~ $9 Seniors -- Children 3-11 $6.00 ~ Under 3 free
For more info: http://oldeconomyvillage.org/
Skate with Santa from 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17
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
Christmas Lights
Oglebay Festival of Lights: Through Jan. 1, 2017. 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. Open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from Nov. 25 to Dec. 23 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: $18.99 at the gate. Tickets available to some Giant Eagle locations for just $16.99. Online purchases just $15.99, plus tax.
Shadrack's Christmas Wonderland in Butler County: Friday, November 18, 2016 through January 8, 2017.
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: Nov. 17, 2016 through Jan. 1, 2017.
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 11-25-16 to 12-31-17.
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 25-Dec. 18.
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 26 and 27, goes through all weekends in Dec. through January 8.
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 at the Mall
Beaver Valley Mall: Photos with Santa start Saturday, Nov. 12 and 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., and Christmas Eve from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Booking a time for photos and pricing for pics is here. Santa Fast Pass info is here.
Pet Photos: Pet photos with Santa every Monday through December 19! All pets must be on a leash, or held by the owner at all times. Please use the DCI/Boscov's entrance.
Here's the Santa photo info all in one place.
