Three reasons Bellefonte’s Victorian Christmas is one of the Alleghenies’ best holiday events
By Jodie Dello Stritto
Mark your calendar for Bellefonte Victorian Christmas, December 13-15, 2024, and experience the magic that makes this annual event feel like a Christmas movie come to life. Here are three reasons it’s one of the best ways to get ready for the holidays:
The ambiance
Bellefonte’s historic architecture and the natural beauty of Talleyrand Park adorned with holiday lights offer the backdrop for a quintessential small-town Christmas. Take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage or stroll through streets lined with twinkling lights. Sip a hot cider at the outdoor Winter Market or duck into one of downtown’s unique cafés, restaurants and bars. Street musicians and carolers in Victorian dress complete the picture-perfect holiday weekend.
The shopping
Local artisans are on full display all over town all day Saturday offering unique and meaningful gifts for everyone on your list. In addition to a large Arts & Crafts Fair hosted at the YMCA, you can visit the Jingle Bell Bazaar at Lambert Hall, an outdoor Winter Market in Talleyrand Park, and a Holiday Pop-Up Market outside Smith + Front on the waterfront. Don’t skip Bellefonte’s small businesses, like Belle Mercantile, Helen Foxx, The Great Mish Mosh and more.
Fun for all ages
The fun begins Friday afternoon with children’s activities at The Makery at the Bellefonte Art Museum and the Curtin & Armor Model Railroad running at the Belle Mercantile. The Bellefonte Presbyterian Church will host the popular opening night concert featuring the Nittany Valley Symphony Encore Ensemble and the Bellefonte Community Choir.
Saturday starts early with the Raider Reindeer 4K at 7:30 AM, followed by several seatings of a Children’s Victorian Tea Party at the Bellefonte Little House and holiday activities all day at the Centre County Library. A full day of concerts is planned at churches throughout downtown, and ensembles from local schools and music groups will entertain crowds with street performances.
Santa arrives at his house downtown on the Diamond at 11:45 AM and opens for visitors at Noon.
On Sunday, stop by Bellefonte Area High School for the Bellefonte Community Band’s annual holiday concert at 2 PM, or join the Girl Scouts for their First Annual Santa Parade, beginning at the Little House on Howard Street.
This is only a sampling of a weekend packed with holiday cheer. You can also enjoy food and beverage vendors, go on a Cookie Crawl, visit the Festival of Trees, experience a live Nativity and more. Downtown restaurants and cafes will be open and ready to welcome visitors.
One of the best parts of the weekend is that nearly all the activities are centrally located and walkable downtown. Parking and a shuttle are available from Bellefonte Area High School on Bishop Street.
Visit bellefontevictorianchristmas.com for a full schedule of events.
