Top Reasons to Enjoy the Holiday Season in Our Small Towns!
When it comes to choosing your holiday destinations, think small this year! Although big cities provide extraordinary Christmas experiences, the Johnstown region delivers a “Simply incredible” menu of holiday experiences for the entire family!
1. The Christmas Tree @ Central Park
Celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Christmas Tree @ Central Park! Johnstown’s 36-foot high animated Christmas tree is synced to your favorite holiday carols and is surrounded by a vibrant Christmas village. The best part? No long lines and you can take photographs directly in front of the tree. It’s the season’s best selfie spot! Parking in downtown Johnstown is free on weekends and all evenings! Don’t miss the Hometown Christmas Stroll and Light Up Night on November 22.
2. Dickens of a Christmas
Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” will forever be one of the greatest Christmas stories of all time. The community of Ebensburg, PA, a short drive from Johnstown, recreates the ambiance of the holiday classic every Christmas season. The event kicks off on Friday, December 6 with the Ebensburg Light Up Night at Kimball Park. Saturday will include a full day of events including Breakfast with Santa, four craft shows, a Christmas parade, a Santa Pub Crawl, a Christmas tree toss, and more to be announced soon! Many vendors and attendees will be dressed in period costumes. Be sure to visit the beautifully decorated Cambria County Courthouse! For a full schedule, click the button below.
3. A Charlie Brown Christmas – Live on Stage!
You don’t need to travel to a big city to see incredible theatrical productions. On Saturday, November 30, “A Charlie Brown Christmas – Live on Stage!” will be coming to the Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center on the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown campus. Come see Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the rest of the Peanuts as you get into the Christmas spirit! Tickets can be purchased online. Click the button below!
4. The Nutcracker Ballet
The Johnstown Concert Ballet will continue to offer one of the community’s best Christmas traditions when they perform Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Ballet on December 6 & 7th at the Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center. Purchase tickets by clicking the button below.
5. Public Ice Skating
1st Summit Arena @ Cambria County War Memorial is always bustling with activity, but during the winter months, public ice skating is very popular. Enjoy affordable family fun on the ice this holiday season! Follow their Facebook page for updates regarding public skating opportunities.
6. The Russell House Silver Bells Open House
The Russell House in Johnstown’s historic Moxham neighborhood will celebrate its 25th annual Christmas weekend with its Silver Bells Open House on December 14 & 15. The event will feature 25 originally-decorated trees, live carolers, horse-drawn sleigh rides, a bake sale, and more! Don’t miss this classic, family-friendly holiday celebration!
7. City of Johnstown Christmas Market
Visit Downtown Johnstown for the City of Johnstown Christmas Market on December 6 & 7. The two-day event will feature live music, food, horse and carriage rides, crafts, live Christmas trees, and special guests Santa Claus, The Grinch, and Buddy the Elf & Friends!
8. Sundaes with Santa
Johnstown Area Heritage Association will mix two of our favorite things, ice cream, and Santa, during their Sundaes with Santa event! On December 1, 8, & 15 visit the Heritage Discovery Center where children will have the opportunity to make an ice cream sundae, create a Christmas craft, visit with Santa, and enjoy the Children’s Museum!
9. Holly Bazaar
Shop, shop, shop! Throughout the holiday season, stop by the Community Arts Center of Cambria County for their annual Holly Bazaar. The event features handcrafted items from over 60 local arts and crafts vendors, a gently used purse and scarf sale, a collection of raffle items to take chances on, an ongoing 50/50 raffle, and a Basket Bonanza. If you are looking for more unique items by local artists, check out the Small Business Saturday Artisan Market at the Bottle Works.
10. Holidays on the Farm
Have some holiday fun on the farm! Farms throughout Cambria County will be hosting holiday events throughout the season. Dickert Farms will hold its 3rd Annual Christmas Market on December 8 and Smithmyer’s Christmas Market will host their event on December 8 & 15.
11. A Nostalgic Night with Macaulay Culkin
Don’t miss “A Nostalgic Night with Macaulay Culkin” at 1st Summit Arena @ Cambria County War Memorial on December 11. Experience the timeless classic, “Home Alone” followed by an exclusive moderated interview and audience Q&A with the infamous Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin!) Click the link below to purchase tickets!
This is just a small selection of holiday happenings. For a complete schedule, and to plan your visit, go to Visit Johnstown’s event calendar at: https://www.visitjohnstownpa.com/johnstown-events/holiday-events Keep checking back as we add more events!
Wishing you a “Simply Incredible” holiday season!