Holiday season is in full swing.
We typically try and provide some variety in the weekend event guide, but there’s not much going on that isn’t overflowing with Christmas spirit.
From an ice skating show, to a performance of The Nutcracker, to some tree festivals, there’s plenty going on in the State College area as usual.
But don’t worry, sports fans. There’s plenty of Penn State athletics action to enjoy this weekend as well.
Without further ado, here’s the latest edition of Thank God It’s Friday.
FRIDAY:
The weather’s still warm, but Winter Wonderland is here.
As part of the annual Bellefonte Victorian Christmas, the Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology in Pleasant Gap will host a winter-themed event all weekend long.
The 21st annual Festival of Trees will transform the school’s auditorium into a winter wonderland, with all proceeds benefitting the Centre County United Way’s 35 partner agencies.
Local businesses and organizations decorate live trees for people to enjoy, and the event also includes Santa photos, Santa letter-writing, craft vendors, live entertainment, and more.
The festival runs from 4 to 9 p.m. tonight, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $2 for adults an $1 for children, a small price to pay for some Christmas season fun.
And there’s more winter fun at the Arboretum.
The campus and community are invited to a Winter Celebration from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. tonight at the Arboretum.
There will be performances of holiday and popular tunes from two student a cappella groups, the Hi-Lo’s and the Pennharmonics.
There will also be a lighted tree display at the Arboretum with child-crafted ornaments throughout the gardens. The event is entirely free and complimentary hot chocolate will be served.
Catch a Penn State hockey game.
The No. 16-ranked Penn State men’s hockey team will take on Princeton tonight at Pegula Ice Arena.
The Nittany Lions hold a 10-2-3 overall record and are 2-0-0 in the Big Ten so far on the season.
The team has three straight wins and hasn’t lost a game since Oct. 30, winning six games and tying two since that date.
SATURDAY:
Decorate a house.
Not a real house… a gingerbread house!
The houses are already pre-baked and ready to decorate, and the decorations are included.
Join in on the holiday season fun at the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center’s Spring Creek Education Building. All they ask you to bring is “your creativity and holiday cheer” for the event, which starts at 10:30 a.m.
Learn to paint.
The Serenity Wellness Centre is holding a silhouette watercolor painting class for beginners in its upstairs studio from 10 a.m to 12 p.m. on Saturday.
The class costs $35 per person and includes art supplies. It will go over the “basics of color mixing, layering, composition, and watercolor techniques to create a simple and serene landscape painting.”
The painting course is taught by Liz Agler, who studied art education at Penn State. You can register in advance here.
Flutopia!
Does anything else need to be said?
The 4th Annual Flutopia Food Back Fa la la informal concert will take place on 11:30 a.m. at Robert M. Sides Family Music Center.
The concert will feature flutist Cathy Herrera along with the State High Chamber Singers. The event is a benefit for the local food bank, so admission will be a canned good or monetary donation.
SUNDAY:
What’s December without The Nutcracker?
AVID Dance Productions’ senior company members will be joined by Centre Dance ballet students to perform The Nutcracker, “showcasing a variety of dance styles including African dance.”
The performance will include the party scene, the Rockette-style battle scene, Land of Snowflakes, and Land of Sweets.
The weekend-long show will run at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday before a final matinee performance at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets cost $12 for the show at the State Theatre.
Glide into the holiday season.
The annual Holiday Ice Show is here.
The Penn State Figure Skating Club will perform on the varsity ice at Pegula Ice Arena.
“Talented local figure skaters of all ages will help you glide into the Holiday Spirit,” the team says. “Join us in this State College tradition!”
Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the door. Admission is free for those aged three and under. The show starts at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Ready for a dual?
The Penn State wrestling team faces Wisconsin on Sunday at 1 p.m. in the Bryce Jordan Center. The Badgers are ranked No. 15 in the nation.
The top-ranked Penn State team is 4-0 on the season with dominant wins over Lock Haven, CSU Bakersfield, and Stanford, along with a closely-contested dual with Virginia Tech. The Nittany Lions also grabbed seven of ten titles at the annual Nittany Lion Open last weekend.
Of course, those aren’t all the events happening in State College and Centre County this weekend. Check out our community calendar for more. You can also check out our Holiday Guide for events, shopping, volunteer opportunities, and more.
