THIS WEEK: Nov. 25 to Dec. 1, 2015
Christmas City Stroll, a guided walking tour through Bethlehem’s historic district led by docents dressed in period Moravian attire. Includes several landmarks includes the 1741 Gemeinhaus and the Bethlehem Waterworks. Visitor Center, 505 Main St., Bethlehem. 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays through Jan. 10. 800-360-8687 or historicbethlehem.org.
Times Tower Lighting, the switching on of the holiday lights on the Times Radio Tower in downtown Scranton, followed by fireworks. 4 to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 25 with fireworks display at 6 p.m. Details at scrantontomorrow.org.
Model Railroad Open House, with HO model railroading and miniature replicas of local landmarks including the Asa Packer Mansion, Eckley Miners Village, Bethlehem Steelworks, Hazleton’s Blue Comet Diner and more. Anthracite Model Railroad Society, 1056 Hanover Court, Hazle Township. 5 to 8 p.m. Nov. 26. Continues noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays from Nov. 28 to Jan. 3. 570-459-6395.
Holiday Train Ride, a round-trip excursion from Scranton to Moscow to tour the restored passenger station and freight house. Also: photo ops with the train crew and Santa, and a small gift. Steamtown National Historic Site, 300 Cliff St., Scranton. 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Nov. 27-28 and Dec. 5. $23; $17 children. Reservations: 888-718-4253.
Dance, Dance, Dance! A screening of “Brigadoon” (1954) starring Gene Kelly, Van Johnson and Cyd Charisse. Osterhout Free Library, 71 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre. 2 p.m. Nov. 27. Free. 570-823-0156.
Bethlehem by Night. Tour the Christmas City on a guided bus tour or a horse-drawn carriage ride. Visitor Center, 505 Main St., Bethlehem. Beginning Nov. 27 with bus tours at 5, 6 and 7 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays through Dec. 27; carriage rides 3 to 9 p.m. Fridays through Sundays through Dec. 31. 800-360-8687 or historicbethlehem.org.
Treefest, the annual fundraiser for the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble with more than 130 decorated live trees, seasonal musicians, choirs and dance groups, artisans market, a gingerbread house contest and Chinese auction. Market Square, Bloomsburg. Nov. 27 to Dec. 6 with hours 6 to 9 p.m. Fridays; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays; noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. $6. 570-784-8181 or bte.org.
Winter Wonderland, a day of movies, shopping, singing and decorating at the F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. Included: tree-decorating and ornament-making, holiday music, an artisan market and three holiday films: “Elf,” “Miracle on 34th Street” and “Christmas Vacation.” 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 28. 570-826-1100.
Model Railroad Open House, an HO-scale, 2000-square-foot layout modeling many northeast railroads from various eras. Hudson Model Railroad Club, 97 Martin St., Hudson. Noon to 5 p.m. Nov. 28-29, Dec. 5, 12, 19-20, 26-27; Jan. 2-3. Free but donations accepted.
Guys Expo, with “guy stuff” including the Pennsylvania State Championship Arm Wrestling Tournament, cars, beer, girls, bacon, cigars, rock and roll and male-centric items for women’s gift shopping. Hilton Scranton, 100 Adams Ave. 1 to 11 p.m. Nov. 28. $8 advance, $10 at the door. Proceeds benefit the Children’s Advocacy Center. Vendors welcome; register at madebyguys.com.
Elf, the 2003 comedy about a man raised as an elf at the North Pole. F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. 1 p.m. Nov. 28. $3. 570-826-1100.
Miracle on 34th Street, the classic holiday film starring Maureen O’Hara and John Payne. F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 28. $5. 570-826-1100.
Christmas Vacation, the 1989 film following the Griswolds’ plans for a family Christmas, predictably turning into a big disaster. F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. 9:30 p.m. Nov. 28. $5. Also: an Arts Market for holiday shopping. 570-826-1100.
Victorian Christmas Tea, the third annual event with scones, finger sandwiches and desserts along with raffles and carol singing. Sponsored by the Soup for the Souls Committee at Exaltation of the Holy Cross Church, 420 Main Road, Hanover Township. 1 p.m. Nov. 29. Reservations (by Nov. 24): 570-825-6370.
Annual Wafer Supper, the traditional Polish meatless family-style dinner, sponsored by the Polish Union of USA. Touch of Class, 228 George Ave., Wilkes-Barre. 2 p.m. Nov. 29. $25. Reservations: 570-823-1611.
Sunday at the Circle: A Christmas Carol, a festive gathering and reading of Charles Dickens’ holiday tale by guest readers Tony Brooks, Erica Funke, Rabbi Larry Kaplan, Ron Kross, Ted Michalowski, Anne Rodella, Larry, Bernadine and Jonathan Vojtko and others. Music by Jason Smeltzer on theremin and Wayne Smith on piano. Come for part or the entire reading. Circle Center for the Arts, Wyoming Valley Art League, Rear 130 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre. 4 p.m. Nov. 29. Free but a $5 donation for the Wyoming Valley Outreach Program and Ruth’s Place is encouraged. 570-288-1020.
Teafest, an elegant high Scottish tea with soup, tea sandwiches and desserts along with admission to Treefest, the annual exhibit of hundreds of decorated trees featuring “Deck the Halls: Songs and Stories of Holiday Greenery” with Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble member Laurie McCants. Caldwell Consistory, 150 Market St., Bloomsburg. 1 p.m. Nov. 30. $25. Reservations (by Nov. 25): 570-784-5530.
FUTURE
Gift Card Bingo, sponsored by the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble. Caldwell Consistory, 150 Market St., Bloomsburg. Dec. 2 with doors at 4 p.m. and games at 6 p.m. with tours of TreeFest from 4 to 6 p.m. $20 for 20 games plus specials. 570-784-5530.
Get a Big Bang Out of Genesis, the annual Fortinsky Lecture by world-renowned scientist Herman Presby who specializes in photonics. Ohav Zedek Synagogue, 242 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre. 7 p.m. Dec. 2. Free. 570-825-6619.
Arts and Music Celebration, with works by local artists along with music by the Wyoming Valley Barbershop Harmony Chorus and the Dallas High School Music Department. Irem Clubhouse, 64 Ridgway Drive, Dallas. Noon to 3 p.m. Dec. 3. Free. 570-675-1866.
Strategizing Scranton’s Recovery, a talk by Henry Amoroso, budget consultant to the City of Scranton. Pearn Auditorium, Brennan Hall, 320 Madison Ave., University of Scranton. 5:30 p.m. Dec. 3. Free but reservations required: 570-941-6206.
Open Skate, a one-day-only public ice-skating session on the hockey rink of the Mohegan Sun Arena, 255 Highland Park Blvd., Wilkes-Barre Township. 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 3. Admission is a new, unwrapped toy or a $5 contribution to the Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots program. Bring your own skates. 570-970-7600.
A Perfect Pairing, a showing of classic movie clips with samplings of the cocktail featured in the scene including White Russians from “The Big Lebowski” and the French 75 from “Casablanca.” Everhart Museum, 1901 Mulberry St., Scranton. 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3. Age 21 and older. $25. Reservations: 570-346-7186, ext. 516.
Take the Train! A screening of “Murder on the Orient Express” (1974), starring Albert Finney and Lauren Bacall. Osterhout Free Library, 71 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre. 2 p.m. Dec. 4. Free with light refreshments. 570-823-0156.
Olde Time Christmas, with tours of the historic Asa Packer mansion, live nativity, train rides with Santa, historic district ghost walks, gingerbread-house contest, scavenger hunt, concerts by the Bach and Handel Chorale, a display of 500 creches, Santa’s Workshop, strolling carolers, musicians and more. Downtown Jim Thorpe. 4 to 7 p.m. Dec. 4 with a tree-lighting ceremony; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 5-6 and 12-13. 570-325-8485.
Wine Making and Tasting. Wyoming Free Library, 358 Wyoming Ave. 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 4. $15; $25 per couple. 570-693-1364.
Christmas in the Barns, visit with the farm animals, enjoy treats and sweets, take photos and visit with Santa. The Lands at Hillside, 65 Hillside Road, Trucksville. 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 4 and 5. Free but tickets required. 570-696-2881.
Holiday Cocktail Party, a fundraiser to benefit Brandon’s Forever Home, an organization dedicated to finding permanent homes for foster children. With hors d’oeuvres, small plates, silent auction and entertainment. 187 N. Church St., Hazleton. 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 4. $60. Reservations: 570-926-5117 or ogurkis1@ptd.net.
Old-Time Christmas, the 25th annual holiday tour showcasing Christmas customs of the past on the 19th-century farm. With a bonfire, costumed guides, a Victorian skit, a Christmas Putz, living Nativity, a 1700s German Christmas tale, one-room schoolhouse and the Belschnikel along with refreshments. Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm, 347 Quiet Valley Road, Stroudsburg. 3 to 7 p.m. Dec. 5-6 and 12-13 with tours every 15 minutes. $10, $5 children. 570-992-6161.
Holiday Workshop, a morning of cookie decorating, holiday crafts, singing and creations by the Balloon Lady. For all ages. Dietrich Theater, 60 E. Tioga St., Tunkhannock. 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dec. 5. Free. 570-996-1500.
National Lionel Train Day, with operating layouts, Lionel conductor hats, temporary tattoos, Lionel representatives on site and a commemorative National Lionel Train Day boxcar available for pre-order on this day only. Gryzboski’s Train Store, 200 Glenmaura National Blvd., Moosic. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 5. 570-451-1700.
An Afternoon of Colonial Hospitality, the annual 18th-century Christmas program at the historic Nathan Denison House, 35 Denison St., Forty Fort. 1 to 5 p.m. Dec. 5 and 6. $5, $3 children. 570-855-2737.
Community Contra Dance, with music by fiddler Henry Jankiewicz, keyboardist John Wobus and Curt Osgood on hammered dulcimer. No partner or previous experience necessary. Church of Christ Uniting, 776 Market St., Kingston. Dec. 5 with a potluck dinner at 6 p.m. and dancing at 7 p.m. Pay what you wish. 570-333-4007.
Whistle Stop Train Show, the 36th annual event with over 115 tables of new and used Lionel, American Flyer, Marx, Ives, H-O, N-Scale and LGB model trains along with railroad antiques, books, Matchbox cars and parts. Buy, sell or trade. Woodward Fire Hall, Route 220, Williamsport. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 6. $3. 570-326-4280.
Monthly Bingo, sponsored by St. Faustina Kowalska Parish. St. Mary’s School, 1010 S. Hanover St., Nanticoke. Dec. 6 with doors open at 12:30 p.m. and games at 1:45 p.m. Bingo continues on the first Sunday of the month through June 5. 570-735-4833.
Christmas at Grey Towers, guided tours of all three floors of the 1886 historic mansion, decorated for the holidays. 1 and 3 p.m. Dec. 7 to 19. $8. 570-296-9630.
Classic Movie Series, a free showing of “Home Alone” (1990) with Macaulay Culkin as a boy who is mistakenly left behind when his family flies to Paris for a Christmas vacation. Dietrich Theater, 60 E. Tioga St., Tunkhannock. 1 and 7 p.m. Dec. 9. 570-996-1500.
Take the Train! A screening of “Avalanche Express (1979) with Lee Marvin and Robert Shaw. Osterhout Free Library, 71 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre. 2 p.m. Dec. 18. Free with light refreshments. 570-823-0156.
Christmas Dinner Dance, the annual holiday event with music by Millennium. VFW, 403 Main St., Dupont. Dec. 12 with dinner buffet at 7:30 p.m. and dancing 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. $30. Reservations: 570-654-9104.
Wine Tasting, with Pierluigi Giachi, a 13th-generation winemaker from Tuscany, Italy. St. Anthony Center, 28 Memorial St., Exeter. 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 13. $15 advance; $20 at the door. 570-885-5316.
It’s a Wonderful Life, free showings of the holiday classic starring James Stewart and Donna Reed. Dietrich Theater, 60 E. Tioga St., Tunkhannock. 2, 7 and 8 p.m. Dec. 15. 570-996-1500.
Take the Train! A screening of “Murder on the Orient Express” (1974), starring Albert Finney and Lauren Bacall. Osterhout Free Library, 71 S. Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre. 2 p.m. Dec. 4. Free with light refreshments. 570-823-0156.
First Night Scranton, the 16th annual alcohol-free celebration of art and culture with live music, dance, interactive performances, juggling, horse-drawn carriage rides, bingo, magicians, face painting and more in various venues in downtown Scranton. Capped by a spectacular fireworks display to ring in the New Year. 3 p.m. to midnight, Dec. 31. $10. Schedule at firstnightscranton.com.
Bash in the Ballroom, a free New Year’s Eve party with music by Parrotbeach, a Jimmy Buffet tribute band. Also: tropical drink specials and a complimentary champagne toast. Mohegan Sun Pocono, 1280 Route 315, Plains Township. 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Dec. 31. 888-946-4672.
Harlem Globetrotters, the basketball tricksters on their 90th-anniversary world tour sporting their incredible ball-handling wizardry, rim-rattling dunks, trick shots, comedy and fan interaction. Mohegan Sun Arena, 255 Highland Park Blvd., Wilkes-Barre Township. 2 and 7 p.m. March 5. 800-745-3000 or ticketmaster.com.
Alton Brown Live: Eat Your Science, the television personality, author and Food Network star in a culinary variety show with comedy, music, puppets and “dangerous experiments” in the kitchen. F.M. Kirby Center, Public Square, Wilkes-Barre. 7 p.m. April 21. $65.50, $55.50, $45.50. 570-826-1100.
