The holidays are almost here, as you can see with the festive events around the Cumberland Valley. See the wonderful performances and tree lightings that come with the season and don't forget to get your shopping on!

See the Top 10 for December below.


10. Holiday Open House & Artist in Action: Diane Troutman
Diane's original handcrafted Santas have become the tradition that ushers in the holiday season at our annual Open House. Come see her latest creations and have her show you how she sculpts the face and hands to create their unique character. 
Dates: December 6, 2015 • Time: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM 
Location: Village Artisans Gallery
Address: 321 Walnut Street, Boiling Springs
Phone: 717-258-3256 • Website: www.villageartisansgallery.com
Admission: Free 

9. George Balanchine's The Nutcracker
George Balanchine's The Nutcracker has all the makings of a great family experience: traditions, dreams and the gift of generosity. TOYS come alive in Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet's enchanting production. Be delighted by the dazzling costumes, charming sets and accomplished dancers as CPYB's signature production unfolds before your eyes in this most beloved masterpiece. Set to the magical music of Tchaikovsky. Whether a holiday tradition or a first-time discovery, The Nutcracker is an annual gift every family will want to be a part of.
Date: December 12, 2015 and December 13, 2015 • Time: Saturday 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM; Sunday 2:00 PM
Location: Whitaker Center for Science and Arts
Address: 222 Market Street, Harrisburg
Phone: 717-214-2787 • Website:  www.cpyb.org/splash/intro

8. Junie B's Essential Survival Guide to School
Now that Junie B. Jones has been going to school for over one-and-a-half years, who better to write the book on EVERYTHING you need to know? From bus rules to band-aides, carpools to cookies, Junie B. and friends deliver the definitive word on surviving and thriving in style. With a jillion tips, tricks and trip-ups, Junie B shares her hard-won expertise and shows us all how school is sometimes scary, sometimes super-fun, and ALWAYS something to sing about! An all-new musical adventure based on Barbara Park's popular book. This program is one hour in length and is appropriate for audiences in grades K-5. Photos and study guide are available at Luhrscenter.com Please note, all children and infants, regardless of age, must have a ticket.
Dates: December 5, 2015 • Time: 11:00 AM & 2:00 PM 
Location: H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center
Address: 1871 Old Main Drive, Shippensburg, PA 17257
Phone: 717-477-SHOW • Website: www.luhrscenter.com

7. Santa Comes to Town and Christmas Tree Lighting
Santa will arrive on Friday, December 4, at 6:00 pm to formally bring the Christmas season to Carlisle. Arriving in a secret "sleigh," Santa will first be joined by members of Borough Council, DCA representatives, and multitudes of children and their parents to see the lighting of the downtown Christmas tree at Veterans Square. New silver and gold LED lights will adorn the tree. Santa will then be on hand next to the Old Courthouse from 6 pm to 8 pm for free pictures sponsored by Revelation Photography. Pictures can be downloaded or a print can be made and sent to the family with a commemorative downtown Carlisle Christmas card. On Saturday, Santa will be available for free pictures from 12 pm to 4 pm. Other family fun activities during Santa Comes to Town include: Carriage rides, Doughnuts with Santa, Storytelling with Mrs. Claus, and Shots with Santa.
Dates: December 4, 2015 and December 5, 2015 • Time: Friday 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM; Saturday 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Location: Historic Downtown Carlisle
Address: High and Hanover Streets, Carlisle
Phone: 717-245-2648 • Website: www.lovecarlisle.com

6. Carlisle Theatre Holiday Celebration - White Christmas
Join us for the 4th Annual Carlisle Theatre Holiday Celebration featuring the classic Irving Berlin film White Christmas plus holiday fun. Seeing it with friends makes it even more special.
Date: December 5, 2015 • Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Carlisle Theatre
Address: 44 West High Street, Carlisle
Phone: 717-258-0666 • Website: www.carlisletheatre.org

5. Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis
The Ultimate Holiday Tradition! Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis has been America's favorite holiday tradition for the past 30 years! GRAMMY Award winner Chip Davis has created a show that features the beloved Christmas music of Mannheim Steamroller along with dazzling multimedia effects performed in an intimate setting. Experience the magic as the spirit of the season comes alive with the signature sound of Mannheim Steamroller. Their holiday CDs have become synonymous with Christmas and continue to occupy top spots on Billboard's Seasonal Charts every year!
Date: December 9, 2015 • Time: 8:00 PM
Location: H. Ric Luhrs Performing Arts Center
Address: 1871 Old Main Drive, Shippensburg
Phone: 717-477-SHOW • Website: www.luhrscenter.com

4. Christmas Tree Lighting at Children’s Lake
Since 1992, the Boiling Springs Civic Association has held a Tree and Luminary Lighting event at The Children's Lake. Volunteers light hundreds of luminary candles around the lake. The luminaries are then lighted every Saturday and Sunday as well as Christmas Eve and every night between Christmas Eve through New Year's Day. The tree is decorated and floated to the middle of the lake on the Friday morning before Thanksgiving. Then, during the lighting ceremony that always occurs on the first Sunday in December, the tree is lit as children gather to watch Santa Claus row across the lake and greet them at the gazebo.
Date: December 6, 2015 • Time: 5:30 PM to 6:00 PM
Location: Children's Lake
Address: Located off Rte 174, Boiling Springs
Phone: 717-386-5513

3. Market of Curiosities
Miss Ruth's Time Bomb invites you to step-right-up to The Market of Curiosities, an odd market for everyone! Enjoy three-rings of shopping, beer tasting, and live music. Find unique holiday gifts from over 50 independent artists, vintage collectors, and DIY crafters. Savor the great taste of fine micro-brewed beers, delicious food, and experience outstanding live music. All these treats take place under the big top of the historic Carlisle Ribbon Mill. Add this event to your December calendar and be amazed!
Date: December 5, 2015 • Time: 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM 
Location: Carlisle Ribbon Mill
Address: 320 E. Louther Street, Carlisle
Phone: 717-241-2662 • Website: www.marketofcuriosities.com
Admission: $3.00; children under 12 are free 

2. Santa's Workshop Exhibit
Come see what Santa's elves have been up to! Cumberland County Historical Society is taking a peek into Santa's workshop to see what the elves have been making over the past year for good girls and boys.
Dates: December 4, 2015 to January 2, 2016 • Time: Monday 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM; Tuesday through Friday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM; Saturday 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM 
Location: Cumberland County Historical Society
Address: 21 North Pitt Street, Carlisle
Admission: Free
Phone: 717-249-7610 • Website: www.historicalsociety.com
Admission: Varies by Day 

1. First Night Carlisle
First Night is a family-oriented, non-alcoholic celebration of the arts held on New Year's Eve on the streets of downtown Carlisle. It is a major visual and performing arts festivity created by and for the community to welcome in the New Year. It is a public celebration that revives the ancient tradition of marking the passage of time with art, ritual, and festivity in a present-day context. Simultaneous and continuous performances of storytelling, street performances, live music, dance, theater, ice-sculpting and historical reenactments will take place in both indoor and outdoor locations throughout downtown Carlisle. A countdown to midnight and a spectacular fireworks finale concludes the community festivity. A First Night button supports the cost of the celebration and provides general admission to all events. Admission to indoor events is on a first-come, first-served basis. 
Date: December 31, 2015 • Time: 5:00 PM to Midnight 
Location: Downtown Carlisle
Address: Hanover and High Streets, Carlisle
Phone: 717-258-0666 

Check out the entire events calendar here!