2023 holiday happenings in the A-K Valley

Allegheny Township

• Freeport Theatre Festival will present “The Nativity — A Christmas Delight” at 7 p.m. Dec. 1, 2 and 3 at the theater located at the Steele Family Farm off Route 356 on White Cloud Road. Donations will be accepted. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-295-1934.

Apollo

• Apollo Area Historical Society will host an antique train and vintage Christmas tree display beginning at 11 a.m. Dec. 2 at the WCTU Building, 317 N. Second St. There will be cookies and an opportunity to visit with Santa starting at 6 p.m.

Arnold

• Cookies and Cocoa with Santa will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 3 in the lot at 1701 Fifth Ave. New, unwrapped toys will be collected for Toys for Tots, and Santa will arrive for visits at 6 p.m.

Avonmore

• Light Up Night will be from 1 to 7 p.m. Dec. 9 along Fifth Street. There will be food, crafts, games, a Secret Santa shop, silent auction and hayrides. Santa and the Grinch will arrive at 6 p.m. Residents are urged to decorate their homes. Sponsored by the Avonmore Community Association.

Cheswick

• Christmas in Cheswick will be from 6 to 7 p.m. Dec. 2 in the gazebo in Memorial Park on Pittsburgh Street. Santa and Mrs Claus will be there with free cookies, hot chocolate and music. Details: recboard@cheswick.us.

East Deer

• A community Light Up Night will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 1 in the township Memorial Park. Children can meet Elsa and Anna from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and enjoy activities.

Freeport

• Freeport Renaissance Association will sponsor the annual A Small Town Christmas celebration Dec. 2 in the borough. Activities include a breakfast in the St. Mary Church fellowship hall; Christmas shop, story time and bake sale at Freeport Area Library; pet photos with Santa at NextHome Dynamic; and the tree lighting and pictures with Santa at James E. Swartz Memorial Field. The Christmas Light-Up Parade will begin at 5 p.m. at the boat launch and will proceed on Second Street to Riverside Drive, to Fifth Street to Buffalo Street, to Second Street and end at James E. Swartz Memorial Field. Details: facebook.com/FRA16229.

Harrison

• A Christmas parade will be at 1 p.m. Dec. 2 beginning at Alabama Avenue and Broadview Boulevard and proceed to Montana Avenue by Community Library of Allegheny Valley. Afterward, Santa will be at the library for refreshments.

• Community Library of Allegheny Valley and Harrison Township are sponsoring a gingerbread house contest for township residents. Entries should be dropped by Dec. 9 at the library, 1522 Broadview Blvd. Houses will be displayed though Dec. 21 and patrons can vote by donation for their favorite design. Winners will be announced, and prizes awarded Dec. 22. Details: harrisontwp.com.

Jefferson

• Concordia Lutheran Ministries will host its annual live Nativity on Dec. 10 in front of the Haven II building, 148 Marwood Road. Performances last 15 minutes and begin at 4:30, 5:15 and 6 p.m. Hot beverages and refreshments will be served, and gifts will be presented to guests 12 and younger. Bring a camera for photos with Santa. Dress for the weather. Details: 724-352-8268.

Kiski Township

• A drive-thru live Nativity will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 9 at New Beginnings United Methodist Church, 1559 Route 56. Includes light refreshments and a gift for each child. Rain date: Dec. 10.

Lower Burrell

• The Hometown Holiday Festival will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 9 at Burrell High School, Puckety Church Road. A parade will begin at 7 p.m. at Hillcrest Shopping Center on Leechburg Road and proceed to Stewart School for the PTA’s Light the Season event.

New Kensington

• The tree lighting and carols will begin at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at the corner of Fourth Avenue and Ninth Street. The annual free community Mayor’s Holiday Dinner will be from 6 to 8 p.m. after the tree lighting at New Kensington No. 1 Firehall, Fourth Avenue. Dine in only. The Christmas Santa Parade will begin at 11 a.m. Dec. 2. Details: 724-337-4525.

Plum

• The Christmas at Plum Creek celebration will be from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Nov. 30 at the municipal complex, 2000 Old Mine Road. There will be music by the high school singers, jazz band and string quartet, live reindeer, food trucks, children’s games and train and gingerbread house displays. No onsite parking is available but free round-trip shuttles will be available starting at 5 p.m. from the high school, Amplify Church and St. John the Baptist Church.

Springdale

• Springdale Free Public Library and Springdale Borough will host a tropical holiday party for all ages from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8 in the gymnasium of the borough building, 325 School St. There will be crafts, snacks and photos with Santa. Dress in your Hawaiian attire or ugly holiday sweater. Reservations required. Reservations: 724-274-9729.

Tarentum

• Abundant Joy Fellowship will sponsor a live Nativity from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 16 at the church, 101 Allegheny St. There will be cookies and hot chocolate, caroling and a petting zoo. Details: 724-224-5715.

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