Break out the ugly sweaters! It’s time to get festive. From now through New Year’s Day, the Pocono Mountains’ event calendar is packed with holiday celebrations.
Resorts, restaurants, shops and downtowns are rolling out the red and green for a full month of fun in the Pocono Mountains. Celebrations range from tree lightings and train rides to festivals and breakfasts with Santa. There’s something for everyone to enjoy!
Find your next family tradition in the Pocono Mountains. Read on for a complete list of holiday happenings.
Santa’s Winterfest
Country Junction – World’s Largest General Store
Dates: Saturdays and Sundays through December 18, 2016
Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: $6/adult and $12/child; fees apply to certain activities
There’s so much to do at Santa’s Winterfest! Purchase your FUNband (priced above) and enjoy a full day of festivities at Country Junction. Activities include cookie decorating and ornament making, coloring contests and letters to Santa, story time with Mrs. Claus, winter hayrides, and meet-and-greets with costumed characters. Add-ons, including face painting, personalized Santa hats, and pictures with Santa, are available. Country Junction will host Breakfast with Santa on December 10, 11, 17 and 18 from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Reservations are required. The cost is $6.99 for kids and $9.99 for adults. Be sure to bring your camera!
Magical Fireside Christmas
The Inn at Pocono Manor
Dates: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through December 25, 2016
Times: Noon to 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; noon to 5 p.m. Sundays
Cost: $10/person; Free for children 4 and under
The Inn at Pocono Manor illuminates 10,000 square feet of displays for its Magical Fireside Christmas celebration. All are welcome to enjoy the displays, which include a life-size gingerbread house and Santa’s workshop. There will be photo opportunities, storytelling, holiday crafts, face painting and a gourmet hot chocolate bar. Overnight packages, featuring elf turndown service, are available. Unwrapped gifts are accepted as donations for Toys For Tots.
Candlelit Christmas Dinner
The Settlers Inn at Bingham Park
Dates: Friday through Sunday, December 2-4, 2016
Time: 6 to 9:30 p.m.
Cost: $95/person
Dine by candlelight in the beautifully decorated Settlers Inn Dining Room. For three enchanting evenings, the Settlers Inn will feature a Candlelight Christmas Menu and holiday entertainment. The Bradley Bunch will perform on Friday and Saturday and the Robert Kopec Christmas Trio will entertain on Sunday. The Honesdale High School Choir is also slated to perform on Sunday. Reservations are required. Lodging specials are available.
26th Annual Old Time Christmas
Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm
Dates: Saturdays and Sundays, December 3-4 and 10-11, 2016
Time: 3 to 7 p.m.
Cost: $10/adult; $5/child (3-12)
Learn what the holidays were like on a 19th century farm. Tour the farm by the light of a lantern and see costumed re-enactors preparing for the season. There will be songs and stories, holiday shopping opportunities, and a living Nativity scene in the barnyard. Tours run every 15 minutes and take approximately 90 minutes to complete. Be sure to bundle up for these indoor/outdoor tours.
Annual Tree Lighting
Downtown Milford
Date: Saturday, December 3, 2016
Time: 5 p.m.
Cost: Free!
Santa arrives in Downtown Milford during the annual Tree Lighting on December 3. There will be cookies, hot cocoa, and holiday caroling on the lawn of the Milford Community House. Bundle up and remember to bring your camera!
Jim Thorpe’s Olde Time Christmas
Downtown Jim Thorpe
Dates: Saturdays and Sundays, December 3-18, 2016
Times: Vary by event
Cost: Free! Fees apply to some activities
See charming Downtown Jim Thorpe all decorated for the holidays. The community’s Olde Time Christmas weekends feature holiday displays and shopping events, train rides with Santa, music and caroling, face painting, children’s activities and more fun for the whole family. Jim Thorpe’s Tree Lighting ceremony is set for Friday, December 2. Santa arrives at 5 p.m. Bundle up! Some activities take place outdoors.
Gingerbread House Workshop
Blue Mountain Resort
Date: Saturday, December 3, 2016
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Cost: $25/pair or $40/foursome
New this year, Blue Mountain Resort’s Gingerbread House Workshop is sure to leave you feeling festive. Bring friends and family for a day of crafts, cookies, cocoa, music, and photos with Santa. All materials provided. Space is limited and reservations are required.
Santa and Mrs. Claus are coming to Camelback!
Camelback Lodge & Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark
Date: Saturday, December 3, 2016
Time: 1 to 6 p.m.
Cost: Free!
Santa and Mrs. Claus are coming to Camelback! All are welcome to attend the grand reception featuring holiday music, festive activities, and a holiday parade led by firetrucks, a marching band and dancers.
Ugly Sweater Party
Slopeside Pub & Grill
Date: Saturday, December 3, 2016
Time: 8 to 11 p.m.
Cost: Free!
Don your ugliest holiday duds and head to Blue Mountain for an evening of festive fun. Slopeside’s Second Annual Ugly Sweater Party will feature food and drink specials, a photo booth, giveaways, and DJ entertainment. Prizes will be awarded for the ugliest sweater and the most festive outfit. Adults only; 21+.
Weekends with Santa & Mrs. Claus
Camelback Lodge & Aquatopia Indoor Waterpark
Dates: Saturdays and Sundays, December 3-18, 2016
Times: 5 to 9 p.m. Saturdays; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays
Cost: Free!
Visit Camelback Lodge and see Santa Claus in the lobby! Mrs. Claus will share stories by the fireplace on December 3, 10, 16, 17 and 23. Join her from 6 to 7 p.m. Be sure to bring your camera!
Tree Lighting Celebration
Stroudsmoor Country Inn
Date: Sunday, December 4, 2016
Time: Noon to 6:30 p.m.
Cost: Free!
Gather on the mountain for a magical holiday festival. Stroudsmoor’s annual Tree Lighting Celebration features displays, performances and activities all afternoon and into the evening. The grand finale begins with caroling at 6 p.m. Lighting and fireworks displays will follow. All are welcome.
Hawley Winterfest
Downtown Hawley
Dates: Friday through Sunday, December 9-11, 2016
Times: Varied
Cost: Free! Fees apply to some activities
See historic Downtown Hawley draped in holiday decor. This year marks the 18th anniversary of the town’s Winterfest celebration. There will be events and activities all over town. Look for dining specials, fairs and sales, song and stage performances, demonstrations, and other festive things to do each day. Lodging packages are available.
Dueling Pianos Holiday Show
Cove Haven Entertainment Resorts
Dates: Friday through Sunday, December 9-11, 2016
Time: 8:30 to 10 p.m.
Cost: $30/person; free for overnight guests
Three dates, two pianos, one memorable set! Catch the Dueling Pianos Holiday Show on December 9 at Paradise Stream Resort, December 10 at Pocono Palace Resort, or December 11 at Cove Haven Resort. These nights of music and comedy are for adults only.
Winterfest Brunch
The Settlers Inn at Bingham Park
Dates: Saturday and Sunday, December 10-11, 2016
Time: 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Cost: $39/person
Fuel up for a full day of fun at Hawley Winterfest. The Settlers Inn’s Winterfest Brunch features a delicious seasonal menu and holiday harp music by Kristy Chmura. Make your reservations today!
East Stroudsburg Winterfest & Downtown Tree Lighting
Downtown East Stroudsburg
Date: Saturday, December 10, 2016
Time: 1 to 5 p.m.; Tree lighting at 5:30 p.m.
Cost: Free! Fees apply to train excursions
East Stroudsburg’s Winterfest celebration features music, art displays, vendors and crafts. Tree lighting begins at 5:30 p.m. The Erie-Lackawanna Dining Car Preservation Society will offer short Santa Train Rides from Dansbury Depot at 12, 2, 4 and 6 p.m. this year. Train tickets cost $23 for adults and $16 for children 4-12. Visit eldcps.org for information.
Santa Brunch
Great Bear Golf Club
Date: Sunday, December 11, 2016
Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Santa arrives at noon
Cost: $24.95/adult; $12.95/child
Make your reservations to see Santa at Great Bear Golf Club! All are welcome to enjoy a scrumptious brunch and snap a few photos during this jolly holiday event. The menu features both sweet and savory selections like pumpkin caramel French toast, gingerbread pancakes, homemade soups and maple-glazed pork roast.
Breakfast with Santa
Mount Airy Casino Resort
Date: Sunday, December 18, 2016
Time: 9 to 11 a.m.
Cost: $5/person
Bring your camera and your holiday spirit to Mount Airy Casino Resort’s Breakfast with Santa. All proceeds benefit the United Way of Monroe County.
For more holiday happenings in the Pocono Mountains, browse our Holiday and Festival event calendars.
It’s not too early to start making New Year’s plans! We’ll be blogging about those parties in a few weeks, but you can browse these coming events and special offers while you wait. Whether you’re looking to dress up for a party or suit up for the slopes, the Pocono Mountains is the place to be on December 31.
Happy holidays from the Pocono Mountains!
