Best Bets: Holiday happening in Butler County to make your season bright
A holiday season in Butler County is always rife with opportunities to explore, learn, gather and give back. Below are just a few events that can put you in the spirit this month.
Gather, give back and celebrate Christmas during Zelienople’s Miracle on Main Street from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday Dec. 5. See the holiday parade, take a sleigh ride, partake in cookies, and so much more! For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page.
Support The Lighthouse Foundation by visiting the Elf’d Up Holiday Pop-Up Bar from Dec. 5 to 7 at Pittsburgh Marriot North at Cranberry Woods, 100 Cranberry Woods Drive. The bar will offer holiday cocktails and mocktails and be open from 5 p.m. to midnight. Admission is $10. For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page.
Have Breakfast with Santa at the Butler Township Park Building, 468 S. Duffy Road on Saturday, Dec. 7. The event runs from 9 a.m. to noon and includes the materials to write a letter to Mr. Claus himself, make reindeer food, craft, and more. Tickets cost $10 and registration is required at bcpr.recdesk.com.
Decorate cookies and take a photo with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 7 and Sunday, Dec. 8 at the Cranberry Township Municipal Center, 2525 Rochester Road. There are several time slots throughout the day open to registration, and even a sensory hour on Sunday. For registration and more information, visit https://bit.ly/3YZdS25.
Support Knoch Music Boosters at a Cookie Walk event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 7 at Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company, 155 Pittsburgh St. There will be a hot cocoa bar, cookie decorating, raffles and more. For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page.
Butler County Symphony Orchestra’s “Holiday Traditions” concert will feature recognizable Christmas tunes and caroling for the whole family to enjoy. Santa will also be in attendance at the cookie reception following the show, which begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Butler Intermediate High School auditorium. For tickets and more information, visit butlersymphony.org.
Live music and entertainment, decorations and more will be yours to enjoy during Harmony’s Holiday Shopping Stroll from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11. For more information, visit harmonybusinessassociation.com/events.
See “Elf: The Musical Jr.” performed by students of Batavia Music Studios from Dec. 13 to 15 at Butler County Community College’s Succop Theater. Performances are at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 1 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Purchase tickets at batavia-studios.ticketleap.com/elf-jr/.
Zelienople’s Christmas House tour is back for its 31st year on Saturday, Dec. 14. Lunch is included in your ticket price of $25. Tickets can be purchased at the Zelienople Historical Society, 243 S. Main St., or by calling 724-452-9457 or 724-452-6471.
Have Brunch with Santa from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 14 at the Rose E. Schneider Family YMCA. There will be pancakes, photo opportunities, a snowball fight and more! Bring your family down to 2001 Ehrman Road, Cranberry Township, to join the fun, and be sure to register at bcfymca.org/events/brunch-santa.
Have cookies with Santa at Butler YMCA, 339 N. Washington St., at either 10 or 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14. Come dressed in your best PJs and be ready to decorate tasty treats. Children under 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Registration costs $10 for members and $20 for non members. For more information, visit bcfymca-prod.oneeach.dev/events/cookies-santa.
Mars VFW is hosting a holiday craft show to help get you caught up on your shopping. The event lasts from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 at 331 Mars Valencia Road and will have over 30 vendors. For more information, visit the event’s Facebook page.
From 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, Santa will take photos with your pets at the Butler YMCA, 339, N. Washington St. Your pet must be on a leash, have proper vaccinations and licensing to participate. Admission is $5 for members and $10 for non members, per pet. For more information and registration, visit bcfymca-prod.oneeach.dev/events/paws-claus.
Stroll through the festive winter wonderland known as Enchanted Lights every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until Dec. 29. The decorations and twinkling lights are sure to dazzle your whole family. So, head on down to 282 Rochester Road, Freedom, and purchase your tickets at enchantedlightspittsburgh.com.
Alameda Park is hosting its annual drive-through holiday light show at the park until Dec. 25. Experience the magic and wonder of the season as you drive around with your family! The show is free to enjoy and runs from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the park, 184 Alameda Park Road. For more information, visit bcpr.recdesk.com.
“Twas the Night Before Christmas — A Musical Noir” is Hobnob Theatre Company’s latest original work, and will be performing at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20 and 21 and at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 22 at Butler County Community College’s Succop Theater. You won’t want to miss this funny and heartwarming rendition of a holiday tradition. For tickets and more information, visit hobnobtheatre.com.
Celebrate New Year's Eve at Harmony’s Silvester celebration. You can enjoy a traditional German dinner at Harmony Museum, watch the Christmas tree throwing contest, participate in the 5K or fun run, and watch the ball drop and a fireworks display on German time (6 p.m. in the town square). For a full schedule and list of activities, visit harmonymuseum.org/silvester.
