Pennsylvania is home to many delights and at Christmastime this state comes alive with magical illuminations and a wide variety of seasonal events. Pennsylvania is the home of Hershey, which is considered to be the chocolate capital of the United States. Indiana County is reported to be the Christmas tree capital of not just the United States but the world and, of course, Punxsutawney is home to the famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, who predicts the weather.
Hershey is the home of the Heshey chocolate bar and offers a range of events through the Christmas season. Hersheypark Christmas Candylane has over 2 million lights, festive decorations and rides for all ages. You can also visit village shops, see Santa's reindeer and watch and join in the Christmas-themed show. Hershey Sweet lights offers a drive-through experience where you can view more than 600 animated light decorations in over two miles of woodland. At the Christmas in Chocolate Town event you can enjoy dinner, a musical and a caroling event that you can join in.
The Christmas City of Bethlehem offers night tours that explain the religious heritage of the town and its Moravian founders. The tours cover the town's entrepreneurial and industrial heritage and about Bethlehem today. The tours are led by a guide in historic dress and last for around 45 minutes. Tours begin at the Bethlehem Visitors Center at 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays and from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. every 30 minutes on Saturdays.
A Dickens of a Christmas theater show can be experienced at the Mount Hope Estate and Winery. This historic building in Manheim hosts theater shows, the Renaissance Faire and various events throughout the year. At Christmas you can enjoy dinner and a drink in the Swashbuckler Pub and the Dickens Christmas show that includes songs, parlor games and stories. This event is suitable for the whole family and brings a bit of old England to life.
The Hawley Winterfest offers a variety of holiday celebrations during the month of December. The events take place in the small, picturesque town of Hawley that is set in the lake region of the Pocono Mountains. Events include a children's community theater, ice carving, art shows, dinners, wine tasting and much more. Lodging packages are available for the duration of these events.
Indiana County has more than 80 farms producing over 1 million trees every year. The Fleming's Christmas Tree Getaway offers a $30 (as per January 2011) allotment toward a precut Christmas tree of your choice or you can choose and cut your own. Overnight accommodation and breakfast is part of the package, and in case you're not feeling the Christmas spirit, a free DVD of "It's A Wonderful Life" is included. Free admission is included to the The Festival of Lights at Blue Spruce Park and the Jimmy Stewart Museum. A $5 donation is made to Trees for Troops for each tree sold at Fleming's Farm.
