Central Pennsylvania Events
Central Pennsylvania Regional Programs & Events – December 2023
CHILDREN
Kids Holiday Art Market
Date: December 2nd
Time: Noon-4:00pm
Location: Littlestown Library
Details: Stop by & make holiday crafts. Children will be given play money to purchase crafting supplies while sticking to their budget
Make a Gift Day
Date: December 3rd
Time: 2:00pm-4:00pm
Ages: 8yr-14yrs
Location: Gettysburg Library
Details: Stop by and make a rustic wooden ornament or festive felt wreath
Registration: Online registration required
Cardboard Gingerbread House
Date: December 4th
Time: 5:00pm-6:00pm
Location: Gettysburg Library
Details: Make a gingerbread house using cardboard & craft supplies
1st & 2nd Grade Book Club
Date: December 6th
Time: 4:30pm-5:30pm
Location: Gettysburg Library
Details: Discuss a good book & share a snack
Barks and Books
Date: December 7th
Time: 6:30pm-7:30pm
Location: New Oxford Library
Details: Read to Danny, the therapy dog
Registration: Visit the library or call (717) 642-2182
Barks & Books
Date: December 4th
Time: 6:30pm-7:30pm
Location: Carroll Valley, Fairfield
Details: Read to KPETS therapy dogs
Barks & Books
Date: December 12th
Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Location: Gettysburg Library
Details: Stop and read to a therapy dog
3rd& 4th Grade Book Club
Date: December 13th
Time: 4:30pm-5:30pm
Location: Gettysburg Library
Details: Discuss a good book and share a snack
Legopalooza
Date: December 13th
Time: 4:30pm-5:30pm
Ages: 4yr-12yrs
Location: Harbaugh Thomas Memorial Library, Biglerville
Details: Free play & optional challenge
Registration: Online registration required
Crafternoon
Date: December 14th
Time: 4:30pm-5:15pm
Ages: K-5th grade
Location: Gettysburg Library
Details: Join friends in making a holiday craft
3rd-5th Grade Book Club
Date: December 14th
Time: 4:30pm-5:30pm
Location: Harbaugh Thomas Memorial Library, Biglerville
Details: Discussion of books, snack & activity
Registration: Online registration required
Afternoon Adventure: Lego Master
Date: December 14th
Time: 4:15pm-5:15pm
Ages: K-6th
Location: Amelia Given Memorial Library, Mt Holly Springs
Details: Free play with optional challenges
Registration: Online registration required
Barks & Books
Date: December 14th
Time: 6:30pm-7:30pm
Location: Trone Memorial Library, East Berlin
Details: 15 minutes sessions reading to KPETS therapy dogs
Register: Online registration
Homeschool: Full STEAM Ahead
Date: December 15th
Time: 1:00pm-2:00pm
Ages: K-6th grade
Location: Harbaugh Memorial Library, Biglerville
Details: Focus on different STEAM topic each month
Registration: Oline registration required
Barks & Books
Date: December 18th
Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Location: Littlestown Library
Details: Read with Danny, the therapy dog
5th & 6th Grade Book Club
Date: December 20th
Time: 5:30pm-6:30pm
Location: Gettysburg Library
Details: Discuss a good book and share a snack
After School Adventures: Arts & Crafts
Date: December 21st
Time: 4:14pm-5:15pm
Ages: K-6th
Location: Amelia Given Memorial Library, Mt Holly Springs
Details: Holiday themed crafts
Registration: Online registration required
Winter Slime
Date: December 21st
Time: 3:30pm-4:30pm
Location: New Oxford Library
Details: Make a winter themed slime & the chemical reaction occurring
Christmas Bingo & Craft Night
Date: December 21st
Time: 6:30pm-7:00pm
Ages: 5yrs-10yrs
Location: Carroll Valley Library, Fairfield
Details: Make a Christmas craft & play a few rounds of bingo
Registration: Online registration required
Coding Club
Date: December 21st
Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Ages: 8yrs & up
Location: Dillsburg Library
Details: Remix monthly challenge or code your own project
Registration: Online registration required
7th & 8th Grade Book Club
Date: December 27th
Time: 4:30pm-5:30pm
Location: Gettysburg Library
Details: Discuss a good book & share a snack
TEENS /TWEENS
Teen Subscription Box
Dates: December 1st-December 8th
Ages: 7th grade – 12th grade
Location: Harbaugh Thomas Memorial Library, Biglerville
Details: Sign up & receive monthly subscription box including library book & surprise gifts. Pick up first week of the month
Registration: Online registration required
Monthly Crafts
Dates: December 1st – December 23rd
Location: Harbaugh Thomas Memorial Library, Biglerville
Ages: 7th grade-12th grade
Details: Drop in all month long to do hot chocolate ornaments
Table Tennis
Dates: Wednesday & Friday Nights
Time: 2:45pm-5:45pm
Location: Harbaugh Thomas Memorial Library, Biglerville
Details: Stop by for casual or competitive table tennis
DIY Bath Bombs
Date: December 5th
Time: 3:30pm-4:30pm
Location: New Oxford Library
Details: Learn how to make your own bath bombs for yourself or give as gifts
Registration: Online registration required
Mario Party Tournament
Date: December 6th
Time: 3:00pm-5:30pm
Location: Harbaugh Thomas Memorial Library, Biglerville
Details: Compete in the ultimate Mario Party tournament
Registration: Online registration required
Diamond Painting Evening
Date: December 7th
Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Ages: 12yrs-18yrs
Location: Trone Memorial Library, East Berlin
Details: Make diamond painting coasters. Supplies & snacks provided
Registration: Online registration required
Diamond Painting
Date: December 7th & December 21st
Time: 1:00pm-3:00pm
Ages: Teens & Adults
Location: Harbaugh Thomas Memorial Library, Biglerville
Details: Drop in and try a sparkling diamond painting project
Registration: Online registration required
Teen Book Club
Date: December 7th
Time: 6:30pm-7:30pm
Ages: 13yrs-18yrs
Location: Carroll Valley Library, Fairfield
Details: Discussion on Splintered by A.G. Howard
Gaming Club
Dates: Tuesdays
Time: 5:00pm-6:00pm
Location: Harbaugh Thomas Library, Biglerville
Details: Explore new games & hone your gaming skills
Registration: Online registration required
Homeschool Afternoon
Date: December 8th
Time: 1:00pm-2:00pm
Ages: 7th – 12th
Location: Trone Memorial Library, East Berlin
Details: Learn about architecture & building gingerbread houses
Registration: Online registration
Spanish Conversation Club
Date: December 13th
Time: 3:00pm-4:00pm
Ages: Teens & Adults
Location: New Oxford Library
Details: Join club to practice conversational Spanish club led by ESL teacher, Minerva Medina
Registration: Online registration required
Teen Time
Date: December 14th
Time: 6:30pm-7:30pm
Location: Trone Memorial Library, East Berlin
Details: Make Christmas crafts and enjoy hot chocolate
Sugar Cookie Decorating
Date: December 15th
Time: 2:45pm-5:30pm
Ages: 7th grade-12th grade
Location: Harbaugh Thomas Memorial Library, Biglerville
Details: Drop in to make your cookie creation a work of art
Teen Popcorn Bar
Date: December 15th
Time: 3:30pm-4:30pm
Location: Gettysburg Library
Details: Create your own popcorn mix
Registration: Online registration required
Operation Save Santa
Date: December 15th
Time: 4:30pm-5:30pm
Ages: 10yrs-18yrs
Location: Littlestown Library
Details: Solve mystery of missing Santa Claus. Join with friends in this interactive mystery event
Registration: Online registration required
Tween & Teen Sugar Cookie Decorating
Date: December 16th
Time: 1:30pm-3:30pm
Location: Harbaugh Thomas Memorial Library, Biglerville
Details: Drop in to make cookie art creation
Club 1399
Date: December 18th
Time: 4:00pm-5:00pm
Ages: Teens & Adults
Location: Gettysburg Library
Details: Teens & adults of diverse abilities enjoy a movie and snacks
Cat Lamps
Date: December 18th
Time: 6:30pm-7:30pm
Ages: 11yrs-18yrs
Location: Carroll Valley Library, Fairfield
Details: Paint a cat lamp for your room or to give as a gift
Registration: Online registration required
Winter Chill
Date: December 19th
Time: 2:30pm-4:30pm
Ages: 12yrs-18yrs
Location: New Oxford Library
Details: Join friends for games, crafts, snacks and music
Writers Group
Date: December 19th
Time: 6:30pm-7:30pm
Ages: Teens & Adults
Location: Trone Memorial Library, East Berlin
Details: Writers of all levels and genres discuss projects
Registration: Online registration required
Holiday Movie Afternoon
Date: December 21st
Time: 3:00pm-5:00pm
Location: Harbaugh Thomas Memorial Library, Biglerville
Details: Enjoy a movie & popcorn
Registration: Online registration required
Murder Mystery Night
Date: December 21st
Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Ages: 13yrs-18yrs
Location: Trone Memorial Library, East Berlin
Details: Test your detective skills to solve a 10,000 ft high murder, catch the murderer & win a prize.
Registration: Online registration required
Teen Book Club
Date: December 28th
Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Location: Trone Memorial Library, East Berlin
Details: Come discuss your favorite murder/true crime book with friends. Snacks provided
FAMILIES
Disguise a Gingerbread Man Contest
Dates: December 1st – December 16th
Ages: All ages
Location: New Oxford Library
Details: Disguise the Gingerbread Man as a character in a book using any crafts. Pick up the gingerbread man template at the library and return. Voting for favorite gingerbread man will occur from December 18th – December 30th. Prize to winner.
Holiday Movie & Hot Cocoa Bar
Date: December 3rd
Time: 2:00pm-4:00pm
Location: Gettysburg Library
Details: Enjoy a family holiday movie and hot chocolate
Registration: Online registration required
un with Chess
Dates: Mondays
Time: 6:00pm-7:45pm
Ages: All ages and skill levels
Details: Drop-in chess games for all skill levels
Where: Littlestown Library
Homeschool Skates
Dates: Wednesdays
Time: 1:00pm-3:30pm
Ages: Everyone
Location: Magic Elm Skateland, Hanover
Fees: $8 admission including skate rental
A Christmas Carol Readers Theater
Dates: December 5th (rehearsal) & December 12th (Performance)
Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm
Ages: Adults & Teens
Location: Trone Memorial Library, East Berlin
Details: A sit down, script in hand readers theater adaptation of A Christmas Carol. Participants welcome to perform for community on December 12th.
Registration: Online registration required
All Aboard Polar Express
Date: December 6th
Time: 6:00pm-7:00pm
Ages: Families/Children of all ages
Location: Sponsored by Dillsburg Library but event at Calvary Methodist Church across from the library
Details: Storyteller, Beth Rebert, tells the story of the Polar Express. Story followed by performance by The Dillsburg Brass and light refreshments. Take home your own special silver bell.
Registration: Online registration requested but not required.
Paint An Ornament
Date: December 7th
Time: 4:30pm-6:30pm
Ages: All ages
Location: Gettysburg Library
Details: Pick either a wooden or ceramic ornament to decorate
Registration: Online registration required
Diamond Painting: Gnome Ornaments
Date: December 14th
Time: 10:00am-Noon
Ages: All ages
Location: Gettysburg Library
Details: Create sparkly gnome ornaments
Registration: Online registration required
Introduction to Diamond Painting
Date: December 14th
Time: 6:30pm-7:15pm
Ages: 7yrs & up
Location: Carroll Valley Library, Fairfield
Details: Learn how to diamond paint by making a sparkling snowflake project
Registration: Online registration required
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR) provides many free programs and events for the entire family. These events include bird walks, wildflower walks, orienteering programs, and forestry/natural resource programs. Many parks also offer Pa history programs and have holiday programs. More information can be found at the DCNR Calendar of Events at https://events.dcnr.pa.gov
VIRTUAL PROGRAMS
Knot Another Stitch: Knit & Needle Crafts
Dates: Mondays
Ages: Everyone
Time: 6:30pm-7:30pm
Details: Learn how to knit and do needle crafts
Registration: Online registration at the Adams County Library website
MISCELLANEOUS /FUTURE EVENTS
Strawberry Hill Nature Book Club
Date: Meets 2nd Thursday of the month
Time: 6:30pm
Ages: Adults & older teens
Registration: Register online at education@strawberryhill.org
Details: Free nature book discussions
Oakes Museum- Homeschool Science Classes & Labs
Details: Numerous Homeschool science classes and labs for all ages of students. Curator Club also offers Saturday morning science classes for 3rd-5th graders. CC2 provides labs on Thursday nights and Saturday afternoons for 6th-8th graders. Check Oakes Museum website at www.messiah.edu