The Christmas season brings a rush of holiday activities and we’ve compiled the best of the season. Our “Holiday Cheer” guide covers the Mahoning and Shenango valleys and is jam-packed with events. We have holiday activities for families, major events, music, theatrical productions, fundraisers, Christmas dinners, holiday sales, and winter hikes. The “Holiday Cheer” guide covers the weekend before Thanksgiving and continues through early January. Be safe, enjoy the holidays and let us know what you think.
CHILDREN & FAMILIES: HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES
Winter Scavenger Hunt. Ford Nature Center, Mill Creek MetroParks, 840 Old Furnace Road, Youngstown 44511. 330-740-7107. Bring the family for a winter scavenger hunt. Held Tuesdays-Saturdays through Dec. 31.
Christmas on the Square. Courthouse Square, 143 North Diamond St., Mercer, Pa. 724-662-4185. Free. 6-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6.
Pics with Santa. Poland United Methodist Church, 1940 Boardman Poland Road, Poland 44514. 330-757-1553. Includes a light breakfast, elf work shop, and letters to Santa. 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7.
Do You Want to Build a Snowman? Boardman Library, 7680 Glenwood Ave. 330-744-8636. www.libraryvisit.org…. Children in grades K-4 are invited to celebrate winter weather with Disney’s “Frozen.” 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7.
Storytime with Mrs. Claus. Brookfield Branch Library, 7032 Grove St., Brookfield. 330-448-8134. All ages are welcome for an afternoon of holiday crafts and a special storytime with Mrs. Claus. Registration required. 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7.
Christmas in the Barn. Scotland Yards Greenhouse, Inc., 12555 Fry Road, Edinboro, Pa. 16412. 814-734-6700. Featuring Christmas crafts, cookies, and the chance for a family photo taken by Holly Jane Photography. Call or text 814-460-5484 to reserve a spot for a family photo. $45 (family Christmas Experience and Photo package). 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7.
Festival of Trees. The McKinley Memorial Museum, 40 N. Main St, Niles 44446. View a variety of trees decorated by the local community and vote on your favorite. Those interested in participating can visit mckinleybirthplacemuseum.org…. Voting ends at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14. Winners will be announced the week of Dec. 15. Trees are available for a viewing during museum hours until Jan. 10, including Saturday, Dec. 14. 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Dec. 10-Jan. 10.
Holly Jolly Rudolph Party! Austintown Library, 600 South Raccoon Road. 330-744-8636. www.libraryvisit.org…. Children of all ages will make Rudolph-inspired crafts while watching the classic holiday television special. 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11.
Tales for Tots: When it Starts to Snow. MetroParks Farm, Mill Creek MetroParks, 7574 Columbiana-Canfield Road, Canfield 44406. Call FRG at 330-740-7116 by Oct. 16. Children ages 2-3, with an adult, will learn what animals do when it starts to snow. Register by Dec. 11 and learn through a story, craft, and outdoor discovery. $4. 10-11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 13.
Is Santa a Troll? The Troll Hole Museum, 228 E. Main St., Alliance 44601. 330-596-1157. The museum will be decorated for the holidays. Includes tours and a scavenger hunt. 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14.
Reindeer Party. Springfield Library, 10418 Main St., New Middletown 44442. www.libraryisit.org…. Children in grades K-4 can celebrate winter with programs and activities with a Disney “Frozen” theme. 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14.
Prance Around the Tree: Family Dance Party. Main Library, 444 Mahoning Ave., N.W., Warren. 330-399-8807, ext. 206. 11 a.m. Families with kids ages 0-6 are invited to dance, march, clap and sing to seasonal tunes. Registration required. Free. 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14.
A Cortland Holiday Celebration. Cortland Branch Library, 578 Lakeview Drive, Cortland. 330-638-6335. All ages are invited to get in the holiday spirit with crafts, refreshments, and a visit from Santa. Free. 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16.
A Polar Cocoa Party. Main Library, 305 Wick Ave., Youngstown. 330-744-8636. www.libraryvisit.org…. A hot cocoa buffet and holiday movie for the whole family. 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17.
The Magic of Christmas. Eastwood Mall Complex, 5555 Youngstown Warren Road, Niles. 330-652-6980. A Christmas concert for all ages. 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21.
Noon Year’s Eve. Brookfield Branch Library, 7032 Grove St., Brookfield. 330-448-8134. Children of all ages are invited to ring in the new year with crafts, snacks, and a balloon drop at noon. Fancy dress encouraged but not required. Registration required. Free. 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31.
Noon Year’s Eve Party. Main Library, 444 Mahoning Ave., N.W., Warren. 330-399-8807, ext. 206. Children of all ages are invited to celebrate New Year’s Eve with music, games, crafts, snack, and a countdown to the noon “balloon drop.” Fancy dress encouraged but not required. Registration required. 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31.
CHILDREN: CRAFTS
Gingerbread House Decorating. Liberty Branch Library, 415 Churchill-Hubbard Road, Youngstown. 330-759-2589. Children ages 6-12 will build a holiday candy cottage. Supplies provided. Bring a cookie sheet to carry the creation home. Registration required. 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5.
Winter Mystery. Austintown Library, 600 South Raccoon Road. 330-744-8636. www.libraryvisit.org…. A mystery holiday craft program for adults and teens. Supplies will be provided. Registration required. 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9.
Reindeer Party. Greenford Library, 7441 S. Range Road, Salem 44460. 330-744-8636. www.libraryvisit.org…. Children in grades K-4 can celebrate winter with programs and activities with a Disney “Frozen” theme. 4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11.
Christmas Craft Party. Michael Kusalaba Library, 2815 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown. 330-744-8636. www.libraryvisit.org….Kids of all ages are invited to make a decoration at this holiday program. Children under age 7 must be with an adult. 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11.
Repurposed Book Angel. Main Library, 305 Wick Ave., Youngstown. 330-744-8636. www.libraryvisit.org…. Adults and teens will make a decorative angel from a previously loved book. 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12.
Art’s Club Workshop. The Hoyt, 124 E. Leasure Ave., New Castle, Pa. 16101. 724-652-2882. www.hoytartcenter.org… Children and teens, ages 3-16, will explore new subjects and materials each month. This month’s theme is “Simple Snow Globes.” Engineer a snow globe from plastic cups. Free to Hoyt youth and family members. Registration required. $10-free. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (ages 3-7 and 8-12), 1-2:30 p.m. (ages 13-16), Saturday, Dec. 14.
Make a Gingerbread Man. Canfield Library, 43 W. Main St. 330-744-8636. www.libraryvist.org…. Children of all ages will create and eat their own gingerbread man. Also includes a gingerbread craft and drawing. Registration required. Noon. Saturday, Dec. 14.
Gingerbread Workshop. Eastwood Mall Complex, 5555 Youngstown Warren Road, Niles. 330-652-6980. To register, call Gail at 330-219-7833. Create a gingerbread house for display in the Art Outreach Gallery through Dec. 23. Children will be able to pick up their work on Saturday, Dec. 23 to take home. All workshops take place in the Eastwood Mall Center Court in front of Macy’s. Registration required. $5. 10 a.m.-noon (children ages 5-9) and 1-3 p.m. (ages 10-15). Saturday, Dec. 14.
Build Your Own Gingerbread House. Main Library, 444 Mahoning Ave., N.W., Warren. 330-399-8807, ext. 200. Adults will learn how to build a gingerbread house out of graham crackers, frosting, and candies. All supplies provided. Registration required. 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14.
Listen and Create. Brownlee Woods Library, 4010 Sheridan Road, Youngstown. 330-744-8636. www.libraryvisit.org…. Children of all ages are invited to listen to a story and create a holiday craft. 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14.
Christmas Craft Party. Austintown Library, 600 South Raccoon Road. 330-744-8636. www.libraryvisit.org…. Kids of all ages are invited to make a decoration at this holiday program. Children under age 7 must be with an adult. 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14.
Winter Mystery. Michael Kusalaba Library, 2815 Mahoning Ave., Youngstown. 330-744-8636. www.libraryvisit.org…. A mystery holiday craft program for adults and teens. Supplies will be provided. Registration required. 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14.
Gingerbread House Holiday Program. Poland Library, 311 S. Main St. 330-744-8636. www.libraryvisit.org…. The whole family is invited to build and decorate a miniature gingerbread house using graham crackers, icing, gumdrops, and more. Registration required. 6:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16.
Sprout Club. Fellows Riverside Gardens, Mill Creek MetroParks, 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown 44509. 330-740-7116. Register by Dec. 17 for this hands-on activities for children ages 3-5 with an adult. Featuring gingerbread, cows, and pasta. $15 (series), $7 (per class). 1-2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19, Jan. 16 and Feb. 20.
Holiday Yarn Tree. Austintown Library, 600 South Raccoon Road. 330-744-8636. www.libraryvisit.org…. Teens and pre-teens will create a Yarn Tree. Supplies provided. Registration required. 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 21.
Listen and Create. Struthers Library, 95 Poland Ave., Struthers. 330-744-8636. www.libraryvist.org…. Children of all ages are invited to listen to a story and create a holiday craft. 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21.
CHILDREN: SANTA APPEARANCES
Breakfast with Santa Claus. Piccadilly Parlour Victorian Tea Room, 114 S. Broad St., Canfield 44406. 330-533-4749. Reservations are required. Featuring a breakfast with Santa Claus. Cameras welcome. $17.95 (per child), $18.95 (per adult). 9-11 a.m. Sundays, Dec. 1, 8, and 15.
Santa’s Winter Barn. MetroParks Farm, Mill Creek MetroParks, 7574 Columbiana-Canfield Road, Canfield 44406. 330-533-7572. Santa will bring some of his animal friends from around the world for a visit. This is also a photo opportunity to sign in his sleigh and see a reindeer. Dress for the weather. $1 (children’s craft option). 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1.
Happy Howland Holiday. Howland Branch Library, 9095 E. Market St., Warren. 330-856-2011. A celebration of the holidays for all ages with a visit from Santa, songs, holiday crafts, and more. Howland native and Miss Ohio 2004 Amanda Beagle will perform. 6 p.m. (event begins), 6:30 p.m. (Santa), 7 p.m. (music). Wednesday, Dec. 4.
A Community Breakfast for All with Santa! St. Paul’s Catholic Church, 10143 Main St., New Middletown. 330-740-6086. Have breakfast and take a picture with Santa at this fundraising event for Springfield Library. Bring a camera. 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. $10-$5, free (children age 2 and under).
Pics with Santa. Poland United Methodist Church, 1940 Boardman Poland Road, Poland 44514. 330-757-1553. Includes a light breakfast, elf work shop, and letters to Santa. 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7.
An Olde Town Christmas. Held on S. Broad Street in Grove City, Pa. Call 724-458-0301 for more information. Includes merchant specials, basket giveaways, carolers, hayrides, Christmas lights and a visit from Santa. Noon-5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7.
Open House with Santa. Lawrence County Historical Society, 408 N. Jefferson St., New Castle, Pa. 16101. 724-658-4022. Santa will visit the mansion, providing children with picture taking opportunities. Includes free tours, refreshments and treat bags. Open to the public. Free. 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7.
Christmas Light Parade. Held on Main Street in Greenville, Pa. Call 724-588-7150 for more information. Featuring lights and music to herald in the season and welcome Santa. Visit with Santa after the parade. 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7.
Christmas Party 2019. Lowellville Rod & Gun Club, 6225 Quarry Road, Lowellville 44436. Call Barbara at 330-758-9351 for reservations. Santa will arrive around 1 p.m. by fire truck with a gift for each child. Includes food at noon, a client auction for adults, and more. Please make sure to bring a wrapped gift for each child with their names clearly written on them. Noon. Sunday, Dec. 8.
The Magic of Christmas. Sharon Medical Group, 63 Pitt St., Sharon, Pa. 16146. 724-977-5931. Cookies, coca, and more presented by Primary Health Network. Meet Santa and Disney princesses Anna and Elsa. Open to the public. Free transportation available for those in need. 5:30-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12. Free.
Breakfast with Santa. Fellows Riverside Gardens, Mill Creek MetroParks, 123 McKinley Ave., Youngstown 44509. 330-740-7116. Celebrate the season with Santa with a kid-friendly breakfast by Inspired Catering by Kravitz. Santa will also be available for photographs. Reservations required due to limited seating. All children must be accompanied by a registered adult. All children must be pre-registered as well. 9-10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. $16-10.50 (adults and children over age 2), free (age 2 and under).
© 2019 Metro Monthly. All rights reserved.
