Friday, Dec. 19

A brand-new musical retelling of Charles Dickens’s holiday classic will be presented at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Dec. 19 at The Palace Theatre, Greensburg. The lushly orchestrated Broadway-style score by Steve Parsons and witty lyrics by John Popa breathe new life into the beloved tale. This brand new adaptation is even more epic, magical, and joyous than the story of Christmas redemption you thought you knew. For tickets, visit ttps://westmorelandculturaltrust.org/events/wpa-christmas-carol/

Visitors of all ages can explore the wonder of winter traditions and stellar alignments in the State Museum of Pennsylvania’s Planetarium program, Season of Light. This show traces the history and astronomy behind holiday customs involving illumination–from the burning Yule log and sparkling Christmas tree lights to the ritual of the Hanukkah menorah and the Star of Bethlehem. The show will be presented from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19 and 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20 and Sunday, Dec. 21. Planetarium shows are $4 per person in addition to general admission. Tickets must be purchased at the main entrance at least 10 minutes before showtime. For more information, visit statemuseumpa.org

The Academy of Sacred Music will present a Messiah Sing Along at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19, at the Hollidaysburg Church of the Brethren, 1028 Penn St., Hollidaysburg. There is no admission charge, but a freewill offering will be collected. The music is the familiar G.F. Handel’s “Messiah,” but the members of the audience will hear their own voices ring out as they sing the “Hallelujah” and other choruses from the Christmas portion of the three-part oratorio.

Bob Long, founder of the academy and Hollidaysburg native will conduct.

Although attendees are not required to sing, the academy is encouraging members of choirs and choral groups to bring their Messiah scores and support the concert. Anyone who wants to be part of the event is invited to attend. A few scores will be available for participants to borrow.

Along with audience participation, the concert will feature soloists Julie Hanlon soprano, Arlene Huth, mezzo-soprano, Thomas Delahoy, tenor and James White, bass. Asa Carns will provide accompaniment on the organ, along with a string quartet. The Messiah offers a unique opportunity for people to enjoy a timeless classic. All are welcome to attend and sing along or just listen.

“The John Denver Tribute Christmas Concert” With Chris Collins and Boulder Canyon will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19, at the Mishler Theatre. For tickets and more information, visit mishlertheatre.org or call the box office at 814-944-9434.

Saturday, Dec. 20

Rocket Blasters will be performing from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at The Heidelberg CC, 812 Frankstown Road, Altoona. There is a $5.00 cover charge. Food by Rob’s Catering/Grill will be available.

P&J Productions will present “Ornament – The Premiere Trans-Siberian Orchestra Tribute” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20 at The Mishler Theatre. For tickets and more information, visit mishlertheatre.org or call the box office at 814-944-9434.

Come and celebrate the season with a very merry concert featuring the All-Star Choir of Westmoreland County conducted by Andrés Franco at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20 at The Palace Theatre, Greensburg. For tickets, visit https://westmorelandculturaltrust.org/the-palace-theatre/

Agnostic Front with Raw Brigade will be featured at 7 p.m. Dec. 20 at McGarvey’s Bar & Grill. Tickets are at: https://centralpaticket.com/events/agnostic-front-with-raw-brigade-violent-way-mcgarveys-12-20-2025

Sunday, Dec. 21

Jay T. Vonada will be performing from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21 at Barrel 135 in Williamsport. Come out for some great food and some holiday jazz. Call 570-322-7131 for reservations.

On tap for December

The Moore Brothers will perform from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 27, at The Heidelberg CC, 812 Frankstown Road, Altoona. There will be a $5.00 cover charge. Food by Rob’s Catering/Grill will be available.

Celebration Johnstown, Discover Downtown Partnership (DDJP), and Heritage Johnstown are partnering to present “A Bright New Year” inside the Community Foundation Oilhouse at Peoples Natural Gas Park on Wednesday, Dec. 31. The event will include activities for families and children, followed by live music and a DJ before the Christmas tree counts down to midnight and plays Auld Lang Syne. From 5 to 6 p.m. there will be activities for families and children, including crafts, games and horse-drawn carriage rides around Peoples Natural Gas Park for $5 per passenger. From 6 to 7 p.m., fire twirling troupe Flow n’At will perform on the lawn outside the Community Foundation Oilhouse, near the tree. At 7 p.m., singer-songwriter Jeff Perigo will entertain on acoustic guitar, followed by live music from Silver Screen at 8:30 p.m. DJ Seolsonic, who prides himself on playing a wide variety of genres. will provide the soundtrack from 10 to 11:59 p.m. For more information about “A Bright New Year,” visit www.heritagejohnstown.org.

Families are invited to ring in the New Year early at the Noon Year’s Celebration at the State Museum of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31. The event will feature crafts, trivia games, and a dance party. The festive countdown will culminate with a special appearance by Pennsylvania’s state insect, the firefly, dropping in at noon–the ideal way to celebrate the New Year without staying up late! The museum will close after the firefly drop at noon. Tickets for the Noon Year’s Celebration are $6 for all visitors age 1 and up. In conjunction with the Noon Year’s Celebration, the Planetarium will offer multiple showtimes for “Passport to the Universe.” This exhilarating flight through a precise, virtual re-creation of our universe is an astounding visual adventure through space. Planetarium shows are available at $4 per person plus admission, with showtimes starting at 9:30 a.m. For more information, visit statemuseumpa.org

Jason Aldean’s Full Throttle Tour 2026 will stop at the Bryce Jordan Center in

State College on Jan. 29, 2026. Tickets are on sale now at https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/02006329BE913221.

The Harlem Globetrotters are bringing their traveling world-famous show to the court of the Bryce Jordan Center on

Feb. 24. Tickets for the 100th anniversary tour go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 13, at ticketmaster.com.

Tickets are on sale now for Split State Productions presentation of “Chicago,” on Feb. 6, 7, 8, 12, 13 and 14 at The Lamp Theatre, Irwin. To purchase tickets, visit https://www.lamptheatre.org/split-stage-productions.

Tickets to “Elvis Lives,” an Elvis Tribute performed by Bruno Nesci, are on sale for the performance at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026, at the Palace Theatre, Greensburg. Tickets start at $37. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://thepalacetheatre.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket/#/events/a0SRi00000HncqLMAR

Tickets to Sesame Street live “Elmo’s Got the Moves” are on sale for the performance at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 26, 2026, at The Palace Theatre, Greensburg. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://thepalacetheatre.my.salesforce-sites.com/ticket/

Tickets for five-piece powerhouse Treaty Oak Revival’s 2026 U.S. tour are on sale now at ticketmaster.com. The 25-city trek will include a performance Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026 at Bryce Jordan Center, State College.The tour features support from Wade Forster and Huser Brothers.

For tickets and additional information, visit treatyoakrevival.com.

Ongoing events

The Arboretum at Penn State’s light and landscape stay on for visitors to enjoy evening strolls until 9:30 p.m. and pre-dawn walks from 5:30 to 7:30 a.m. in the gardens through Jan. 18, 2026.

Saturday Card Club, 10 a.m. First Saturday of each month. SAMA-Ligonier. $5 a session. Registration is not required, but can be made by calling 724-238-6015 or emailing ligonier@sama-art.org.

Model Train Open House, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. every Saturday. Alto Model Train Museum Association, 1117 Ninth Ave., Altoona. Visits can be arranged by calling 814-942-2676.

Games Night, noon-4 p.m. Last Saturday of every month. Gallery on Gazebo, 140 Gazebo Park, Johnstown. Free.

Yoga in the Museum, 10:30 a.m. to noon, first Sunday of every month at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art in Altoona. Arya Yoga Studio will lead participants while surrounded by artwork for an hour-long session of yoga, and time afterward to reflect and enjoy the other galleries available at the museum. Guests will receive a free drink token to be used at Levity Brewing. Guests must bring their own mat. Cost: $15 donation to the museum.

Art Trivia, 7 to 9 p.m., third Tuesday of the month, at Levity Brewing, 411 11th Ave, Altoona. Show off your knowledge of all things art and compete against other teams in this fast-growing event. No registration required; just show up. Donations welcome but required.

Tired of crafting alone? Crafternoon is held from 1 to 3 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month at Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art Altoona. In this free event, crafters of all mediums are invited to bring their current craft to the museum and work on it with other like-minded artists. SAMA Altoona is in the Brett Building, 1210 11th Ave., Altoona.

Preschool Storytime and Craft Hour for young art enthusiasts and their families is held from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art Altoona. This event is ideal for ages 3-6 and children must be accompanied by an adult. The event is free; no registration required.

Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art Altoona is in the Brett Building, 1210 11th Ave., Altoona. Hours are noon to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. The museum is an accessible facility and is open to the public free of charge. Donations are accepted to help support SAMA’s free and low-cost educational services, cultural event programming, and regional artistic exhibitions. For more information, visit https://www.sama-art.org or call (814) 946-4464 or email altoona@sama-art.org and like us on Facebook and Instagram @SAMAaltoona.