The 24th Annual Spirit of Christmas Festival takes place in Tamaqua the first weekend in December. On Thursday evening there will be an open house at the Tamaqua Historical Society Museum with refreshments and holiday treats.

Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive in town on Friday evening. The parade featuring Rilyn Jones, the 2019 Little Miss Spirit of Christmas, will kick off at 6 p.m. and Depot Square Park will be illuminated with all new sparkling lights. Following the lighting of the park, Santa and Mrs. Claus will greet children at the Tamaqua Community Arts Center. Revive Community Fellowship Church will be doing crafts with the children and giving away free backpacks. Cub Pack 777 will be selling refreshments.

Saturday is packed with events beginning at 9 a.m. with two breakfasts: Breakfast with Santa at the Salvation Army and the Advent Breakfast at Zion’s Lutheran Church. The Tamaqua Community Arts Center will have family crafts and harpist Renee Arner at 10 a.m., and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. there will be Santa Cookies & Milk Pottery Making.

The Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Victorian Tea at the Tamaqua Train Station at noon. Santa and his Sleigh will be at Depot Square Park from 3 to 7 p.m. and an Outdoor Market will take place at Tink’s Antiques from 4 to 8 p.m.

To complete your day on Saturday, the Tamaqua High School Drama Club will perform a Winter Cabaret at 7 p.m. at the Tamaqua Community Arts Center.

On Sunday, the annual tree lighting will take place at Depot Square Park at 6 p.m. The guest speaker will be Sank Griffiths. Following the tree lighting, free hot chocolate and cookies will be served at the Tamaqua Ambulance Building.

This year the festival is expanding to the second weekend in December. Tours to eight churches in Tamaqua will take place in the morning, leaving from the arts center. A holiday market with over 20 artisan vendors will be at the arts center selling handmade gifts both Saturday and Sunday.

To culminate the festival, “Christmas with Friends,” an Italian dinner with entertainment will be held at La Dolce Casa on Dec. 14 from 6 to 9 p.m. The entertainment will be provided by D’Lite Side featuring Lucille Fala-Brennan on vocals and David Marchetti on the keyboard.

Reservations and a fee is required to attend several of the above listed events. More information can be found on the Tamaqua Spirit of Christmas Facebook Page, the Tamaqua Community Arts Center website or by calling the arts center at 570-668-1192.