The annual Tamaqua Spirit of Christmas Festival is set for the first weekend of December.

The festivities will begin on Dec. 2 with a mistletoe reception at the Tamaqua Community Arts Center, which features “A Taste of Tamaqua.”

Local eateries and restaurants will provide a ton of local flavor. A fee to attend includes two drink tickets. Christmas music will be performed by Cheryl Tennant Hughes.

The lighting of Depot Square Park will be Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. followed by a meet and greet with Santa Claus. Children can put their letter to Santa in the mailbox and talk to Santa in the gazebo.

Dec. 4 will be a breakfast with Santa at the Perla building at 9 a.m., which is sponsored by the Eastern Schuylkill Recreation Commission.

Later on Dec. 4, the Tamaqua chamber will host a Victorian Tea at the Tamaqua Train Station Restaurant. Tickets are required and may be purchased online at tamaqua.net. That same evening, an old-fashioned Christmas market will be held at Tink’s on South Railroad Street from 5-8 p.m. Craft vendors and food will be available.

A Toolshed Jack Christmas party will help conclude the Dec. 4 festivities at the Tamaqua Community Arts Center at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at tamaquaarts.org.

Train rides with Santa, provided by Reading & Northern Railroad, will take place Dec. 4-5. There are three trips both days at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Tickets are available by phone at 610-562-2102.

The arts center will also host a vendor fair from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 4-5, while “A Cabaret” will be performed at the arts center on Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at tamaquaarts.org.

“Light the Way Luminaria Night” will also be held Dec. 5. Luminaria kits, for sale, contain a bag, sand and a candle. Bags may be placed at Depot Square Park. Luminaria kits are available at Tink’s Antiques on South Railroad Street and the Tamaqua Community Arts Center.

The weekend comes to a close with the tree lighting at Depot Square Park on Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. Dan Odorizzi, 2021 Tamaqua Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year, will be the speaker, while the Tamaqua Senior High Jazz Chorale will perform Christmas carols.

The Tamaqua chamber is coordinating a Christmas tree decorating contest. For more information, visit the chamber on West Broad Street.

To support the festival, the committee is also selling Bayberry Candles. Purchases can be made at the arts center, Pedal Pushers Floral Co. in Hometown, or from Spirit of Christmas Committee members.

For more information, visit the Spirit of Christmas Facebook page, or contact the Tamaqua Community Arts Center at 570-668-1192.