Plans are coming together for the Annual Tamaqua Spirit of Christmas Festival, which will begin Nov. 30 and continue through the first weekend in December.

The festival will kick off Nov. 30 with a Mistletoe Reception at the Tamaqua Station Restaurant. The fee to attend includes one drink ticket. Musician Logan Polak will provide entertainment. Tickets may be purchased at https://tamaquaarts.thundertix.com/events/219113

There is a new twist to this year’s tree lighting, which will begin at 6 p.m. Dec. 1 at Depot Square Park. Mayor Nathan Gerace will serve as master of ceremonies. Vicar Dillon Epler will be the guest speaker and St. John Lutheran Church Choir will provide musical entertainment. After the tree is lit, Little Miss Spirit of Christmas and her court will escort Santa across the train station platform to Broad Street and continue to the fountain at Depot Square Park. A countdown begins and the entire park will be illuminated.

Santa will proceed to the gazebo in the park where he will meet and greet the children. Organizers said there is a rumor that Mrs. Claus may also be there. Children will be able to put their letter to Santa in the mailbox, talk to Santa and receive a treat. Santa’s elves and Little Miss Spirit of Christmas contestants will assist.

There will be a number of activities for children on Dec. 2, including many beginning at 9 a.m. from the Tamaqua Public Library. Events include a book sale, T-shirt printing, and story time with Santa’s elves. Visits with Santa will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Check out the library’s website and Facebook page for more information.

Also Dec. 2, there will be an Open Air Old Fashioned Christmas Market from 5-8 p.m. at Tink’s Antiques on South Railroad Street. Craft vendors, entertainment and food will be available.

A Toolshed Jack Christmas Party will begin at 7 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Tamaqua Community Arts Center. Tickets are required. The event is almost sold out.

From 8 a.m. to noon Dec. 3, a breakfast with The Grinch will be held at the Perla Building, which is the former Salvation Army. The event is sponsored by the Eastern Schuylkill Recreation Commission. There is a fee to attend and information is available by calling 570-239-6436.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 3, a “Santa Pics with Pets” will be held on South Railroad Street by Tink’s Antiques.

Some events will take place on Dec. 2 and 3. They include train rides with Santa provided by Reading & Northern Railroad. Excursions will be held each day at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Tickets are available by calling the Reading railroad at 610-562-2102 or in person with cash only at Tink’s Antiques on South Railroad Street.

The Tamaqua Area Historical Society Museum on West Broad Street will hold an open house on both days from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The museum will have holiday music, treats and refreshments for visitors. Admission is free.

The Tamaqua Chamber of Commerce is coordinating a Christmas tree Decorating Contest, which will add to the festivities in Tamaqua for the holiday season. Rules for this are available from the chamber.

To support the festival, the committee is also selling bayberry candles and limited edition Christmas ornaments. Purchases can be made at the Tamaqua Arts Center, Train Station Gift Shop and from Spirit of Christmas Committee members.

More information on all the events is available on the Spirit of Christmas Facebook page or by contacting the Tamaqua Community Arts Center at 570-668-1192.

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