Need something to do this holiday season? Why not take a visit to State College, PA! From free Trolley Tours to Tree Decorating Contests, there is a little something for everyone to enjoy!

Light Up Night Exhibition: Traditions through Seasons

The Downtown Improvement District in partnership with the Borough of State College is hosting an inaugural Light Up Night Exhibition. Traditions Through Seasons shines a spotlight on the variety of Fall and Winter celebrations and traditions held by Centre County community members.

The exhibit will be displayed on the first and second floor of the Municipal building from November 21, 2024, through January 3, 2025, with open access Monday through Friday, 8:30am- 4:30pm.

Holiday Light Show

The Holiday Light Show plays nightly in the MLK Plaza from 5-10pm, November 21 through January 2! Don’t miss a special New Year’s Show on December 31 from 5-midnight!

Thanks to Nittany Entertainment for putting the light show together every year!

FREE Holiday Parking, Bus Tokens and Trolley Rides

Free Downtown Parking and Bus Tokens start on November 25th! For more details, see the November and December parking/bus calendars.

Free Trolley Schedule
Pickup & Dropoff at the MLK Plaza

• Friday, Dec 6 | 5-8pm
• Saturday, Dec 7 | 11am-2pm
• Friday Dec 13 | 5-8pm
• Saturday, Dec 14 | 11am-2pm

The FREE holiday trolley will be making continuous loops through downtown - don't miss this holiday tradition!

2024 Non-profit Tree Decorating Challenge

Vote for your favorite tree in the Non-profit tree decorating contest!

Ten local non-profits are participating in the Enchanted Forest tree decorating challenge…the winner will receive a $1,000 donation from the Downtown State College Improvement District!

Stop down to Faith United Church of Christ on the corner of College and Locust, support our local non-profits and vote on your favorite decorated tree! Make sure you vote for your favorite tree by December 8!

Happy Valley Holiday Ornament

Announcing the 4th Annual Happy Valley Holiday Ornament - the iconic Centennial Pigs sculpture in Pat Daugherty Walkway! Centennial Pigs is a bronze sculpture by artist Eric Berg, put in place as part of the 1996 State College Centennial Celebration.

The ornaments will be available for sale or gift with purchase starting November 29th, 2024, at these participating locations:

• Appalachian Outdoors
• Happy Valley Adventure Bureau
• Connections Clothing
• Federal Taphouse State College
• Growing Tree Toys
• Kitchen Kaboodle
• Lions Pride
• Spectacles F Y Eye
• The Family Clothesline
• The Makery /The Makery Market
• The Nittany Quill
• Yoga Lab

Shopping

Small Business Saturday - November 30th

Venture downtown to support your local small businesses on November 30th during Small Business Saturday! Make a day of it, shop and dine local by patronizing the small, brick and mortar businesses that make downtown State College special…this day and every day!

First Friday - December 6th

Don’t miss this winter-themed First Friday to close out our 2024 season! Visit with Santa in the MLK Plaza and hop on a FREE trolley to take a look at the lighting displays downtown.

Come down to Downtown State College this holiday season and enjoy, one, many, or all of the great events that the town has to offer!

Happy Holidays!