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  A GETTYSBURG CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL
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ACTIVITIES

FREE ACTIVITIES ​THANKS
​TO OUR SPONSORS!
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LIVE REINDEER FROM SPRUCE RIDGE
Steinwehr Business Improvement District 
Gettysburg Heritage Center, ​297 Steinwehr Avenue

Saturday, December 7, 2024

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 8, 2024

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Visit the reindeer for FREE! 
Cell phone pictures are welcome for FREE!

Get an up-close and personal for a photo op for just $10.00. ​

Bring the family to meet and learn about Santa's reindeer friends!
LIVE ICE CARVING
Carvings by Danny Kissel

​​Saturday, December 7, 2024
​10:00 a.m.

Sponsored by The Christmas Haus

Watch as Danny carves a life-size Ice Throne!
 

Come and sit on the Ice Throne!
A great opportunity for family photos!

Free thanks to The Christmas Haus!
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​ELF SCAVENGER HUNT
Be on the Lookout for Elves!
Visit our businesses to find their hidden elves.
Take a selfie.
Post to Facebook and tag #elvesofgettysburg to win prizes.
​See if you can find them all!

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​MECHANICAL REINDEER
Steinwehr Avenue
Hold on for a fun ride on our mechanical reindeer!


CHRISTMAS BOUNCE HOUSE
Steinwehr Avenue
Fun bounce house for kids!


GINGERBREAD BOUNCE HOUSE
Steinwehr Avenue
Fun bounce house for little kids!

ARCTIC BOUNCE HOUSE
Baltimore Street
Fun bounce house with a big slide for the kids!

MECHANICAL SNOWBOARD
Baltimore Street
See how long you can stay on the ​mechanical snowboard!

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FAMILY GAMES
Come play some family friendly games on the beautiful sidewalks of historic Steinwehr Avenue and Baltimore Street.  Engage in some friendly competition in these reindeer games, suitable for all ages.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
St. James Lutheran Church
DATE & TIME: Saturday from ​8:00 - 11:00 a.m.
LOCATION:  ​109 York Street
COST: Free - open to the public
DESCRIPTION: All are welcome! Enjoy a free breakfast, a free photo with Santa, make Christmas decoration crafts, play games and enjoy a Christmas train display!
Breakfast with Santa - St. James Lutheran Gettysburg (stjamesgettysburg.org)
FREE HISTORIC DOBBIN HOUSE TOUR
DATE & TIME: Saturday at 10:00 a.m.
LOCATION: Dobbin House, 89 Steinwehr Avenue
DESCRIPTION:  Enjoy a FREE, guided, hour plus tour of the Dobbin House. This popular and highly rated presentation highlights the house built by the Rev. Alexander Dobbin. View all the decorated rooms while interacting with period antiques to understand how the home's occupants lived during the beginnings of America in the 18th and 19th centuries.
MINI PONIES - "THELMA & LOUISE"
Shining Stars Therapeutic Ministries 
DATE & TIME: Saturday at 10:00 a.m. - 12:00p.m.
LOCATION: Unity Park (corner of Baltimore St. & Lefever St.)
DESCRIPTION:  Stop by and meet the adorable mini ponies "Thelma & Louise" 
WEBSITE: Home - Shining Stars Therapeutic Ministries
PEANUT BUTTER PINECONE BIRD FEEDERS
Gettysburg Nature Alliance
DATE & TIME: Saturday from ​10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
LOCATION: ​​Gettysburg Heritage Center
297 Steinwehr Avenue

DESCRIPTION: FREE - Stop in and make your own bird feeder.
Roll pinecones in peanut butter, bird seed and hang!
FACEBOOK:
Gettysburg Heritage Center | Gettysburg PA | Facebook
​SANTA'S WORKSHOP CRAFT TENT WITH
SANTA & MRS. CLAUS

Gettysburg Foundation
DATE & TIME: ​Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  
LOCATION: Children of Gettysburg 1863 Museum -side yard
451 Baltimore Street
COST: FREE
DESCRIPTION: Children can visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and make a holiday ornament or paint a wooden toy in the Children of Gettysburg 1863 Museum's craft tent.
Craft supplies sponsored by AAA Central PA.

 WEBSITES: https://www.gettysburgfoundation.org/exhibits-tours-events/special-events

​https://www.gettysburgfoundation.org/exhibits-tours-events/exhibits-tours-events/children-of-gettysburg-1863
​LIVING HISTORY AROUND THE CAMPFIRE
Gettysburg Foundation
DATE & TIME: ​Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  
LOCATION: Children of Gettysburg 1863 Museum -side yard
451 Baltimore Street

COST: FREE
DESCRIPTION: Warm up around the fire pit and talk to soldiers from 1st Rhode Island Battery B.
 WEBSITES: https://www.gettysburgfoundation.org/exhibits-tours-events/special-events

​https://www.gettysburgfoundation.org/exhibits-tours-events/exhibits-tours-events/children-of-gettysburg-1863
​CHRISTMAS DURING THE CIVIL WAR:
COURTYARD PRESENTATION

Gettysburg Foundation
DATE & TIME: ​Saturday from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
  
LOCATION: Children of Gettysburg 1863 Museum -courtyard
451 Baltimore Street

COST: FREE
DESCRIPTION: Author Stephan Evangelista and Licensed Town Guide Ted Hirt will perform a special holiday program entitled Christmas During the Civil War: Citizens and Soldiers.
The presentation will take place in the museum courtyard at 11am.

 WEBSITES: https://www.gettysburgfoundation.org/exhibits-tours-events/special-events

​https://www.gettysburgfoundation.org/exhibits-tours-events/exhibits-tours-events/children-of-gettysburg-1863
​FACE PAINTING BY SMILE ON YU
Steinwehr Business Improvement District
DATE & TIME:
Saturday 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
LOCATION: Best Western (inside lobby)
                  ​301 Steinwehr Avenue

DESCRIPTION:  Pick a free festive face paint design professionally applied by our talented artist!
FACE PAINTING BY ADVENTURE IN FUN
Adventure In Fun
DATE & TIME: Saturday from ​11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
LOCATION: ​​ Gettysburg Polish Pottery
                   102 Baltimore Street

DESCRIPTION: Get festive at the festival with free face painting by Adventure In Fun's amazing artist! ​
PICTURES WITH TORY THE ELF
Gettysburg Polish Pottery
DATE & TIME: Saturday from ​11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
LOCATION: ​​102 Baltimore Street
DESCRIPTION: Stop by and meet Tory the Elf and take some family holiday pictures with her using your cell phone or camera!
FACE PAINTING BY ELIZABETH
Steinwehr Business Improvement District
DATE & TIME: Saturday from ​12:00 noon - 4:00 p.m.
LOCATION: ​​Civil War Diorama (in lobby)
                 241 Steinwehr Avenue

DESCRIPTION: Free face painting by the talented Elizabeth McBride! ​Choose from a variety of festive holiday designs!
CHESTNUTS ROASTING ON AN OPEN FIRE
Shriver House Museum
DATE: Saturday 11a.m. - while supplies last
LOCATION: 309 Baltimore Street
COST: ​$1 donations appreciated.
DESCRIPTION: ​Enjoy the old Christmas tradition ​of freshly roasted chestnuts!
CIVIL WAR SANTA
Jennie Wade House/Gettysburg Tour Center
DATE: Saturday 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
LOCATION: 548-778 Baltimore Street
DESCRIPTION: ​Come and meet Civil War Era Santa on Baltimore Street strolling between Jennie Wade House and the Gettysburg Tour Center!
SANTA'S TOY SHOP
Children of Gettysburg 1863 Museum
DATE & TIME: Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
LOCATION: 451 Baltimore Street - Side yard
DESCRIPTION: ​Children and their families will be able to construct basic wooden toys and/or decorate wooden ornaments to take home!
SANTA'S SHANTY
Gettysburg Area Retail Merchants Association
DATE & TIME: Friday 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. & 3:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Sunday 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

LOCATION: 14 Lincoln Square
DESCRIPTION: Santa wants to know your wish list this Christmas!
​Come and visit with him in his seasonal Shanty. Click here for other hours in December!
MRS. CLAUS + ACTIVITY = FUN FOR ALL
New York Life
DATE & TIME: Friday, Saturday & Sunday during festival hours
LOCATION: Baltimore Street
DESCRIPTION: Stop by Mrs. Claus's wonderland tent and enjoy a free activity!
​HOT COCOA WARM UP STATION
Gettysburg Trinity United Church of Christ
DATE & TIME: Saturday 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
LOCATION: 102 Baltimore Street
​DESCRIPTION:  Stop by to warm up with a free cup of hot cocoa! Donations Accepted
S'MORES
Quality Inn Gettysburg Battlefield
DATE & TIME: ​Saturday from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. 
LOCATION: 380 Steinwehr Avenue
COST: ​Free
DESCRIPTION:
 Come create and enjoy roasting smore's!
PICTURES WITH SANTA
The Gettysburg Academy and Jane's Tea Room
DATE & TIME: Saturday from 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.
LOCATION: 66-68 West High Street
COST: Free
​DESCRIPTION: Come gather your friends and family for free pictures with Santa and his sleigh on the front porch of the Academy. ​Pets are welcome too!
​PICTURES WITH SANTA CLAUS
Heartfelt History Gettysburg Gift Shop
DATE & ​TIME:  Saturday from 12:00 - 6:00 p.m.
LOCATION: 327 Baltimore Street, 2nd Floor
​COST: Free with your smart phone
DESCRIPTION: Come to Santa's workshop for your holiday pictures with Santa!
Events - Gettysburg Gift Shop
 OPEN HOUSE
The Gettysburg Academy and Jane's Tea Room
DATE & TIME: Saturday from 2:30 - 4:00 p.m.
LOCATION: 66-68 West High Street
DESCRIPTION: ​Visit the Gettysburg Academy, meet the owners and hear about the history of this iconic historic property.
HOLIDAY PHOTO BOOTH
​Dobbin House
DATES & TIMES: Saturday 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
LOCATION:
 
89 Steinwehr Avenue
COST: Free
DESCRIPTION: Get a memorable holiday photo, complete with props, with your friends and family!
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CHRISTMAS CAROLING NATIVITY STROLL
Gettysburg Area Ministerium
DATE & TIME: Sunday at 4:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Gettysburg Presbyterian Church at 204 Baltimore Street
COST: Free
DESCRIPTION: Meet at the church steps for a stroll through Lincoln Square to the nativity (10 York Street). There will be a brief prayer service and time of reflection at the nativity. Dress warmly and bring an LED candle for the caroling procession. All are welcome!

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HUMAN FOOSBALL
Lincoln Square
Steinwehr Avenue

​Come be a part of the life size version of the popular table game found in many basements and game rooms! Line up with friends and family as players attempt to kick the ball past their opponents and into the goal. An exhilarating way to stay warm!

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LETTERS TO SANTA
Drop off your letters to Santa Claus!
​

​If you provide an address, your letter will be answered by Santa!

LOCATION
Best Western
301 Steinwehr Avenue


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WISHING WELL GIVEAWAYS
Sponsored by Gettysburg Area Retail Merchants Association

​Drop your name in one or all three wishing wells and you could be a winner! GARMA will be drawing winners for First Friday prizes, including gift cards from local businesses and three grand prize winners will receive an overnight stay in Gettysburg including dining and activities.

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SELFIE STATIONS
Stop by one of our custom holiday selfie stations handpainted by local sign maker, Marty Mummert. Strike a pose and get that perfect instagram snap of you and your crew!  Be sure to tag your pic with #GettysburgChristmas

Can you get a selfie with all of Santa's Reindeer? 

     DASHER * CUPID * DANCER * DONNER * PRANCER *  BLITZEN * VIXEN  * COMET * RUDOLPH
​Be on the ​LOOK OUT for many more holiday characters!
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  • Home
  • 2025 Festival
    • Thanks to our 2024 SPONSORS!
    • Merchandise
  • Photos
    • 2018 Photos
    • 2019 Photos
    • 2021 Photos
    • 2022 Photos
    • 2023 Photos
    • 2024 Photos