Latrobe Art Center’s annual Holly Jolly Weekend returns this year from Nov. 30 through Dec. 2, featuring numerous holiday-themed events, activities and entertainment for the whole family.

Kicking off the festivities will be the Latrobe Light Up Night and holiday night market from 5:30-8 p.m. on Nov. 30 in James H. Rogers Memorial Park and Main Street. The night will include a live performance by the Holiday Harmonies Christmas Carolers at 5:45 p.m. and a welcome by Mayor Eric Bartels and the community tree lighting at 7 p.m.

During Light Up Night, families can visit with Santa’s live reindeer for the first time, visit the Holiday Neighborhood Trolley, participate in arts and crafts hosted by the Latrobe Art Center or get photos with Santa at Maria Mejia Photography Studio.

There will also be a holiday open house and mulled cider tasting at The Paper Heart, a holiday apples special at Terri’s Gourmet Sweet Treats and a holiday special and sweet treats at the Mangata Massage and Holistic Practices and Peace Yoga Studio. Free holiday hair tinsel and more will be available at Clips on Mane.

The Paper Heart’s second annual Holly Jolly Jingle Ball for those 21 or older will take place from 6-9 p.m. on Dec. 1, including a Pasqualino’s Italian dinner, drinks, music bingo, holiday-themed games with prizes, dancing and more.

Tickets for the Jingle Ball are $45 and can be purchased online at paperheartaffairs.com. They can also be purchased by calling 724-230-4400 or stopping in the store.

Saturday’s lineup

Santa Claus will visit Latrobe from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 2 for a Party in the Park. Mrs. Claus will be reading to children about the same time at the Adams Memorial Library.

Also on Saturday will be the Latrobe Farmer’s Market from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 810 Ligonier St., featuring seasonal items from various artisans.

Other Saturday activities around downtown include letters to Santa, barrel train rides, make your own holiday trail mix with WQED, holiday arts and crafts, grab-and-go reindeer food kits, DIY Advent calendars and cookie decorating. Specific details and locations can be found online.

There will be live entertainment at the Main Street and Ligonier Street intersection Saturday, with music by DJ Dark Shark from 9:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Specific acts include the CDT School chorus and musicians at 10:30 a.m., the East End Kids’ holiday show at 11 a.m., Greater Latrobe High School choral ensemble at noon, the Hometown Arts Troupe at 12:45 p.m., the Laurel Valley Academy of Dance at 1:30 p.m. and Diamond Doll Twirling at 2:15 p.m.

A holiday magic show with magician Steve Haberman will be offered at 11:30 a.m. at Westmoreland County Community College’s Latrobe campus.

Throughout the weekend

New or gently used children’s books and board games can be dropped off at the Greater Latrobe-Laurel Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce before Nov. 30 for the book and board game drive during the weekend. They will be available for distribution from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Dec. 2.

Attendees can cast votes in the gingerbread house contest from 8 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 30 and between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Nov. 2 — also located at WCCC’s Latrobe campus. Entry forms must be turned in no later than Nov. 22, and more information can be found here.

The Holiday Artist Market will be open during the entire weekend in the Latrobe Art Center as well. It will run through Dec. 23, according to Latrobe Art Center Executive Director Michael Tusay.

Food and beverage vendors for the weekend will include Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee Truck, Miley’s Lemonade Smashers, Shanty Ridge BBQ, Simply the Best Kettle Corn, Chick-fil-A, JoJo’s Snack Shack and Baked Goods, and Big Black Grill.

Throughout the weekend, there will be a merchant raffle for anyone holiday shopping downtown. Participating merchants will have gingerbread “shop local” vinyl signs in their windows. For every item purchased, shoppers will get at least one raffle ticket, and winners will be drawn Dec. 4.

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