Festivals and Local Events

A FULL Year of Must-See festivals and events in Central PA

So much is going on in our area, that sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming!
We have selected a feature and bonus (sometimes two) event or festival for each month so that you are sure to find something to fit your interests. So, whether it be March or November, warm or cold, the
Central PA area has a ton to offer!

January

Snowfest and Polar Plunge (January) - Want to complete your bucket list by jumping into a frozen lake in January? Well, you can at the Snowfest and Polar Plunge at Greenwood Furnace State Park! However, you don’t have to freeze yourself in the lake to have fun at this event. There will be a bonfire on the beach, snowshoeing, skating, broomball (think hockey, but with brooms), and many more activities.

Bonus January Event: Catching hypothermia in a lake not your thing? Well, our bonus suggestion is the Beer & Wine Festival at the Jaffa in Altoona. Warm up with local wines, beers, ciders and more. With over 120 beers and many vendors, you are sure to discover some new favorites.

February

Lincoln Caverns Batfest (February)- If you’re getting cabin fever, take time to tour and enjoy the 52 degree weather in our local Lincoln Caverns during February. Only 15 minutes away, Lincoln Caverns is one of our favorite local attractions as it offers unique exploring opportunities year-round. One annual event that is specifically held during February is the Batfest! Learn about these flying mammals in workshops held by wildlife specialists while enjoying the 52 degree weather of the caverns. Included with this event for all ages are crafts, games, and a pizza lunch.
Bonus February Event: Groundhog Day- If bats aren’t quite your thing, try groundhogs! While this event is slightly out of the way, you can’t talk about February events in PA without mentioning our beloved Groundhog Day! Anyone who has ever seen the popular movie starring Tom Hanks opposite Andie MacDowell knows that Groundhog Day is a holiday that has been unique to Pennsylvanians for hundreds of years. Held in Punxsutawney, PA every February 2nd, this event draws in thousands as it honors longtime traditions and folklore. Visit Gobbler’s Knob and witness Phil make his annual prediction! Afterwards, go enjoy the live performers onstage, participate in the many groundhog-centric activities, and grab food and drink at one of the many local breweries and eateries.

March

Maple Harvest Festival (March)- I like to learn...but let’s be honest, I REALLY prefer to eat. What if learning involved a big stack of pancakes with gooey and golden homemade syrup on them? I’m in. At Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center’s Maple Harvest Festival you can enjoy all-you-can-eat pancakes, learn about the process of tapping and making maple syrup, observe birds of prey, and get up-close and personal with reptiles. Though I do prefer to keep my breakfast food and snakes not on the same plate.

Bonus Winter Event Idea: If you haven’t yet discovered a winter event or festival that lures you stay in the Raystown Region, we would suggest creating your own with the Winter Fireplace Getaways. This website will help you and your friends plan a snowy retreat in the Pa mountains with activities like painting, cake decorating, yoga, coffee-cupping and more included in the cost of your overnight stay! Now any date January-March can become an event weekend.

April

Mayfest (April, yes...in April)- A personal favorite of mine is Mayfest. Ironically, Mayfest is actually always held on the last Saturday in April, rain or shine. Bring in spring with an eclectic street event that covers 5 blocks of downtown Huntingdon with its historically themed events and displays. At Mayfest you can attend Woodstock and live in the colonial era, all in one day! Since you can see over 150+ street vendors at Mayfest, be sure to sample the great food, shop from the local craftsmen, and enjoy the live entertainment. If you’re feeling brave enough, get into the spirit of Mayfest by dressing up as a historical figure yourself, or even by participating in some of the entertainment.

Bonus Event: A Hootennany- Ready to check something unique off of your bucket list? If you can’t make it to our Mayfest, try checking out one of the monthly hootenannies held right here in Huntingdon County. Not exactly sure what a hootenanny is? That’s why we’re here. Hootenannies are a chock full of hoot with just a little bit of nanny, and not to be confused with our a-gatherin’s, hoedowns, or shindigs. Contact the Stone Creek Valley Lions club to attend one of our hootenannies and help benefit a local cause while enjoying local live music and food.

May

Folk College (May)- Did you know that you can attend a college class called “Beginning Jaw Harp”? Well, at Folk College, you can! This is a musical event for musicians, non-musicians, and the “I haven’t touched an instrument since jr. high” crowd. If you’ve ever wanted to jam out on an instrument and didn’t know where to start, this is your chance. Celtic and international styles are also taught in these workshops. If you’re more of an observer than a participant, you can still attend the concert held at Juniata College in the evenings. The Music Room at the Inn at Solvang has been popular with Folk College attendees. So, if you’re lucky enough, you might even get an impromptu concert!

May Bonus: Calling all Scandinavians! Did you know that you can celebrate Norwegian Independence Day in an authentic Norwegian Stabbur? This treehouse-style cabin looks like it’s straight out of the Disney movie Frozen. May 17 (Syttende Mai) is the perfect time to get in touch with your Scandinavian heritage (or inner Disney princess) and celebrate by staying in a Stabbur!

June

Juneteenth (June)- Come out to celebrate African American Emancipation Day at our local Portstown Park! Completed with live music and food and art vendors, Juneteenth is a great time to celebrate freedom and equal rights in the United States. Attend and get the chance to see a traditional African drumming circle, eat great soul food, and learn more about both the historical and current importance of June 19th, 1865.

June Bonus #1: It’s a wild ride from start to end when the Central PA Rodeo comes to town. Watch PA’s top bull riders, barrel racers, steer wrestlers, ropers, and yes, rodeo clowns as they go head-to-horns for two days in June. Held at the Huntingdon County Fairgrounds, the Central PA Rodeo is just a short drive from the Inn at Solvang.
June Bonus #2: This one’s for the music festival lovers. Creationfest, called the “Nation’s Largest Christian Music Festival”, has its northeastern event held right here in Huntingdon County each June. Along with worship concerts and great food is the opportunity to camp (or glamp) out full music festival style, right there on Agape Farm’s campgrounds.

July

People’s Choice Festival of PA/Central PA Festival of the Arts (July)- Art fans do not want to miss the events happening in July. When locals refer to “Arts Fest”, we are actually referring to two separate festivals that happen the same week in July. State College’s downtown Festival of the Arts is as much fine art gallery as it is festival. You will be in absolute awe as you gaze upon the work of these artists. Art, music, interactive displays, and international street food all come together to create an amazingly colorful mix. Then, when you think that there can’t be more, there’s a whole other festival happening at the same time! Just 5 miles from the downtown Arts Fest, is the People’s Choice Festival in Boalsburg. This second event is a buyer’s dream. Not only does it showcase amazing artist and great food, the options at this site are extremely affordable. Don’t just admire that art, own it! And, in my case, do so with a funnel cake in one hand and a gyro in the other.

July Bonuses: History buffs will love our two (very different from each other) July bonus events. The Powwow at Delgrosso’s has been an annual event for more than 20 years. This cultural event includes traditional dance and costuming...this is a can’t miss.The annual Revolutionary War Days at Fort Roberdeau will convince you that you have transported to a different era. They attempt to keep every detail of these reenactments authentic, so, you might come face-to-face with some redcoats!

August

Huntingdon County Fair (August)- Known for its popular slogan of “Bigger and Better”, the Huntingdon County Fair is a must-attend for even the most miserly of Huntingdonians. Because who doesn’t want to see that one guy they graduated with over 20 years ago (and haven’t seen since) as they go on fair rides, watch the derby, and walk around animal barns? And let’s not forget the real reason anyone actually attends the Huntingdon County Fair: the food! This is the one and only place in the county where you can get a fresh plate of lo mein while already having chocolate-dipped cheesecake-on-a-stick and a shrimp po’ boy in the other hand. It doesn’t get better than this.

August Bonus Event: Held just out of county in Centre Hall, the Grange Fair is the only remaining tenting fair in the nation. The Grange Fair is so large that there are working shuttles to help attendees get from point A to point B. This event features over 100 food vendors as well as daily motorsports events, equine and livestock showings, and interesting exhibits for everyone.

September

Fiber Artsfest (September)- Crochet is not just for grandma. At the PA Fiber Artsfest you can try a new artform, learn how to market pieces you already create, meet other fiber artists, and even buy an alpaca! Oops, I mean scarf...you can buy an alpaca scarf. Hey, there will be some alpaca farmers there, so if you really do want an alpaca…that might not be out of the question either.

Bonus events: What is Goose Day? Well, come to the Juniata River Valley and find out. This Sept 29 holiday stems from Michaelmas and has been celebrated in this region since the 1700s and is basically an excuse to eat goose, meet geese, and even wear swag with the slogan “I Got Goosed!”.
I think everyone has heard of Oktoberfest, but in September? Here we go again with the Huntingdon tradition of naming a holiday after a different month than the one in which it is held. The annual 3-day Cassville Oktoberfest (in September!) is chocked full of local fall flavors, homemade items, German dancing, and locals who return year after year.

October

Hartslog Day (October)- Okay, I lied. This is actually my favorite street fair in Huntingdon County. Hartslog Day has been a heritage celebration in our neighboring town of Alexandria since 1975. This street event is the perfect time to welcome in fall. As you walk down picturesque Main Street, see the revered pumpkin totem pole get raised outside of the public library while searching out hot apple cider and kettle corn. Afterward, head to one of our many crafts vendors and find the perfect autumnal decorations for your own home.

Bonus October: Here’s another must-see if you are at all interested in PSU, fall, or both. Attend the Pumpkin Festival at the beautiful PSU Arboretum and stand in awe as each jack-o’-lantern is illuminated at night. You can even get involved and enter your own pumpkin carving into the annual contest!

November

Holiday Lights on the Lake (November)- Just because you’re coming to a small town during the holidays doesn’t mean you’ll have to miss out on any of the festivities! One of our favorites around here is the Lights on the Lake, a gorgeous drive-through holiday light display that covers over 50 acres of land! With over 1 million lights in this display, you are sure to be dazzled from the comfort of your own vehicle.

A bonus for EVERY month of the year: November is one of our favorite months to attend the Art Walk Huntingdon. You know, that time just before the winter chill sets in and makes walking around our charming town a little less charming. Art Walks take place on the third Thursday of every month and help highlight the up-and-coming art community in our very own Huntingdon. Local businesses and organizations participate in Art Walks by opening their doors to the public and by also giving a taste of what each has to offer. Art Walks are a great way to experience the locale without breaking the bank since there is no entrance fee!

December

First Night State College (December)-This festival is a great way to say goodbye to the old while bringing in the New Year! A few of my highlighted favorites are the ice sculptures, live entertainment, and obviously, the food. Sip hot cocoa while grabbing great pictures with ice sculptures, take a ride around downtown State College in a horse drawn carriage, and then duck into one of the many local participating businesses to warm up afterward! This event is also perfect for those of you who are athletically inclined as the annual Resolution 5k is held during First Night! I’ll be sticking to my hot cocoa and pulled pork mac and cheese...
Bonus Christmastime event: A beloved event in our small town, the Tree Lighting Ceremony usually occurs at the beginning of December in order for Huntingdonians to welcome in Christmas. Watch our local evergreen get dressed up and lit as music is provided by locals, then go enjoy food and hot beverages and even a visit from Santa himself! Bonus: The Huntingdon Christmas Parade is usually held the same weekend as the Tree Lighting Ceremony (weather permitting)!