GREENCASTLE, Pa. — A tree lighting ceremony, Christmas parade, downtown celebrations and holiday shopping events will highlight the 36th annual Greencastle-Antrim Heritage Christmas in November and December.
The Greencastle-Antrim Chamber of Commerce’s schedule includes a Nov. 20 tree lighting, the Nov. 21 Greencastle Christmas Parade and Heritage Christmas in the Square on Dec. 4 and 11. The downtown celebrations will run from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. both evenings.
The season’s Downtown & Around Town Holiday Open House was scheduled for Nov. 7, with participating businesses offering holiday shopping during their regular hours.
Tree lighting and parade
The tree lighting ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. Nov. 20 in Center Square, with the lighting expected around 7:25 p.m., according to the chamber’s announcement.
Patriot Federal Credit Union is sponsoring the ceremony. Antrim Township and the Borough of Greencastle are the tree sponsors.
The following morning, the 41st annual Greencastle Christmas Parade will begin at 9:21 a.m., welcoming Santa Claus to town. Antrim Way Honda, 101.5 WAYZ, 92.1 Bob Rocks and 100.9 Next FM are sponsoring and organizing the parade.
Downtown celebrations and Santa visits
Heritage Christmas in the Square will feature entertainment, giveaways, treats from community groups, food vendors and other activities Dec. 4 and 11.
Holiday Headquarters, at 38 Center Square, will offer event information and the 2026 commemorative ornament. Santa will visit the headquarters from 5:30 to 8 p.m. both evenings, and families will receive a free keepsake photograph.
Horse-drawn wagon rides will run continuously from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. both nights. Advance ticket sales were scheduled to begin Nov. 1.
This year’s ornament depicts the Liberty Bell’s 1902 stop in Greencastle, when railroad tracks ran through Center Square on Carlisle Street. The chamber selected the image to recognize the nation’s 250th anniversary and the role bells have played in Heritage Christmas celebrations.
Shopping and holiday treats
Small Business Saturday will take place Nov. 28 during participating businesses’ regular hours.
Chamber staff and volunteers will distribute tote bags to randomly selected shoppers at locations around town. Bags will contain coupons, vouchers and promotional items, with some also including gift cards. Century Inc. is sponsoring the promotion.
The Taste of the Holidays Stroll will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 5. Participants can visit local merchants and collect treats from participating businesses.
Advance tickets cost $20 and include a tote bag, an event passport and treats. Tickets are available online and at the chamber office. Any remaining tickets will cost $25 on the day of the event. Orrstown Bank is sponsoring the stroll.
Decorating contest and children’s activities
Registration for the Light It Up decorating contest continues through Nov. 25. Homes, neighborhoods and businesses can participate, with the contest raising money for the Greencastle-Antrim Food Pantry.
A display map and voting will be available Dec. 1-21. Winners will be announced before Christmas. Manitowoc is sponsoring the contest.
Children ages 2 to 10 can enter the Christmas coloring contest from Nov. 20 through Dec. 18. Coloring pages will appear in the tree lighting ceremony songbook and will be available to download beginning Nov. 20.
Completed entries can be submitted to the chamber through Dec. 18 or dropped off at Holiday Headquarters during Heritage Christmas in the Square. Winners will be announced on Facebook.
Letters to Santa can be placed in the red mailbox near E.L.M. Department Store and ELM Shoes at the northeast corner of the square from Nov. 20 through Dec. 13. Letters that include a return address will receive a response from Santa’s helpers.
Lights of Love
The Lights of Love program allows residents to honor or remember loved ones through lights on the community Christmas tree and names displayed on decorative scrolls.
Grambo’s Attic sponsors the program.
The scrolls will be displayed from Nov. 20 through Jan. 1, 2027.
