PHOTO PROVIDED Santa Claus visits a past Dickens of a Christmas in Wellsboro.

The 41st annual Dickens of A Christmas is this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 5, 6 and 7 in Wellsboro.

According to a news release, an indoor Craft Show with 26 artisans.

The Active Living Center will be open from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday with four artisans, a bake sale, lots of food for sale, a homemade breakfast casserole on Saturday, and the raffling off of one of Bucky Green’s famous carved trees with the drawing at 3:45 p.m. Saturday.

Friday, the Trinity Lutheran Church Dickens of a Dinner and Bake Sale of Sweets will be from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Hamilton-Gibson’s Dickens of a Concert at St. Peter’s Catholic Church at 7:30 p.m.

All three days of Dickens of A Christmas, a book sale will be held at the Green Free Library; register at the West End Artisan Shop to participate in the Dickens Scavenger Hunt at 17 businesses now through Dec. 20; eight performances of Hamilton-Gibson’s live production of Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol” will be given at the Deane Center’s two theaters; and two free exhibits will be on display at the Gmeiner Art and Cultural Center with six craft vendors to be in Gmeiner’s Studio from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday only.

The business section of Wellsboro’s Main Street and two side streets will be closed to motorized vehicles and will “be magically transformed into an outdoor Victorian marketplace from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday featuring 121 appropriately costumed food and craft vendors, as well as strolling musicians and singers and street corner thespians,” the news release said. “Available will be many delightful wares for holiday gift giving or to keep and delicious foods to eat or give as gifts.”

Registration for the Dickens Best Dressed Showcase contest will be in the Deane Center lobby from 9 a.m. to noon. At 1 p.m., the judges will select the Best Dressed for 2025.

Everyone (whether in costume or not) is invited to participate in Saturday’s two Victorian Strolls on Main Street at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Hamilton-Gibson’s Dickens Street Urchins will be at the intersection of Main and Crafton streets to entertain people immediately following each stroll. Passersby are encouraged to join in no matter what is being performed. Guests and locals are always greeted with warmth, music and good cheer.

The Wellsboro Fire Department will host its Dickens Craft Show Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with 30 vendors indoors and 88 outdoors at the Wellsboro Firemen’s Annex at 21 East Avenue in Wellsboro.

According to the news release, local churches are holding a variety of events on Saturday. Among them are: at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., a model train show, a cookie sale, the thrift shop, and lunch with hot dogs, Texas hots, soups and beverages and at 4 p.m., the 40-minute Choral Evensong Service; in the spirit of helping others, the Alternative Giving Christmas Fair with free refreshments and live music at the First Presbyterian Church from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; free refreshments and entertainment from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the United Methodist Church; and at the First Baptist Church, two Christmas Sing-alongs, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. with a cookie event at noon.

Saturday night at 5 p.m., the Candlelight Walk for Peace will begin at Packer Park on Queen Street and at 5:30 p.m., the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony will be on The Green with 2025 Pennsylvania State Laurel Queen Alice Ravert of Montoursville, Santa Claus and caroling.

“It all adds up to a lot of good fun,” said Julie Henry, Wellsboro Area Chamber of Commerce executive director. “Seeing people enjoying themselves is really refreshing and in keeping with the holiday spirit. Having a good time is what our festival is all about.”

For a free copy of the Dickens of A Christmas 2025 Events and Vendor Guide, stop in at the chamber office at 114 Main St. Saturday, Dec. 6, 8:30 a.m.to 4 p.m., visit wellsboropa.com and click on Dickens of a Christmas or for more information, call the chamber at 570-724-1926.