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For more than 20 years, Indiana has celebrated the start to the holiday season with the Holiday Parade and Festival on the Friday evening before Thanksgiving. In addition to the kickoff event, Downtown Indiana will play host to five Saturdays of Santa, entertainment and holiday treats in IRMC Park. Sunday afternoons families can enjoy holiday favorites at the Indiana Theater.
For the fourth year, Downtown Indiana will once again present the First Commonwealth Bank It’s a Wonderful Life Festival. Its centerpiece, a 32-foot live Christmas tree (grown right here in the Christmas Tree Capital of the World), is lit on November 22nd prior to the Holiday Parade sponsored by The Lucy Donnelly Memorial Fund. The parade, a holiday tradition for the past 20+ years, draws thousands to the streets of Jimmy Stewart’s hometown. In addition to the floats and marching units, parade night features marshmallow roasting, hayrides, hot chocolate, crafts and of course, Santa’s arrival.
The First Commonwealth Bank It’s a Wonderful Life Festival brings Santa to IRMC Park each Saturday from noon to 5 pm as well as musical entertainment and the opportunity to purchase holiday treats from local nonprofits. Visitors also will enjoy dining and shopping in our historic, walkable downtown. As evening draws near, don’t miss the Christmas light displays throughout Indiana’s downtown, some of which were once a part of the “Festival of Lights” at Blue Spruce Park for many years.
The Jimmy Stewart Museum is another must-see on any holiday trip to Indiana. In addition to the exhibits chronicling the legendary actor’s life and career, the Museum will show “It’s a Wonderful Life” every day at 1 pm from November 22 – December 30. And a visit to Indiana at the holidays would not be complete, without purchasing your tree in the Christmas Tree Capital of the World, as we celebrate 101 years of growing Christmas trees in Indiana County.
Join us during the holiday season and be a part of the wonderful life in Indiana, PA!
