From Friday through Sunday, Dec. 12-14, Bellefonte’s historic downtown will be transformed into a winter wonderland, continuing a beloved holiday tradition that has drawn visitors for more than four decades.

This year’s theme, “It’s a Wonderful Life in Bellefonte,” invites visitors to experience the borough’s classic holiday charm through festive entertainment, historic scenes, cherished community traditions and immersive experiences inspired by the classic film.

The celebration begins Friday, Dec. 12, with opening ceremonies outside the Miles-Humes House on Howard Street, where Bellefonte Mayor Gene “Buddy” Johnson will deliver the official Victorian Christmas proclamation. The ceremony will feature Victorian Brass performing holiday favorites, strolling vignettes from Class Act Productions and magic with Richard Benninghoff, and seasonal treats will be offered by the Bellefonte Presbyterian Church.

Just a half block away, Jimmy Stewart from “It’s a Wonderful Life,” portrayed by Chris Collins, will be part of the celebration at Bellefonte Presbyterian Church, 203 N. Spring St. His appearance at 7:30 p.m. will be followed by a performance from the Bellefonte Victorian Christmas Choir.

PHOTOS PROVIDED/HELLO SOCIAL CO. Scenes from last year’s Victorian Christmas event in Bellefonte are pictured.

Beyond Friday, a full schedule of holiday events awaits visitors throughout the weekend.

For train enthusiasts, a G-scale Christmas train layout set in the interwar-period can be found inside Belle Mercantile, 135 South Spring St. The model trains are complemented by actual ones, with train rides running all weekend courtesy of the Bellefonte Historical Railroad Society. Tickets for the Sugar Plum Limited and Candy Cane Express are available at www.bellefontetrain.org/trains, while supplies last. For children, the free Talleyrand Express Kids Barrel Train will chug through the park from 12 to 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Saturday and Sunday, Santa will be in town for visits on the Diamond at the Centre County Courthouse. Families can also meet jolly Saint Nick at Breakfast with Santa at Faith United Methodist Church, 512 Hughes St., from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday morning. The event will include crafts and activities, along with an optional full breakfast. Tickets will be available at the door.

Entries for the annual Gingerbread House Competition will be on display at the Diamond Deli on Allegheny Street. Just outside of town, the Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science & Technology campus will be aglow all weekend for the Festival of Trees. The event features more than 60 decorated trees, student-designed displays and family activities that all support CPI student organizations.

Victorian Christmas is also a great time to finish holiday shopping. Downtown’s unique small businesses will be open throughout the weekend, with additional shopping opportunities at the YMCA’s Indoor Arts & Crafts Show and the Outdoor Winter Market in Talleyrand Park.

PHOTOS PROVIDED/HELLO SOCIAL CO. Scenes from last year’s Victorian Christmas event in Bellefonte are pictured.

On Saturday, Dec. 13, Bellefonte Victorian Christmas will feature a full day of free musical performances across downtown.

“Youth in Harmony: A Christmas Celebration” at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 134 Bishop St., will bring together the St. John and Bell Choirs, the Bellefonte High School Chorale, the Fifth Grade Choir, Fraser Street Saxes and the school district strings program to share the joy of the season through youth performances from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Throughout the day, visitors can also take part in the Christmas SoundWalk, a three-stop musical journey through Bellefonte’s historic churches. The walk begins at Trinity United Methodist at noon, continues at St. John’s Episcopal at 2 p.m. and concludes at St. John’s United Church of Christ at 4 p.m. Each venue promises refreshments and a warm welcome.

At the Miles-Humes House, home to the Centre County Historical Museum, Concerts in the Parlor will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The intimate live performances will be set to piano.

The music continues into Sunday, Dec. 14, with holiday sounds from the Bellefonte Community Band at Bellefonte High School at 2 p.m. At 4 p.m., a performance of “Peace on Earth” will take place at Faith Church, followed by the parish holiday concert at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church at 6 p.m.

PHOTOS PROVIDED/HELLO SOCIAL CO. Scenes from last year’s Victorian Christmas event in Bellefonte are pictured.

For complete event schedules, ticket information, additional times, locations and the full weekend guide, visit www.bellefontevictorianchristmas.com.

Other events, particularly those requiring tickets, can be found on the website. Check back frequently for cancellations for opportunities to participate in experiences like horse-drawn carriage rides as they become available.

Bellefonte Victorian Christmas is presented by Historic Bellefonte, Inc., with support from a grant provided by The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau. Proceeds from the Festival of Trees directly benefit CPI student groups, while holiday shopping and dining throughout the weekend help support Bellefonte’s many local businesses.

Organizers ask that visitors plan their transportation in advance.

On Saturday, Dec. 13, free parking is available at Bellefonte Area High School, with free shuttle service transporting visitors to downtown and central event locations throughout the day. A downtown shuttle loop also operates on Saturday, making it easy to explore shops, venues and festivities without having to re-park. Full parking and shuttle details are available on the event website.