The annual Lackawanna Winter Market on Courthouse Square in downtown Scranton opens Friday and continues through Sunday, promising festive fun for families, shoppers and others getting into the holiday spirit.

The market’s opening coincides with First Friday Scranton and complements other holiday-themed events and activities happening this month, including Santa excursions Lackawanna County’s Electric City Trolley Museum is running on Saturdays and Sundays between now and Christmas. The museum at 300 Cliff St., Scranton, will also host Friday its annual “Trim-A-Tree Challenge” where attendees can vote for their favorite tree decorated by students from local school districts.

First Friday activities at the trolley museum, including a musical performance by the West Scranton High School Strings, run from 5-8:30 p.m. The museum will then host Saturday a free, sensory-friendly performance of “A Christmas Carol,” presented by Scranton Fringe, beginning at 2 p.m., museum Manager Chris Calvey said.

The winter market opens at 5 p.m. Friday and continues through 9 p.m., with the annual commissioners tree lighting on Courthouse Square scheduled for 6. The market “transforms downtown Scranton into a festive holiday shopping vendor village” where attendees can peruse the wares of more than 50 unique artisans, artists and other vendors, the county said in a recent news release.

Also featuring a “Holiday Lodge” and a children’s activity tent, the market continues Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It’s become part of the rich “tapestry” of things to do in Northeast Pennsylvania during the holiday season and provides a great gift-buying opportunity for attendees who want to support local artists, artisans and merchants, county Arts and Culture Director Maureen McGuigan said.

“Because you’re buying (gifts) from somebody locally, there’s sort of a relationship there and a memory,” she said. “That’s the influence behind why we try to do things that can economically help our artists and artisans in the community, and the musicians. … We like to celebrate people earning their living as artists, because that’s a great thing to have in your community.”

The Festival of Trees, an annual holiday display and Marine Toys for Tots fundraiser organized by the Arts and Culture Department, will be held in conjunction with the market. The display on the Biden Street side of the square featuring more than two dozen live trees decorated by local civic organizations, schools, businesses and individuals will remain up through Jan. 12.

This year’s Festival of Trees theme is “Red, White & You!” — “celebrating freedom, unity and diversity in conjunction with America250’s observance of the impending 250th anniversary of the nation’s independence,” the county said. The U.S. will mark that sesquicentennial milestone next year on another beloved holiday, July 4, 2026.

A full list of winter market vendors and an entertainment schedule are available online at lackawannacounty.org.

Santa excursions

The trolley museum’s holiday-themed excursions, meanwhile, give kids an opportunity to ride the trolley with Santa. The approximately 45-minute-long trips offered five times a day on Saturdays and Sundays during the run-up to Christmas began this past weekend and continue on weekends through Dec. 21, Calvey said.

The first ride of each day departs at 10:30 a.m., with subsequent Santa excursions following at 11:30, and 12:45, 2 and 3 p.m.

While discussing the Santa excursions and other festive events planned at and by the museum, including a holiday celebration scheduled for Dec. 14, Calvey described seeing the sparkle in children’s eyes as they experience the joy of the season.

“What I admire is the family unit coming out,” he said. “We got calls this morning from grandparents that are going to bring the grandparents, the parents and the children. That’s important in today’s world.”

Tickets for the excursions cost $10 for adults, $9 for those ages 62 and older and $8 for children ages 3 to 17, Calvey said. Rides are free for children under 3.

Reservations are required, as many of the excursions sell out, and can be made by calling the museum at 570-963-6590.