Santa Train to roll into Midvalley, Upvalley
The 27th annual Santa Train will spread holiday cheer throughout the Midvalley and Upvalley on Saturday, Dec. 6. The event is part of “Christmas in a Small Town” celebrations in the community.
Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will travel along the historic Delaware & Hudson rail line. The Santa Train will roll into the following train stations: Carbondale, 10:30 a.m.; Archbald, 11:35 a.m.; Jessup, 12:20 p.m.; Olyphant, 1 p.m.; Dickson City, 1:45 p.m.; and the Steamtown National Historic Site in Scranton, 3 p.m.
Families and children can welcome Santa and visit with him at their local station. At each stop, there will be refreshments, live entertainment and special holiday activities. Participants will not ride the train.
The event is presented by the Lackawanna Heritage Valley in partnership with the Steamtown National Historic Site and local sponsors.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots to help less fortunate children in the community.
For more information, visit the Lackawanna Heritage Valley National and State Heritage Area Facebook page.
Mountain View Garden Club holds final program meeting of the year
The Mountain View Garden Club held its final program meeting of 2025 on Nov. 18 at the Clifford Township Firehall. Members used their own dried flowers and the pumpkins donated by Zembrzycki Dairy Farm in Herrick Center to make decorative fall arrangements.
The club is once again sponsoring a Tinsel Tree Trail for the Memorial Park in Carbondale. This annual event is backed by the Greater Carbondale Chamber of Commerce, with donations serving as a significant fundraiser for the chamber. There were 66 trees in 2024, highlighting various businesses and organizations. The Tinsel Trail was lit up Wednesday.
The club’s final event this year will be the annual holiday celebration on Wednesday, Dec. 10, at Pettinato’s Restaurant, 78 Dundaff St., Carbondale. The celebration is for members only plus one. Cash donations by the club members will support several special needs horticulture projects, conducted by the Penn State Master Gardeners, Lackawanna County.
The Mountain View Garden Club’s 2026 Program Year will begin in March 2026. Members can connect with fellow gardeners, attend presentations, help with beautification projects in the communities and take part in tours and events. Beginners are welcome. To become a member, visit mountainviewgardenclub.org and click on the Membership Application button.
Electric City Trolley Museum to host holiday events
The Electric City Trolley Museum, 300 Cliff St., Scranton, will host several holiday events throughout December. Kids are encouraged to bring their letter to Santa and place it in the mailbox.
Visitors can join Santa Claus on the trolley. Rides will take place Saturdays, Dec. 6, 13 and 20, and Sundays, Dec. 7, 14 and 21. There will be five excursions each day starting at 10:30 a.m. Rides are about 45 minutes long. Reservations required. Regular rates apply. For reservations, call 570-963-6590.
The annual Trim-A-Tree Challenge kicks off Friday, Dec. 5, from 5 to 8:30 p.m. as part of First Friday Scranton. Visitors can vote for their favorite tree decorated by students from Lackawanna County schools. The evening will feature a special performance by choral students from St. Mary of Assumption School. Trolley rides are available at 4 p.m. for $5 per person. Voting continues through Christmas.
For regular pricing, visit ectma.org. Museum-only admission through Dec. 21 is $2 per person. Children under 2 are free.