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.<\/p>\n
The market\u2019s opening coincides with First Friday Scranton and complements other holiday-themed events and activities happening this month, including Santa excursions Lackawanna County\u2019s 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 \u201cTrim-A-Tree Challenge\u201d where attendees can vote for their favorite tree decorated by students from local school districts.<\/p>\n
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 \u201cA Christmas Carol,\u201d presented by Scranton Fringe, beginning at 2 p.m., museum Manager Chris Calvey said.<\/p>\n
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 \u201ctransforms downtown Scranton into a festive holiday shopping vendor village\u201d where attendees can peruse the wares of more than 50 unique artisans, artists and other vendors, the county said in a recent news release.<\/p>\n
Also featuring a \u201cHoliday Lodge\u201d and a children\u2019s 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\u2019s become part of the rich \u201ctapestry\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause you\u2019re buying (gifts) from somebody locally, there\u2019s sort of a relationship there and a memory,\u201d she said. \u201cThat\u2019s the influence behind why we try to do things that can economically help our artists and artisans in the community, and the musicians. \u2026 We like to celebrate people earning their living as artists, because that\u2019s a great thing to have in your community.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s Festival of Trees theme is \u201cRed, White & You!\u201d \u2014 \u201ccelebrating freedom, unity and diversity in conjunction with America250\u2019s observance of the impending 250th anniversary of the nation\u2019s independence,\u201d the county said. The U.S. will mark that sesquicentennial milestone next year on another beloved holiday, July 4, 2026.<\/p>\n