Be sure to check these things to do if you need some good tidings to fill your time:

Festival of Ice

The Festival of Ice kicks off the holiday season today and Friday from 5 to 9 p.m. in downtown Lewistown. “Candyland Christmas” is the theme for this year’s festival, which features stunning ice sculptures and live ice carving demonstrations. Visitors will find a magical winter wonderland as they enjoy live music, live nativity and variety of kids’ activities as well as local vendors, delicious food and a cheerful atmosphere.

Kiwanis Pancake Festival is serving

Photo courtesy of JUNIATA RIVER VALLEY TOURISM BUREAU
Amazing ice sculptures fill downtown Lewistown during the Festival of Ice.

The Lewistown Kiwanis Club hosts its annual Pancake Festival at the First United Methodist Church, located at 200 E. Third St., Lewistown, on Saturday, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. For $8 for adults and $3 for ages

12 and under, patrons can eat all the pancakes they want. Tickets are available from Kiwanis members in advance or sold at the door.

Christmas Around the Square and tree lighting

The annual Christmas Around the Square and tree lighting event is set for Saturday at 6 p.m. in McVeytown at the square. Come out for the tree lighting ceremony and a visit with Santa Claus as well as gifts for the kids, free food and refreshments. The McVeytown Masonic Lodge will also be open and decorated with more than 500 nutcrackers on display.

Mifflintown Christmas Tree Lighting

Photo courtesy of JUNIATA RIVER VALLEY TOURISM BUREAU
Amazing ice sculptures fill downtown Lewistown during the Festival of Ice.

The Mifflintown Walking Bridge is set to host the annual Mifflintown Christmas Tree Lighting on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. A flashlight ornament hunt starts off the festivities at 5:30 p.m., followed by Christmas carols with Amber Foose Miller at 6 p.m. A scripture reading follows the tree lighting at 6:35 p.m. Free hot chocolate and cookies will be served, and you might even catch a glimpse of Santa and Mrs. Claus and the Grinch.

Holiday open house

Greenwood Furnace State Park in Huntingdon will stage its annual holiday open house on Sunday, from 1 to 4 p.m. There will be carriage rides from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., sponsored by MCS Bank. Continuous activities include make and take crafts and ornaments, toys of the past with the Metzel family, music, refreshments with homemade cookies by the Stone Valley Community Charter School, face painting and more. Santa will even be stopping by. Admission to this event is free and all ages are welcome.

An East Waterford Christmas returns

The annual Christmas Tree Lighting marks the kickoff for the Fourth Annual An East Waterford Christmas, which is set to open on Friday. Everything will be on Water Street beside The American House. Food trucks at 4 p.m. featuring Que By Du, Olivia’s Fresh Cut Fries and Huffy’s Pizza and Pretzels. The tree lighting ceremony is slated for 6 p.m., led by Pastor Judy Rowles and Tyler Hutchinson with special music by Brian and Jayde Worley and candlelight hymn sing. Other highlights include lights in the park, trains, gingerbread houses and nativity displays and make and take classes for the event, which runs 5 to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Live entertainment

• Sam Thul, 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Seven Mountains Wine Cellars, 324 Decker Valley Road, Spring Mills.

• John White, 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Hungry Run Wine Bar and Bistro, 10042 Route 522 South, Lewistown.

• Steve Snook, noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Hungry Run Wine Bar and Bistro, 10042 Route 522

South, Lewistown.

• Book signing by local author Holly M. Hopkins, 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Seven Mountains Wine Cellars, 324 Decker Valley Road, Spring Mills.

• Mike Weyrauch, 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Shy Bear Brewing, 35 Meadowbrook Lane, Lewistown.

• “Holiday Jazz” by Jay T. Vonada, 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Burnt Timbers Winery, 45 Fisher Bee Lane, Granville.

• Ryan Russler, 6 to

9 p.m. Saturday, Hungry Run Distillery, 10 Ridens Road, Lewistown.

• Jaded Acoustic Duo,

4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Shy Bear Brewing, 35 Meadowbrook Lane, Lewistown.

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Have an event coming up? Email the details to events@lewistownsentinel.com by 5 p.m. Tuesday the week of the event.