
Welcome to the 28th Annual Festival of Ice!
This year’s theme, “Candyland Christmas,” invites you to experience the magic of bringing Candyland to life. We hope you enjoy the artistry, atmosphere, and spirit of unity that make this event so special. Thank you for celebrating with us and may your holiday season be bright and joyful!
This transformation into holiday magic would not be possible without the First Night State College Ice Sculptors led by Ernie DiMartino of DiMartino Ice. These talented ice carvers will be carving large ice block creations right before your eyes.
Always held on Thursday and Friday evenings the week after Thanksgiving, this hometown holiday tradition, brought to you by the Juniata River Valley Visitors Bureau and its team of volunteers, is the perfect place to celebrate the joy of the season and have fun with your friends, family and loved ones.
MERRY MANNEQUIN LOCATIONS
Enjoy the beautiful Merry Mannequins that will fill our downtown storefront windows
during the holiday season!
Miller Cinemas 6 & The Busy Brush (46 W. Market St.)
Historic Courthouse (1 W. Market St.)
Juniata Valley Bank (1 E. Market St.)
Zion Hair Salon (28 E. Market St.)
Lemon & Lime Craft Co. (145 E. Market St.)
The Paisley Bride (145 E. Market St.)
Former Snowflakes on the Square (3 W. Monument Square)
FESTIVAL OF ICE HAPPENINGS
Community tree lighting
Following the Crazy Parade, join friends and neighbors as we kick off the Festival of Ice with the official lighting of the community Christmas tree in Monument Square. Led by emcee Rhonda Kelley, the ceremony will feature Ashlie Crosson, the 2025 National Teacher of the Year, as she lights the tree and Sacred Heart School’s choir leads us in a rendition of “O Christmas Tree.”
Sweets Stations
Satisfy your sweet tooth while soaking up the holiday fun by building your own gooey s’more both nights at the festival at Kickin’ Kater’s booth. Proceeds to benefit Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard. Join the Mifflin County and Juniata County Dairy Princesses and their dairy court as they build a giant ice cream sundae inside a bowl-shaped large ice sculpture in front of Embassy Theater on Thursday night only. The dairy princesses will be serving the ice cream treat to festival goers. Plus, decorate your own cookie with Mrs. Claus in the back room of East End Coffee. Co.
Live Music at St. John’s Lutheran Church and St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
Enjoy the sounds of the season inside the beautiful St. John’s Lutheran Church and St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, both home to this year’s live music performances. Due to renovations at the Historic Courthouse, musical entertainment has been moved to the churches this year. The Lewistown Community Band will perform two shows on Thursday evening at St. John’s, and JP Jazz Band will kick off Friday night followed by a Christmas sing-along with the Unusual Suspects at St. Mark’s. Live music can also be found on the steps of the Historic Courthouse on Friday night with The Boyz followed by the Logan Guard’s horn section.
Live Reindeer and Santa’s Village
Step into Santa’s Village for a magical meet-and-greet with Santa himself—and his live reindeer! Families can snap photos, drop off wish lists, and experience a little North Pole wonder right here in downtown Lewistown. Children may also shop for their family inside Santa’s Workshop; all located in the Juniata Valley Bank parking lot.
Life-Size Candyland Game
Enter a world of sugary adventure with Mifflin County Library’s life-size Candyland game! Kids and adults alike can play their way through a colorful, candy-filled wonderland inspired by the classic board game at Square One Clubhouse.
Candyland Scavenger Hunt Returns for Festival of Ice
Visitors are invited to take part in this year’s Candyland Scavenger Hunt during the Festival of Ice in downtown Lewistown. Participants can pick up an entry form on the front porch of the Historic Courthouse, where they’ll find a list of all participating businesses.
Each business will feature a Candyland-themed window painting. Participants must visit each location, observe the artwork, and answer the corresponding question on their entry form. Once completed, forms should be returned to the mailbox on the courthouse porch.
From all correct entries, random winners will be selected to receive prizes provided by downtown merchants. The scavenger hunt will be open Thursday through Sunday, giving families and visitors four days to enjoy this festive activity.
Gingerbread Speakeasy
Step inside the cozy, adults-only Gingerbread Speakeasy at this year’s Festival of Ice! Nestled inside 3 W. Monument Square, within our Christmas Candyland wonderland, enjoy a selection of local breweries and wineries serving festive drinks in a warm, whimsical setting. A perfect spot to relax and sip while soaking in the holiday magic.
Wednesday, December 3
6 – The Lewistown Christmas Parade, organized by Deck the Downtown, kicks off in downtown Lewistown.
Thursday, December 4
All Day- The Merry Mannequins will be on display in downtown business windows and inside the Historic Courthouse
All Day- The Candyland Scavenger Hunt is a fun scavenger hunt in downtown Lewistown. Pick your entry form on the front porch of the Historic Courthouse
5-9 MC Model Railroad Club open house in the basement of 3 West Monument Square
5-9- The McCoy House Museum will be open for tours, and the Mifflin County Historical Society Book Sale will be on the second floor.
6 p.m. SHARP! – The Crazy Parade kicks off from the Lewistown Borough Building, North Main & Third Streets. Parade led by Ashlie Crosson, National Teacher of the Year.
6:10 Community tree lighting ceremony on Monument Square with Sacred Heart School choir
6 AND 8 – 2 performances by the Lewistown Community Band in the courtroom at St. John’s Lutheran Church, N. Main & Third Streets
6-8 – Take a photo with Kraumpus at Miller Cinemas 6 and find out if you’ve been naughty or nice
6-9 Visit with Santa in the JVB parking lot
6-9 – The Mifflin County Dairy Princess is creating a giant ice cream sundae in an ice sculpture bowl. Get your free scoop of ice cream before it’s gone.
6-9 – Toast your own marshmallow at Kickin’ Kater’s free s’mores bar
6-9 - Pony rides for the kids at the west end of Market Street
6-9 p.m.– Vote with donation for your favorite gingerbread house at Faith’s House of Hope gingerbread house contest (Square One Clubhouse)
6-9- Make a pottery holiday lantern at Hometown Potters’ Studio for $10
6-9- Play Mifflin County Library’s life size Candyland game at Square One Clubhouse.
6-9- The Gingerbread Speakeasy is open for festive drinks at 3 W. Monument Square. Adults 21+ only.
6:30-8- The Nittany Knights perform at East End Coffee Co.
6:30-8:30- Live music at the Live Nativity
6:45 – Miss Stephanie’s School of Dance perform on N. Main St., beside the Historic Courthouse
7-8 p.m.- The Whistle Tones Flute Ensemble performs at the McCoy House Museum
7:30- Mifflin County High School Drama Club performance on N. Main St., beside the Historic Courthouse
8:00- The Lewistown Community Band performs again at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, S. Main & Water Streets
Friday, December 5
All Day- The Merry Mannequins will be on display in downtown business windows and inside the Historic Courthouse.
All Day- The Candyland Scavenger Hunt is a fun scavenger hunt in downtown Lewistown. Pick your entry form on the front porch of the Historic Courthouse
11-1- Battle of the Morning Shows! Drive to Monument Square and hand a donation to your favorite radio station representative. All proceeds stay local and benefit the Salvation Army
5-9 MC Model Railroad Club open house in the basement of 3 West Monument Square
5-9- The McCoy House Museum will be open for tours, and the Mifflin County Historical Society Book Sale will be on the second floor.
6 – The Boyz will start singing Christmas songs from the front steps of the Historic Courthouse and then walk around the festival grounds singing carols.
6 – JP Jazz Band will perform at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, S. Main & Water Streets
6-7 p.m.- The Trillergy Flute Trio from the Lewistown Community Band perform at the McCoy House Museum
6-8- The Tim and Duane Show perform at East End Coffee Co.
6-9 Visit with Santa in the JVB parking lot
6:30-9 p.m.- Join Zumba with Geovy to learn some fun dances
6-9 – Toast your own marshmallow at Kickin’ Kater’s free s’mores bar
6-9 Pony rides for the kids at the west end of Market Street
6-9 p.m.– Vote with donation for your favorite gingerbread house at Faith’s House of Hope gingerbread house contest (Square One Clubhouse).
6-9- Make a pottery holiday lantern at Hometown Potters’ Studio for $10
6-9- Play Mifflin County Library’s life size Candyland game at Square One Clubhouse.
6-9- The Gingerbread Speakeasy is open for festive drinks at 3 W. Monument Square. Adults 21+ only.
6:30-8:30- Live music at the Live Nativity
7 Juniata County 4-H Square Dancers perform on N. Main St., beside the Historic Courthouse
7:30 – The Logan Guard’s horn section performs on the steps of the Historic Courthouse
7:30- Unusual Suspects will perform at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, S. Main & Water Streets
Saturday, December 6
All Day- The Candyland Scavenger Hunt is a fun scavenger hunt in downtown Lewistown. Pick your entry form on the front porch of the Historic Courthouse
7-1 Kiwanis Club All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Festival at First United Methodist Church
12-4 MC Model Railroad Club open house in the basement of 3 West Monument Square
5:30-7 Mifflintown Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at Mifflintown Walking Bridge
Dusk- Shining Light Through the Darkness opens for the season at Kish Park
Sunday, December 7
All Day- The Candyland Scavenger Hunt is a fun scavenger hunt in downtown Lewistown. Pick your entry form on the front porch of the Historic Courthouse
1-3- The McCoy House Museum is open for tours, and the Mifflin County Historical Society Book Sale will be on the second floor.
1-3- The Hoopes School is open for tours
1-4 MC Model Railroad Club open house in the basement of 3 West Monument Square
3:00- Lewistown Community Choir Concert at St. John’s Lutheran Church
Dusk- Shining Light Through the Darkness now open for the holiday season at Kish Park
Corporate Sponsors
Geisinger
Marcal/Nittany Paper
Large Sculptures
The Lake Dealerships
Twin Kiss
Juniata Valley Bank
Molly Maid
Juniata River Valley Visitors Bureau
Two Block Sculpture Sponsors
Mifflin County Housing Authority
First Quality
Sacred Heart Parish & School
Meeker Equipment Co.
One Block Sculpture Sponsors
One Stop Communications
Altiery Gingerich Insurance Agency
Giant Food Store
Kish Bank
Centre Publications
DaVita Kidney Care
Amanda Moeller State Farm
The Square Café & Bakery
Kickin’ Kater
Mifflin County Historical Society
Mifflin and Juniata County Dairy Princesses
Lerch RV
Houser Event Rental
Mifflin County Industrial Development Corporation
Seven Mountains Media
Leaf Filter Gutter Protection
Matthew Conrad & Miss Stephanie’s School of Dance
East End Coffee Co.
Brookline Health
Shy Bear Brewing
Modern Homes
EADS Group
Miller Cinema 6
MCS Bank
Penn State Construction
AAA of Central PA
Empowering Visions
Downtown OIP & Grille
Vince’s Pizza
Details available on our Facebook page at Festival of Ice- Juniata River Valley



