Where to Enjoy Christmas Light Displays in State College

The State College Christmas tree and the intersection of College Avenue and South Allen Street.

If you find yourself in Happy Valley during the Christmas season, here are few of my favorite places to enjoy Christmas light displays in State College.

Nittany Lion snow globe in MLK Plaza State College PA
Nittany Lion snow globe in MLK Plaza, downtown State College.

Fraser Shops

The plaza next to Fraser Shops on Fraser Street in downtown State College is a great spot to enjoy a Christmas light display synchronized to holiday music.

Christmas lights at Fraser Shops in downtown State College.
Christmas lights at Fraser Shops in downtown State College.

The music changes every few minutes, so it’s never the same light show twice.

Christmas lights at MLK Plaza on Fraser Street in State College PA.
Christmas lights at Fraser Shops in State College, PA.

This is also a convenient spot to check out as it is literally right next to the Fraser Street parking garage.

The Christmas light display at Fraser Shops in State College is synchronized to holiday music.
The Christmas light display at Fraser Shops in State College is synchronized to holiday music.

College and Allen

The Christmas tree at the intersection of College Avenue and South Allen Street is another must-see when visiting downtown State College.

State College Christmas tree at the corner of College Avenue and South Allen Street.
State College Christmas tree at the corner of College Avenue and South Allen Street.

Standing on campus, facing the Corner Room, is probably my favorite angle to view this scene from.

Christmas Tree in front of the Corner Room in downtown State College.
Christmas tree in front of the Corner Room in downtown State College.

The Tavern Restaurant

The alley next to the Tavern Restaurant is also a beautiful spot to check out when visiting downtown State College at Christmas.

Christmas lights in the alley next to the Tavern Restaurant.
Christmas lights in the alley next to the Tavern Restaurant.

The Arboretum at Penn State

On campus, the Arboretum is always a beacon of good cheer this time of year.

Christmas tree in the fountain at the Penn State Arboretum.
Christmas tree in the fountain at the Penn State Arboretum.

There are light displays scattered throughout the Arboretum, so plan on spending a half hour or so walking the loop around the grounds.

Christmas lights at the Penn State Arboretum.
Christmas lights at the Penn State Arboretum.

The Children’s Garden is probably my favorite area for light displays.

Christmas lights at Childhood's Gate at the Penn State Arboretum.
Christmas lights at Childhood’s Gate at the Penn State Arboretum.

The greenhouse in particular is always a beautiful scene.

Christmas lights in the greenhouse at he Penn State Arboretum.
Christmas lights in the greenhouse at the Penn State Arboretum.

The Nittany Lion

Although there are no special light displays at the Lion Shrine for Christmas, you can’t really say you’ve been to Happy Valley unless you stop for a quick photo with the Nittany Lion!

The Penn State Lion Shrine on Christmas morning.
The Lion Shrine on Christmas morning.

As a local, one of my favorite days of the year to walk around campus is Christmas morning!

The Penn State Lion Shrine on Christmas morning.
Christmas morning at the Lion Shrine.

Nearby Attractions

For a few weeks every year, Philipsburg in Centre County is home to the tallest Santa display in Pennsylvania!

The tallest Santa in Pennsylvania is 37 feet tall in honor of the Philipsburg High School Class of 1937.
The “Phillipsburg Santa” is 37 feet tall in honor of the Philipsburg High School Class of 1937.

Standing 37.5 feet tall, with a bag of toys nearly 20 feet tall, the “Phillipsburg Santa” has occupied this spot at Cold Stream Park every December since 2005.

Santa's bag of toys is nearly 20 feet tall at Cold Stream Park in Philipsburg.
“Phillipsburg Santa” and his 20 foot tall bag of toys.

Holiday Lights on the Lake is a massive drive-through Christmas light display in Altoona!

Enjoying Holiday Lights on the Lake in Altoona Pennsylvania.
Scenes from Holiday Lights on the Lake.

The drive-through display features over 1 million lights illuminating more than 50 acres of Lakemont Park.

Each year, Holiday Lights on the Lake features over 1 million lights illuminating more than 50 acres of Lakemont Park in Altoona Pennsylvania.
Each year, Holiday Lights on the Lake features over 1 million lights illuminating more than 50 acres of Lakemont Park

Mifflinburg Christkindl Market is a 3-day event featuring authentic German food and drinks, live performances, and more than 100 arts and crafts vendors set up in outdoor huts in the heart of Mifflinburg.

Exploring the Mifflinburg Christkindl Market in Union County Pennsylvania.
Scenes from Mifflinburg Christkindl Market.

The Jimmy Stewart Museum in Indiana, PA is yet another fantastic place to visit at Christmas time.

Entrance to the JImmy Stewart Museum on the third floor of the Indiana Public Library.
The Jimmy Stewart Museum is located in downtown Indiana, PA.

Despite the fact that he appeared in over 70 motion pictures, Stewart is perhaps best known for his role as George Bailey in the Christmas classic “It’s a Wonderful Life”.

"It's A Wonderful Life" memorabilia displayed in downtown Indiana, PA.
“It’s A Wonderful Life” starred Indian, PA’s own Jimmy Stewart.

The Jimmy Stewart Museum in his hometown of Indiana showcases memorabilia from all phases of his life and career, and does so in a very relaxed, informative, and enjoyable atmosphere.

Jimmy Stewart statue inside the museum bearing his name.
Jimmy Stewart statue inside the museum bearing his name.

12 of the Best Walk-Thru Christmas Light Displays in PA is a list of 12 exceptional walk-through Christmas light displays from across PA, complete with links to each attraction’s official website.

The best walk-through Christmas light displays in PA.
Some of the best walk-thru Christmas light displays in PA.

20 of the Best Drive-Thru Christmas Light Displays in PA shows you 20 festive light displays you can enjoy from the comfort (and warmth) of your vehicle!

The Best Drive Thru Christmas Light Displays in Pennsylvania.
Some of the best drive-thru Christmas light displays in PA.

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Rusty Glessner
Rusty Glessner is a professional photographer, lifelong Pennsylvanian, and a frequently-cited authority on PA's best travel destinations.