There will be lots to see and do during Wellsboro’s 7th Annual Christmas On Main Street tonight, Thursday, Dec. 8 through this Sunday, Dec. 8-11.

The kickoff will be a free reception for the public and all former glass factory employees tonight, Thursday, Dec. 8 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Gmeiner Art and Cultural Center at 134 Main Street. Members of the Wellsboro Glass 

Historical Association will share stories about how their collection of glass artifacts came to be and the vision for a future museum in Wellsboro to house the collection and the ribbon machines.

The finale will be the Santa Claus Magical Lights Parade beginning this Sunday at 5 p.m. on Central Avenue near The Native Bagel and traveling on Main Street, turning onto Queen Street and ending at Packer Park.

From 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Dec. 9-11, local glass artist Greg Hoke will demonstrate the art of lampworking – shaping glass over an open flame – outdoors in the Gmeiner Art and Cultural Center parking lot, weather permitting. He will have glass snowmen, ornaments and a few surprises available for purchase.

On Friday, Saturday or Sunday go on an historic walking tour to learn about some of the people who helped make Wellsboro what it is today from Fannie Dunham to Larry Woodin and Leonard Harrison.

Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10, youngsters and adults can visit two live reindeer, Twinkle and her daughter Little Star in the parking lot on Main Street between the United Methodist Church and Sherwin-Williams Paint Store. They can take pictures from outside the reindeers’ enclosure of themselves with the reindeer in the background. Or, visitors can opt for a $10 session to sit or stand with a reindeer up close and personal and take a photo of themselves with a reindeer or ask a friend to use a cell phone or a regular camera to take a photo of that magical moment. Or, upon request one of the reindeer handlers will take the camera or cell phone and take the photo.

Or, on Saturday, see the film “Arthur Christmas” for $1, ride in a horse drawn wagon, attend the craft show, spend $1 for a candy cane sundae, or enjoy free hot chocolate or a free swing dance lesson followed by a free big band performance.

And there is so much more to do this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

For a schedule of all events, visit www.wellsborochristmasonmainstreet.com.

Where to Get Free Map of Schedule of Events and More

The free Christmas On Main Street map that includes the schedule of events, geographic locations of participating businesses and ornament displays and other pertinent information about Christmas On Main Street is available at the Penn Wells Hotel at 62 Main Street, Pop’s Culture Shoppe at 25 Main Street, Wild Asaph Outfitters at 71 Main Street and the Farmer’s Daughters at 11719 Route 6, Wellsboro, PA 16901.

Also available at those four locations are the Christmas on Main Street guidebook and passport. The guidebook titled “The Town that Saved Christmas: A History of Creativity” tells the history behind the ornament displays at the 30 participating locations. Get the passport stamped at 10 or more of those 30 locations to be entered in the raffle for a chance to win lots of gift cards.