A holiday season in Butler County is always ripe with opportunities to explore, gather and give back. Below are just a few events that can put you in the spirit this month.

Gather, give back, and celebrate Christmas during Zelienople’s Miracle on Main Street from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4. See the holiday parade, take a sleigh ride, partake in cookies and so much more! For more information, visit miracleonmainzelie.com.

Support The Lighthouse Foundation by visiting the Elf’d Up Holiday Pop Up Bar at Pittsburgh Marriott North at Cranberry Woods, 100 Cranberry Woods Drive, Allegheny County, from Thursday, Dec. 4 to Saturday, Dec. 6. The bar will offer holiday cocktails and mocktails and be open from 5 p.m. to midnight. Admission is $10. For more information, visit eventbrite.com.

The hilarious and heartfelt play “The Holiday Channel Christmas Movie Wonderthon” is the ode to Hallmark cheesiness you need to jumpstart the merry season at Butler Little Theatre! Follow the love stories of six couples in Hopewood Falls, Vermont, as they cozy up in the Evergreen Inn and learn to love again. Find out the fate of each sweater-clad character in this entertaining holiday rom-com at 7:30 p.m. (with a 2:30 p.m. matinee on Sunday) from Dec. 5 through 13 (except Monday). For tickets, visit butlerlittletheatre.com.

Have “North Pole Floats” with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Butler Township Park Building, 468 South Duffy Road. The event runs at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. and includes a small gift from the big man himself, a children's activity and snack. Tickets cost $10 and registration is required at bcpr.recdesk.com.

Lutheran Senior Life Passavant Community’s “Abundant Lights” event is a multifaceted day of fun, shopping and spirit. Register for the 5K/Fun Run at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 through the link runsignup.com/Race/PA/Zelienople/AbundantLightsK and stick around for the parade floats, Christmas market, food, raffles and more. All of this family-friendly fun takes place at 105 Burgess Drive in Zelienople.

Have cookies with Santa at the Butler YMCA, 339 North Washington Street, at either 10 or 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. Come dressed in your best PJs and be ready to decorate tasty treats! Children under 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Registration costs $10 for members and $20 for non members. For more information, visit bcfymca.org/events/cookies-santa.

BINGO was his name-o! Support the Butler County Humane Society by paying $30 to play bingo at the Sons & Daughters of Italy, 338 South Main Street, Butler, from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6. Wear your ugly sweaters and participate in the raffles. For more information, visit butlercountyhs.org.

From 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, Santa will take photos with your pets at the Butler YMCA, 339, North Washington Street. Your pet must be on a leash, and have proper vaccinations and licensing to participate. Admission is $5 for members and $10 for nonmembers, per pet. For more information and registration, visit bcfymca.org/events/paws-claus.

Walk through the historic (and decorated) Senator Lowrie House in Butler during the 5th annual Cookie Walk! A $10 donation gets you a box of goodies and access to a small piece of local history. Join us at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 at 123 West Diamond Street. For more information, visit butlerhistory.com.

Santa Claus is coming to West Sunbury during their parade at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 on Main Street. Have cookies with the jolly fellow immediately after the parade in the fire hall, 772 Hall Road. For more information, see the event Facebook page.

Decorate cookies and take a photo with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 6, and Sunday, Dec. 7, at Cranberry Township’s municipal center, 2525 Rochester Road. There are several time slots throughout the day open to registration, and even a sensory hour on Sunday. Cost is $15 for residents and $20 for nonresidents. For registration and more information, visit Cranberry4FUN.com/register.

Butler County Symphony Orchestra’s “Holiday Traditions” concert will feature recognizable Christmas tunes and caroling for the whole family to enjoy. Santa will also be in attendance at the cookie reception following the show, which begins at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Butler Intermediate High School auditorium. For tickets and more information, visit butlersymphony.org.

Santa Breakfast at St. Wendelin, 210 St. Wendelin Road, includes food, crafts and photos with the big man himself from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7. Admission is $9 for adults and $6 for children 12 and under. See the event Facebook page for more information.

The All Saints Parish Christmas Concert starts at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, in St. Paul Church, 128 North McKean Street, Butler. Performances by children's and adult choirs and even brass quartets will fill the afternoon. This event is free, but donations are accepted. Visit experiencebutler.com for more information.

See Concordia at Cabot’s Live Nativity from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, on the campus, 148 Marwood Road, Cabot. See live animals, have hot chocolate and cookies and donate to the Lighthouse Foundation’s food pantry to serve as your admission. See a complete list of needed groceries and find more information at ConcordiaLM.org.

Starting Sunday, Dec. 7, The Penn Theater will be showing Christmas throwback movies to celebrate the season. Enjoy the films as intended, with popcorn and a big screen! For a complete list of movies, times, and ticket prices, visit thepenntheater.org.

The Cranberry Men’s Chorus concert “Christmas Memories” will feature old classic holiday tunes and good cheer. Their first performance is at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8, at Dutilh Church in Cranberry, 1270 Dutilh Road. Other performances are scheduled throughout December. There is no admission, but free will offerings will be taken to support local churches. See a complete list of their tour stops at cranberrymenschorus.com.

Build a gingerbread house with your family at a special event being held by Saxonburg Presbyterian Church, 100 West Main Street, at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9. Bring $10 for admission and get to building tasty memories! Visit saxonburg.org/christmas to register.

See “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Jr.” performed by students of Batavia Music Studios from Friday, Dec. 12, to Sunday, Dec. 14, at Butler County Community College’s Succop Theater. Performances are at 7 p.m. Friday, 4 and 7 p.m. Saturday and at 1 p.m. Sunday. Purchase tickets at batavia-studios.ticketleap.com.

Take a Christmas Cookie Walk (as long as the cookies last) from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 13, at St. Peter Hall, 127 Franklin Street, Butler. See the event Facebook page for more information.

Have a sensory-friendly visit with Santa at Cranberry Township’s municipal building, 2525 Rochester Road. Sign up for a time between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. This magical drive-thru experience through the North Pole offers soft sounds and a slower pace for families with children. Fidget toys and snacks will be provided. Sign up at calendly.com/cranberrysunriserotary.

Shop and sip cocoa during the Sweet Stroll on Main in Zelienople from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. This cookie walk and vendor crawl helps you check off those last-minute gifts on your list. See the event Facebook page for more information.

Butler Downtown’s Holiday Market will overtake the city’s Diamond Park on Main Street from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. Shop unique gifts and vendors to check off last-minute items!

Zelienople’s Christmas House tour is back on Saturday, Dec. 13. Lunch is included in your ticket price of $30. Tickets can be purchased at the Zelienople Historical Society, 243 South Main Street, or by calling 724-452-9457.

Watch “The Grinch” (2018) for free at Victory Family Church, 21150 Route 19, Cranberry Township, at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. Enjoy complimentary snacks and drinks as well when you register at myvfc.info.

You have two chances to enjoy a Christmas Cantata at Saxonburg Presbyterian Church, 100 West Main Street. This concert is free and child care is available as you listen to the stylings of the worship band and choir. Performances are at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, and Sunday, Dec. 14. Visit saxonburg.org/christmas for more information.

See the Vince Tavolario Trio play Christmas hits at the Penn Theater, 149 North Main Street, Butler, at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. Tickets start at $25. For more information, visit thepenntheater.org.

Bring your pet to Alameda Park office, 184 Alameda Park Road, starting at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18, to get a photo with Santa. This event is free but registration is required at bcpr.recdesk.com/Community/Program.

“The Nutcracker: New Game — A Holiday Reboot” is Hobnob Theatre Company’s latest original work, which will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19 and 20 and at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 21 at Butler County Community College’s Succop Theater. You won’t want to miss this funny and heartwarming rendition of a holiday tradition. For tickets and more information, visit hobnobtheatre.com.

KidsMas at the Butler YMCA is four days of holiday fun for children who are off school. Each event requires individual registration and payment. This event is for children ages 5 and up. Tickets are $10 for members and $15 for nonmembers. See the list of activities at the registration link bcfymca.org/events/kidsmas-4-days-fun.

Stroll through the festive winter wonderland known as Enchanted Lights every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until Dec. 30. The decorations and twinkling lights are sure to dazzle your whole family. So, head on down to 282 Rochester Road, Freedom, and purchase your tickets at enchantedlightspittsburgh2025.santaticket.com.

Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Harmony’s Silvester celebration. You can enjoy a traditional German dinner at Harmony Museum, watch the Christmas tree throwing contest, participate in the 5K or fun run at 3:30 p.m., and watch the ball drop and a fireworks display on German time (6 p.m. in the town square). For a full schedule and list of activities, visit harmonymuseum.org/silvester/.