So the holidays are here, and as family gathers together to celebrate, why not check out some of the local activities that will take minds off past hurts and gossip?

In Pottstown, the TriCounty Performing Arts Center is hosting Honk, a musical just right for the little ones. The performances begin Dec. 3 and run through Dec. 20. For tickets, times and more information, check out the TriPAC Web site at www.tripac.org

The Pottstown Symphony Orchestra is hosting a sing-in of Handel's "Messiah" Dec. 13 at 3 p.m. in Trinity Reformed UCC Church, Hanover and King streets in Pottstown. Don't worry if you don't have good pipes, you can always just sit back and enjoy the dulcet tones in a grand old church. Cost is $15.

The Center for the Arts at the Hill School is offering several Christmastime productions for the public to enjoy. On Dec. 11 at 7:15 p.m. it will hold a winter instrumental by candlelight. There will be candlelight lessons and carols Dec. 13 at 4:30 and 8 p.m. in the alumni memorial chapel. The Schuylkill Valley Regional Dance Company will perform the Nutcracker in the school's Center for the Arts Dec. 5 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors.

Downtown Pottstown's Holiday House Tour is being held Dec. 13 this year, offering trolley and carriage rides to historic homes that are decorated and open to the public on this day. There will also be cookies! And who doesn't love cookies.

Tickets are $12 and include a Victorian Tea by the Doe Club at the Pottstown Elks Club building on High Street, across from the VIP Diner, free trolley transportation and free refreshments. The tours are held from 1 until 6 p.m. with the tea from noon until 2.

Anyone interested in tickets or opening their house up during the tour should call Sue Krause at 610-323-2229.

In Boyertown, the borough is hosting its holiday house tour Dec. 4 from 3 to 9 p.m.

Boyertown Area Multiservice is holding its Festival of Trees the same day from 4 to 9 p.m. The festival is a fundraising effort for the holidays. Businesses and individuals can sponsor a tree for $150. They are then supplied with a prelit tree they can decorate to their choosing. Theme trees are encouraged but not mandatory. On the day of the festival, visitors can purchase raffle tickets and using them to bid on the tree of their choice. The tree with the most tickets will be named the event favorite, and a winner of each tree will be chosen from the tickets.

According to the Multi-Services Web site, "Last year Multi-Service provided Christmas for 327 children from 143 families." Families are supplied with gifts, wrapping paper and food for a holiday meal.

The event also raises enough money for the Multi-Service to buy fuel for those who cannot afford it during the bitter winter months.

The event is free, and open to the public. There will be live music.

There will also be an open house tour at the state theater from 4 to 9 p.m. the same day. The next day, the theater is offering a free screening of "It's a Wonderful Life" at 2 p.m. thanks to sponsorship by local businesses.

A performance of dances with narration from "The Nutcracker" will be held by the Boyertown Community Dance Company at the theater Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 19 at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Cost is $5.

The theater will show classic holiday movies throughout the month of December. Check it out on their Web site, www.statetheatreboyertown.com

Santa will arrive in Boyertown Dec. 5 during the Chillin on Main event starting at 10 a.m. and running until 2 p.m. There will be face painting, a Santa’s workshop, interactive activities, entertainment story time at the Boyertown Library (11:30 a.m.), entertainment at the Historic State Theater and more.

Phoenixville will be hosting its Christmas parade Dec. 4. The parade will progress down Bridge Street starting in the 100 block. It begins at 7 p.m. with a tree lighting at 8 p.m.



And don't forget the Firebird Festival, being held this year on Dec. 12.
This event is in honor of Phoenixville's namesake, the Phoenix. The Phoenix myth represents transformation: life, death and rebirth. This community event involves artists who design and
build a 25-foot Phoenix sculpture that will be bonfired at 8 p.m. the night of the event. Inside are over 100 clay birds built by the community which represent rebirth.

The birds will be on display at the Phoenixville Art Center on Jan. 30. The burning in the large bird acts as a kiln on the clay creations.

The night of the event, there will be performances along Bridge Street starting at 4 p.m. There will be a drum procession preceeding the lighting of the Phoenix.

Children can still get in on the fun with a lantern making workshop at the Phoenixville Library Dec. 5, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Making a lantern takes about half an hour and the cost is $5 per lantern. Artists are advised to wear old clothes or bring a smock as this gets messy.

The lanterns are used in a children's Procession of Light that leaves the Colonial Theater at 7:15 p.m. The lanterns are colored papier mache lit with battery operated votives.

With money tight this year, the organizers of the Firebird Festival are asking anyone wishing to sponsor a band or performance call Henrik at 610-933-9199 or e-mail henrik11@verizon.net
Dideridoo players are also sought.

Other towns in the area are also holding holiday tree lightings.
Limerick is holding its holiday celebration at 6 p.m. outside the township building on Dec. 4

Amity, Birdsboro, Robeson, and Union are joining together in hosting "A Christmas to Remember" Dec. 5 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Union Township building. Donations will be collected for Toys for Tots and the Salvation Army, including toys, home goods and used clothing. Santa Claus will make an appearance and there will be cart rides, a dance performance, refreshments and more.