Nativity Festival Expands in 2023

 

Last year, Saint Mary and Saint Michael parishes in Hollidaysburg hosted their first ever Nativity Festival as a gift to the community area. It was a huge success! Over 200 nativity scenes were on display and well over 600 people attended the two-day event.  

The festival encourages attendees to reflect on the humble birth and life of Jesus Christ, our Savior, and is a self-guided, free public event. It features magnificently crafted nativity sets loaned by parishes, parishioners and friends. These works reflect the culture and perspective of artists around the world.  

This year, we are excited to be featuring the nativity scenes from Saint Catherine of Siena Parish in Duncansville, Saint John the Evangelist Parish in Altoona, Saint Patrick Parish in Newry, Saint Thomas More Parish in Roaring Spring, and Saint Joseph Parish in Williamsburg, and the personal nativity scenes of their parishioners.

The FREE event is for the whole family and has been extended to three days and includes a LIVE nativity scene, and a free Christmas Concert by the Altoona Community Band. 

The event will be held in the Saint Mary social hall, 312 Clark Street, Hollidaysburg, on Friday, December 15 from 3:00–7:00 p.m., Saturday, December 16 from Noon to 7:00 p.m., and on Sunday, December 17 from 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.  The Live nativity will be outside the festival on Saturday from 4:30-6:30 p.m., and a free concert by the Altoona Community Band will be in Saint Mary church on Sunday at 3:00 p.m.