"There are a lot of holiday activities happening across York and Lancaster counties," said Megan Salvatore, visitor service representative for Susquehanna National Heritage Area (SNHA).

For the first time, SNHA has created a Holiday Bucket List, highlighting 25 events throughout the region.

SNHA staff members had created bucket lists previously, but none focused solely on holiday events, Salvatore explained.

"Susquehanna National Heritage Area has a mission to connect the people and communities of Lancaster and York County in order to celebrate our shared heritage, encourage preservation and promote sustainable economic growth," she stated. "The Holiday Bucket List invites people to immerse themselves in the diverse holiday traditions of our national heritage area. By participating in the bucket list activities, you can support a local business and our many arts and culture organizations."

The list provides activities to help people get into the holiday spirit, Salvatore commented. "We encourage residents and visitors to utilize the list as a tool to keep your family busy discovering something new or to show visiting family around during holiday visits," she said. "Many of the activities stretch from now until the new year."

Activities on the list include catching a holiday performance at a local theater, driving through holiday lights at the Barnstormers' stadium in Lancaster and watching winter wildlife at a local nature preserve.

On Saturday, Dec. 9, Columbia Crossing River Trails Center, 41 Walnut St., will host a Natural Ornament Making program as part of the Bucket List. "Families are invited to join us between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. to make ornaments from acorns, pinecones, twigs, hemlock cones and wood slices," Salvatore said, noting that a small donation is requested to help cover expenses. "It's a great way to deck the halls."

Anyone who completes at least five tasks on the Holiday Bucket List can pick up an SNHA sticker prize, she said. People are encouraged to share photos of activities from the list on social media and then submit a digital form at https://susqnha.org/susquehanna-nha-holiday-bucket-list or stop by Columbia Crossing in person to claim the sticker. The Holiday Bucket List will be active through Jan. 31, 2024.

Salvatore explained that the list was created as a collaborative effort among SNHA staff members. "We tried to cover as many (activities) as possible," she said. "It was important to showcase the long-standing traditions and highlight our riverfront communities. The Holiday Bucket List is engineered to explore partners and sites offering a diverse mix of heritage, culture, recreation and libations unique to the holiday season in the Susquehanna NHA."

A paper copy of the list can be picked up at Columbia Crossing, or a digital version may be downloaded by visiting the aforementioned website.