The 2025 North Catasauqua small Town USA holiday lights self-tour to see the Christmas lights and displays of small Town USA returns this year, as does the Deck Your Halls home decorating awards.

The tour travels throughout North Catasauqua and showcases displays of the residents, as well as the borough holiday displays. The awards are given to residents who have awesome holiday displays and great Christmas spirit.

The self-tour route and decorating award winners will also be on the North Catasauqua Facebook page.

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The annual Biery House Holiday Shoppe hosts its last weekend!

Shop 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 6 and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 7 at 8 Race St., Catasauqua.

Discover handmade treasures from 65 artisans. Food is available for eat-in or takeout. The Biery House Museum will be open for tours.

There is no cost to enter. Parking is available in the rear.

The event is sponsored by the Historic Catasauqua Preservation Association and benefits the association and Mrs. Nothstein’s Helping Hands.

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St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 122 Union St., Catasauqua, will hold its Christmas cash bingo Dec. 7 in the parish center. The doors and kitchen open 11:30 a.m., with bingo starting 1 p.m.

Reservations are encouraged by emailing kim.stmarys122@gmail.com or calling 610-264-0332.

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Holy Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church, 604 Fourth St., Catasauqua, is holding a braised filet mignon in wine dinner Dec. 13.

The seating times for the dinner are 4:30 p.m., 5 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and then 6 p.m.

For reservations, call Rena at 610-264-0340 by Dec. 7. All proceeds benefit Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors.

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Santa will visit the children of North Catasauqua and Catasauqua Dec. 14. As most are familiar with Operation Secret Santa of the past, there is a change this year — Santa has asked his fire department helpers to host a visit from him at the fire station, 90 Bridge St., Catasauqua.

This event is for residents of both North Catasauqua and Catasauqua. There will be activities, cookies, hot chocolate, candy canes and more. Visit with Santa anytime between 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Presents, provided by parents/guardians, will be given to each participant’s child during their photo. Even if you don’t provide a present, you may come enjoy the festivities and take photos with Santa.

No presents will be accepted the day of the event. Presents can be dropped off at fire station 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 6 and then 6-8 p.m. Dec. 10 and 12.

The event is hosted by the North Catasauqua and Catasauqua fire departments.

If you have any questions, call borough hall at 610-264-1504.

St. Mary’s Catholic Church is asking bakers to help out Santa. Anyone willing to bake and donate homemade cookies and treats are asked to drop them off at the parish office Dec. 12.

If you have any questions, contact the office at 610-264-0332 or kim.stmarys122@gmail.com.

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Presbyterian Church of Catasauqua’s next free community lunch is set for 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Dec. 15.

The church is also accepting donations for the Roughie Pantry. The pantry is set up to “love our school-aged neighbors.” The pantry is currently accepting shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, body wash, tampons, sanitary napkins, etc. Collection bins are located at the church entrances.

For more information, call Gail Burfeind at 717-379-0926.

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Catasauqua Community Thrift Shop, 113 Bridge St., is having a half-price sale on all Christmas items until Dec. 23.

The thrift shop’s hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays.

The shop will be closed for Christmas vacation Dec. 24-Jan. 3, 2026. The shop will reopen Jan. 5, 2026.

Note, any donations checks must be written to Catasauqua Community Partnership or CCPI due to banking regulations.

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North Catasauqua Police Department is collecting new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots. The donation box can be found at borough hall, 1066 Fourth St., which is open 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mondays-Fridays.

Toys will also be collected during the tree lighting.

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Parishioners and visitors of St. John Fisher Catholic Church, 1229 Third St., and St. Mary’s Catholic Church should be aware of new safety procedures. Starting Nov. 29 and 30, the entrance doors will be locked after Mass begins for the safety and security of those in attendance.

At St. Mary’s church, only the Union Street door and the ramp door will be the only unlocked doors before the start of Mass. The Second Street doors will be locked at all times.

Plan accordingly to be sure you are in church before Mass begins. If you have any questions or concerns, contact the parish offices.

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The Suburban North YMCA of the Catasauqua area encourages residents to give the gift of health and wellness this holiday season with River Crossing YMCA gift certificates. Stop by the welcome center of Suburban North Family YMCA, 880 Walnut St., during regular business hours.

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Holy Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church will be holding its Warm Up Wednesday gatherings. This is a free soup night and everyone in the Catasauqua area is welcome.

For more details, call the church at 610-264-2641.

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St. Mary’s is selling keepsake ornaments this holiday season. Preorders are being taken, and delivery should be in time for Christmas.

There is a cost.

For more information, contact the parish office at 610-264-0332 or kim.stmarys122@gmail.com.

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Christmas oplatki is available for purchase at St. John Fisher Roman Catholic Church. This Slovak and Eastern European tradition is a blessed wafter to be shared with those at the Christmas Eve meal.

A donation for a pack of four is suggested.

For more information, call the church office at 610-264-1972.

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Holy Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church is seeking donations for the church food pantry. Items that are especially needed include individual nonperishable meals such as Dinty Moore, cups of soup, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter, jelly, crackers, individual servings of fruit that don’t need refrigeration, fruit boxes and men’s and women’s personal care items such as toilet paper, shampoo, body wash, toothbrushes, toothpaste and deodorant.

Items may be placed on the offering table at the back of sanctuary.

For more information or questions, call the church office at 610-264-2641.

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If you would like something to be included in the North Catasauqua column, submit it to me at least two weeks in advance, especially if a certain date is involved with your submission. I can be reached by email at ncatacentennial@aol.com.