By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times
Coatesville Christmas Parade
The Christmas holiday season has many annual traditions – holiday lights and decorations, mistletoe, manger scenes, caroling, elaborate Christmas tree, visits by Santa Claus, gift exchanges, holiday train excursions…and Christmas parades.
Two of the best parades in the area are scheduled for this weekend – the Coatesville Christmas Parade and the West Chester Christmas Parade.
The Coatesville Christmas Parade (www.coatesvillechristmasparade.com), which is Chester County’s largest hometown parade, will move down the historic Lincoln Highway on December 3 starting at 10 a.m. at Strode Avenue and Lincoln Highway. It will conclude at the performing and judging area at 11th Avenue and Lincoln Highway.
Originally a community project in the 1950s, the parade was then taken up by the Jaycees back in the 70s. In the early 1990’s, missing the spectacle and sense of community spirit the parade inspired, this group of former JAYCEES along with other members of the Coatesville community and with the support of the Stewart Huston Charitable Trust and the City of Coatesville, decided it was time to revise the parade tradition.
This year, more than 150 entries will participate in the parade including dancers, fleets of tow trucks, police cars and fire trucks and a variety of custom-crafted floats.
Bringing up the rear of the parade will be Santa Claus riding on a Coatesville Fire Department truck.
“Christmas in Coatesville” actually gets underway on December 2 when the city lights the night in Gateway Park. Honoring an annual tradition in Coatesville, the community comes together to light the Coatesville Christmas tree, enjoy holiday music and share a visit with Santa Claus.
The City of Coatesville is also hosting the Second Annual Pavilion of Trees, presented by Elite Therapy Solutions. Local businesses and organizations are invited to sponsor a Christmas tree in Gateway Park. Visitors are welcomed to vote on the trees, and the winning trees will result in cash donations made to the charity or non-profit of choice.
“Chester County Hospital Lights Up Holiday Weekends in West Chester” (greaterwestchester.com/events/featured-events/holiday-weekends-west-chester) started last weekend and is running through December 17.
Transformed into a winter wonderland, the streets of historic West Chester are bathed in the glow of thousands of holiday lights every evening from November 26 until mid-December. Each weekend features holiday festivities, shopping and dining, title sponsored by Chester County Hospital.
This weekend, it’s time for the return of the West Chester Christmas Parade, which will be held in downtown West Chester on December 2 beginning at 7 p.m. The annual tree lighting precedes the parade at 6:30 p.m.
The West Chester Christmas Parade is a highlight of holiday festivities that extend from Thanksgiving weekend through New Year’s weekend during Chester County Hospital Lights Up Holiday Weekends in West Chester.
On December 2, those attending the parade can expect a focus on all things local — from award-winning floats with local flare by some of Chester County’s most creative designers to sparkling performances by hometown favorites including nationally recognized marching bands that are exclusively local. Santa has agreed to make his much-anticipated appearance.
Also on December 2, there will be free hot chocolate and cookies for all parade watchers at S&T Bank (2 North Church Street) from 6:15-8:30 p.m. S&T Bank will also have a small gift for all children.
Christkindlmarkt
Another highlight this weekend will be the Christkindlmarkt on December 2 from 4-8 p.m. and December 3 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
The Chester County Art Association is holding its third annual Christkindlmarkt. The holiday market will feature 45 stall holders offering individually handcrafted and locally designed products. The event is free to the public and held at the Chester County Art Association (100 N. Bradford Ave. West Chester, PA 19382).
On Saturdays from 2-3 p.m., the “Making Spirits Bright Holiday Music Series” will feature local choirs and performances singing favorite holidays songs every Saturday on the steps of the historic courthouse on High Street. The schedule features Time to Leap dance Studio on December 3, Jazz bands from Henderson High School and Peirce Middle School and chorale from Fugett Middle School on December 10 and The Brandywine Singers on December 17.
On Saturdays at 3 p.m., it will be time for “Santa on The Fire Truck.” Every Saturday Santa will be escorted through the streets of downtown West Chester by the First West Chester Fire Company.
On December 3, the West Chester Public Library will hold its annual 11th Annual Holiday Home Tour, featuring seven homes in the Northeast and Southwest quadrants of the borough. These homes will be beautifully decorated for the holidays.
Tour tickets will also include admission to the Chester County Art Association. Holiday Home Tour attendees are also invited to visit Clay Born Pottery and Textile Studio and tour the First Presbyterian Church of West Chester and will receive free admission to the Chester County History Center.
Ranging from petite to grand, the homes blend original details with modern updates and display the homeowners’ art, collectibles, and antiques.
Tickets for the tour, which runs from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., are $50.
There is also the Door Tour.
Created as a socially distanced replacement for the Holiday Home Tour during the pandemic shutdown of 2020, the family-friendly Holiday Door Tour was so popular the library now offers it in addition to the Home Tour.
Running from December 3-18, this self-guided tour will feature dozens of West Chester doors and porches decorated by their owners in holiday finery. It can be enjoyed at any time of day and by a group of your choice.
This tour does not include entry into homes and is entirely outdoors, self-guided, and at a time of your convenience.
Oxford’s First Friday event this month will be a holiday celebration – “Country Christmas” (www.downtownoxfordpa.org).
At the event, which will run from 5-8 p.m. on December 2 in the heart of Oxford’s downtown area, visitors can take photos with Santa, participate in Santa’s Workshop and watch a live tree lighting.
There will be a “Live Nativity” and live holiday music.
Other activities include horse drawn carriage rides, hayrides, holiday shopping and dining and live holiday music.
Admission to the family-friendly event is free.
The 2022 Kennett Square Holiday Village Market will be held at The Creamery of Kennett Square (401 Birch Street, Kennett Square) on December 3, 4, 10 and 11 from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. each day.
Visitors will be able to shop from 80 artisan and vintage vendors at the market. In addition to finding gifts for the holiday, they also can make a Christmas tree purchase from fresh tree vendors at the market. And they can quench their thirst with mulled wine and hot cider as well as enjoy food from three participating food trucks.
Other special activities include an ice sculptor on Saturdays, photos with Santa on Sundays, wreath-making workshops and live music.
The Kennett Holiday Village Market was initiated by Kennett Township supervisor Whitney Hoffman who wanted to bring the essence of vibrant European Christmas Market to the Kennett area. The goal of the Holiday Village Market to give local and regional artisans an opportunity to sell their wares, to provide visitors another great reason to visit Kennett Square and to highlight the revitalization of the Birch Street corridor.
Downingtown Good Neighbor Christmas held its annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony last weekend. The event in Kerr Park at the Log House field below the Christmas Tree kicked off the town’s holiday celebration.
Downingtown Good Neighbor Christmas features a 20-foot artificial lighted Giant Everest Christmas Tree with a three-foot lighted star on top. The tree, which is professionally decorated, sits next to the Log House on Lancaster Avenue and at the entrance to Kerr Park.
The annual Downingtown Christmas Parade will be held on December 10 at 3 p.m. The parade will feature marching bands, floats, walking and marching groups, and the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus to end the parade.
The fabulous holiday light display “West Chester Griswolds” (304 Dutton Mill Rd, West Chester, www.westchestergriswolds.com) opened on Thanksgiving night and will run through January 2.
This year’s display features more than 133,000 lights and 800 smart pixels.
Also featured is a Cosmic Color Ribbon Tree (CCR) to our display. It is an exciting piece of technology with the ability to create any color of the rainbow. The exhibit will be playing throughout the night and “singing” with the bulbs, which are making their return this year.
Lights will be on now through January 2 — Monday through Thursday from 4:45-9:45 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 4:45-10:15 p.m.
Longwood Gardens (Route 1, Kennett Square, 610-388-1000, www.longwoodgardens.org) has shifted into holiday mode with the arrival of “A Longwood Gardens Christmas.”
The festive holiday display at Longwood Gardens, which is running now through January 8, features spectacular lights, lavish decorations, holiday music and colorful displays featuring thousands of brilliant poinsettias, brightly decorated trees and fragrant flowers — all inside the heated Conservatory.
There will be towering trees adorned in amber to fiery red tones, flickering flame lanterns, and an inviting mountain retreat, complemented by icy-hued plantings, a “frozen” succulent fountain, and a refreshing alpine waterway that is the ultimate winter wonderland.
The colorful annual event, which appeals to the entire family, also has a lot of outdoor attractions such as fountain shows and nighttime light displays. Longwood’s Christmas celebration also includes a wide array of seasonal music — holiday concerts, organ sing-alongs and carillon performances.
When darkness arrives at Longwood, a night-blooming garden of more than a half-million lights strung on close to 100 trees with approximately 40 miles of wire comes to life. A carillon with 62 cast bells plays holiday music every half hour during daylight hours. Longwood’s Open Air Theatre fountains dance to holiday music each half hour — temperature permitting.
As always, admission by “Timed Ticket” — tickets issued for specific dates and times. Timed ticketing limits the number of people in the Gardens at any given time and allows guests to enjoy minimal lines and a better viewing experience.
Visitors to “A Longwood Gardens Christmas” can also check out Longwood’s Garden Railway — a whimsical display set into motion with G-scale model trains. This is the 18th year that the railway has delighted visitors with special water features and custom trains traveling in and out of bridges and tunnels.
Admission to Longwood Gardens is $30 for adults, $27 for seniors (ages 62 and older) and college students, $23 for active and retired military and $16 for youth (ages 5-18).
Chaddsford Winery (Route 1, Chadds Ford, 610-388-6221, www.chaddsford.com) is presenting “Reserve Tastings – Festive Faves” on select Saturdays and Sundays in November and December.
Guests will join the CFW Crew for an intimate and educational 60-minute experience in the Barrel Room. The trained staff will guide them through a pre-selected tasting of five widely diverse and award-winning wines from across our portfolio. The selections will be paired alongside seasonal local cheeses and other accoutrements to enhance your tasting experience.
The staff will also discuss topics such as grape growing conditions at our partner vineyards and the onsite winemaking process from production to aging and bottling.
The 2022 Pairing Line Up — Greeting Wine: 2021 Sparkling Apple; ’21 Presage with Farm at Doe Run 7 Sister Cheese; ’21 Dry Rosé: Redux with Calkins Creamery Noblette Cheese and Strawberry Lavender Jam; ’20 The Red Standard with Èclat Chocolate Coffee and Cardamom Bar; and Spiced Apple with Partake’s Soft Baked Pumpkin Spice Cookie.
The holiday season at Herr’s Snack Food Factory (20 Herr Drive, Nottingham, 610-932-9330, www.herrs.com) has arrived. The area around the factory site will be illuminated with thousands of lights and holiday displays.
Herr’s “Holiday Light Display,” which is free and open to the public, will be open nightly now through January 2.
Visitors to the site will be able to drive along a trail that is illuminated with more than 600,000 lights.
The special light exhibit will be open daily from dusk to dawn.
The Brandywine River Museum of Art Route 1, Chadds Ford 610-388-2700, www.brandywinemuseum.org) is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Brandywine Railroad holiday train display now through January 8.
A holiday favorite since 1972, the Brandywine Railroad features trains running on 2,000 feet of track and contains more than 1,000 pieces, including locomotives, passenger and freight trains, and trolleys that pass through a small village, a farm, factories, a drive-in movie theater and even a carnival.
A dazzling array of both toy and scale model trains can be seen chugging through the varied scenery, including those made by Lionel, Williams, Atlas, Mike’s Train House, K-line and others. Interactive components are also incorporated into the display to allow for further engagement.
The Brandywine Railroad holiday train display is included in the cost of general admission.
Hibernia Mansion (Hibernia County Park, off route 340, Wagontown, 610-383-3812, http://dsf.chesco.org/ccparks) was supposed to host its annual Candlelight Tours this weekend.
But the Friends of Hibernia decided to cancel the 2022 Candlelight Tour. Their primary concern is with the layout of the Mansion and the safety of the decorators and visitors.
This year, the Friends have come up with a new idea. They are partnering with Hibernia Park to present a Holiday Luminaire Hike on December 2 from 6-8:30 p.m. — rain or shine.
The one-mile casual walk lit with luminaries will begin at the Mansion. A park ranger will give a brief history of Hibernia then visitors can walk the path at their own pace.
The Mansion’s 72 windows will be lit with newly purchased LED candles and the outside will be decorated with wreaths and greens. The Mansion will be circled with luminaries as well.
“Sam Claus”, Santa’s brother, will be there to hand out candy canes to good little girls and boys.
There is no charge for this event and flashlights are optional.
“Christmas Around The Farm” converts a summertime destination for home-grown produce into a sparkling winter wonderland. The popular annual event at Linvilla Orchards (137 West Knowlton Road, Media, 610-876-7116, www.linvilla.com) is running now through December 23.
Visitors will be able to cut their own Christmas trees, or, if not so inspired, purchase them at the shop — which also features other decorations, including holiday wreaths. Christmasland features freshly cut trees, greens and holly, poinsettias, hand-made wreaths and a large variety of children’s toys and collectables.
Santa and his elves will be stopping by every Saturday and Sunday to visit his friends in Christmasland from 1-3 p.m. And there will be caroling Hayrides Saturday evenings in December that include the ancient tradition of Wassailing, singing Christmas Carols around a campfire and roasting marshmallows.
During the daylight-deprived month of December, Rose Tree Park (1671 North Providence Road, Media, delconew.azurewebsites.net) sparkles at night with its annual Festival of Lights display. Dozens of illuminated trees and lit displays draw visitors back every year to walk in the winter wonderland and linger in the festive atmosphere.
The 46th Annual Festival of Lights in Rose Tree Park opens on December 2 and runs through January 1 from 5-10 p.m. each night.
The popular annual tradition begins with a Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 2 at 5 p.m. featuring seasonal choral music, local vendors, and a visit from Santa.
Delaware County’s annual Festival of Lights began more than four decades ago as part of the nation’s bicentennial celebration and became a popular local tradition for residents of all ages.
Over time, the outdoor displays have grown from 50 decorated trees (one for each municipality and one large one to represent the county) to more than 75 lighted trees and dozens of festive figures, including toy soldiers, a gingerbread family and Santa’s reindeer.
The annual staging of “Holidays at Hagley” is an event that is always one of the most eagerly anticipated holiday attractions in this area every year.
The popular Brandywine Valley exhibit, which is included with regular admission, is running now through January 1 at Hagley Museum and Library (Route 141, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-658-2400, www.hagley.org).
“Holidays at Hagley” returns with the theme, “All Creatures Great and Small,” celebrating stories of pets, wildlife, and other animals who made their habitat at Hagley over the last 200 years, both in the historic home and outdoors.
“Holidays at Hagley: All Creatures Great and Small” will feature Holiday Home and Garden Tours, the fifth-annual Gingerbread House Competition, Santa Days, evening Twilight Tours, and more.
This year’s edition of “Holidays at Hagley” features tours of Eleutherian Mills, which is the first du Pont family home built in America. The tours, which will be presented each day from 10a.m.-4:30 p.m., feature decorations in a combination of styles from both the 19th and 20th centuries.
During the Victorian years when candle-lit tabletop Christmas trees were the norm, hand-made gifts were attached to tree branches, and winter scenes were displayed underneath the tree. The upstairs Victorian Library shows how magical that looked with its mid- to late-nineteenth-century toys, games and dolls. The upstairs Parlor features a case filled with small ceramic animals well-loved by some of the du Pont family children.
Early du Pont family French holiday traditions are remembered with a display of gifts that were given to E. I. du Pont’s children on New Year’s Day as well as the Twelfth Night party illustrated by the ornate French dessert service in the Dining Room.
Well-loved displays returning include the elaborate Twelfth Night celebration in the dining room and the Victorian library’s Christmas for children with its table-top tree surrounded by toys and games. Of course, there will be warm glowing lights and poinsettias.
Admission is $20 for adults, $16 for seniors and students and $10 for children (ages 6-14).
One of the best holiday events in the area is the annual “Yuletide at Winterthur.” This year’s 40th annual staging of the event, which runs now through January 8 at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library (Route 52, Wilmington, Delaware,800-448-3883, www.winterthur.org).
Visitors can revel in the beauty and warmth of the holidays and explore treasures of Christmases past with displays of holiday traditions from the 1800s to the early 20th century, including displays of: the earliest types of colorful lights decorating house exteriors; the du Pont family holiday celebrations; and the evolution of Christmas trees over the decades from the 1880s to 1960s.
One of visitors’ favorites every year is the 18-room dollhouse mansion created by designer and philanthropist Nancy McDaniel over a period of 30 ears. It features amazing intricate details in each room and is even decorated for the holidays.
As always, the rooms will be enhanced with the floral displays so essential to du Pont’s decorating, and with special Christmas trees inspired by the beauty of the Winterthur’s gardens — including the popular Dried Flower Tree in the Conservatory.
New this year is a toy train display, featuring Standard Gauge toy trains. The display is presented by the Standard Gauge Module Association, whose members will construct the display at Winterthur. The display is open from 10:00 am–4:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays, and Wednesday evenings in December, 5:00–8:00 pm.
Special holiday programs throughout the season include “Wonderful Wednesdays” in December, evening events featuring live jazz performances, caroling, and workshops. In addition to the Wednesday evening festivities, visitors can enjoy a live one-man performance of “A Christmas Carol” by Gerald Charles Dickens, the great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens, wine and cocktail tastings, and family events with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus.
Timed Yuletide Tour reservations are required.
There will be a special “Candlelight Concert” at Winterthur on December 10 from 5-6 p.m.
It will be an evening of ambience by candlelight, featuring angelic music by People-to-People International musicians Olivia Geiser and Noëlle Grüebler of Winterthur, Switzerland.
The Winterthur estate, now known as Winterthur Museum, Garden, and Library, was named by Swiss-born Jacques-Antoine Bidermann, husband of Evelina Gabrielle du Pont, to honor his ancestral home.
Noëlle Grüebler (violin) and Olivia Geiser (piano), dedicated their project, Winterthur and Music, to various composers linked to Winterthur, Switzerland, providing insight into the vibrant musical scene of this town on the outskirts of Zurich. Join us for a Yuletide evening as we bring the two Winterthurs together through music.
Tickets are $15.
Winterthur is also hosting its Guided Exhibition Tour – “Jacqueline Kennedy and Henry Francis du Pont: From Winterthur to the White House” – which is running now through January 8, 2023.
Visitors can explore the friendship between the First Lady and H. F. du Pont and their work to restore the White House in this guided tour of the special exhibition.
In 1961, an unusual partnership was formed when the youngest First Lady in American history, Jacqueline Kennedy, appointed a reserved octogenarian collector from Delaware, Henry Francis du Pont, to lead her project to restore the White House interiors. Du Pont brought credibility to Kennedy’s efforts and vision, and her enormous popularity lifted him onto the national stage and validated his life’s work.
Together, they transformed the White House from a mere public residence into a museum, and along the way, they engaged with some of the most celebrated interior designers of the 20th century.
For the first time, the story of this historic partnership will be told at Winterthur, the inspiration for Mrs. Kennedy’s project. Through artifacts, archives, and images, this exhibition will invite visitors to experience the behind-the-scenes collaboration between the two during this captivating period in American history.
Their partnership culminated in a televised tour of the White House, led by Jacqueline Kennedy, which became the most watched program in American history. The former First Lady will forever be remembered as the person who restored history and beauty to the White House.
Their “restoration” of America’s most famous house became a history lesson for the country and awakened an interest in preservation and interior design that is still felt today.
Admission to Winterthur is $22 for adults, $20 for seniors and students and $8 for children.
Nemours Estate (850 Alapocas Drive, Wilmington, Delaware, www.nemoursestate.org), which is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., has finished its holiday preparation
Guests were able to resume visiting when Nemours reopened for its “Holiday Season” on November 15. It will run through December 30.
Ever since 1910, when Mr. and Mrs. duPont began living in their newly built mansion, the holiday season has been a festive time at Nemours. The Christmas decorations at the Nemours Mansion are often inspired by the architecture of the home, the customs of the duPonts or the French influence.
The Mansion is also decorated by some of the duPonts’ original decorations, including a German crèche, which dates from the late 19th century. The figures are soft ceramic, unglazed and hand colored.
Visitors can enjoy Christmas trees, wreaths, and hundreds of feet of garland on grand display in the Visitor Center, Chauffer’s Garage, Mansion and grounds.
All three floors of the Mansion will be decorated as well as the Chauffeur’s Garage and select areas of the gardens. Decorations will coincide with the story of the Estate along with a festive Versailles-inspired motif.
Live music performances will be held in the Mansion from 6-7 p.m. on November 26, December 3 and December 10 and will include special performances by the Delaware Symphony Orchestra.
Nemours Estate comprises an exquisite, 77-room Mansion, the largest formal French gardens in North America, a Chauffeur’s Garage housing a collection of vintage automobiles, and 200 acres of scenic woodlands, meadows and lawns.
Nemours was the estate of Alfred I. duPont.
Alfred named the estate Nemours, after the French town that his great-great-grandfather represented in the French Estates General. While looking to the past and his ancestors for inspiration, Alfred also ensured that his new home was thoroughly modern by incorporating the latest technology and many of his own inventions.
Admission to Nemours is $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and $10 for children.
The Historic Odessa Foundation’s 2022 Christmas Holiday Tour and Exhibit “Oliver Twist; or, The Parish Boy’s Progress” is an event with an appeal that spans generations. The tours will be presented now through December 31 in Odessa’s historic district (Main Street, Odessa, Delaware, 302-378-4119, www.historicodessa.org).
This holiday season the Historic Odessa Foundation (HOF) is celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Historic Houses of Odessa’s annual Christmas Holiday Tours and Exhibits inspired by works of classic children’s literature.
For the past 35 years, Historic Odessa has celebrated children’s literature by recreating scenes from the classics in one of its 18th-century museum houses. Visitors have been treated to the literary works of Louisa May Alcott, P.L. Travers, Beatrix Potter, Tasha Tudor, Washington Irving, Lewis Carroll, and Charles Dickens, to name just a few.
The National Historic Landmark Corbit-Sharp House becomes wonderfully adapted into scenes based upon the cherished story, “Oliver Twist; or, The Parish Boy’s Progress” written by the treasured British author Charles Dickens (1812-1870) and published in 1838. Guests will be captivated with the classic room vignettes to include those of the chaotic streets of London, the repressive workhouse boardroom, the adored Mr. Brownlow’s house, the despised Bill Sikes flat, Fagan’s intriguing den, and of course the iconic workhouse. Continue to restore your spirit this Christmas season by touring this unforgettable holiday exhibition at the Historic Odessa Foundation.
The Christmas holiday is on the horizon and the Historic Odessa Foundation is once again bringing seasonal sparkle to the 18th-century hamlet of Odessa, Delaware! We invite you to stroll or drive through the historic center of town gathering inspiration for your most beautiful family celebrations to date. Our winter lights are sure to enchant even the most stubborn Scrooge.
As dusk falls the National Historic Landmark Corbit-Sharp House, c.1774, along with the Foundation’s other Nationally Registered properties, will transport you to the seasonal festivities of yesteryear. Enjoy the crisp winter outdoors with family and experience the dazzling charm of Historic Odessa. Evergreens laden with pinecones, holly, and winterberry, along with welcoming wreaths deck doors, windows, and lamp posts sending our message of hope and goodwill for a joyous, healthy, and happy Yuletide season.
Special events and tours will be held throughout the holiday season including “Candlelight Tours” at 7 p.m. on December 3, 5, 10, 12, 15, 22, 27 and 29, and “Colonial Dance” on December 11.
The Historic Houses of Odessa are open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sunday from 1 to 4:30 p.m. The last full tour of the Historic Houses starts at 3 p.m. The Houses will be closed on December 24 and 25.
Admission to the Historic Odessa Foundation holiday tour is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, and students and free for children (under 6).
The Historic Odessa Foundation is also presenting a new exhibition — “Petite Exhibit: MAKING AN IMPRESSION: Early American Butter Prints.”
At the exhibit, which will run from October 18-December 31, visitors will encounter some relics of the past in the form of early American butter prints which are on exhibit in a display case at the National Historic Register Wilson Warner House.
These notable pre-industrial 19th century objects are highlighted from the HOF museum collection of nearly 7,000 objects.
These lovely little objects were created to stamp a decorative impression on home-made butter thus decorating one’s butter dish. The prints were also used to brand and identify produce from local farms thus helping consumers to associate quality and insure product loyalty for the farm.
On December 2 and 3, Rockwood Park (4651 Washington Street Extension, North Wilmington) is hosting its annual “Holiday Open House at Rockwood Park & Museum.”
The popular family event, which runs from 5-9 p.m. each night includes tours of the holiday display in the museum and a joyous light display in the gardens surrounding the Mansion and Carriage House.
Holiday Open House features exceptional entertainment, fun festive crafts, costumed characters, refreshments, food trucks and free photos with Santa! The event also includes the Holiday Shoppe selling gifts for the whole family. There will also be performances by dance, music, and choral groups.
This is a free event, but donations of non-perishable foods are collected for local food closets.
The Tinseltown Holiday Spectacular returned to the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center (100 Station Ave., Oaks, 484-754-3976, http://www.phillyexpocenter.com) last weekend and will be open now through December 31.
This brand-new event at the Fairground at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks invites guests to walk through a winter wonderland of light sculptures and displays, including illuminated recreations of local landmarks like the Liberty Bell. It features more than one million bulbs.
Featuring over 1.2 million lights, an 8000 square foot Ice Rink, a 162-foot-long Ice Slide, photos with Santa, Mistletoe Marketplace and more, Tinsetlown has something for everyone in the family.
New features this year are Two-lane ice slide, new event layout, skating rink with real ice, expanded vendor village and new seasonal treats and beverages for both adults and kids.
Tickets start at $17.99.
Three historic sites in Montgomery County have their own holiday celebrations.
Pennypacker Mills (3 Haldeman Road, Perkiomenville, 610- 287-9349, www.historicsites.montcopa.org) is hosting “Victorian Holiday Tours” now through January 8 while “18th-Century Holiday Frost Fair at Pottsgrove Manor” (100 West King Street, Pottstown, 610-326-4014, www.historicsites.montcopa.org) will be held on December 11.
For the next five weeks, Pennypacker Mills will offer free tours of the 18-century mansion used by General George Washington as temporary headquarters during the Revolutionary War. The home will be decorated for an old-fashioned Victorian Christmas and will feature the warm glow of oil lamps, festive decorations, and a candy-making demonstration.
The event at Pottsgrove Manor features an 18th-Century Holiday Frost Fair, where visitors can gather, explore, find unique items, and learn about the past by immersing themselves in a historic-style market fair.
On December 3 from 3-8 p.m., there will be special Candlelight Tours at the Peter Wentz Farmstead (2030 Shearer Road, Lansdale, 610-584-5104).
The soft glow of candles will guide visitors throughout the farmstead for tours showcasing colonial music, seasonal entertaining, and a visit from Belsnickel, a Pennsylvania German St. Nicholas in furs.
The last tour begins at 7:30 p.m. It is an all-ages event with a suggested donation $2 per person.
On December 4 from noon-4 p.m., it will be time for the Narberth Dickens Festival.
The festival is a free family event held each December on the streets of downtown Narberth. It draws thousands to this little borough every year, and it has become one of the most anticipated holiday festivals in the Philadelphia area.
In this Dickens-themed event, the town of Narberth is transformed into 1840s London, as Ebenezer Scrooge, Tiny Tim, and all the characters from “A Christmas Carol” roam the streets for an afternoon.
There is entertainment and activities for all ages, including horse-drawn carriage rides, holiday crafts, carolers, period vendors and food, dancers, musicians, ballet performances, puppet shows, magicians, puppeteers, a free Dickens-themed scavenger hunt for children, and much more.
The Historic Pottstown Annual Holiday Tours offered by Pottstown GoFourth! is scheduled for December 4 from 1-5 p.m. Online tickets for the tour featuring homes in the Rosedale section of Pottstown, are available at www.pottstowngofourth.com/tickets.
Tickets will be exchanged for the official tour map between 12:30 and 3 p.m. on the day of the tour only at St. James Lutheran Church (1101 East High Street, Pottstown — back entrance).
A shuttle service will be provided to those interested, courtesy of Tompkins VIST Bank and Pottstown Area Rapid Transit. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 day of tour at St. James.
“Iron Plantation Christmas” will take place at Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site (2 Mark Bird Lane, Elverson, www.nps.gov) this weekend and offer a different look at how Christmas was celebrated in the past.
This free event is scheduled for December 3 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and will feature Christmas as celebrated during the 19th century at Hopewell Furnace.
Visitors will find that Christmas was a workday in the early 19th century. The bake ovens will be heating up special treats and the Blacksmiths will be clanging away. Guests will be able to discover the customs, foods, and traditions of the holiday season from an early American perspective.
The Berks and Chester County Master Gardeners will guide visitors in making holiday ornaments out of greens and other natural sprigs as a memento of their visit. Visitors will meet Der Belsnickel, a mischievous version of Santa Claus, who rewards good children with treats.
Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site preserves the late 18th and early 19th century setting of an iron-making community, including the charcoal-fueled furnace, and its natural and cultural resources. This community illustrates the essential role of industrialization in the growth of the early United States.
Saturday’s program will be presented rain or shine.
The American Swedish Historical Museum (1900 Pattison Avenue, Philadelphia, 215-389-1776, www.americanswedish.org) will present its Lucia Celebration and Julmarknad (Christmas Bazaar) on December 3 and 4 from 11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Light, warmth and Christmas songs have been hallmarks of the Lucia celebration at ASHM since 1939. Each year families pour through the magnificent bronze doors of the museum to be greeted by the aroma of freshly baked pastries, meatball dishes and strong Swedish coffee.
Guests can stroll through the Christmas Market, or Julmarknad, where Swedish delicacies, crafts, decorations, and imported gifts may be purchased, before the musical entertainment begins. The Swedish Christmas Café will be selling favorite sweet and savory holiday foods and the SWEA bakery tables will be open all day.
At 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., the lights will dim, and the doors will close for the duration of a performance of Swedish Christmas songs and dances. Children from toddlers to teens dressed in costume entertain the crowds, culminating with the procession of Lucia, wearing her crown of candles, surrounded by her white gowned attendants and star boys.
Admission is $5.
One of Philly’s premier annual events, Macy’s Christmas Light Show (1300 Market Street, Philadelphia, www.macys.com) is running now through December 31
Set in The Grand Court, the show features a 100,000-light show of twinkling snowflakes, dancing snowmen and more, narrated by Julie Andrews and accompanied by the famed Wanamaker Organ.
Images of snowmen, reindeer, snowflakes and more dance across the atrium inside of the historic Wanamaker building (now Macy’s Center City) during the ever-popular Macy’s Christmas Light Show. The show, which has been on view since 1956, runs every two hours during store hours.
Visitors can also tour the second floor’s vintage Dickens Village, where more than 100 intricate animated dolls and sets retell A Christmas Carol. Each free walkthrough ends in a chance to meet and get photos with Santa.
The 2022 Franklin Square Holiday Festival (200 North Sixth Street, Philadelphia, http://www.historicphiladelphia.org/franklin-square/holidays-in-franklin-square/) opens its season this weekend and it will run until December 31.
The Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show will be open from 4-8 p.m. daily and 4-9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays and will be closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Visitors are invited to experience the magic of the holidays and celebrate traditions new and old at the Franklin Square Holiday Festival.
Inspired by Benjamin Franklin’s electrifying genius, the free Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show presented by PECO is the key to holiday fun in Franklin Square.
Attendees can marvel at more than 50,000 lights as they shimmer, dance, and illuminate the Square to a soundtrack of holiday classics, some of which are performed by The Philly POPS in two alternating shows every 30 minutes. Every evening, one lucky audience member will be selected to “ignite’ the 4:30 p.m. show.
A popular annual Philly holiday tradition can be found at the Rothman Orthopaedics Institute Ice Rink at Dilworth Park (1 South 15th Street, Philadelphia, http://ccdparks.org/dilworth-park).
Beginning this November, some of Philadelphia’s favorite winter traditions return to Dilworth Park. Visitors of all ages can enjoy a dramatic seasonal transformation as fountains are replaced by the Rothman Orthopaedic Institute Ice Rink and reindeer topiaries take up winter residence on the Greenfield Lawn.
In addition, a full lineup of free entertainment is planned, including the Deck the Hall Light Show, the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market and Rothman Orthopaedic Institute Cabin.
Dilworth Park’s winter season began on November 1 with the opening of the Wintergarden on the Greenfield Lawn presented by TD Bank. On November 4, the Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink and Cabin made its annual return.
The Rothman Institute Ice Rink at Dilworth Park is an unparalleled entertainment experience on Philadelphia’s center stage in a wonderfully urban and unique setting. Open seven days a week, the rink offers wintery fun for all ages, with a full slate of programs.
The Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market will open on November 19 with more than 40 local vendors. On November 21, Dilworth Park’s Deck the Hall Light Show will return to illuminate the west façade of Philadelphia’s historic City Hall.
When the Christmas season arrives in Europe, it is common to see Christmas villages erected in downtown locations of big cities. These villages are temporary sites that feature live music, a variety of holiday attractions and a large number of specialized vendors.
Philadelphia is keeping pace with the European cities with a Christmas village of its own — a special site that opened on November 23 and continues until December 24.
“Christmas Village in Philadelphia” (Love Park, 1400 JFJ Boulevard, Philadelphia, 215-391-3017, www.philachristmas.com) is a free outdoor holiday market event that captures the vibe of the traditional European Christmas markets.
Christmas Village in Philadelphia is modeled after traditional German Christmas Markets. The history of Christmas markets in Germany dates to the late Middle Ages. One of the oldest and most famous ones is held each year in Nuremberg in the state of Bavaria.
It has been passed down from generation-to-generation ever since the area’s farmers started selling their crops in a farmers’ market during the Advent time in the mid-16th century. The goods presented in wooden booths include a rich variety of holiday gifts including Christmas ornaments, arts and crafts, toys, sweets, as well as German food and drinks. People stroll around, meet friends, and enjoy live performances of Christmas music.
At the Village in Philadelphia, vendors selling traditional European food, sweets and drinks are set up in 80 wooden booths and timber houses that form a medieval village. They will also offer a unique shopping experience with international holiday gifts, ornaments, jewelry and high-quality arts and crafts.
The Village will feature the sights and sounds of the holidays with thousands of twinkling lights, giant glowing stars, festive decorations, a musical stage and children’s activities. All the event’s annual fan favorites will be back, including Photos with Santa, Käthe Wohlfahrt, Herrnhuter Stars, the German Grill and the event’s main stage.
At the center of the market, an ornate and grand old-time carousel will be operating to give children of all ages a new holiday tradition while visiting the authentic German Christmas Market. The carousel features 20 wood-carved horses that will twirl around for an unforgettable view of the new market inside City Hall’s courtyard.
The Comcast Holiday Spectacular (1701 John F Kennedy Boulevard, Philadelphia) is back for the 2022 season.
The Comcast Holiday Spectacular is a free, interactive experience that brings the spirit of the holiday season to life. The show runs in the lobby of the Comcast Center on The Comcast Experience, one of the world’s largest LED continuous video walls.
Through Comcast’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion, guests can access closed captioning and audio-description devices to delight in this Philadelphia holiday tradition.
A sensory-friendly version of The Comcast Holiday Spectacular will again be offered for the 2022 season. Guests who are blind or visually impaired may use their own personal mobile devices to access Audio Description (AD) of the show. AD devices will also be available upon request.
This Philly favorite tradition brings the magic of the holidays to life, featuring classic holiday songs and performances by the Pennsylvania Ballet.
The Comcast Holiday Spectacular is running now through New Year’s Day every hour, on the hour from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (excluding 5 p.m. on weekdays). The last show will run New Year’s Day at 4 p.m.
The Comcast Center Campus has another holiday activity at the Comcast Technology Center (1800 Arch Street), located a half block from the Comcast Center.
From Steven Spielberg, DreamWorks Animation, Universal Parks & Resorts and Comcast Labs, The Universal Sphere is a free, cinematic experience exploring the power of ideas. Get inspired by stories of creative minds who shaped our world for the better.
The Universal Sphere — accessible for guests of all ages — is wheelchair- and service animal-friendly. Descriptive audio and closed-captioning devices are available in English and Spanish, and full audio translations are available in Spanish and Mandarin Chinese.
Macy’s (1300 Market Street, Philadelphia, www.macysinc.com) welcomed the return of the free Christmas Light Show and Dickens’ Village to the former Wanamaker’s location at 13th and Market streets (across from City Hall).
Both the musical light show, which started in 1956, and the “Christmas Carol”-themed animated display, which had its start in the 1980s — have been Philadelphia holiday traditions for decades.
Voiced by Julie Andrews, the free show, which runs through December 31, features classic songs and stories like “The Nutcracker” and “Frosty the Snowman” illuminated by 100,000 lights and backed by the sounds of the famous Wanamaker Organ.
This year’s schedule is: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays: 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.; Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays: 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.; and Christmas Eve: 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m.
Macy’s visitors can also explore the animatronic Dickens Village, a 6,000-square-foot retelling of the Dickens tale, “A Christmas Carol,” now through December 31.
Winter is coming and the Blue Cross RiverRink (Delaware Avenue at Walnut Street, Philadelphia, 215-925-RINK, www.riverrink.com) has come back to life.
Unlike most of the suburban ice rinks, RiverRink features public skating. Ice skating is the only use of the ice. This winter, RiverRink takes the ice-skating experience on the Delaware River waterfront to another level by once again transforming the annual rink into a bona fide winter wonderland.
For 29 seasons, Winterfest has been Philadelphia’s favorite Winter tradition on the Delaware River Waterfront, inviting visitors for a chance to indulge in flights of fancy under thousands of sparkling lights in a winter wonderland with spectacular views of the Delaware River. Cozy up in comforting warming cabins, firepit stations, boardwalk rides and games for the young and young-at-heart, delicious food and hot beverages, the signature holiday tree, and, of course, ice skating on our NHL-sized rink. Winterfest is a top destination for anyone looking to rekindle family traditions.
The Winterfest site is free to enter and open to the public. Amenities such as ice skating and cabin and firepit experiences can be reserved in advance. Winterfest is open 7 days a week including holidays through March 5, 2023.
Now through January 7, the Philadelphia Zoo (3400 West Girard Avenue, Philadelphia) will host LumiNature, a gigantic holiday season light experience that transforms the entire Zoo into a magical journey of lights, music, sounds and surprises.
The giant-sized holiday extravaganza will transform the entire Zoo into a nighttime winter wonderland. Guests will experience a magical journey of lights, music, sounds and surprises. LumiNature will expand to feature 14 illuminated experience zones that will feature lively themed displays, newly-enhanced installations and thousands of twinkling lights.
Highlights for 2021 include: more than one million lights and 10 miles of power cord; more than 500 colorful illuminated flamingos and a 25 feet tall flamingo holiday tree; 200+ illuminated penguins; 100 ft-long aquarium tunnel with enormous jellyfish; 22-feet-tall new Butterfly Tree; 21-feet tall brilliant colored snake; glee club made from talking trees that come to life’ brand new octopus tree that is sure to make you laugh’ cascading blue and white meteor light showers; giant cat eyes glowing in the dark of night; and a new Wilderness Express Train.
Additionally, seasonal fare, strolling performers, hot chocolate and ever-warming adult beverages promise to additionally spark the holiday spirit.
Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for children.
The Elmwood Park Zoo (1661 Harding Boulevard, Norristown, www.elmwoodparkzoo.org) has a variety of special activities coming up.
Elmwood Park Zoo’s favorite family tradition, Wild Lights, returned this November, with more lights and decorative attractions than ever before. During this walk-through experience, guests will be surrounded by dazzling light displays, illuminated animals and live entertainment.
Wild Lights operates on select days from 5-9 p.m. now through December 30. Wild Lights tickets are valid beginning at 5 p.m. The zoo and Wild Lights will be closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Wild Lights is held rain or shine.
The Zoo’s “Dog Days” event will be held on December 2, 7, 9, 11, 14 and 16.
All guests visiting the zoo with a furry friend must complete an online waiver and submit required documents before visiting the zoo. You must upload a copy of your most recent veterinary visit, including proof of vaccine and heartworm test here. All items will be required for you to attend “Dog Days.”
The “Dog Days” event is slated to run from 1-5 p.m.
Pricing is $10.95 per dog with each additional dog at $9.95. Regular zoo admission is required for all humans.
The Lehigh Valley Zoo (5150 Game Preserve Rd, Schnecksville, https://www.lvzoo.org/) is hosting its “Winter Light Spectacular” now through January 1.
This season’s “Winter Light Spectacular,” which runs from 5:30-10 p.m. nightly, will feature more than 30 scheduled event nights.
Guests are invited to bundle up and enjoy the beauty of nature as they stroll through tree-lined paths illuminated by more than 1.2 million twinkling lights and themed animated displays.
They also can warm up next to the cozy outdoor fire pits while enjoying hot cocoa and s’mores.
Children will be delighted when they encounter Santa, Radley the Sea Turtle, The Grinch, Woody, Buzz, Elsa, Princess Belle, Olaf and friends.
Ticket prices start at $15.
Two popular annual attractions in Bucks County are located about 20 minutes apart.
Peddler’s Village (Routes 202 and 263, Lahaska, 215-794-4000, www.peddlersvillage.com) will
Now that Christmas activities have begun, Peddler’s Village (Routes 202 and 263, Lahaska, 215-794-4000, http://peddlersvillage.com) is starting its celebration and that means there will be a lot of activity at the site over the next few weeks.
Visitors to the Village can join special guest Mrs. Claus for festive fun and mini-lightings in a different Village neighborhood each night leading up to the Village-wide Grand Illumination Celebration. Village shops will be open until 9 p.m. with a distinctive assortment of merchandise, special promotions and refreshments.
The 20th Annual Grand Illumination will showcase thousands of tiny white lights outlining the Village’s buildings, colorful lights with less-than-common colors (teal, peach, and fuscia) adorning the trees and shrubs and a landscaped backdrop featuring a group of reindeer glowing in white light. Santa will arrive to turn on the lights and officially mark the beginning of the event. After the lights go on, visitors will be treated to free cider and toasted marshmallows.
November 15 also marks the start of Peddler’s Village “Gingerbread House Competition and Display.” Slated to run through January 5, the “Gingerbread House Competition” features over $2,000 in cash prizes in such categories as Traditional and Authentic Reproduction of a Significant Building.
A popular Bucks County attraction is the “Holiday Light Show” at Shady Brook Farm (931 Stony Hill Road, Yardley, www.shadybrookfarm.com)
The farm features a three–million-light Holiday Light Show with “Dashin’ Through the … Lights,” a family-friendly two-mile drive-through on Thursday and Friday nights.
The main display allows visitors to drive or (if weather permits) ride in wagons past post-sundown displays including illuminated tunnels.
The “Holiday Light Show” is open now through January 28.
Timed tickets, which start at $40, are required.
“Christmas Spirit Light Show” is running now through December 31 (except December 25) at Clipper Magazine Stadium (650 North Prince Street, Lancaster, christmasspiritlightshows.com).
“Christmas Spirit Light Show” is an exciting, one-of-a-kind Christmas light display that families can enjoy from the comfort of their vehicles.
As participants make the journey through the mile-long track, they get immersed and surrounded by hundreds of thousands of color-changing lights that are animated and dancing in harmony with favorite Christmas classics.
The drive-through event is billed as a “breathtaking holiday experience that you and your loved ones will never forget.”
The cost is $25 per car with eight people or less and $35 per car with nine or more people.
The American Music Theatre (2425 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster, 800-648-4102, www.AMTshows.com) has its holiday show running now through December 30.
The AMT’s 2022 show “Home for the Holidays” is an all-new presentation of favorite sacred and secular holiday songs performed by professional artists from across the country. The show will feature spectacular vocal harmonies, lively musical arrangements, impressive dancing and the music of the AMT Orchestra.
Also featured will be elaborate scenery, elegant costumes and a theater decked out with holiday decorations.
“Home for the Holidays” is inspired by the warm, cherished memories of family Christmases spent together with loved ones. It opens on the joyous gathering of family and friends who celebrate with a rich tapestry of song, dance, and holiday traditions.
Next, it visits Santa’s Candy Factory where the audience will be transported to a dream world of bright colors and Candy Elves. Finally, there will be a “midnight” candlelight service with songs of worship, traditional carols, and the powerful, harmony-filled rendition of “O Holy Night.”
Hear some of your favorite sacred and secular holiday songs and the outstanding musical arrangements of the AMT Orchestra. Witness the new set designs, fresh color palette, and a gorgeous array of new costumes, designed exclusively for AMT.
Outside, you’ll be greeted with cheery adornments of candy cane wraps, green-lit garland swags, and natural wreaths tied with bright red bows. Inside, the festive decor continues, including the larger-than-life Christmas lobby featuring three Christmas trees exquisitely designed for AMT. Then, as audience members make their way into the theatre, ushers will be handing out a special holiday gift just for the kids.
The show will have both matinee and evening performances each week with the addition of 10:30 a.m. performances on Saturdays throughout December. Show length is two hours and 15 minutes with a short intermission. Tickets are $46 for adults and $23 for children.
Holiday activities that are sure to please kids of all ages are train rides and amusement parks.
“Christmas Candylane,” which is the annual holiday event at Hersheypark (100 West Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, 800-HERSHEY, www.hersheypark.com), is running now through January 1.
Visitors to Hershey can also experience the winter wonderland called “Hershey Sweet Lights, A Holiday Drive-Thru Spectacular.” The attraction is a two-mile drive through wooded trails featuring approximately 600 illuminated, animated displays.
Admission prices for “Christmas Candylane” start at $47.95.
Dutch Wonderland Family Amusement Park (2249 Route 30 East, Lancaster, 866-386-2389, www.dutchwonderland.com) is hosting its “Dutch Winter Wonderland” now through January 1 on Saturdays, Sundays and select weekdays.
Visitors are invited to celebrate the magic of the season at Dutch Winter Wonderland with rides, entertainment, and the Royal Light Show, a spectacular display of thousands of twinkling lights dancing to music.
Ticket prices start at $29.99 at the gate. Children ages two and under are admitted free.
“A Very Furry Christmas at Sesame Place” (100 Sesame Road, Langhorne, www.sesameplace.com) is a festive, family-friendly celebration with everyone’s favorite Sesame Street friends live and in-person at the amusement park in Langhorne.
The annual event, which runs through January 8, offers a wide array of family holiday activities.
Visitors to the park can sing along at three special Christmas shows and a spectacular music and light show at our giant 1-2-3 Christmas Tree, take a train ride tour through the Twiddlebugs’Gingerbread Cookie Factory on the Sesame Place Furry Express, take part in the Neighborhood Street Party Christmas Parade, and have the opportunity to meet Lightning, the adorable reindeer from the movie “Elmo Saves Christmas.”
As an added attraction this year, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is spending the holiday season at Sesame Place. The lovable reindeer along with his friends Clarice and Bumble, will be available for photos with guests.
Tickets for “A Very Furry Christmas” start at $34.99.
Christmas Underwater at Adventure Aquarium (1 Riverside Drive, Camden, New Jersey, www.adventureaquarium.com) opens this weekend.
At Christmas Underwater, which is running now through December 24, visitors can discover an incredible world of seasonal under-the-sea fun.
Scuba Santa is back in Ocean Realm, sharing Christmas cheer with kids (and animals) of all ages. The event features more holiday decor than ever before, including underwater light displays, and festive new shows.
The World’s Tallest Underwater Christmas Tree returns — stretching 18 feet tall and decorated with colorful, custom-sculpted corals.
More than 15,000 incredible animals are getting in on the festive fun with eight underwater light displays spread throughout the exhibits.
Admission fees start at $27.99 for adults.
A popular holiday tradition for many area families is taking a train ride with Santa Claus. Fortunately, there are quite a few very good options in our area.
One of the best train rides with Santa Claus is the one presented by the West Chester Railroad (Market Street Station, West Chester, 610-430-2233 or www.westchesterrr.net).
The special “Santa’s Express” trains (which feature heated cars decorated for the holidays) will run on December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 and 18 at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. There will be additional departures at 5 p.m. on December 3, 10, 11, 17 and 18.
The 75-minute journey on the trail line’s heated decorated train travels through the Chester Creek Valley. Santa Claus will be greeting everyone at Market Street Station and then going along for the ride to Glen Mills.
Adult fare for the West Chester Railroad trips is $30. Tickets for children (ages 2-12) are $25 while toddlers (ages 9-23 months) get to ride for $10.
The Wilmington & Western Railroad (2201 Newport Gap Pike, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-998-193, www.wwrr.com) will run its “Santa Claus Express” on Saturdays and Sundays between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be riding along with passengers on the steam-powered 90-minute round trip to Ashland Station. They will be greeting everyone on board and offering chocolate treats to the youngsters. Santa will also be posing for pictures with his fans.
Steam locomotion will return to the Wilmington & Western for its annual Santa Claus Express. The rail line’s 0-6-0 switcher No. 58 has returned to service after a multi-year restoration and will power Santa’s train through the Red Clay Valley this season.
Tickets for these trains, which run now through December 23, are $19 for adults, $18 for senior citizens and $17 for children.
The tourist rail line will also be running special “Holiday Night Express Trains,” featuring a peaceful evening ride in the railroad’s 1929 Doodlebug rail car. Tickets for these trains, which are running now through December 30, are $15 for adults, $14 for senior citizens and $13 for children.
The Strasburg Rail Road (Route 741, Strasburg, 717-687-7522, www.strasburgrailroad.com) is running its “Santa’s Paradise Express” now through December 24. Santa will be the featured guest on each ride from Strasburg to Paradise and back.
The rotund guy in the red suit will be greeting passengers, shaking hands, posing for photos and giving a treat to each child. After the train ride, children are treated to storybook readings of holiday classics. Visitors of all ages can also enjoy a ride aboard the Tinsel Trolley, a self-propelled motor car.
Tickets are $33 for adults and $26 for children.
The New Hope Railroad (32 Bridge Street, New Hope, www.newhoperailroad.com) is running its “Santa’s North Pole Express Train — The Magical Journey Begins Here.”
Riders can join Santa and Mrs. Claus as they depart New Hope Station for a train ride through the historic Bucks County countryside on the way to the North Pole.
The journey begins when the Conductor calls “All Aboard!”
Passengers will experience the sounds and tastes of the holiday season as they sing along with roaming musicians playing Christmas carols, sip warm cocoa and enjoy a freshly baked cookie.
Each child will receive his or her own sleigh bell gift from Santa himself. Children and adults alike are encouraged to indulge in the season’s spirit by wearing pajamas and settling in for a relaxing ride with family and friends aboard the festive railway cars adorned with holiday decorations.
Tickets are $66.99 for adults, $62.99 for children and $17.99 for infants.
The Northern Central Railway (2 West Main Street, New Freedom, www.northerncentralrailway.com) is running its “Santa Express Train” excursions now through December 5.
On a 45-minute train ride to Glen Rock, passengers can listen to Christmas music while enjoying the scenery of southern York County and Heritage Rail Trail County Park. And Santa Claus to appear with a special gift for each child.
After the ride, passengers can visit the NCR Engine House for a mini-Winter Wonderland, for magic-filled family photo ops and complimentary hot chocolate and a cookie.
Tickets are $39 adults and $26 for children.
The Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad (Reading Outer Station, Reading, www.rbmnrr-passenger.com) is running its 2022 “Santa Claus Special” Excursions from a variety of locations – December 3 and 4 (Tamaqua), December 10 and 11 (Minersville), and December 17, 18, 23 and 24 (Reading).
Santa Claus will be visiting with each of the children and there will be live holiday music performed throughout the ride.
Tickets are $20 for adults and $9 for children (3-12).
The Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad (136 Brown Street, Middletown, 717-944-4435, www.mhrailroad.com) will be running its “Santa Surprise Trains” and “Polar Bear Express Trains” on December 3,4, 10, 11, 17 and 18.
It is an 11-mile round-trip train ride along the Swatara Creek. Passengers board 1920’s vintage Delaware, Lackawanna & Western coaches at the 1891 Station in Middletown, which was originally built as a freight station and in more recent years converted for use as a passenger station. The Station contains a ticket window, gift shop and modern ADA restrooms.
Santa Claus will have a special present for all kid riders. Fares for the “Santa Surprise” rides are $21 (ages 12 and older), $17 (ages 2-11) and $6 (under age 2 and on lap).
The Colebrookdale Railroad (South Washington Street, Boyertown, www.colebrookdalerailroad.com) is running its “Santa’s Polar Bear Express” now through December 24.
Kids can join Santa on a magical adventure into “Christmas Past” on an exciting train journey. They will be able to sip complimentary hot cocoa or enjoy Christmas cookies and, on some trains, sing favorite carols as the Secret Valley passes by the window. Santa will bring a gift for every child, and every child has an opportunity to give their Christmas letter to him.
The rail line also is running “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” excursions now through December 23.
These special evening trains bring the storybook magic of the season to life. Kids are invited to wear pajamas and sip complimentary hot cocoa as the train crew reads “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.”
One of the most elaborate model train layouts in the Delaware Valley can be found at the Morris Arboretum (100 Northwestern Avenue, Chestnut Hill, 215-247-5777,http://www.morrisarboretum.org). The popular Garden Railway Display that has become a summer fixture at The Gardens at Morris Arboretum returns again for a special holiday display.
The display, which is open to the public now through December 30 in the winter garden of the Morris Arboretum, has a quarter-mile of track featuring seven loops and tunnels with 15 different rail lines and two cable cars, nine bridges (including a trestle bridge you can walk under) and bustling model trains.
The buildings and the display are all made of natural materials — bark, leaves, twigs, hollow logs, mosses, acorns, dried flowers, seeds and stones — to form a perfectly proportioned miniature landscape complete with miniature rivers. Philadelphia-area landmarks are all meticulously decorated for the holidays with lights that twinkle.
Admission to the Morris Arboretum is $20 for adults, $18 for seniors (65 and older) and $10 for students and military.
On December 3 and 10, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania (Route 741, Strasburg, 717- 687-8628, www.rrmuseumpa.org) is hosting its annual “Home for the Holidays” event from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Costumed interpreters — engineers, conductors, ticket agents, and railroad passengers –will recreate scenes of holiday travel from the past. Visitors will also be able to ride the Museum’s Cab Simulator.
Children will be able to send a message to Santa Claus with the help of a railroad telegrapher who will send their personal telegrams from Steinman Station to the North Pole. And they can visit with Santa in person at the Steinman Station passenger depot.
Cookies and hot chocolate will be offered in the Museum lobby.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and $8 for youth (ages 3-11).
Bethlehem, which is known as the “Christmas City,” presents Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem (PNC Plaza at SteelStacks, 645 East First Street, Bethlehem, 610-332-1300,http://www.christmascity.org) every Friday, Saturday and Sunday now through December 18.
Christkindlmarkt Bethlehem showcases aisles of exquisite handmade works by the nation’s finest artisans. The market also features live performances of Christmas music and vendors with an amazing variety of tasty food items.
Other special attractions include ice carving, glassblowing demonstrations, “Breakfast with St. Nicholas,” outdoor artisan huts, fire pits and igloos in the Outdoor Village, and Käthe Wohlfarht with handmade ornaments, nutcrackers and collectibles from Germany.
A guaranteed way to get into a Christmas mood is by visiting Koziar’s Christmas Village (782 Christmas Village Road, Bernville, 610-488-1110, www.koziarschristmasvillage.com) which begins its 75th season on November 5.
Koziar’s Christmas Village is truly a holiday wonderland — a wintertime spectacle that delights young and old alike with a huge amount of holiday displays and special attractions. It will remain open every night through January 1 — including Christmas Eve, Christmas Night, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Night.
The tours of “Christmas Village” feature visits to a variety of displays and exhibits, including “Santa’s Post Office,” “Christmas in the Jungle,” “Manger Scene,” “Christmas Beneath the Sea,” “’Twas the Night Before Christmas,” “Olde Fashioned Bakery Shop,” “Toy Maker and his Toy Shop,” “Christmas in Other Lands” and “The Olde Church”.
Other attractions at Koziar’s Christmas Village include a huge model train display, a toy shop, a country kitchen, indoor and outdoor Christmas displays and a place to visit with Santa and even get pictures taken with the old guy in the red suit. Admission to Christmas Village is $12 for adults, $11 for seniors (65 and older) and $10 for children (ages 4-10).
In addition to Koziar’s Christmas Village, several other Christmas events are already underway.
If you’re looking for events that are not holiday-related, you have a lot of choices.
The Valley Forge Beer and Cider Fest will be held December 3 from 2:30-6 p.m. at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center (100 Station Ave., Oaks, http://www.phillyexpocenter.com).
Featured at the event will be samples from local, national and international beer and cider makers, an ugly sweater contest, a meet-and-greet with Santa and food trucks.
General admission tickets are $50 in advance or $60 at the door with upgrades available. Designated driver tickets are $15.
Another popular annual event at the Philadelphia Expo Center is the Philly Show Sports Card and Memorabilia Show.
The show is the nation’s longest-running sports memorabilia show, established in 1975. It features more than 200 dealer booths in all areas of sports collectibles including cards, uniforms, photos, memorabilia.
More than 20 professional athletes, including Phillies, Eagles and Flyers players, as well as celebrities will appearing at the show for autograph signings and personal photo opportunities and meet-and-greets.
Hours are 3-8 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday.
General admission tickets are $10 on Friday and Sunday, $15 on Saturday and $30 for a weekend pass. Children under 12 are admitted free with a paid adult.
Kimberton Waldorf’s Annual Craft Show, which features sales booths and other family activities, will be held December 3 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Kimberton Waldorf School (410 West Seven Stars Road, Phoenixville, 610-933-3635, https://www.kimbertoncraftshow.org/).
The show will include more than 70 top-flight artisans presenting textiles, jewelry, pottery, woodwork, handmade toys, and gourmet foods.
The gala opening on Friday evening attracts many eager shoppers. Events on Saturday include lunch, an elegant tearoom with musical entertainment, and a number of children’s activities.
On December 7, Fort Mifflin (Fort Mifflin and Hog Island roads, Philadelphia, 215-685-4167, www.fortmifflin.us) will host a special event called “World War II: The Battle for St. Vith.”
The special one-day event will explore the Western Front of World War II and visit with Axis and Allied armies.
Activities through the day include two exciting battles, living history, vintage gear, live medical demonstrations on “wounded” soldiers at the Red Cross Field Hospital, weapons and vehicles.
Fort Mifflin, which was originally called Fort Island Battery, was commissioned in 1771. It was also known as Mud Island Fort because it sits on Mud Island (also known as Deep Water Island) on the Delaware River near the Philadelphia International Airport. During the American Revolutionary War, the British Army bombarded and captured the fort as part of their conquest of Philadelphia in autumn 1777.
During the siege, 400 American soldiers held off more than 2,000 British troops and over 250 ships that had been responsible for launching an endless barrage of cannonballs into the fort. After five days of holding off the British, the American troops evacuated the fort after having successfully denied the British Navy free use of the Delaware River.
“World War II: The Battle for St. Vith” will run from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and veterans and $6 for children (ages 6-12).
On December 10, Laurel Hill Cemetery (3822 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, 215-228-8200, www.thelaurelhillcemetery.org) will present “Hot Spots and Storied Plots” walking tour at 1 p.m.
In life and in death, we all have stories to tell, and what better place to hear tales of wonder than Philadelphia’s most famous home of the dead?
This tour provides an informative overview of Laurel Hill’s long history, which includes many of the marble masterpieces, stunning views, and legendary stories about Laurel Hill.
“Hot Spots and Storied Plots” is the perfect introduction for anyone who enjoys beautiful art, scenic nature, and fascinating history. An experienced graveyard guide will offer a unique perspective.
The Tour Guides will be Tom and Peter Howell.
Tyler Arboretum (515 Painter Road, Media, 610-566-9134, www.tylerarboretum.org) will host Winter Moon Fireside on December 2 from 5-8 p.m.
The secrets of the night sky have long inspired art, mythology, and science. Right now, we’re at an exciting moment for lunar exploration, as the success of the Artemis I mission would mean that we will return to the moon more than 50 years later. The return will also bring our art and culture through a time capsule – the Lunar Codex. There’s no better time to engage with the wonder and mystery of space.
On December 2, it will be time for a brand-new event at Tyler – a moonlit evening of art and community. Several fire pits will be set up for sharing s’mores and hot chocolate. An astronomer will be on-hand to help guests view the moon and catch sight of Saturn and Jupiter.
In the Barn, the “Legends of the Moon” art exhibit will showcase the original works selected for inclusion in the Lunar Codex. Visitors can also listen to the ethereal music of harpist Joanna Marini Dindinger while they browse the collection.
The Tyler staff will also be serving complimentary hot chocolate throughout the event.
The special activity is free and open to the public. There is no rain date for this event.
“TreeTrails Adventures Trevose” (301 West Bristol Pike, Trevose, treetrails.com/trevose-pa) is an adventure park full of fun challenges for outdoor adventurers of all ages.
Participants can experience the rush of TreeTrails Adventures as they swing through the trees of the new adventure park. They will be able to discover the excitement of climbing and zip lining above the forest floor with family, friends, co-workers, or teammates.
The park, which is based at Phoenix Sport Club in Bucks County, offers two ways to experience climbing – TreeTrails Adventure Park and KidTrails Park. Young explorers can enjoy miniaturized courses in the adjacent KidTrails Park.
General Park Admission prices are: Main Park Adult Tickets (Ages 12+), $59; Main Park Youth Tickets (Ages 7–11), $51; KidTrails Tickets (Ages 4–7), $12.
For the next few months, the American Swedish Historical Museum (1900 Pattison Avenue, Philadelphia, 215-389-1776, www.americanswedish.org) is presenting an exhibit “Art for All: The Swedish Experience in Mid-America,” which just opened and will run through February 19, 2023.
“Art for All: The Swedish Experience in Mid-America” is an exhibition of paintings and sculptures by Swedish American artists in the late-19th and early-20th centuries.
This colorful and emotive impressionist art reflects its own time, interprets nature and landscape, and is independent of artificial conventions while keeping Swedish folk traditions alive.
The American Swedish Historical Museum is proud to present Art for All: The Swedish Experience in Mid-America, an exhibition of paintings and sculptures by Swedish American artists in the late-19th and early-20th centuries. This colorful and emotive impressionist art reflects its own time, interprets nature and landscape, and is independent of artificial conventions while keeping Swedish folk traditions alive.
This exhibition features many Swedish artists who studied and absorbed the democratic philosophies of “art for all,” espoused by Anders Zorn and the Artist’s League. These young artists immigrated to America to forge new career paths. “Art for all” became a catchphrase in Kansas by the 1930s, stemming from efforts of local artists to offer affordable paintings and prints so that every citizen could have original art in their own homes for a richly cultured way of life.
“Art for All: The Swedish Experience in Mid-America” was conceived and developed by the Birger Sandzén Memorial Gallery and the Hillstrom Museum of Art.
Wonderspaces at the Fashion District (27 North 11th Street, Philadelphia, philadelphia.wonderspaces.com) is an experiential, interactive arts venue.
Building on the success of annual pop-up shows in San Diego, and its first permanent location in Scottsdale, Arizona, Wonderspaces opened a 24,000 square foot gallery space in Philly a year ago.
Wonderspaces features 14 art installations that all play with the idea of perspective. The artwork ranges from award-winning virtual reality short film about a dinner party-turned-alien abduction, to a room where visitors digitally paint the walls with the movement of their bodies.
New artworks rotate in every few months, creating an ever-evolving, year-round show.
Tickets are for entry at a specific date and time. Visitors are welcome to stay as long as they please during operating hours. The average time spent experiencing the show is 90 minutes.
A few installations contain flashing lights, images, and patterns that may trigger seizures for people with photosensitive epilepsy. All visitors must sign a waiver prior to being admitted into the space. Adult supervision is required for visitors under 16.
Grim Philly’s “Dark Philly History Tour” (www.grimphilly.com) will be held every evening throughout the fall.
Participants can walk with tour guides from the grounds of America’s first White House, Congress, and Liberty Bell to homes and sites of Hamilton, Washington, Franklin, Adams, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, and more than 10 other Founding-Fathers. The surprising dirt of espionage, murder, sexual license and blackmail highlight the secrets of 1776 with a ghost story or two along the way. This tour is highly researched. And your guide is a historian.
Tickets are $35.
Ghost Tour of Philadelphia (215-413-1997, www.ghosttour.com), Ghost Tour of Lancaster (717-687-6687, www.ghosttour.com) and Ghost Tour of Strasburg (717-687-6687, www.ghosttour.com) operate throughout the winter and offer an eerily entertaining evening of true ghost stories and real haunted houses.
The Ghost Tour of Philadelphia, which is based on the book, “Ghost Stories of Philadelphia, PA.,” is a candlelight walking tour along the back streets and secret gardens of Independence Park, Society Hill, and Old City, where ghostly spirits, haunted houses, and eerie graveyards abound.
Participants can discover the ghost lore of America’s most historic and most haunted city with stories from the founding of William Penn’s colony to present-day hauntings.
The activity is open year-round – weekends, December-February; every night, March-November. Tickets are $24.
The Ghost Tour of Lancaster and the Ghost Tour of Strasburg are based on the book, “Ghost Stories of Lancaster, PA.”
Participants in the Ghost Tour of Lancaster explore the long-forgotten mysteries of one of America’s oldest cities, with haunting tales of otherworldly vigils, fatal curses, and star-crossed lovers. The tour provides the opportunity to experience 300 years of haunted history from the Red Rose City’s thorny past. Tickets are $20.
The Ghost Tour of Strasburg is a candlelight walking tour of the quaint and historic town of Strasburg in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country. Visitors will experience an entertaining evening with a costumed tour guide spinning tales of haunted mansions, eerie graveyards, and spirits that roam the night … in a town lost in time. Tickets are $20.
