Tuesday, November 28, 2017 / by Amy Paradysz
Holiday Events on the Main Line and in the Greater Philly Region
Just like that, Thanksgiving is over and the hustle and bustle of the Holiday season is in full swing! December 2017 is packed with things to do for the Holidays. Of course, there are an abundance of events going on in Center City Philadelphia, but there are also multiple events are happening right here on the Main Line (& surrounding areas)! Check out this list below to see some of our favorites!
1) Pet Photos at Braxton's Animal Works
Dec 3, 9, 10 | 11:00AM - 3:00PM
Braxton's Animal Works | 620 W Lancaster Ave, Wayne, PA
Cost: $10 sitting fee
No appointment necessary and kids welcome too! Photos are delivered via Snapfish.com.
2) West Chester Christmas Parade
Cost: Free
The parade will start at New and Market Street, before traveling East on Market Street. From there, the parade will head North on Matlack Street, then West on Gay Street, and finally, finish South down New Street.
"It’s that time again—let’s get ready to ring in the holiday season with the 38th Annual QVC West Chester Christmas Parade! This year is set to be our BIGGEST parade yet, with record crowds and enough holiday spirit to keep Santa’s sleigh flying high until Christmas Day.
This annual West Chester tradition, hosted by the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce, will kick off Friday, December 1, 2017 at 7:15 pm! The parade promises to provide a seasonal mix of traditional elements with a modern twist—local schools, businesses, volunteer fire companies, and other service organizations will join the many marching bands, floats, and antique vehicles that have cemented themselves as mainstays in the QVC West Chester Christmas Parade experience."
Read More About the Parade Here!
3) Community Arts Center and the Potters Guild Holiday Sale
Dec 1, 2017 to Dec 9, 2017 | 10:00 AM until 5:00 PM
Community Arts Center | 414 Plush Mill Road, Wallingford, PA
Cost: Free Admission
The Holiday Sale is free but there’s $5 admission to the Preview Party which includes live piano music by Jeff Knoettner and a performance by Media Chamber Chorale on November 30th. Holiday Happy Hour shopping takes place December 4-8th, with complimentary wine, beer and refreshments from 5 - 7 p.m., so attendees can sip and snack while they shop.
Each Holiday Sale purchase supports local artists and the on-site and outreach programming by the non-profit Community Arts Center.
The Holiday Sale takes place at Community Arts Center, 414 Plush Mill Road in Wallingford, December 1st through 9th, opening daily at 10 a.m. and closing weekends at 5 p.m., weekdays at 8 p.m. There is no admission fee and free parking is available on the premises. For more information or for driving directions, contact the Arts Center at 610-566-1713, or visit www.cacholidaysale.org."
4) Children's Holiday Tea at the Radnor
Dec 2, 2017 | 1:00 AM until 3:00 PM
The Radnor Hotel | 591 E. Lancaster Ave, St. Davids, PA
Cost: $59.95 for 1 child and 1 adult (plus tax and service charge)
"Join The Radnor Hotel for one of two special Holiday Teas in December! You and your child will enjoy a Delicious Afternoon Tea Menu accompanied by a Character Appearance, Craft Activity, Storytelling, Piano Sing-Along, and a take-home Storybook Gift. Ideal for children ages 3-8."
Advanced Ticket Purchase Required
Please call 610-341-3145
http://radnorhotel.com/childrens-tea
5) Santa's Arrival at Suburban Square
Dec 2, 2017 | 11:00 AM until 2:00 PM
Suburban Square | E. Montgomery Ave & Anderson Ave, Ardmore, PA
Cost: Free Admission
"Join in welcoming Santa and Mrs. Claus as they visit Ardmore for one magical afternoon! On Saturday, December 2, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be in Ardmore from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. A day filled with crafts, music, and photos with Santa! Find out more at SuburbanSquare.com."
6) Twilight Tidings at the Tavern
Dec 2, 2017 | 4:00 PM until 7:30 PM
Barnes-Brinton House | 630 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford, PA
Cost: $20 General Admission, $15 for CFHS Members
"Twilight Tidings at the Tavern at the Historic Barns-Brinton House
The Chadds Ford Historical Society introduces a new event for the holiday season, Twilight Tidings at the Tavern, on Saturday, December 2 at the Barns-Brinton House in Chadds Ford.
Celebrate the season with a historic look at the four major holidays of the 18th century winter season: Christmas, New Year’s, Twelfth Night and Candlemas. Similar to the Society’s popular Tavern Talks format, Twilight Tidings at the Tavern will be a 90-minute open house where you can explore the 1714 tavern at your own pace, meeting guides in authentic colonial clothing, learning about holiday celebrations of the 18th century, and enjoying samples of historic holiday foods and complimentary beverages like wassail, mulled wine and punch.
Winter in colonial America gave people a chance to relax and unwind following the harvest and butchering seasons. People often took time to travel and visit friends and relations during the winter months. Unlike the 21st century, the winter calendar of the 18th century was not dominated by the celebration of Christmas. New Year’s and Twelfth Night were often more festive, and raucous, holiday celebrations that may last for days. Twilight Tidings at the Taverns is a unique historic experience in which you’ll participate in the recreation of four distinct 18th century holiday celebrations.
Twilight Tidings at the Tavern is a 21-and-over event at the Barns-Brinton House, 630 Baltimore Pike (U.S. Route 1), Chadds Ford, PA 19317. There are two tour times available: 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm. Tickets are $20 ($15 for CFHS Members), and must be purchased in advance at the Society’s website, www.chaddsfordhistory.org, by phone at 610-388-7376 or in person at the Society’s office. Space is limited, and these tours will sell out. The Society’s office is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, and is located at 1736 N. Creek Rd. in Chadds Ford."
Visit www.chaddsfordhistory.org for additional information and tickets.
7) Sherwood Brothers: A Very Merry Acoustic Christmas At The Ardmore Music Hall
Dec 3, 2017 | 7:00 PM until 11:00 PM
The Ardmore Music Hall | 23 E. Lancaster Ave, Ardmore, PA
Cost: $15 Advance / $20 Day of Show / $35 VIP (Reserved)
"Philly’s best acoustic band, the Sherwood Brothers, invite you to rock out at their inaugural holiday concert at the Ardmore Music Hall. The six-piece country alt-rock band will perform all your Christmas favorites with their unique flavor of “plugged in” acoustic music."
8) Holiday Craft Market: Fresh & Local
Dec 8, 2017 - Dec 10, 2017 | Times Vary
Main Line Art Center | 746 Panmure Rd, Haverford, PA
Cost: Free Admission
"Returning again for another year, the Holiday Craft Market at Main Line Art Center is a 3-day shoppers’ paradise featuring special events, and a carefully curated line-up of unique handmade fine crafts made locally and artisanal goods. The Holiday Craft Market will open with a Kick Off Party on Friday, December 8 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm, and then will remain open and free to the public Saturday, Dec. 9 from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday, Dec. 10 from 10 am to 4 pm."
Image Credit: © Betsy Ann Paper
9) A Sugartown Christmas
Dec 9, 2017 | 11:00AM until 3:00PM
Historic Sugartown | 690 Sugartown Rd, Malvern, PA
Cost: $6 Per Person (children agents 2 and younger are free)
"Bring your family to Historic Sugartown for some holiday fun!
Explore the historic village festively decorated for the season and hear about Victorian Christmas traditions. Sugar up at Sugartown! In our Carriage Museum, kids will get a chance to decorate holiday cookies and gingerbread houses set up to resemble our village! Visitors can also try their hand at making Victorian-style ornaments and Christmas cards.
Visit with Santa at our c. 1805 William Garrett House and see demonstrations in our Book Bindery. Do some holiday shopping at our gift shop to find unique gifts for those on your list. Enjoy holiday treats and hot cocoa!"
10) Skate with Santa
Dec 17, 2017 | 1:00PM until 3:00PM
Philadelphia Skating Club & Humane Society | 220 Holland Avenue, Ardmore, PA
Cost: $10
"Join us for an afternoon of skating with Santa and his elves at the Philadelphia Skating Club & Humane Society in Ardmore. Enjoy holiday music and festivities on and off the ice. The Philadelphia Skating Club is located at 220 Holland Ave, Armore Pa 19003. Admission $10, skate rentals $5. Visit pschs.org for more information."
Popular Holiday Events in Philadelphia
11) Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest.
Nov 24, 2017 - Mar 4, 2018 | Times Vary
Blue Cross RiverRink | 101 South Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: General Admission: Free, Skating Admission: $3.00, Skate Rental: $10.00
"The Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest is a can't-miss winter attraction on the Delaware River Waterfront, featuring ice skating, food and drink, arcade games and more.
Monday - Thursday: 1PM - 11PM
Friday: 1PM - 1AM
Saturday: 11AM - 1AM
Sunday: 11AM - 11PM
*Skating session times vary from operating hours.
12) The Christmas Village in Philadelphia
Nov 23, 2017 - Dec 24, 2017 | Times Vary
LOVE Park | N. 15th Street and Arch Street
Cost: Free Admission
"Philadelphia will once again transform into a European wonderland for the annual Christmas Village, this year being held at the newly renovated LOVE Park.
Modeled after traditional European open-air Christmas markets, Christmas Village in Philadelphia is a daily outdoor holiday market selling all sorts of gift-able items right in the heart of Center City.
The market makes its seasonal debut on Thanksgiving. Shoppers can expect more than 80 vendors set up in dozens of wooden booths and two large tents, all offering a wide range of international holiday gifts, ornaments, jewelry, toys and high-quality arts and crafts."Daily market hours will be Sunday through Thursday 11:00 am to 7:00 pm, and Friday through Saturday 11:00 am to 8:00 pm. Christmas Eve from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.
13) Franklin Square Holiday Festival & Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show
Nov 9, 2017 - Dec 31, 2017 | Every 30 Min weeknights between 4 & 8PM and Friday and Saturday between 4 & 9PM
The Franklin Square | 6th and Race Streets, Philadelphia, PA
Cost: Free Admission
"The Franklin Square Holiday Festival featuring the Electrical Spectacle Light Show makes this park twinkle, with free shows every 30 minutes between 4 and 8 p.m. on weeknights and 4 and 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Among the 50,000 lights set to music are a giant, illuminated kite and key. Festivities include #FranklinSquareFridays; Saturdays with Santa; Seasonal Sounds on Sundays; rides on the holiday train and carousel; treats such as make-you-own s'mores, hot doughnuts, local beer and hot beverages — served in a warming tent or around fire pits in a beer garden; and mini-golf."
