Get Out of Town: 13 Holiday Events in the Philadelphia Suburbs
Can’t come to Philly this season? There’s plenty of holiday fun in the ‘burbs, too. From light shows to tea parties, you can get your fill of holiday cheer without the messy commute.
Shady Brook Farm’s Holiday Light Show
Don’t miss the Philadelphia region’s most popular light display. Proceeds benefit the National MS Society and other local charities. Now through Sunday, January 4th, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., $20-25 per carload, $30-70 for buses and mini-buses, Shady Brook Farm, 931 Stony Hill Road, Yardley, PA .
New Hope Holidays Tree Light Show
Hear carolers and local community musical groups perform holiday tunes before New Hope’s first nightly light show (with 30,000 lights) of the season. Monday, December 1st, 5 p.m to 9 p.m., free admission, Cannon Square at Ferry Street, New Hope, PA.
Wayne Hotel’s Old Fashioned Christmas
See a tree lighting ceremony on Friday evening with crafts and caroling, or pop by Saturday for a parade complete with a marching band and the chance to eat cookies with Santa on the hotel veranda. Friday, December 5th and Saturday December 6th, free admission, Wayne Hotel, 139 East Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, PA.
Children’s Holiday Tea
A toy soldier welcomes kids to a room of refreshments, holiday crafts, storytelling, and caroling at a special tea service. Saturday, December 6th, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., $59.95 for 1 adult & 1 child, The Radnor Hotel, 591 East Lancaster Avenue, St. Davids, PA.
Peddler’s Village Christmas Festival
Walk along the village decorated for the holidays while shopping, chatting with Santa, and sipping hot cider. Saturday, December 6th and Sunday, December 7th, free admission, Peddler’s Village, Routes 202 & 263, Lahaska, Bucks County, PA.
Holiday Wine Festival
The Bucks County Wine Trail will be decorated for the holiday season, complete with wine tastings, live music, cheese, and shopping discounts. Saturday, December 6th and Sunday, December 7th, various times, locations, and prices. For event information click here.
Narberth Dickens Festival
Downtown Narberth is transformed into 1840’s london with all of Dickens characters roaming the streets and activities for all ages. Sunday, December 7th, noon to 4 p.m., free admission, Forest and Haverford Avenues, Narberth, PA.
Holiday Pops with Sonia Manzano
Emmy-award winner and Sesame Street star Sonia Monzano narrates “Twas the Night Before Christmas” during this holiday concert with the Philharmonic of Southern New Jersey. Sunday, December 7th, 3 p.m., $15-30, Eastern Regional High School, 1401 Laurel Oak Road, Voorhees, NJ.
Annual Outdoor Children’s Live Nativity
This yearly tradition features a live nativity scene with live music, real animals, hot cocoa, and cookies. Friday, December 12th, 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., free admission, First Baptist Church, 124 Kings Highway East, Haddonfield, New Jersey.
Victorian Christmas Open House
Enjoy the porch-front bell choir, a Victorian Santa Claus, candy demonstrations and historians as they bring Christmases past to life. Saturday, December 13th, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., free admission with suggested $2 donation, Pennypacker Mills, 5 Haldeman Road, Schwenksville, PA.
Jane Siberry’s Holiday Hoes and Hosers
Performing with an ensemble, Canadian singer-songwriter Jane Siberry will do holiday songs with a comedic and spoken word overview. Saturday, December 13th, 8 p.m., $25-40, Sellersville Theater, 24, West Temple Avenue, Sellservills, PA.
A Holiday Celebration with Bravo Brass
See the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra‘s Bravo Brass ensemble perform with the Strath Haven High School Chorus for plenty of inspiration for young musicians. Tuesday, December 16th, 7:30 p.m., free admission, Strath Haven High School, 205 S. Providence Road, Wallingford, PA.
Underground Salsa: Meet Me Under the Mistletoe
Salsa experts and beginners alike will enjoy a night of dance lessons and fun thanks to Salsa in the Suburbs. Oh, and it’s BYOB!
Saturday, December 20th, 8 p.m. to midnight, $12 in advance, $15 at the door
Salsa in the Suburbs, 1245 N. Providence Road, Media, PA.
Are there holidays events in the Philadelphia suburbs you’d like to see featured here? Email jmiddleton@phillymag.com with any details.