Pennsylvania's 8 Most Festive Downtowns For The Holidays

If you are already counting down the days until Christmas, you are not alone. With less than two months to go, it is finally acceptable to start playing Christmas music and pulling out your favorite holiday cookie recipes. Luckily, if you live in Pennsylvania, there are some pretty exciting holiday festivities coming up soon as well, many of which will be taking place in some of the state’s adorable small towns. If you want to make the most of the holiday season this year, keep your eye on these eight towns, where Victorian Christmas celebrations, holiday markets, and Christmas-themed train rides will have you feeling festive in no time.

Jim Thorpe

This year, consider celebrating the holidays aboard a train in Jim Thorpe. The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway, which departs from the heart of this Poconos town, offers Santa Claus train rides each holiday season, with Santa and his elves talking to each and every passenger during the ride! Those in town on December 5th can also attend the town’s Tree Lighting Ceremony, complemented by music from the high school marching band, cheerleaders, and chorus.

Throughout the rest of the month, Jim Thorpe's Olde Time Christmas event transforms the town into a Victorian winter wonderland, featuring strolling carolers, carriage rides, and holiday shopping on select dates.

Gettysburg

Gettysburg bursts to life with holiday cheer on the first weekend of December during the annual Gettysburg Christmas Festival. Taking place from December 5th through 7th this year, festivities during the weekend include a tree lighting, a tuba carol fest, a gingerbread celebration, a holiday pop-up market, and much more.

Travelers who stop by town near the end of November may be able to attend Five Christmases at the Shriver House, a holiday-themed event at the Shriver House Museum, featuring the historic home decked out in 1860s Christmas decor! Music lovers, meanwhile, can grab tickets for the Million Dollar Quartet Christmas show, which will take place between December 3rd and 14th at the Gettysburg Majestic Theater.

Doylestown

Doylestown has made a name for itself during the holiday season thanks to its famed Winterfest celebration. This festival is composed of several longstanding traditions, kicking off with the annual Tree Lighting & Santa Parade. Taking place on November 28 this year, the festivity will mark its 111th celebration! Families can also visit Santa’s Cottage on weekends in December, giving children the chance to meet Santa and get their own picture with him.

For a Hanukkah celebration, mark your calendar for December 21st for Hanukkah in the Borough. Activities during this community event include crafts, donuts, treat bags, singing, and raffle prizes, with the temple lying just a nine-minute drive from downtown.

Lititz

If you have ever wanted to make your own wreath, you will have the chance in Lititz this holiday season. On December 7th, the Lancaster Flower Company will be hosting The Famous Wreath Class, where you can decorate your own pre-greened wreath with all kinds of baubles and glitzy decor.

Those in need of holiday gifts can attend the Luther Acres Holiday Bazaar & Pancake Breakfast on November 22nd, featuring over 20 local vendors selling delicious baked goods, crafts, and jewelry. Sing to your heart’s content a couple of weeks later at the Annual Community Christmas Carol Sing, a free event organized by the Lititz Historical Foundation on December 11th.

Lewisburg

Between its holiday markets and shops, Lewisburg is a wonderful town to add to your itinerary if you want to spend a weekend gift shopping. Each year, on the first Saturday of December, the Lewisburg Farmers Market hosts the LFM Holiday Gift and Craft Show, offering you the chance to find the perfect artisan gift while enjoying live music and savoring delicious food.

There are also some great candy shops in town for those with a sweet tooth, such as Purity Candy, which sells decadent chocolates, truffles, brittles, barks, and more. The city also typically holds a tree lighting ceremony near the end of November or the beginning of December, taking place at Hufnagle Park.

West Chester

West Chester, a borough in the Philadelphia Metropolitan Area, offers a variety of holiday activities throughout November and December in its downtown area. Between November 22 and December 13, the borough is hosting a holiday window decorating contest, encouraging downtown shops to decorate their storefronts for the season.

For some Christmas caroling with a Victorian twist, check out a caroling performance put on by the West Chester Borough Balladeer Carolers, taking place every Friday and Saturday from November 28th through December 20th. On December 13th, visitors can drop by the Christkindlmarkt, featuring over 100 vendor booths, photo opportunities with Santa and the Grinch, and live music.

Wellsboro

Fans of Charles Dickens and A Christmas Carol will definitely want to plan a visit to Wellsboro in December during its iconic Dickens of a Christmas celebration. On December 6th, during the festival, the downtown district is transformed into a Victorian atmosphere, complete with a Victorian marketplace, strolling carolers, and performances by the Wellsboro Men’s and Women’s Choruses.

Shortly after, between December 11th and 14th, downtown is decked out once again for the Christmas on Main Street event, featuring a weekend of holiday activities like ornament displays and holiday shopping. If the weather feels a bit blustery during the festivities, consider popping into one of the nearby warm coffee shops, such as Arise Cafe, where you can enjoy a hot coffee, tea, or pastry.

New Hope

If you couldn’t get enough of the holiday cheer on Jim Thorpe’s Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway, you are in luck: New Hope offers another railway with festive, holiday-themed excursions! Travelers can hop aboard the New Hope Railroad between November 15th and December 30th this year for the North Pole Express ride. While aboard, passengers can enjoy sipping hot chocolate, eating a chocolate chip cookie, and listening to Christmas carols that are sure to put them in the festive spirit.

Visitors can also consider planning their visit for the weekend of December 7th, when the New Hope Holiday Parade takes place, a completely free event for both residents and visitors. The whole family can also attend Elf: The Musical, presented at the Bucks County Playhouse from November 21st to January 4th.

Don’t let the holidays creep up on you this year. Now is the perfect time to begin planning your holiday fun, and these eight towns will help you to do so. Not only do they have some fantastic tree lighting ceremonies and parades, but many of them also have a great lineup of Christmas caroling and performances to get you ready for the holidays. It’s beginning to look like these holidays are going to be the best ones yet!