Counting Down the Holi(Days) Across County Lines

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! And everywhere you look, you’ll see towns preparing to help us celebrate the season with those we love.

Local towns have prepared for the holidays with all sorts of activities ranging from horse-drawn carriage rides to a lighted river walk to a giant mushroom drop to ring in the New Year.

So, grab some hot cocoa and read about holiday happenings in Chester County and beyond.

Rockin’ Around Coatesville’s Pavilion of Trees

Coatesville will be buzzing this year, and we don’t mean just the Christmas lights! Get into the holiday spirit during the first weekend in December with three special seasonal events. Starting December 2, visit the Pavilion of Trees and stroll among 30 community-sponsored decorated trees. Then enjoy holiday festivities, including music, food trucks, carolers and the tree-lighting ceremony. On the following Saturday, the fun continues with the Coatesville Christmas Parade, a tradition that’s filled the streets with spectators since the 1950s. ChristmasInCoatesville.com.

Do They Know It’s Christmas (In Downingtown)?

The holiday season is all about traditions, which is why you’ll want to watch the annual Downingtown Good Neighbor Christmas Parade. On December 10 at 3 p.m., local bands, dance groups, scouts and Santa himself will make their way down the 1.7-mile stretch along Lancaster Avenue. This hometown Christmas event is sure to get everyone in the holiday spirit. DTownChristmas.com.

Santa Claus is Coming to … Kennett

And he’s gonna find out why Kennett Square is such a nice place to celebrate the holidays. Thanks to Christmas in Kennett 2022, the town will shine with even more holiday decorations — new lighting, decor and horticultural displays. Be sure to head to the Kennett Square Holiday Village Market on December 3, 4 10 and 11 (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.) at The Creamery (401 Birch St.) for artisan and vintage shopping, ice sculptures, live music, fire pits, Santa Claus and, of course, handcrafted and warming festive drinks and cocktails for adults. More at KennettHolidayMarket.com. And for those visiting “A Longwood Christmas,” park in town and take the shuttle service. Then wrap up the year with a special celebration on New Year’s Eve by watching the brightly lit, 8-foot mushroom drop to close out 2022 and welcome in the New Year. MidnightInTheSquare.com.

Have a Cup of Cheer in Malvern

If you didn’t hear, you can sip a little more than hot chocolate in Malvern this year. At the Sip-n-Shop Stroll on the third Thursday, December 15 (5 to 8 p.m.), shop for gifts on King Street, where stores will be open late with holiday treats and drinks to sample. Although Santa arrived earlier, during the month of December, the holiday tree will be brightly lit in Burke Park. Tip: Join the Malvern Insider’s Text Club for insider-only deals. Malvern.org.

Sleigh Ride Together in Media

Climb inside a life-size snow globe, drink free hot chocolate and ride around the State Street District in a horse-drawn carriage. Find these fun activities every Wednesday between Thanksgiving and Christmas in Media, definitely on the nice list this year. Check out live performances of “Elf Jr.” at the Media Theatre, or hit one of the dozens of local restaurants to relax and unwind with some holiday cheer and a nice warm meal. Ring in 2023 at the annual Ball Drop on New Year’s Eve and mark your calendar for an exciting new ice carving festival in January. VisitMediaPA.com.

Santa Baby, Hurry to Newtown Square

Newtown Square’s holiday festivities start Sunday, December 4 with their Christmas Market (5 to 5:45 p.m.) at St. Albans Circle. Afterwards (5:45 to 7 p.m.), enjoy carolers, hot chocolate, chocolate-covered pretzels and children’s dance performances from the Goddard School, From the Top and Twirl. For the finale, a fleet of firetrucks marks Santa’s arrival for the tree lighting. More at NewtownSquareMag.com.

Burning Bright for the Holidays in Phoenixville

Phoenixville lights up the holidays starting on First Friday, December 2, with their annual tree lighting (6 to 8 pm.). Then the following Saturday is Phoenixville’s Annual Candlelight Holiday Tour (4 to 8 p.m.), starting at the Phoenixville Area Senior Center. Mark your calendars for the Luminaria Shopping Night on December 7 (5 to 8 p.m.) and follow the trail of lights while you shop for special offerings, including holiday sales, goodie bags and free gifts with purchases. Remember to dress warmly Saturday, December 10 to watch the burning of the 25-foot-tall Phoenix at the annual Firebird Festival, a unique and highly anticipated event each year. Free parking every Saturday until December 24 in Lots 1–4. More at PhoenixvilleFirst.org and FirebirdFestival.com.

Wintry Wonderland in Wayne

Ho-ho-hope you visit Wayne this holiday season. The fun begins December 2 and 3 with the Christmas Celebration in Wayne. Friday, enjoy carolers, carriage rides, a tree lighting and Santa’s arrival. Step up that Saturday for the Elves for Shelves 5K Fun Run hosted by the Radnor Memorial Library, starting at 8 a.m., followed by the Santa Parade down Lancaster Avenue. Can’t make the parade? Santa makes another appearance on the veranda of Rosalie restaurant at the Wayne Hotel for pictures with complimentary cookies. Wayne welcomes extended, late-night shopping hours so you can find the perfect gift this holiday season. And Free Parking Saturdays continue to the end of December. For more, visit WayneBusiness.com.

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year … in Wilmington

“Yule” want to make your way to the first annual Wilmington’s Holiday Riverwalk Lightshow, featuring thousands of lights illuminating trees, pavilions and light poles along the Riverfront and highlighting a 1.25-mile stretch from the Riverfront Market to the DuPont Environmental Education Center. From there, make a beeline for the return of Blitzen, a holiday-inspired bar serving up spirits and good cheer, open until December 24. Warm up by their fireplace with a Mrs. Claus’ Chocolate Sauce or a Moose Milk cocktail. For the youngsters, Santa makes an appearance December 10 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Hare Pavilion. The following week, see an ice sculpture demo (December 17), along with musical performances throughout the month and carolers strolling the Riverwalk. More at BlitzenTheBar.com and VisitWilmingtonDE.com.