’Twas the Month That Was Christmas and All Through the Towns …
People are bustling to make joy abound
From the end of November to the start of the New Year, the Brandywine Valley serves up holiday cheer.
Check St. Nicholas’ list — with a little help from County Lines — for what’s nice to see and do this holiday season.
All Through … Phoenixville
Phoenixville lights up on December’s First Friday, December 6, with its annual tree-lighting ceremony, with the next evening for the Candlelight House Tour and Holiday Marketplace at the Senior Center. On December 14, the season burns bright with the ever-popular Firebird Festival. March all through the town with the procession of drums that ends at the bonfire of the 20-foot wooden phoenix. Continue the fun on nights after with the Swingin’ Jazz Nutcracker at the Colonial Theatre on December 11, Downtown Shopping Night on December 18 and merriment galore. TisTheSeasonPXV.com; FireBirdFestival.com
Stockings in Wayne
Don or hang your holiday socks — or get some — at Wayne’s Christmas kick-off on December 6. Enjoy open houses at shops and hot cocoa at eateries. Gather the kids for ornament-making at the Radnor Fire House or board the Christmas Trolley. Count down with 6ABC Action News Sports Anchor Ducis Rodgers to the lighting of the tree at the Wayne Train Station and the firetruck arrival of Santa Claus. Rise early December 7 for the annual Elves for the Shelves Run supporting the Radnor Memorial Library. On December 19, Wine’d Through Wayne while “stocking” up on stuffers, gifts and seasonal cocktails … all filled with holiday spirit.
WayneChristmas.com
Visions of Sugar Plums in Coatesville
Celebrate with favorite hometown floats, music and VIPs — including the big one dressed in red — on December 7 at Coatesville’s Christmas Parade. This year, a few quiet blocks — no sirens — will be chill for folks with special needs. Don’t cry or pout if you miss the event — it’s being televised. Needed: marshals to drive golf carts and shepherd the parade. (Elves are swamped at the North Pole this year.) On December 13, let visions of sugar plums dance in your head at the National Iron & Steel Heritage Museum’s Holiday Open House. Revel in delicious refreshments, brass ensemble carols, a giant decorated tree and grand staircase festooned with garlands. CoatesvilleChristmasParade.com; SteelMuseum.org
Fly Like a Flash to Kennett Square
The magic begins in Kennett Square with Santa, the Holiday Light Parade and tree lighting on November 30. Stroll, dine and shop throughout December along the enchanting Window Walk. Vote for your favorite decorations. On December 7, 8, 14 and 15, the Holiday Village Market at The Creamery hosts artisan vendors, food trucks and family activities. For more glitter, finish last-minute shopping at State Street’s December 19 fair, Tinsel on the Town. Welcome a bright New Year at the end-of-year party, Midnight on the Square. From November’s end to January 12, A Longwood Christmas sparkles unparalleled at the new Longwood Reimagined. KennettCollaborative.org
Wondering Eyes in Downingtown
Watch their eyes shine as holiday activities appear in Kerr Park on November 30. Let face painting, tree lighting and writing letters to Santa — with an opportunity to hand-deliver them — leave you jolly as an elf. On December 14, grab your mittens, coat and cap and head to the Downingtown Good Neighbor Christmas Parade. Laugh and shake like a bowl full of jelly at the dancing, singing and jingling. DTownChristmas.com
They Whistled and Shouted in Media
On December 1, give it up for the man dressed in red and his bundle of toys! Bring a new unwrapped gift for Toys for Tots or contribution for the Media Food Bank when you head to the 2:30 p.m. Block Party on Veterans Square. At 4:15, fly rapid as eagles or stroll in holiday attire at the Fun Run/Walk. At 5 p.m., holiday costume contest winners ride in Santa’s Parade featuring floats, Mummers and St. Nick himself. SantaParade.Media
Now Malvern!
Guide your “deer” ones to Malvern for Christmas on King at noon on November 30. Along with food trucks, shopping and holiday cheer, find ice sculpture carving and face painting, plus visit with the Grinch and Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Continue to Burke Park at 4 p.m. for music, dancing, gingerbread cookie decorating, s’mores station and another sighting of the man with dimples, a nose like a cherry and a beard as white as the snow. Feel the awe at the tree lighting at dark. MalvernBusiness.com
A Sleigh Full of Fun Around Wilmington
From December start to finish, Wilmington packs a bundle of festivities. Celebrate in grand style with gingerbread house decorating — including royal icing and candy bar — and buffet at the Hotel du Pont. See sumptuous holiday decorations all month at the Hagley Museum and an enchanting dollhouse and spectacular trees indoors and out at Yuletide at Winterthur. Delight in “The Nutcracker” by the First State Ballet Theatre from December 14 to 22. Check websites to experience the wonder of Noel at Nemours Estate or board the Holiday Lights Express or Santa Claus Express of the Wilmington & Western Railroad. VisitWilmingtonDE.com
In a Twinkling: West Chester and Nearby
Don’t miss the twinkle of West Chester’s holiday decorations — strings and strands of glowing bistro lights, twinkling garlands and lighted tree. Listen live — Making Spirits Bright Holiday Music — on Saturdays until December 21 at the Historic Courthouse. Bright as Rudolph’s nose, firetruck lights announce a visit from Santa on November 30, December 7 and 21. (See the West Chester article in this issue for more fun.)
In nearby Chadds Ford, “The Polar Express” Read-Aloud Pajama Night, model railroad, hot chocolate and cookies are a “must” at the Brandywine Museum of Art on December 4.
Now dash away, all! A long winter’s nap is overrated anyway …