{"id":36195,"date":"2024-11-30T10:02:17","date_gmt":"2024-11-30T15:02:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/?p=36195"},"modified":"2024-11-30T10:02:19","modified_gmt":"2024-11-30T15:02:19","slug":"what-to-do-holiday-celebrations-kick-into-high-gear","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/?p=36195","title":{"rendered":"What To Do: Holiday celebrations kick into high gear"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"elementToProof\"><strong>By Denny Dyroff<\/strong>, <em>Entertainment Editor, The Times\u00a0<\/em><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-20111\" src=\"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/lg-penn-med-holiday-logo.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"265\" height=\"300\" \/>Thanksgiving has passed and Halloween 2024 is ancient history. That that means the Christmas season is in full swing \u2013 the all-encompassing holiday season with Christmas carols providing the audio background and an endless barrage of Christmas sales and ads in full assault mode.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Fortunately, there are many non-commercial holiday activities celebrating Christmas along with Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Winter Solstice.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\u201cChester County Hospital Lights Up Holiday Weekends in West Chester\u201d (<a href=\"http:\/\/greaterwestchester.com\/events\/featured-events\/holiday-weekends-west-chester\">greaterwestchester.com\/events\/featured-events\/holiday-weekends-west-chester<\/a>) will begin on November 29 and run through January 1.<\/div>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Transformed into a winter wonderland, the streets of historic West Chester are bathed in the glow of thousands of holiday lights every evening in November and December. Each weekend features holiday festivities, shopping and dining.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>On Saturdays from 2-3 p.m., the \u201cMaking Spirits Bright Holiday Music Series\u201d will feature local choirs and performances singing favorite holidays songs every Saturday on the steps of the historic courthouse on High Street. The schedule features The Uptown Singers on November 30, Bishop Shanahan Liturgical Choir on December 7, West Chester Music Academy and Jazz Mavericks on December14 and St. Agnes Choirs on December 21.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Dressed in Victorian attire, The West Chester Borough Balladeer Carolers will roam around downtown West Chester and perform throughout the holiday season.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Performance dates are November 29 and 30 and December 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"elementToProof\">\n<div id=\"attachment_20112\" style=\"width: 360px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20112\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-20112\" src=\"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/santa-on-firetruck_orig-350x243.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"243\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-20112\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Santa on The Fire Truck<\/p><\/div>\n<p>On November 30 and December 7 and 21, it will be time for \u201cSanta on The Fire Truck.\u201d<b>\u00a0<\/b>Santa will be escorted through the streets of downtown West Chester by the First West Chester Fire Company.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The fabulous holiday light display \u201cWest Chester Griswolds\u201d (304 Dutton Mill Rd, West Chester, <a id=\"OWA0d780841-0c41-b9ad-1db7-91b0b0c4287c\" class=\"OWAAutoLink\" href=\"http:\/\/www.westchestergriswolds.com\/\">www.westchestergriswolds.com<\/a>) opened on Thanksgiving night and will run through January 2.<\/div>\n<div>The 2024 display has over 140,000 lights and 800 smart pixels. \u00a0Of which 99% are LED. \u00a0The display is completely computer controlled.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The singing light bulbs will sing all throughout the night.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-20113\" src=\"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/2024-Tree-Lighting-page-1-231x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"231\" height=\"300\" \/>Downingtown Good Neighbor Christmas will hold its annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 30\u00a0at 6 p.m.\u00a0 The event takes place in Kerr Park at the Log House field below the Christmas Tree.<\/div>\n<div>There will be holiday music provided at the concert gazebo, a face painter, small crafts and games for the kids, along with cookies and hot chocolate.\u00a0 Of course, the evening would not be complete without Santa arriving by firetruck at 6:45 p.m. to help light the Christmas Tree!<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Downingtown Good Neighbor Christmas will feature a 20-foot artificial lighted Giant Everest Christmas Tree with a three-foot lighted star on top.\u00a0 The tree, which is professionally decorated, sits next to the Log House on Lancaster Avenue and at the entrance to Kerr Park.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The annual Downingtown Christmas Parade will be held on December 14\u00a0at 3 p.m. \u00a0The parade will feature marching bands, floats, walking and marching groups, and the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus to end the parade.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The \u201cKennett Square Holiday Light Parade\u201d will be held on November 30.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\n<div id=\"attachment_20114\" style=\"width: 360px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20114\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-20114\" src=\"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/Kennett-Square-Holiday-Light-Parade-350x181.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"350\" height=\"181\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-20114\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Kennett Square Holiday Light Parade<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The \u201cHoliday Light Parade,\u201d which has been a popular southern Chester County event for more than a decade, has been moved to the Saturday after Thanksgiving.<\/p><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The \u201cHoliday Light Parade,\u201d which starts at 7 p.m., features music, dance, community groups, and an assortment of vehicles &#8212; including classic cars, tractors, wagons, fire engines, and school buses &#8212; all decked with lights.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The Holiday Light Parade will follow a\u00a0new route\u00a0this year, starting at the intersection of South Broad and West Cypress, then heading north on the 100 block of South Broad Street and\u00a0traveling\u00a0west\u00a0along State Street to Mill Road.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Free parking will be available at the garage from 10 a.m. until 11 p.m., compliments of Longwood Gardens &amp; Kennett Collaborative.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Media\u2019s \u201cSanta\u2019s Parade\u201d (<a id=\"OWAc7555e6b-440f-e10a-5db1-a1c8e6f92fd4\" class=\"OWAAutoLink\" href=\"http:\/\/www.santaparade.media\/\">http:\/\/www.santaparade.media\/<\/a>) is scheduled for December 1 at 5 p.m.<\/div>\n<div>This annual free\u00a0parade\u00a0through the streets of Media features Santa (of course) along with fire engines, classic cars, musicians, dancers, drummers and Mummers.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The four-mile parade route\u00a0starts on East State Street and Monroe Street in downtown Media.<\/div>\n<div>There will also be a Block Party from 2:30-5 p.m. and a Fun Run\/Walk at 4:15 p.m.<\/div>\n<div>The annual staging of \u201cHolidays at Hagley\u201d is an event that is always one of the most eagerly anticipated holiday attractions in this area every year.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The popular Brandywine Valley exhibit, which is included with regular admission, is running now through January 1 at Hagley Museum and Library (Route 141, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-658-2400, <a id=\"OWA23e51c38-5471-e428-6bf5-98ba11474ec5\" class=\"OWAAutoLink\" href=\"http:\/\/www.hagley.org\/\">www.hagley.org<\/a>).<\/div>\n<div>\u201cHolidays at Hagley\u201d returns with the theme, \u201cWhite ChristmasTreasures and Traditions,&#8221; and will feature Holiday Home and Garden Tours, the sixth-annual Gingerbread House Contest, Santa Day, Holiday Nights Tours, and more.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>This year\u2019s edition of \u201cHolidays at Hagley\u201d features tours of Eleutherian Mills, which is the first du Pont family home built in America. The tours, which will be presented each day from 10a.m.-4:30 p.m., feature decorations in a combination of styles from both the 19th and 20th centuries.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>During the Victorian years when candle-lit tabletop Christmas trees were the norm, hand-made gifts were attached to tree branches, and winter scenes were displayed underneath the tree. The upstairs Victorian Library shows how magical that looked with its mid- to late-nineteenth-century toys, games and dolls. The upstairs Parlor features a case filled with small ceramic animals well-loved by some of the du Pont family children.<\/div>\n<div>Early du Pont family French holiday traditions are remembered with a display of gifts that were given to E. I. du Pont\u2019s children on New Year\u2019s Day as well as the Twelfth Night party illustrated by the ornate French dessert service in the Dining Room.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Well-loved displays returning include the elaborate Twelfth Night celebration in the dining room and the Victorian library\u2019s Christmas for children with its table-top tree surrounded by toys and games. Of course, there will be warm glowing lights and poinsettias.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Admission is $20 for adults, $16 for seniors and students and $10 for children (ages 6-14).<\/div>\n<div>One of the best holiday events in the area is the annual \u201cYuletide at Winterthur.\u201d This year\u2019s 41st\u00a0annual staging of the event, which runs through January 7 at Winterthur Museum, Garden &amp; Library (Route 52, Wilmington, Delaware, <a id=\"OWAf31ac2a0-e85e-d9ce-c6b4-c3e813d5ba56\" class=\"OWAAutoLink\" href=\"http:\/\/www.winterthur.org\/\">www.winterthur.org<\/a>).<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Visitors can revel in the beauty and warmth of the holidays and explore treasures of Christmases past with displays of holiday traditions from the 1800s to the early 20th century, including displays of: the earliest types of colorful lights decorating house exteriors; the du Pont family holiday celebrations; and the evolution of Christmas trees over the decades from the 1880s to 1960s.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>A new feature is a Christmas tree covered in lime green, electric orange, and shocking pink silk-screens &#8212; images depicting items found in the room.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\u201cPop! Goes the Collection\u201d by Mack Truax and Bob Trent is one of seven holiday trees inspired by the current\u00a0 exhibit,\u00a0 \u201cTransformations: Contemporary Artists at Winterthur,\u201d highlighting the museum\u2019s Maker-Creator Fellows.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The current exhibit features the work of more than 30 nationally recognized contemporary artists inspired by Winterthur\u2019s collections, grounds, and history.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>One of visitors\u2019 favorites every year is the 18-room dollhouse mansion created by designer and philanthropist Nancy McDaniel over a period of 30 ears. It features amazing intricate details in each room and is even decorated for the holidays.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>As always, the rooms will be enhanced with the floral displays so essential to du Pont\u2019s decorating, and with special Christmas trees inspired by the beauty of Winterthur\u2019s gardens &#8212; including the\u00a0popular Dried Flower Tree in the Conservatory.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Returning this year is a toy train display, featuring Standard Gauge toy trains. The display is presented by the Standard Gauge Module Association, whose members will construct the display at Winterthur. The display is open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, and 5-8 p.m. on Wednesday evenings in December.<\/div>\n<div>Special holiday programs throughout the season include\u00a0\u201c<a id=\"OWA88ea67cf-3335-f5d7-9180-83fd5c8151e1\" class=\"OWAAutoLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.winterthur.org\/calendar\/wonderful-wednesdays\/2021-12-01\/\">Wonderful Wednesdays<\/a>\u201d\u00a0in December,\u00a0evening\u00a0events featuring live\u00a0jazz performances, caroling,\u00a0and workshops. In addition to the Wednesday evening festivities, visitors can enjoy a <a id=\"OWA9464be44-0853-d2dc-aadb-2ddaa2a051bf\" class=\"OWAAutoLink\" href=\"https:\/\/www.winterthur.org\/calendar\/a-christmas-carol-live\/2021-12-08\/\">live one-man performance of\u00a0\u201cA Christmas Carol<\/a>\u201d\u00a0by\u00a0Gerald Charles Dickens, the great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens,\u00a0wine and cocktail tastings,\u00a0and family events\u00a0with\u00a0Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Timed Yuletide Tour reservations are required.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>There will be a special \u201cCandlelight Concert\u201d at Winterthur on December 14 from 6-7 p.m. Surrounded by hundreds of candles, OperaDelaware will perform seasonal classics such as \u201cOh Holy Night\u201d and \u201cWhite Christmas,\u201d as well as popular\u00a0standards such as \u201cStrangers in the Night\u201d and \u201cSome Enchanted Evening.\u201d<\/div>\n<div>Admission to Winterthur is $22 for adults, $20 for seniors and students and $8 for children.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center (100 Station Ave., Oaks, 484-754-3976, <a id=\"OWA4a6dc9e5-c721-9233-9b28-81ffa1819964\" class=\"OWAAutoLink\" href=\"http:\/\/www.phillyexpocenter.com\/\">http:\/\/www.phillyexpocenter.com<\/a>) is hosting one of its most popular events this weekend.<\/div>\n<div>If you\u2019re a music fan that is looking for hard-to-find collectibles such as out-of-print CDs, rare 45s, vintage music posters or albums that have been deleted from record company catalogs years ago, you don\u2019t have to rely on online auction sites. There is an alternative.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>That alternative is the annual \u201cNot Just\u2019 Rock Record Expo\u201d which is celebrating its 38th anniversary this year. The event will take place on November 29 and 30 at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center.<\/div>\n<div>There will also be a variety of autograph guests including Vinny Martell from Vanilla Fudge.<\/div>\n<div>Tickets for the special holiday weekend event are $5 for either day. Show hours are from noon-6 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Chaddsford Winery (Route 1, Chadds Ford, 610-388-6221, <a id=\"OWAd42853dd-7992-1bdf-955d-27f5669d204f\" class=\"OWAAutoLink\" href=\"http:\/\/www.chaddsford.com\/\">www.chaddsford.com<\/a>) is presenting \u201cReserve Tastings &#8211; Festive Faves\u201d on select Saturdays and Sundays in December.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Guests will join the CFW Crew for an intimate and educational 60-minute experience in the Barrel Room.\u00a0The trained staff will guide them through a pre-selected tasting of five widely diverse and award-winning wines from across our portfolio. The selections will be paired alongside seasonal local cheeses and other accoutrements to enhance your tasting experience.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The staff will also discuss topics such as grape growing conditions at our partner vineyards and the onsite winemaking process from production to aging and bottling.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The following is the 2024 Pairing Line Up \u2013 Greeting Wine &#8211; Sparkling White; 2022 Chardonnay with Birchrun Hills Farm&#8217;s Little Chardy Cheese; 2023 Presage: Epilogue with Farm at Doe Run&#8217;s Seven Sisters Cheese and Small Batch Kitchen&#8217;s Peach Ginger Spread; 2021 Cabernet Franc with Birchrun Hills Farm&#8217;s Red Cat Cheese; and 2021 Only In Dreams with \u00c9clat&#8217;s Porcini and Thyme Parallel Bar.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The holiday season at Herr\u2019s Snack Food Factory (20 Herr Drive,\u00a0Nottingham, 610-932-9330, <a id=\"OWA04a29449-39c8-c77f-f92a-dca3d59a112c\" class=\"OWAAutoLink\" title=\"Protected by Outlook: http:\/\/www.herrs.com\/. Click or tap to follow the link.\" href=\"http:\/\/www.herrs.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">www.herrs.com<\/a>) has arrived. The area around the factory site will be illuminated with thousands of lights and holiday displays.<\/div>\n<div>Herr\u2019s \u201cHoliday Light Display,\u201d which is free and open to the public, will be open nightly now through January 5.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Visitors to the site will be able to drive along a trail that is illuminated with more than 620,000 lights.<\/div>\n<div>The special light exhibit will be open daily from dusk to dawn.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The Brandywine Museum of Art Route 1, Chadds Ford 610-388-2700, <a id=\"OWAd4d895a7-9f16-6fa7-3ca0-9dc0192047ef\" class=\"OWAAutoLink\" href=\"http:\/\/www.brandywinemuseum.org\/\">www.brandywinemuseum.org<\/a>) is celebrating the 52nd anniversary of the Brandywine Railroad holiday train display now through January 8.<\/div>\n<div>A holiday favorite since 1972, the Brandywine Railroad features trains running on 2,000 feet of track and contains more than 1,000 pieces, including locomotives, passenger and freight trains, and trolleys that pass through a small village, a farm, factories, a drive-in movie theater and even a carnival.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>A dazzling array of both toy and scale model trains can be seen chugging through the varied scenery, including those made by Lionel, Williams, Atlas, Mike\u2019s Train House, K-line and others.\u00a0Interactive components are also incorporated into the display\u00a0to allow for further engagement.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The Brandywine Railroad holiday train display is included in the cost of general admission.<\/div>\n<div>One of the most elaborate model train layouts in the Delaware Valley can be found at the Morris Arboretum (100 Northwestern Avenue, Chestnut Hill, 215-247-5777, <a id=\"OWAe1b16413-44d1-03ef-e261-7542a4f005f0\" class=\"OWAAutoLink\" href=\"http:\/\/www.morrisarboretum.org\/\">http:\/\/www.morrisarboretum.org<\/a>). The popular Garden Railway Display that has become a summer fixture at The Gardens at Morris Arboretum returns again for a special holiday display.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The display, which is open to the public now through December 30 in the winter garden of the Morris Arboretum, has a quarter mile of track featuring seven loops and tunnels with 15 different rail lines and two cable cars, nine bridges (including a trestle bridge you can walk under) and bustling model trains.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The buildings and the display are all made of natural materials &#8212; bark, leaves, twigs, hollow logs, mosses, acorns, dried flowers, seeds and stones &#8212; to form a perfectly proportioned miniature landscape complete with miniature rivers. Philadelphia-area landmarks are all meticulously decorated for the holidays with lights that twinkle.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Admission to the Morris Arboretum is $20 for adults, $18 for seniors (65 and older) and $10 for students and military.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>A popular Christmas activity every year is taking a train ride with Santa Claus. Fortunately, there are quite a few very good options in our area.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>One of the best train rides with Santa Claus is the one presented by the West Chester Railroad (Market Street Station, West Chester, <a id=\"OWA93e95e67-3684-b413-1e2e-f468ad645b8a\" class=\"OWAAutoLink\" href=\"http:\/\/www.wcrailroad.com\/\">www.wcrailroad.com<\/a>).<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The special \u201cSanta\u2019s Express\u201d trains (which feature heated cars decorated for the holidays) will run on November 29 and 30 and December 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The 75-minute journey on the trail line\u2019s heated decorated train travels through Chester Creek Valley. Santa Claus will be greeting everyone at Market Street Station and then going along for the ride to Glen Mills.<\/div>\n<div>Adult fare for the West Chester Railroad trips is $40. Tickets for children (ages 2-12) are $30 while toddlers (ages 9-23 months) get to ride for $15.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The Wilmington &amp; Western Railroad (2201 Newport Gap Pike, Wilmington, Delaware, 302-998-193, <a id=\"OWA94250878-0974-6bf8-42ca-bd400d128d5b\" class=\"OWAAutoLink\" href=\"http:\/\/www.wwrr.com\/\">www.wwrr.com<\/a>) will run its \u201cSanta Claus Express\u201d on Saturdays and Sundays between Thanksgiving and Christmas.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Santa and Mrs. Claus will be riding along with passengers on the steam-powered 90-minute round trip to Ashland Station. They will be greeting everyone on board and offering chocolate treats to the youngsters. Santa will also be posing for pictures with his fans.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Steam locomotion will return to the Wilmington &amp; Western for its annual <a id=\"OWA87e447b2-65c3-8082-f31a-a5b760497ee5\" class=\"OWAAutoLink\" href=\"http:\/\/www.wwrr.com\/events\/santa.aspx\">Santa Claus Express. The rail line\u2019s <\/a>0-6-0 switcher No. 58 has returned to service after a multi-year restoration and will power Santa\u2019s train through the Red Clay Valley this season.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Tickets for these trains, which run now through December 23, are $27 for adults, $26 for senior citizens and $25 for children.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The tourist rail line will also be running special \u201cHoliday Night Express Trains,\u201d featuring a peaceful evening ride in the railroad\u2019s 1929 Doodlebug rail car. Tickets for these trains, which are running now through December 30, are $19 for adults, $18 for senior citizens and $17 for children.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The Strasburg Rail Road (Route 741, Strasburg, 717-687-7522, <a id=\"OWA7b002306-98c3-0432-61b4-59b95c1be675\" class=\"OWAAutoLink\" href=\"http:\/\/www.strasburgrailroad.com\/\">www.strasburgrailroad.com<\/a>) is running its \u201cSanta\u2019s Paradise Express\u201d now through December 24. Santa will be the featured guest on each ride from Strasburg to Paradise and back.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The rotund guy in the red suit will be greeting passengers, shaking hands, posing for photos and giving a treat to each child. After the train ride, children are treated to storybook readings of holiday classics. Visitors of all ages can also enjoy a ride aboard the Tinsel Trolley, a self-propelled motor car.<\/div>\n<div>Tickets start at $29.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Other \u201cChristmas Experiences\u201d offered by the rail line are \u201cSanta Claus Limited,\u201d \u201cNight Before Christmas,\u201d and \u201cBreakfast or Dinner with Mrs. Claus.\u201d<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The New Hope Railroad (32 Bridge Street, New Hope, <a id=\"OWAd6c318d6-f5ff-b516-60fc-2b8a0bd6d000\" class=\"OWAAutoLink\" href=\"http:\/\/www.newhoperailroad.com\/\">www.newhoperailroad.com<\/a>) is running its \u201cSanta\u2019s North Pole Express Train &#8212; The Magical Journey Begins Here\u201d now through December 30.<\/div>\n<div>Riders can join Santa and Mrs. Claus as they depart New Hope Station for a train ride through the historic Bucks County countryside on the way to the North Pole.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The journey begins when the Conductor calls \u201cAll Aboard!\u201d<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Passengers will experience the sounds and tastes of the holiday season as they sing along with roaming musicians playing Christmas carols, sip warm cocoa and enjoy a freshly baked cookie.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Each child will receive his or her own sleigh bell gift from Santa himself.\u00a0Children and adults alike are encouraged to indulge in the season\u2019s spirit by wearing pajamas and settling in for a relaxing ride with family and friends aboard the festive railway cars adorned with holiday decorations.<\/div>\n<div>Ticket prices start at $66.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The Northern Central Railway (2 West Main Street, New Freedom, <a id=\"OWA72569735-ce48-3483-63bc-c0cb6b5f2541\" class=\"OWAAutoLink\" href=\"http:\/\/www.northerncentralrailway.com\/\">www.northerncentralrailway.com<\/a>)\u00a0 is running its \u201cSanta Express Train\u201d excursions now through December 22.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>On a 45-minute train ride to Glen Rock, passengers can listen to Christmas music while enjoying the scenery of southern York County and Heritage Rail Trail County Park. And Santa Claus to appear with a special gift for each child.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>After the ride, passengers can visit the NCR Engine House for a mini-Winter Wonderland, for magic-filled family photo ops and complimentary hot chocolate and a cookie.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Tickets are $39.99 for adults and $26.99 for children.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad (Reading Outer Station, Reading, <a id=\"OWA9a1a26ee-bed7-2182-febb-d8b0545ab496\" class=\"OWAAutoLink\" href=\"http:\/\/www.rbmnrr-passenger.com\/\">www.rbmnrr-passenger.com<\/a>) is running its 2024 \u201cSanta Claus Special\u201d Excursions from a variety of locations &#8212; Tunkhannock, Tamaqua, Minersville and Reading.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Santa Claus will be visiting with each of the children and there will be live holiday music performed throughout the ride.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Tickets start at $20.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The Colebrookdale Railroad (South Washington Street, Boyertown, <a id=\"OWA5796a755-f5e6-571e-a113-6541097eab6e\" class=\"OWAAutoLink\" href=\"http:\/\/www.colebrookdalerailroad.com\/\">www.colebrookdalerailroad.com<\/a>)\u00a0 is running its \u201cSanta\u2019s Polar Bear Express\u201d now through December 23.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Kids can join Santa on a magical adventure into \u201cChristmas Past\u201d on an exciting train journey. They will be able to sip complimentary hot cocoa or enjoy Christmas cookies and, on some trains,\u00a0sing favorite carols as the Secret Valley passes by the window. Santa will bring a gift for every child, and every child has an opportunity to give their Christmas letter to him.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The rail line also is running \u201c\u2019Twas the Night Before Christmas\u201d excursions now through December 23.<\/div>\n<div>These special evening trains bring the storybook magic of the season to life. Kids are invited to wear pajamas and sip complimentary hot cocoa as the train crew reads \u201c&#8217;Twas the Night Before Christmas.\u201d<\/div>\n<div>Ticket prices start at $40.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>LEGOLAND Discovery Center Philadelphia (500 W Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting, <a id=\"OWAf6850fee-e236-e500-8a46-8fcb98fc8754\" class=\"OWAAutoLink\" title=\"Protected by Outlook: https:\/\/philadelphia.legolanddiscoverycenter.com\/. Click or tap to follow the link.\" href=\"https:\/\/philadelphia.legolanddiscoverycenter.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">H<\/a><a id=\"OWAf6850fee-e236-e500-8a46-8fcb98fc8754\" class=\"OWAAutoLink\" title=\"Protected by Outlook: https:\/\/philadelphia.legolanddiscoverycenter.com\/. Click or tap to follow the link.\" href=\"https:\/\/philadelphia.legolanddiscoverycenter.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ttps:\/\/philadelphia.legolanddiscoverycenter.com\/<\/a>) is presenting \u201cHoliday Bricktacular!\u201d now through January 1.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Participants can create their own LEGO ornament and display it in on the LEGO tree and check out all the holiday scenes in the Winter Wonderland in Miniland Philadelphia.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>As an added attraction, LEGO Santa will be visiting from the LEGO North Pole.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Ticket prices start at $26.99.<\/div>\n<div>Three historic sites in Montgomery County have their own holiday celebrations.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Pennypacker Mills (3 Haldeman Road, Perkiomenville, 610- 287-9349, <a id=\"OWA54d48232-5375-5d37-a562-9f3b1e5a6838\" class=\"OWAAutoLink\" href=\"http:\/\/www.historicsites.montcopa.org\/\">www.historicsites.montcopa.org<\/a>) is hosting \u201cVictorian Holiday Tours\u201d now through January 5 while \u201cTwelfth Night Tours\u201d at Pottsgrove Manor\u201d (100 West King Street, Pottstown, 610-326-4014, <a id=\"OWAbde36603-2ff3-8b66-3a45-8fd30860a4ef\" class=\"OWAAutoLink\" href=\"http:\/\/www.historicsites.montcopa.org\/\">www.historicsites.montcopa.org<\/a>) will be held now through January 5.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>For the next five weeks, Pennypacker Mills will offer free tours of the 18-century mansion used by General George Washington as temporary headquarters during the Revolutionary War. The home will be decorated for an old-fashioned Victorian Christmas and will feature the warm glow of oil lamps, festive decorations, and a candy-making demonstration.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>The event at Pottsgrove Manor features an event based on history.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Visitors can witness the transformation of Pottsgrove\u00a0Manor for the yuletide season and the traditions of an 18th-century Twelfth\u00a0Night party. Twelfth Night marked the\u00a0end of the Christmastide season,\u00a0celebrated on Epiphany.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Guided tours of\u00a0the manor explore all aspects of the\u00a0festivities, from the intense preparations\u00a0to the differences between the way elite families like the\u00a0Potts and their household staff experienced the season.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>\u201cChristmas in the Colonies\u201d will be presented on November 30 at Graeme Park (859 County Line Road, Horsham, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.graemepark.org\/\">www.graemepark.org<\/a>).<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Christmas in the colonies was celebrated differently, and sometimes not at all, by each ethnic group who settled here, bringing traditions from their homeland. Graeme Park was home to the Scottish Keith and Graeme families, Irish and German servants, enslaved workers, and later the Quaker Penroses.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>As you tour the rooms of the Keith House, costumed actors will present these different traditions to you \u2013 some you will recognize in our modern-day celebrations or maybe you\u2019ll discover something new to incorporate into your own traditions.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Part of the tour will also feature the Tapestry Historic Dance Ensemble performing traditional parlor dances, Noah Lewis playing Ned Hector and telling you about the life of a free black soldier, and Santa will be on the grounds for selfies with the kids. Cookies, hot chocolate, and adult libations will be available.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div>Tours are on November 25 at 3:30, 4, 4:30, and 5 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for children (ages 6-12).<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Denny Dyroff, Entertainment Editor, The Times\u00a0 Thanksgiving has passed and Halloween 2024 is ancient history. That that means the Christmas season is in full swing \u2013 the all-encompassing holiday season with Christmas carols providing the audio background and an endless barrage of Christmas sales and ads in full assault mode. Fortunately, there are many [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":36191,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[11713,3912,12785,12786],"class_list":["post-36195","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community","tag-chester-county-hospital-lights-up-holiday-weekends-in-west-chester","tag-featured","tag-kennett-square-holiday-light-parade","tag-santa-on-a-firetruck"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36195","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=36195"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36195\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":36196,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36195\/revisions\/36196"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/36191"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=36195"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=36195"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/coatesvilletimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=36195"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}