Ultimate Pa. Christmas: 19 attractions, activities and performances you can't miss this holiday season
Christmas Village will return to Philadelphia's Love Park in 2019. Photo provided by Aversa PR.
By Julia Hatmaker | jhatmaker@pennlive.com
The holidays are upon us and Pennsylvania is the perfect state to explore this season. The Keystone State is filled with seasonal festivities, from Christmas villages to epic light shows to glamorous garden displays. There are plays, ballets and musicals. There are towns to explore and cities to see.
So, let this be your Pennsylvania holiday guide. Here are 19 things to do to have a truly wonderful Christmas. Call it a bucket list... or just a holiday checklist.
Visit a Christmas market
Pennsylvanians have embraced their German ancestry with the abundance of Christmas markets, a tradition from the Old World. These markets are filled with all sorts of goods to give as gifts, from wooden toys to ornate ornaments. They offer multiple food offerings and some even feature live performances! Here are four of the largest (and coolest) in the state, arranged east to west:
Christmas Village in Philadelphia: Located in LOVE Park, this German-style Christmas market offers traditional Deutsch delights and plenty of live entertainment. There are wine and beer tastings, as well as stands selling famous Raclette cheese (a must-try when visiting). There are dozens upon dozens of artisans too, making it a great place to grab a gift for your special someone. The market is open through Dec. 24 and can be found at JFK Plaza at 1500 Arch St. in Philadelphia. When you visit, don't forget to head over to Dilworth Park (just across the street) for the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market featuring local craftsmen and designers -- and a ferris wheel! Learn more about the Christmas Village at philachristmas.com.
Christkindlmarkt: This massive market in Bethlehem has a little something or everyone. There's ice carving, glassblowing, live Christmas music, fire pits and, of course, lots of artisans and vendors aiming to help you buy the perfect gift. The market is open through Dec. 22 and can be found at the SteelStacks, 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem. Learn more at christmascity.org.
Mifflinburg Christkindl Market: The market prides itself on being the oldest authentic Christkindl market in the country. It features live entertainment including puppet shows and a live nativity. You'll also find St. Nick wandering around, a children's section and plenty of gluhwein (warm spiced-wine) to enjoy. The market is free to explore and open Dec. 12-14. In downtown Mifflinburg. Learn more at oldchristkindl.com.
Peoples Gas Holiday Market: Head over to Market Square in Pittsburgh to explore this market filled with lots of little shops in Alpine-style chalets. There's also live entertainment every day. The market is open through Dec. 23. You can learn more about it at peoples-gas.com.
Take a journey to Bethlehem
All wise men head there, right? Bethlehem, Pa. is Christmas City USA and fully embraces the season. The entire town is covered in lights, they have a live advent calendar (trust us, you don't want to miss it), a gazillion putzes (a traditional Moravian Christmas decoration) and there's even a star. Could you ask for anything more?
READ MORE: Bethlehem for Christmas: 7 reasons the Pennsylvania city should be on your holiday bucket list
READ MORE: The perfect hotel for Christmas: Inside the historic and haunted Hotel Bethlehem
Explore the "It's a Wonderful Life" Festival
Head to the hometown of Jimmy Stewart for a festival honoring the iconic movie he starred in. Every weekend in December the town comes alive with Christmas spirit, musical entertainment, holiday decorations and more. The Jimmy Stewart Museum in town will also be screening "It's a Wonderful Life" every day at 1 p.m. The festival runs through Dec. 30 in downtown Indiana. Learn more at wonderfullifefestival.com.
Marvel at holiday garden displays
Glamorous poinsettas and gorgeous Christmas trees await you at Pennsylvania's best gardens. Here's a little more on the holiday garden displays you can find in the state, arranged east to west.
A Longwood Christmas: When it comes to Christmas decorations, it's hard to beat Longwood Gardens. A Longwood Christmas transforms the conservatory into a festive wonderland of crystals, illuminated trees and massive ribbons. Outside there's a choreographed light display, illuminated trees and a tunnel of lights to explore. The display is up through Jan. 5. Longwood Gardens is located at 1001 Longwood Road in Kennett Square. Admission is $30 for adults. Learn more at longwoodgardens.org.
The Christmas Tree Showcase at Hershey Gardens: Stop by Hershey Gardens to observe dozens of decorated trees. In addition to all the Christmas trees, you can also check out the holiday displays at the garden's welcome pavilion and butterfly atrium. Hershey Gardens is located at 170 Hotel Road in Hershey. Admission is $13.50 for adults, $12 for seniors and $9.50 for children. The display is up through Jan. 1. Learn more at hersheygardens.org.
Holiday Magic! Winter Flower Show and Light Garden at Phipps Conservatory: You won't recognize the magnificent Phipps Conservatory during this show, where it's transformed into an illuminated fantasyland with more than ten acres of decorations. There's a floating forest, tree carousel, rainbow glow tree, tunnel of lights and appearances by Santa himself. The display runs through Admission starts at $17.95 for adults. You'll find the conservatory at 1 Schenley Park in Pittsburgh. Learn more at phipps.conservatory.org/holidaymagic.
READ MORE: 11 great Christmas garden displays worth a quick day-trip from Harrisburg
Travel in time with Dickens of a Christmas
The charming town of Wellsboro goes back in time for this special celebration on Dec. 7. Main Street becomes a Victorian marketplace filled with strolling musicians, actors in costume and lots of vendors. There's also a best-dressed Dickens contest. The party starts at 9 a.m. and continues through 5:30 p.m., when the tree is lit. Learn more at wellsboropa.com.
Koziar's Christmas Village in the Lehigh Valley has been a holiday tradition for more than 70 years. Photo provided by Discover Lehigh Valley.
Walk around a Christmas Village
Pennsylvania is home to two famous Christmas villages, both of which celebration old-time traditions. There's Overly's Country Christmas in Westmoreland County and Koziars Christmas Village in Berks. Here's a bit more on each:
Overly's Country Christmas: You'll walk through this illuminated village to see train displays, Santa's workshop, a live nativity scene, a talking Christmas tree (its name is Henny Hemlock) and a bonfire. There are also horse-drawn sleigh and wagon rides available, a sweet shop and live entertainment. It costs $20 per family carload to visit or $4 per person. It's cash only. You'll find Overly's at 116 Blue Ribbon Lane in Greensburg. Learn more at overlys.com.
Koziar's Christmas Village: Millions of lights adorn the buildings of this Christmas town, which has been a local attraction for more than 70 years. You'll find a manger scene, toy shop, Santa's post office, train displays and a kissing bridge. Koziars is open every night through Jan. 1 and costs $10 for children, $12 for adults and $1 for those 65 years old and older. You'll find it at 782 Christmas Village Road in Bernville. Learn more at koziarschristmasvillage.com.
Drive through an epic light show
Want to see lights, but don't fancy getting out of your car? You can enjoy these holiday displays from the comfort of your nice and warm vehicle.
Blair County: Holiday Lights on the Lake transforms Lakemont Park in Altoona into a winter wonderland with more than a million lights, a gift shop and train display. The light show runs through Jan. 5. You'll find it 700 Park Ave. in Altoona. Learn more at lakemontparkfun.com.
Bucks County: Millions of lights await you at Shady Brook Farm, which is famous for its holiday light display. You can explore the show either in your own vehicle or in an open air wagon. Afterwards, head over to farm's market for s'mores. Tickets for the show are $30 per carload and wagon rides are $15 a person. It's open starting at 5 p.m. every night through Jan. 5. You'll find Shady Brook Farm at 931 Stony Hill Road in Yardley. Learn more at shadybrookfarm.com.
Butler County: Shadrack's Christmas Wonderland boasts two miles of LED light displays as well as a Santa's Village you can explore. Admission to the displays is $30 per car or family van. The show runs every night from 6 to 10 p.m. through Jan. 5. You can find it at 1127 New Castle Road in Prospect. Learn more at shadrackchristmas.com.
Dauphin County: Hershey Sweet Lights is a magical drive-through light show experience. The two-mile ride is filled with more than 600 displays. It's open every night through Jan 1. Starting at 5 p.m. Admission is $19.15 per car during the week and $26.15 per car on weekends. You'll find it at 11 Boathouse Road in Hershey. Learn more at hersheypark.com.
Lancaster County: Messick's Holiday Light Show has become an annual tradition in Lancaster County, with the farm equipment store putting on one beautiful show with more than 70,000 Christmas lights all dancing in time to music. 100 percent of the money raised from the show goes to charity. It runs from 6 to 9:30 p.m. everyday through Dec. 30. You can find the show at 187 Merts Drive in Elizabethtown. Learn more at messicks.com. As a note, unlike the other shows on this list, you won't be driving through the experience -- this is a park and watch affair.
Visit Macy's and its spectacular Christmas display in Philadelphia
The old Wanamakers Department Store puts on a big Christmas show every year with its light show, featuring a gigantic illuminated tree and choreographed dancing lights. It's accompanied, on select days, by music from the store's massive organ. Afterwards, head upstairs to the Dickens' Village, where you can walk through the tale of "A Christmas Carol" and meet Santa. The light show and Dickens' Village are open through Dec. 31. Macy's Center City is located at 1300 Market St. in Philadelphia. Learn more at visitmacysusa.com/philadelphia.
Indulge in a holiday libation at a Christmas bar
Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are both rocking several Christmas-themed bars this year, so pick an end of the state to drink at this season. In Philadelphia, you have the soon-to-open Grinches Garage in Port Richmond, the decked out Tinsel in Midtown Village, Bluebird Distilling's Bourbon Lounge at the Shops at Liberty Place in Center City and Miracle at ITV Philly in East Passyunk. In Pittsburgh, hit up the multi-holiday-loving Chrismukkah Galley in East Liberty or Instagram-worthy Jingle Bar (268 Forbes Ave.), Tinsel Town Cocktails at Harris Grill or the Steel City's own Miracle on Liberty -- all in downtown Pittsburgh.
See "The Nutcracker"
This gorgeous ballet tells the story of young Clara and a magical nutcracker soldier that comes to life. You can catch performances of the show by multiple ballet companies in Pennsylvania. Here are three of the most notable:
Pittsburgh: "The Nutcracker" performed by Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre at the Benedum Center, 7th St. and Penn Ave., Pittsburgh. Performances through Dec. 29. Tickets start at $29. Learn more at trustarts.org or by calling 412-456-6666.
Harrisburg/Hershey: "George Balanchine's The Nutcracker" performed by the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet at Whitaker Center for Science and Arts, 222 Market St., Harrisburg. Dec. 14-15. Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased at cpyb.org. Performances accompanied by the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra at the Hershey Theatre, . Dec. 21-22. Tickets start at $34.15 and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com.
Philadelphia: "George Balanchine's The Nutcracker" performed by the Pennsylvania Ballet at the Academy of Music, 240 S. Broad St., Philadelphia. Performances through Dec. 31. Tickets start at $35 and can be purchased at paballet.org.
Get lost in Lumaze
This indoor attraction is filled with numerous light gardens and other lit-up creations. There's even an interactive adventure where you can help Santa save Christmas! As you explore Lumaze you can marvel at the displays, enjoy food and drink, watch live entertainment or just do some Christmas shopping. Santa will be there too, so you can make sure he knows exactly what you want for Christmas. Lumaze is open through Jan. 4. Admission starts at $19.99 for adults. Lumaze is located at 24 32nd St. in Pittsburgh. Learn more at lumazelights.com.
Get inspired at Pittsburgh's Gingerbread House Display
Amateur artists and bakers from around Pittsburgh come together to showcase their gingerbread house making skills in a display that's simply sweet. You'll see hundreds of different gingerbread creations, which will stay on display through Jan. 3. You can see all the gingerbread houses at the grand lobby of the City-County Building (414 Grant St. in PIttsburgh). Learn more at pittsburghpa.gov.
Celebrate the Victorian way with Olde Time Christmas in Jim Thorpe
The historic town of Jim Thorpe goes all out for Christmas, with special weekends featuring horse-drawn carriage rides, Santa visits, live entertainment and lots of special community events. Depending on when you visit, you could find Victorian carolers singing as they stroll throughout the town, a cookies and cocktails tour throughout multiple shops or a special Christmas tree display. Olde Time Christmas is held every weekend through Dec. 22. Learn more at jimthorpe.org
LumiNature at the Philadelphia Zoo is a winter light show like you've never seen before. Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Zoo.
Be amazed at LumiNature at the Philadelphia Zoo
Philadelphia Zoo wasn't messing around when it opted to do a holiday show -- LumiNature is truly amazing. You won't see any actual animals during your time exploring its multiple displays, but you will stumble upon a Christmas tree made up of illuminated flamingos, a field of lit-up penguins and a giant polar bear. There's also live entertainment in the form of strolling performers, many of whom are lit up themselves. Tickets for LumiNature are $25 for adults and $29 for children (ages 2-11). The display continues through Jan. 5. Philadelphia Zoo is located at 3400 W. Girard Ave. in Philadelphia. Learn more at philadelphiazoo.org/luminature.
Visit with Scrooge and Tiny Tim in "A Christmas Carol"
The Charles Dickens story follows Ebeneze Scrooge as he his haunted by three spirits, all dedicated to helping him realize the error of his greedy and cruel ways. There are performances across the state of the show. Here are just a few:
Pittsburgh: "A Musical Christmas Carol" performed by Pittsburgh CLO at Byham Theater, 101 6th St., Pittsburgh. Performances through Dec. 22. Tickets starting at $33. Learn more at trustarts.org or by calling 412-456-6666.
Harrisburg: "A Christmas Carol" at Open Stage of Harrisburg, 25 N. Court St., Harrisburg. Performances through Dec. 29. Tickets starting at $25. Learn more at openstagehbg.com or by calling 717-232-6736.
Philadelphia: "Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol" at Walnut Street Theatre, 825 Walnut St., Philadelphia. Performances through Dec. 22. Tickets starting at $20. Learn more at walnutstreettheatre.org or by calling 215-574-3550.
Philadelphia: "Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol" performed by at Lantern Theater Company at The Proscenium Theatre at The Drake, 302 S. Hicks St., Philadelphia. Performances through Dec. 29. Tickets are $30 for adults, $26 for seniors, $22 for teens and kids. Learn more at lanterntheater.org or by calling 215-829-0395.
For those who don't mind a local twist on the classic, hit up "Yinzer Scrooged: A Pittsburgh Christmas Carol" from Bricolage Production Company (937 Liberty Ave. Pittsburgh). Set in modern-day Pittsburgh, this parody reimagines the characters as Pittsburgh icons. Tickets range are $35 for adults and include a complimentary happy hour before the show. Learn more at bricolagepgh.org.
Santa rides the Parx Liberty Carousel in Franklin Square in Philadelphia as part of the Franklin Square Holiday Festival. Photo by Jeff Fusco for Historic Philadelphia, Inc.
Chill out at Franklin Square's Holiday Festival
The Philadelphia historic square is embracing the seasonal spirit with free alternating fountain light shows going on every 30 minutes, a winter beer garden with outdoor fire pits and sweet shop where you can make your own s'mores. Take a ride on the square's carousel ($3 per ride) or its special holiday train ($5 for adults, $4 children). Even the park's mini golf course is done up for the holidays, so consider showing off your putt putt skills when you visit ($10 adults, $8 children). The festival continues through Dec. 31. Franklin Square is located along Race St. between 7th and 6th streets in Philadelphia. Learn more at historicphiladelphia.org.
Scream with delight at holiday amusement parks
Kennywood and Hersheypark both get in on the holiday action. Here's a little bit more on each:
Christmas Candylane at Hersheypark: The entire theme park is decked out in Christmas glory. You'll be able to ride many of the coasters, visit with Santa and see more than 4 million lights. There's also live entertainment to enjoy and a chance to see a reindeer. It's open through Jan. 1. Tickets start at $30.95. Hersheypark is located at 100 W. Hersheypark Drive in Hershey. Learn more at hersheypark.com.
Kennywood's Holiday Lights: Those near Pittsburgh will enjoy Kennywood's holiday makeover. Enjoy many of the park's rides, see the tallest Christmas tree in the state, hang out with Santa and be wowed by the Kennywood light shows. There's also live entertainment. Kennywood's Holiday Lights runs through Dec. 30. Tickets start at $20.99. Kennywood is located at 4800 Kennywood Boulevard in West Mifflin. Learn more at kennywood.com/holidaylights.
Watch the Comcast Center's Christmas Spectacular
You'll feel like you're soaring above the skyscrapers of Philadelphia thanks to this video spectacle the plays out one of the worlds largest screens. The visual treat includes part of "The Nutcracker" performed by the Pennsylvania Ballet and lots of carols. It plays every hour between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. every day (except for 5 p.m. on weekdays). The Comcast Center is located at 1800 Arch St. in Philadelphia. Learn more at comcastcentercampus.com.
Marvel at "Miracle of Christmas" at Sight and Sound
Pennsylvania is home to one of the largest Christian-focused theaters in the world. Sight and Sound Theatre in Lancaster is massive and is known for its spectacular performances with live animals. Watch the Biblical story of Christmas come to life with real camels and other animals. Performances run through Dec. 28 at Sight and Sound, 300 Hartman Bridge Road, Ronks. Learn at sight-sound.com or by calling 800-377-1277.
That wraps up our list. Did we miss your favorite holiday attraction in Pennsylvania? How do you like to spend the holidays? Let us know in the comments.
Thanks for visiting PennLive. Quality local journalism has never been more important. We need your support. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work.