If you can believe it, Thanksgiving is less than a week away! I hope you’re feeling prepared – if you need some last minute tips, definitely check out my posts from earlier this season on Thanksgiving hacks, decorating for fall, and killer chocolate chip cookies, to help make your Thanksgiving easy and fun for you and everyone else.
Of course, Thanksgiving being right around the corner also means the holiday season is truly about to begin, and with it more Main Line holiday activities than I can count – or than anyone could hope to undertake in one season. There’s truly something for everyone, and while the choices can be overwhelming, I’m hoping to make it a bit easier by highlighting the ones I think sound the most fun, and posting about them both here and on my Events Calendar.
Of course, there are some Main Line holiday activities that will be going on throughout the entire holiday season, and if I try to post the whole range of dates on my calendar they would eat up the whole thing – so I’m going to fill you in on those right here in this post!
These kinds of events are the best, especially for those with unpredictable lives or who don’t like to schedule things – you can just decide you want to go eventually now, and work out the when a little later, whenever it’s convenient for you. There are performances, villages, historic displays, and more – like I said, really something for everyone!
Be sure to check back later in the month, too, because I’m definitely going to be highlighting some more limited activities, as well as the best places to go to get a Christmas tree!
Can’t wait that long? Check out this list of Main Line holiday activities right now, and get a jump on your research!
Hershey Park Christmas Candylane
Looking for something extra sweet this holiday season? Head out to Hershey Park in Hershey, PA from now until New Year’s Day to sample everything they have to offer. From sweet treats to spectacular lights to their adrenaline-pumping rides, they have something to offer everyone – even Santa and his reindeer! The park is even putting up special rides just for the holiday, so if you don’t want to miss those, don’t miss the Candylane!
Peddler’s Village
Peddler’s Village in New Hope, PA, is always a beautiful spot to go to for all things seasonal, but there might be no better time to stop by than during the holidays. The shops are all lit up with twinkling lights, the Gingerbread House competition is in full swing, Santa comes by to take photos, and there’s a real 1920’s carousel to ride. They’ll be having a Christmas Festival on December 1 and 2, but if you just want to stop by to get some extra-festive Christmas shopping done, this is the place to do it.
Woodmere Art Museum’s the Night Before Christmas
For a bit of a more low-key experience, check out the Woodmere Art Museum in Germantown from now until January 6 to see artistic renderings of the classic story in their display, The Night Before Christmas: Illustrations of Charles Santore, putting the iconic images of the 1822 story out on display. Of course, while you’re there, also enjoy all of the other beautiful art the museum has to offer!
A Longwood Christmas
Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square is, of course, always absolutely gorgeous, but this time of year it REALLY lights up – that’s because from now until January 6, you can enjoy A Longwood Christmas, where the grounds and displays of Longwood are all lit up for the holidays, with spectacular light displays and festive landscaping everywhere you look. Countless Christmas trees and poinsettias make this the perfect spot to snap that perfect holiday photo – or just enjoy the sights of the season.
Linvilla Orchards’ Caroling Hayrides
Everybody loves Linvilla Orchards in the fall, but they don’t close their gates after pumpkin picking season is over, you know! In fact, if you like to sing, there might be no better way to ring in the holiday season than by singing your heart out on one of their caroling hayrides! You can, of course, also visit Santa, look around the Christmas shop, and even cut your own Christmas tree! If you want to make a whole day of celebrating the holiday season with your family, be sure to stop over at Linvilla.
Philadelphia’s Christmas Village
Of course, if you’re looking for a bit more of an urban holiday activity, you can’t go wrong with Philadelphia’s Christmas Village at Love Park. They have food, lights, shopping, Santa, and special events on select dates, like beer and wine tasting, cultural events, and special performances! As they say in “Silver Bells,” it’s Christmastime in the city!
Season-Long Performances
If you want to see a festive show on or near the Main Line this holiday, you have tons of options! Even two different performances of the same show can have very different interpretations, so go see as many as your heart desires!
A Christmas Carol at Hedgerow Theatre • 11/23 – 12/24
It’s a Wonderful Life at The Colonial Playhouse • 11/30 – 12/16
A Christmas Carol at Walnut Street Theatre • 12/1-23
This Wonderful Life at Act II Playhouse • 12/4-30
The Nutcracker at the Academy of Music • 12/7-31
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! at the Merriam Theater • 12/19-29
Trans-Siberian Orchestra at the Wells Fargo Center • 12/21
Various Holiday Shows at the Kimmel Center • 12/1-29
