Christmas, Hanukkah Events In Doylestown: Parades, Lightings And More

DOYLESTOWN, PA ? There is no shortage of things to do in Doylestown to get the winter holiday season off to a rollicking good start.

Christmas and Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights, intersect this year, with Hanukkah running Dec. 18-26. Christmas, of course, is on Dec. 25, but you don?t have to wait to start taking in all the sights and sounds of the holidays.

Tree and menorah lightings in Doylestown are:

• Temple Judea Reform Synagogue of Doylestown and jkidphilly will host a Hanukkah event and ceremonial menorah lighting for the Jewish community of Bucks County on Sunday, December 18, the first night of Hanukkah, from 1-3 p.m. at the corner of State and Hamilton streets in Doylestown. The event is for all ages and will feature singing and dancing with Rabbi Sigal Brier and Dan Khan, cookie decorating, goodie bags, a raffle basket and refreshments.
• Plumstead Township Tree Lighting and Santa's arrival. Friday, Dec. 2 beginning at 6 p.m. Hanusey Park, 4757 Goarden Road, Doylestown. Dance performances, ugly sweater contest, Santa's arrival, tree lighting, Santa Meet and Greet. The rain date is Saturday, Dec. 3.

Christmas parades ? often complete with Santa Claus, festively decorated floats and marching bands ? are a holiday tradition, both nationally and locally.

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Several big parades are taking place this year, including the Mayor?s Annual Christmas Parade in Baltimore City, Maryland; the Target Holidazzle Parade in Minneapolis; and the Christmas Boat Parade in Newport Beach, California.

Parades in Doylestown may not be able to match those in size, but the heart behind them is just as big. Parades to catch here at home include:

• During a Holly Jolly Weekend on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 3 and 4 Santa Parades will wind their way through Peddler's Village starting 1:30 p.m. both days. Enjoy live musical entertainment, family activities, holiday food and drink specials, and a gingerbread display. At 4:30 p.m., Peddler?s Village becomes a magical nighttime Christmas wonderland, illuminated by a million colorful lights. Shops are open until 9 p.m. on Saturday and 7 p.m. on Sunday. Free admission and parking.

Other holiday events not to be missed in Doylestown include a holiday house tour, a Victorian Christmas and a Snowflake Festival.

• Celebrate Christmas Past at the James-Lorah Memorial Home in Doylestown where the public can visit more than 10 separate exhibition areas all decked out for an unforgettable Victorian Christmas. Public tours available Fridays and Saturdays, Dec. 2 to 17. Group tours available Wednesdays and Thursdays, Dec. 1 to 17. Visit AVictorianChristmas.eventbrite.com for tickets.
• St. Paul?s Episcopal Church, Doylestown, sponsors its 27th Annual Christmas in Doylestown
  House Tour on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 2 and 3. One half of the profits from the event are donated to the Bucks County Housing Group to support the Doylestown Homeless Shelter. Ticket holders can tour four decorated Doylestown Borough homes and enjoy tea at the church parish hall. There is free admission to the parish hall where there will be a fully stocked bake table featuring St. Paul?s famous butter cookies. To purchase tickets, additional information on the houses and a map can be found on the church website: https://www.stpaulsdoylestown.org/cid-2022.
  
• Buckingham Friends School will hold a Snowflake Festival on Saturday, Dec. 3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend this family-fun event where the school transforms its campus into a winter woodland. There is no entry fee. Families can purchase "snowflake tickets" for activities ranging in price from 1-5 snowflakes. The day's activities include: Kids-only secret shop, Pocket Gnome, Winter Walk & Games, Snow Queen with cookies and hot cocoa, tea room for stories and quiet time, performers sprinkled throughout the day, light lunch and bake sale, wreath sale and more. To purchase tickets and learn more, visit snowflake22.givesmart.com.
• A Christmas Carol starring Gerald Dickens will be presented on Saturday, Dec. 10 beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Byers' Choice Ltd., 4355 County Line Rd, Chalfont, PA, 18914. More info here. The show relives the timeless tale of the penny-pinching Ebenezer Scrooge, his encounters with three fearful ghosts, and Scrooge's Christmas morning redemption - all enacted by Gerald Dickens as he brings 26+ characters of the story to life in this mesmerizing one-man show. The fun continues after the performance with an On-Stage Q&A session with Mr. Dickens. Tickets: $28 each. This show is not recommended for children under the age of 8 years old. Buy Tickets: https://www.byerschoice.com/events.html

Holiday lighting displays are another holiday favorite. Some to catch in Pennsylvania are:

• Shady Brook Holiday Light Show, 931 Stony Hill Road, Yardley, open nightly through Jan. 8. The spectacular Holiday Light Show features more than three million lights illuminating acres of farmland. Encounter whimsical displays and familiar characters as you drive through in the comfort of your own car or enjoy the show on an open-air wagon ride.

• Lights in the Parkway in a big way through Dec. 31 (with the exception of Dec. 25). The mile-plus, drive-through light show features hundreds of thousands of brilliant lights and dazzling animated displays set to favorite music of the holidays.

• More than five million twinkling lights will be all aglow at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane, select nights through Jan. 1. Enjoy family-friendly rides, thrilling roller coasters, Santa and his reindeer, shopping galore in the Hersheypark Supply Co. and HP Collections shops, signature hot chocolate and other sweet treats.

Here's Where To Buy Fresh Cut Trees In The Doylestown Area