Old-Fashioned Christmas
USA Today called West Chester’s Old-Fashioned Christmas celebration “one of the top ten places to experience the arrival of Santa Claus during the holiday season.” The weekend is alive with scores of events throughout the town. The Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce’s 35th Annual Mars Drinks Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade is presented by QVC which will televise the Christmas Parade nationally on Christmas Day.
See all Old Fashioned Christmas events.
Christmas in the Sweet Spot, featured article in County Lines Magazine
Parade route and traffic restrictions at Greater West Chester Chamber.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS. . .
OLD-FASHIONED CHRISTMAS PARADE
Friday, December 5 | 7:15pm
West Chester’s grandest parade is the highlight of the Winter holiday season with hundreds of dancers, performers, and musicians making the event a true extravaganza. Dozens of events surround the parade so come downtown early and enjoy all the Christmas spirit. Presented by the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce. See parking information.
HOLIDAY CONCERT by WEST CHESTER STUDIO SINGERS
Friday, December 5, 2014 | 5:15-5:45PM
The West Chester Studio Junior and Senior Singers present their Holiday Concert at the Chester County Historical Society, 225 North High Street. FREE for the whole family.
TRIAL BY JURY
Friday, December 5, 2014 | 6pm
Saturday, December 6, 2014 | 2pm & 8pm
Sunday, December 7, 2014 | 2pm
The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Chester County presents Trial By Jury, an annual joyous musical farce about love and marriage. Courtroom One, in the Historic Chester County Courthouse, Market and High St. Ticketed event.
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
Saturday, December 6, 2014 | 8:30am & 10:00am
Enjoy a delicious buffet breakfast with Santa. Children get to sit with Santa, share their Christmas wish list, and take a photo so don’t forget the camera. Note that booster seats/high chairs are not provided. At Chester County Historical Society, 225 North High St. Reservations required, $14/person (2 years and over). Must pre-register; call 610-436-9010.
HICKMAN ANNUAL HOLIDAY BAZAAR
December 5-6, 2014 | 9am-2pm
Handmade baked goods, jewelry, plants and other treasures are part of the annual Holiday Bazaar at The Hickman, a 124-year-old independent and assisted living personal care residence at 400 N Walnut St. Proceeds benefit resident activities.
HOLIDAY HOME TOUR
Saturday, December 6, 2014 | 10am
A walking tour showcasing ten beautiful homes each with its own special charm and history. As a bonus, Tanglewood, the home of West Chester University Presidents, will be also be open. 10am to 3pm; snow date December 8. Ticketed event benefiting West Chester Public Library. For details, visit WCPublicLibrary.org.
TUCKERPUPPY’S GIFT OF LITERACY EVENT at BOROUGH HALL
Saturday, December 6, 2014 | 10am-Noon
Read2Dream presents a morning where children can meet Tuckerpuppy, authors, illustrators, and community readers. At West Chester Borough Hall, 401 East Gay Street. Free parking in rear.
WEST CHESTER NAACP ANNUAL HOLIDAY BAZAAR
Saturday, December 6, 2014 | 10am-3pm
Local artwork, crafts, jewelry, gift baskets, and holiday ornaments are part of the annual NAACP Holiday Bazaar at the Masonic Lodge of West Chester, 10 S Church St. Catered Lunch is offered for sale from 11:30am–1:30pm. Local author book signing will also be featured. Proceeds benefit the West Chester Unit NAACP Educational Scholarship Program.
HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE AT KALY
Saturday, December 6, 2014 | 10am-5pm
Celebrate Old Fashioned Christmas in a new way at Kaly (37 W Gay St). Receive 10-percent off entire purchase if you bring an unwrapped donation for Chester County Child, Youth and Family Services. Emily Alice Salon is giving FREE Holiday Make-up from 12-2pm. Plenty of festive food & beverages.
BOOK SIGNING at the MELTON CENTER
Saturday, December 6, 2014 | 11am – 1pm
Glenn Proctor, whose journalism career began at the Daily Local News, will be signing and chatting about his new book Kicking Bottles, News & Dust: An Autobiography — 50 Years of Poems (2014) at The Melton Center, 501 E Miner St (parking off East Market). Books will be available at the event or now at Amazon.com.
PINOCCHIO
Saturday, December 6, 2014 | 2pm
WCU Live! and the National Marionette Theatre present Carlo Collodi’s story about a puppet who wants to become a real boy. Recommended for family audiences ages four and up. Running time about one hour. At Madeleine Wing Adler Theatre Performing Arts Center. Tickets at wcupa.ticketleap.com or call 610-436-2266.
CHURCH STREET GALLERY ART OPENING RECEPTION
Saturday, December 6, 2014 | 5pm
John Suplee’s new gallery show Paintings of West Chester and Paris opens at Church Street Gallery (12 S Church St) with a Saturday evening reception. Show continues through January 11, 2015.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL (more or less)
Saturday, December 6, 2014 | 6:00-7:30pm
When a storm keeps the cast of A Christmas Carol from getting to the theater, can the show’s producers play all the parts themselves? A Christmas Carol (more or less) is a hysterical retelling of this beloved holiday classic appropriate for all ages. At the Chester County Historical Society, 225 N. High St. $5 free will donation to benefit Uptown! Entertainment Alliance.
THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER
Saturday & Sunday, December 6 & 7, 2014 | 12:30pm
The West Chester School for the Performing Arts presents Barbara Robinson’s hilarious Christmas tale of a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant casted by the most inventively awful kids in history. At the Chester County Historical Society, 225 North High Street. Ticketed event; see WestChesterStudio.com for details.
SANTA’S EXPRESS on the WEST CHESTER RAILROAD
December 6-7, 13-14, 20-21 | 11am, 1pm, 3pm; additional 5pm departures on Dec 13-14, 20-21
All aboard Santa’s Express! Join Santa for a 90-minute journey on the heated West Chester Railroad through the Chester Creek Valley. Santa greets everyone at Market Street Station, then rides along to Glen Mills. Explore the historic Glan Mills Station where there’s plenty of photo opportunities on Santa’s lap, so remember your cameras. Live music by Greg Wright & Friends. On board snack car offers hot dogs, hot chocolate and various snacks (cash only). A rain, shine, or snow event