Events for the family
Special Events Philadelphia *FREE* Christmas Village in Philadelphia Medieval-style village featuring over 50 vendors offering crafts, international gifts & more. Holiday lights, Santa & live music. Daily 11 am-9 pm. Closes 12/23. Dilworth Plaza, 1400 JFK Blvd.; 215-636-1666.
Special Events
Philadelphia
*FREE*
Christmas Village in Philadelphia
Medieval-style village featuring over 50 vendors offering crafts, international gifts & more. Holiday lights, Santa & live music. Daily 11 am-9 pm. Closes 12/23. Dilworth Plaza, 1400 JFK Blvd.; 215-636-1666.
*FREE*
Classic Holiday on Main
Arts & crafts vendors in heated tents along Main St., candle making & glass blowing demonstrations, lights, music & more. Daily 11 am-3 pm thru 12/24. Manayunk Main St.; 215-482-9565.
» READ MORE: www.manayunk.com
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*FREE*
The Comcast Holiday Spectacular
15-minute show, full of stunning original holiday imagery, music & more, shown on The Comcast Experience video wall. Closes 1/1. Comcast Center, 1701 John F. Kennedy Blvd.; 610-648-1700.
*FREE*
Electri-City on South Broad
Holiday lights along the Avenue of the Arts. Music, food & more. Rain or shine. Center City District, 1700 Market St.; 215-636-3300.
» READ MORE: www.centercityphila.org
. 12/17 6:15-7:30 pm.
Latkepalooza
Gourmet latkes, crafts, family entertainment & more. Gershman Y, 401 S. Broad St.; 215-446-3033.
» READ MORE: www.gershmany.org
. $15; $10 children. 12/14 2-4 pm.
Santa Lunch Cruise
Buffet lunch, music, dancing & appearance by Santa. Spirit of Philadelphia Cruises, Columbus Blvd.; Reservations required: 866-455-3866.
» READ MORE: www.spiritcitycruises.com
. $29.90; $15.45 children 3-11. 12/14 noon-2 pm.
*FREE*
Reading Terminal Holiday Railroad
Model trains run through dozens of festive holiday scenes. Closes 12/31. Reading Terminal Market, 51 N. 12th St.; 215-922-2317.
» READ MORE: www.readingterminalmarket.org
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*FREE*
Tree Lighting & Christkindl Market
Unique gifts & crafts, specialty food & treats, gift basket raffles, children's activities & holiday entertainment. Glen Foerd on the Delaware, 5001 Grant Ave.; 215-632-5330.
» READ MORE: www.glenfoerd.org
. 12/16 4:30 pm.
Yoga Is Instrumental Benefit: New Moon Winter Rising Celebration
This family, benefit event supports yoga behind bars & beyond. Treehouse, 906 S. 49th St.;
» READ MORE: www.myspace.com/yogaisinstrumental
. Donation suggested: $7-$15. 12/13 4 pm.
*FREE*
Worldwide Candle Lighting Ceremony
Ceremony/candlelighting honoring the memory of children who have passed on. Fox Chase Recreation Center, Rockwell St.; 630-990-0010;
» READ MORE: www.compassionatefriends.org
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» READ MORE: www.luluslullaby.com
. 12/14 6:30-8 pm.
Pennsylvania suburbs
Alice's Run & Walk
Annual YMCA of the Brandywine Valley event to help raise funds for the Alzheimer's Foundation & the YMCA. Hibernia Park, 1 Park Rd., Coatesville; 610-643-9622. 12/13 1 pm.
*FREE*
Christmas Bazaar
Breakfast with Santa, Secret Santa workshop, crafters & vendors, children's activities, poinsettias, wreaths, cookies, homemade dinners & more. St. Michael The Archangel Church, 66 Levittown Pkwy, Levittown; 215-943-9558. 12/12 11 am-9 pm. 12/13 9 am-9 pm. 12/14 8 am-2 pm.
*FREE*
Christmas Tree Forest
Annual event featuring Christmas trees decorated by over 40 local organizations, visit from Santa, live holiday music, refreshments & more. Sellersville Museum, 120 E. Church St., Sellersville; 215-257-5253.
» READ MORE: www.sellersvillemuseum.org
. 12/13-12/14 noon-4 pm.
*FREE*
Devon in December: Christmas Tree & Wreath Sale
Proceeds to benefit Devon Boy Scout Troop 50 & Devon Horse Show & Country Fair Foundation. Devon Horse Grounds, Dorset & Valley Forge Rds., Devon; 610-688-2554.
» READ MORE: www.devonhorseshow.net
. 12/12 5-9 pm. 12/13 10 am-8 pm. 12/14 10 am-4 pm.
*FREE*
Dickens Festival
Journey back to 1840s London with horse & carriage rides, authentic street vendors, roving musicians & more. Downtown Narberth, Haverford Ave., Narberth; 610-664-2840.
» READ MORE: www.narberthborough.com
. 12/13 noon-4 pm.
*FREE*
Elmwood Park Zoo Display
Appearance by the zoo's cougar mascot & live animal display w/a baby skunk, chinchillas & more. Plymouth Meeting Mall, 500 W. Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting; 610-277-3825.
» READ MORE: www.elmwoodparkzoo.org
. 12/14 11 am-6 pm.
Elvis Carols for CASA Kids
Holiday-themed event featuring music by Frank & Fran Urso, Italian dinner, games, raffle, auction & more. Proceeds benefit CASA Youth Advocates. Lotsa Pasta, 410 S. Springfield Rd., Clifton Heights; 610-565-2208.
» READ MORE: www.delcocasa.org
. $25. 12/12 7 pm.
Eric Poppel Sports All-Stars Holiday Show
Autographs & related products available. Sheraton Bucks County Hotel, 400 Oxford Valley Rd., Langhorne; 610-269-7225.
» READ MORE: www.poppel.com
. $3; free for children under 10. 12/13 10 am-3 pm.
*FREE*
Family Fun Day
Performances, workshops, crafts & more. Chanukah Wonderland, 38 W. Skippack Pike, Ambler; 215-591-9310. 12/14 1 pm.
Holiday Open House
Wine tastings, live carolers & hot mulled wines. Chaddsford Winery, 632 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford; 610-388-6221.
» READ MORE: www.chaddsford.com
. 12/13-12/14 noon-6 pm.
*FREE*
Holiday Wine Festival
Crossing Vineyards & Winery, 1853 Wrightstown Rd., Washington Crossing; 215-493-6500.
» READ MORE: www.crossingvineyards.com
. 12/13-12/14 noon-6 pm.
*FREE*
Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides
Carriage rides around town. Rides begin at State Street at the Genesis walkway. Historic Kennett Square, 106 W. State St., Kennett Square; 610-444-8188.
» READ MORE: www.historickennettsquare.com
. 12/14 noon-3 pm.
*FREE*
Manor's Live Nativity
Over 50 actors, live animals, hot chocolate & cookies. Manor Presbyterian Church, 505 Street Rd, Cochranville; 610-869-2402.
» READ MORE: www.manorpresbyterian.com
. 12/12 7-8:30 pm. 12/13 7-8:30 pm. 12/14 7-8:30 pm.
*FREE*
Montgomery Township Holiday Lights Celebration
Crafts, photos with Santa & live music. Montgomery Township Municipal Building, 1001 Stump Rd., Montgomeryville; 215-393-6900.
» READ MORE: www.montgomerytwp.org
. 12/16 6-8 pm.
Open House, Craft Show & Carnival
5th annual event featuring Santa & Mrs. Claus, storytime, holiday games & crafts, face painting, antique truck & more. Indian Valley Family YMCA, 890 Maple Ave., Harleysville; 215-723-3569.
» READ MORE: www.indianvalleyymca.org
. $5 per family. 12/13 11 am-3 pm.
A Patriot's Lucia: Saint Lucia Festival
Traditional Swedish celebration commemorating the arrival of Saint Lucia. Christ (Old Swedes) Church, 740 River Rd., Bridgeport; 610-272-6036. Donation suggested: $5; $2 students & seniors; free for children under 8. 12/13 7:30-8:30 pm.
*FREE*
Pet Photo Night With Santa
Bring dogs & cats to be photographed with Santa. Montgomery Mall, 230 Montgomery Mall, North Wales; 215-362-2772.
» READ MORE: www.simon.com
. 12/14 7-9 pm.
*FREE*
Second Saturday: Holiday Activities
Guided candlelight walking tour, annual Monroe Crossing, visits with Santa, holiday music, Victorian open house tour at Parry Mansion & more. New Hope, Main St., New Hope; 215-862-5030.
» READ MORE: www.newhopechamber.com/secondsaturdays
. 12/13 noon-9 pm.
*FREE*
Victorian Christmas Celebration & Open House
Parry Mansion Museum, S. Main & Ferry Sts., New Hope; 215-862-5652.
» READ MORE: www.newhopehistoricalsociety.org
. 12/13-12/14 1-5 pm.
Welcome Winter
Winter program featuring roasted hot dogs, seasonal stories, craft activity & short nature walk. Lacawac Sanctuary, 94 Sanctuary Rd., Lake Ariel; RSVP required: 570-689-9494.
» READ MORE: www.lacawac.org
. $5; free for children 12 & under. 12/14 noon-2 pm.
New Jersey
*FREE*
Candlelight Shopping Celebration
Holiday shopping, carolers, carriage rides, children's activities, holiday music, children's crafts, trolley rides, open houses & much more. Main Street, Woodbury; 856-845-8655.
» READ MORE: www.mainstreetwoodbury.org
. Small fee for some activities. 12/12 6-9 pm.
*FREE*
Holiday Family Festival
Carolers, appearance by Santa, crafts, carriage rides & more. Historic Smithville Park, Smithville Rd., Eastampton; 609-265-5068. 12/14 noon-6 pm.
Holiday Family Workshop
Create your own gift cards & learn how to make gift boxes & bags. Grounds for Sculpture, 18 Fairgrounds Rd., Hamilton; 609-586-0616.
» READ MORE: www.groundsforsculpture.org
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Included in admission. 12/13 1-3 pm.
*FREE*
Holiday Party & Gingerbread House Contest
Heavily-decorated confections, music & refreshments. Burlington County Historical Society, 451 High St., Burlington; 609-386-4773. 12/13 2-5 pm.
*FREE*
Holly Festival
Annual fair featuring wreaths, boxwood balls, centerpieces, lemon trees, baskets, paintings, hand-knit winter hats & holiday decorated cookies. Historical Society of Haddonfield at Greenfield Hall, 343 Kings Highway E., Haddonfield; 856-429-7375.
» READ MORE: www.historicalsocietyofhaddonfield.org
. 12/13 10 am-3 pm.
*FREE*
Live Nativity
Music, refreshments & more. Word Fellowship Church, 300 W. Atlantic Ave., Stratford; 856-435-1771. wordfc.org. 12/13-12/14 7-9 pm.
*FREE*
Live Outdoor Nativity
Features live animals, hot cocoa & cookies. Rain date 12/19. First Baptist Church of Haddonfield, 124 Kings Hwy. E., Haddonfield; 856-429-7540.
» READ MORE: www.firstbaptisthaddonfield.org
. 12/12 7 pm.
*FREE*
Music of Christmas Open House
Costumed musicians perform 18th & 18th century carols. Indian King Tavern Museum, 233 Kings' Hwy. E., Haddonfield; 856-429-6792. 12/13 1-4 pm.
Winter Celebration
Nature walk, holiday craft workshop, pictures with Santa & more. Whitesbog Preservation Trust, 120-34 Whitesbog Rd., Browns Mills; RSVP: 609-893-4646.
» READ MORE: www.whitesbog.org
. $5. 12/13 1 pm.
Delaware
Deck the Zoo
Hear holiday music & help decorate trees with edible ornaments for animals. Brandywine Zoo, 1001 N. Park Dr., Wilmington; 302-571-7747.
» READ MORE: www.brandywinezoo.org
. Included in admission. 12/14 1:30-3:30 pm.
Kids' Stuff
Children's performances
Kim & Reggie Harris & Magpie: Season of Light
Folk & ethnic music highlighting the similarities in holiday celebrations around the world. Keswick Theatre, 291 Keswick Ave., Glenside; 215-572-7650.
» READ MORE: www.keswicktheatre.com
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$7.50. 12/17 10:15 am.
Tom Chapin & Friends: Holiday Family Show
Central Bucks High Schoo West, 375 W. Court St., Doylestown; 215-345-6644.
» READ MORE: www.bccadd.org
. $12; $8 children 2-12. 12/14 2 pm.
Uncle Rock
World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St.; 215-222-1400.
» READ MORE: www.unclerock.com
. $10; $7 children 1-12. 12/13 11:30 am.
Winter Tales
Winter-themed stories read by poet/musician/artist D.J. Haslett. Grounds for Sculpture, 18 Fairgrounds Rd., Hamilton; 609-586-0616.
» READ MORE: www.groundsforsculpture.org
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Included in admission. 12/14 2 pm.
Children's events
Breakfast With Santa
Breakfast buffet & pictures with Santa. Towne of Historic Smithville, 1 N. New York Rd., Smithville; 609-652-0544. historicsmithvillenj.com. $9.95. 12/13 9 am.
*FREE*
Breakfast With Santa
YWCA of Chester, 7th & Sproul St., Chester; 610-876-8226.
» READ MORE: www.ywcaofchester.org
. 12/13 10 am-noon.
Celebrate the Holidays With Santa
Pictures with Santa, stories & craft activity. QVC Studio Park, 1200 Wilson Dr., West Chester; 610-701-1000.
» READ MORE: www.qvctours.com
. $12.50. 12/13 9, 10:30 am, noon & 1:30 pm. 12/14 1:30-2:45 pm.
*FREE*
Elks Hoop Shoot
Foul shooting competition for kids. North Wildwood Recreation Center, 900 Central Ave., North Wildwood; 609-729-2170.
» READ MORE: www.northwildwood.com
. 12/15 noon.
*FREE*
Family Fun Night
Thu. 6-8 pm. Prize drawings & balloon entertainers. Coastline, 1240 Brace Rd., Cherry Hill; 856-795-1773.
» READ MORE: www.coastlinerestaurantbar.com
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Fantasy With Lights
Outdoor holiday light display. Closes 12/30. Storybook Land, 6415 Black Horse Pike, Cardiff; 609-641-7847.
» READ MORE: www.storybookland.com
. Included in admission.
*FREE*
Giggleberry Fair: Santa
Children can share their secret wish lists with Santa. Peddler's Village, Rtes. 202 & 263, Lahaska; 215-794-4000.
» READ MORE: www.peddlersvillage.com
. 12/12 4-8 pm. 12/13 noon-7 pm. 12/14 noon-5 pm.
*FREE*
Kidgits Club: Breakfast With Santa
Breakfast, holiday crafts & personal time with Santa. Montgomery Mall, 230 Montgomery Mall, North Wales; 215-362-2772.
» READ MORE: www.simon.com
. 12/13 8-9:30 am.
Meet Santa Claus
Appearance by Santa & ornament craft project. Churchville Nature Center, 501 Churchville Ln., Churchville; RSVP required.
» READ MORE: www.churchvillenaturecenter.org
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$5. 12/13 1:30 pm.
Mother Nature Holiday Party
Edible ornament making. Tamanend Park, 1255 Second St. Pike, Southampton; 215-355-9781.
» READ MORE: www.southamptonpa.com/parkandrec/index.html
. $20. 12/13 11:15 am-12:15 pm.
Nature for the Very Young
Nature-themed activities for young kids & their parents. The Schuylkill Center, 8480 Hagy's Mill Rd.; RSVP: 215-482-7300 x 110.
» READ MORE: www.schuylkillcenter.org
. $8. 12/12 1:30-3 pm.
Radnor Fire Company's Auxiliary's Breakfast With Santa
Join Santa for breakfast at the fire house. Radnor Fire Co. Auxiliary: 610-293-0332. Radnor Fire Company, 121 S. Wayne Ave., Wayne; 610-687-3245.
» READ MORE: www.radnorfire.com
. $7; $4 children under 10; free for children under 2. 12/14 8 am-12:30 pm.
Santa Brunch
Santa & his elves with treats for the children. Complimentary mimosa for adults. Springfield Country Club/Tavola Restaurant & Bar, 400 West Sproul Rd., Springfield; RSVP required: 610-543-2100.
» READ MORE: www.Springfieldcountryclub.net
. $29.95; $14.95 children; free for children under 2. 12/14 10 am-2 pm.
Santa Claus
Appearance by Santa w/photo opportunity. Bucks County Conference & Visitors Bureau, 3207 Street Rd., Bensalem; 215-639-0300.
» READ MORE: www.buckscountycvb.org
. 12/14 1-4 pm.
Santa's House 2008
Kids can meet & have their photos taken with Santa Claus. Closes 12/24. Dilworth Plaza, 1400 JFK Blvd.; 215-636-1666.
» READ MORE: www.cityhallsanta.com
.
*FREE*
Teen Wreath Making & Cookie Baking Program
Create beautiful holiday wreaths while eating freshly baked cookies. West Deptford Free Public Library, 420 Crown Point Rd., Thorofare; RSVP: 856-845-5593.
» READ MORE: www.westdeptford.lib.nj.us
. 12/16 7 pm.
Children's museums & attractions
Camden Children's Garden
3 Riverside Dr., Camden; 856-365-8733.
» READ MORE: www.camdenchildrensgarden.org
. Butterfly house, maze, treehouse & more. Holiday Festival of Lights - Model trains, holiday lights, Santa Claus & more. $4. 12/12-12/13 5:30-8 pm. $6; $4 ages 3-11; free for children 2 & under Tue.-Sun. 10 am-5 pm.
Garden State Discovery Museum
2040 Springdale Rd., Cherry Hill; 856-424-1233.
» READ MORE: www.discoverymuseum.com
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Hands-on children's museum featuring an activity wonderland for infants through age 10. Pancake Breakfast With Santa. $15. 12/13 9:30, 10:30 & 11:30 am. $9.95; $8.95 seniors; free for children under 1. Sun.-Fri. 9:30 am-5:30 pm; Sat. 9:30 am-8:30 pm.
Insectarium
8046 Frankford Ave.; 215-335-9500.
» READ MORE: www.insectarium.com
. Thousands of mounted & live specimens, interactive exhibits, movie room, children's activities & more. $7; free for children under 2. Mon.-Sat. 10 am-4 pm.
Kix & Giggles Children's Playground
9356 Old Bustleton Ave.; 215-677-4140.
» READ MORE: www.kixandgiggles.com
. Attractions include a wrap-around gym, a rock wall, soft-play section for babies & toddlers, an outside seating area & more. Mondays 10 am-3 pm are reserved for children with special needs & their families. See website for more info. $6.95. Tue.-Thu. 10 am-8 pm; Fri.-Sat. 10 am-9 pm; Sun. 10 am-8 pm.
Please Touch Museum
Memorial Hall, Fairmount Park, 4231 Avenue of the Republic; 215-581-3181.
» READ MORE: www.pleasetouchmuseum.org
. Hands-on museum featuring 6 interactive exhibit zones: Roadside Attractions, Flight Fantasy, City Capers, Wonderland, River Adventures & Centennial Exploration. Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony - Opening of ShopRite Supermarket, a hands-on, interactive supermarket exhibit. 12/13 10 am. Enchanted Colonial Village - 3/4 life-size display depicting scenes of workshops in a small colonial hamlet preparing for the holidays. Closes 12/30. Please Touch Playhouse: How the Sun Was Returned to the Sky - Playhouse uses rare pieces from the collection in this production. Thru 1/27. $15; free for children under 1. Mon.-Sat. 9 am-5 pm; Sun. 11 am-5 pm.
Sesame Place
100 Sesame Rd., Langhorne; 215-752-7070.
» READ MORE: www.sesameplace.com
. Holiday Shop & Dine Breakfast With Big Bird & Friends. $16.95; $14.95 children 2-11; free for children under 2. 12/13-12/14 9:15-10:15 am. Holiday Shop & Dine Lunch With Big Bird & Friends. $19.95; $15.95 children 2-11; free for children under 2. 12/13 12:30-1:30 pm. $47.50; $42.50 seniors; free for children under 2. Weekends only, 10 am-3 pm.
*FREE*
Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse
Intersection of 33rd & Oxford Sts. in E. Fairmount Park; 215-765-4325.
» READ MORE: www.smithplayhouse.org
. Three-story "play mansion" for children 0-5 yrs. Playground closed until April. Children must be accompanied by adult. Tue.-Sun. 10 am-4 pm.
Literary Calendar
Book signings & readings
Borders Books & Music
1001 Baltimore Pike, Springfield; 610-543-8588.
» READ MORE: www.bordersstores.com
. Gary Matthews & Scott Lauber:
Phillies Confidential: The Untold Story of the 2008 Championship Season
. 12/18 7 pm.
Borders Books & Music
80 E. Wynnewood Rd., Wynnewood; 610-642-0362.
» READ MORE: www.bordersstores.com
. Sara Shepard:
Pretty Little Liars #5: Wicked
. 12/12 7 pm. Sandra Tsing Loh:
Mother on Fire
. 12/13 7 pm.
Borders Express
263 Oxford Valley Rd., Langhorne; 215-752-0847.
» READ MORE: www.borders.com
. Brenda L. Thomas:
Laying Down My Burdens
. 12/12 6-8 pm.
Borders Express
268 Montgomery Mall, North Wales; 215-362-2772.
» READ MORE: www.bordersstores.com
. Tracy MacNish:
Veiled Passions
. 12/13 1-3 pm. Marie Lamba:
What I Meant...
. 12/14 1-3 pm.
Cheltenham Square Mall
2385 Cheltenham Ave., Cheltenham; 215-887-7091.
» READ MORE: www.cheltenhamsquare.com
. Brenda L. Thomas:
Laying Down My Burdens
. 12/13 3-5 pm.
The Doylestown Bookshop
16 S. Main St., Doylestown; 215-230-7610.
» READ MORE: www.doylestownbookshop.com
. Chris Conover:
The Christmas Bears
. 12/13 2 pm.
Free Library of Philadelphia
1901 Vine St.; 215-686-5322.
» READ MORE: www.library.phila.gov
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John Grogan:
The Longest Trip Home
. 12/18 7:30 pm.
Les Bons Temps
114 S. 12th St.; 215-735-9600.
» READ MORE: www.robinsbookstore.com
. Louis Bayard:
The Black Tower.
12/14 1 pm.
Parry Mansion Museum
S. Main & Ferry Sts., New Hope; 215-862-5652.
» READ MORE: www.newhopehistoricalsociety.org
. Roy Ziegler:
New Hope, Pennsylvania: River Town Passages.
12/13-12/14 1-5 pm.
Robin's Bookstore
108 S. 13th St.; 215-735-9600.
» READ MORE: www.robinsbookstore.com
. Philadelphia Stories Holiday Open House - W/authors Christine Delia, Peter Dabbene, L.M. Asta, Jacob Russell, Valeria Tsygankova & Scott Hammer. 12/14 2 pm.
Wooden Shoe Books
508 S. 5th St.; 215-413-0999.
» READ MORE: www.woodenshoebooks.com
. Benefit Reading for BuildaBridge - The New Philadelphia Poets. Donation suggested: $5. 12/12 7-9 pm.
Poetry & lectures
Sande Webster Gallery
2006 Walnut St.; 215-636-9003.
» READ MORE: www.sandewebstergallery.com
. Dennis L. Forbes:
Studios & Workspaces of Black American Artists
- Author provides rare & fascinating look at 84 black American artists at work in their studios. 12/12 6-8 pm.