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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

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*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.