It's still hard to believe that the Holidays are right around the corner! It seems like just yesterday I was typing up Javon's Summer Bucket List, and now here I am making plans for the Holiday season! Its crazy just how fast time does fly once you have a child. The Holiday season is all about spending quality time with family and friends, and this list will help you make the time extra special! Cabin fever can easily set in at this time of the year, with colder temperatures and less to do it becomes harder to leave the comfort and warmth of your own home. Not this year though, it's time to get out and celebrate!
I will be adding more events and attractions in the coming days! Keep an eye out, share with your friends and have some festive fun! If I have missed any of your families favorites, please don't hesitate to share in the comments below.
I will be adding more events and attractions in the coming days! Keep an eye out, share with your friends and have some festive fun! If I have missed any of your families favorites, please don't hesitate to share in the comments below.
* Green are events we have not yet tried for ourselves. Titles in Red are events we have attended previously, and can offer first hand experiences and reviews. *
HersheyPark Christmas Candylane
There is nothing like a visit to Christmas Candylane to make me feel the warm and fuzzy Christmas feelings! Millions of lights decorate the park, some dancing to music, others draping trees and bushes. Over 30 rides are open during Candylane, included in your admission fee. Ice Skating is available for a 2$ skate rental fee. You can also visit Santa Clause, and his reindeer!
HSWT Tip:
Get there early! Visit on a day the park opens at noon, ride some rides while the sun is out and the temperatures are warmer. Once the sun goes down, enjoy all of the lights!
Where: HersheyPark
100 W. HersheyPark Drive
When: Nov 14th - Dec 31st - Hours vary
More Info: hersheypark.com
HSWT Tip:
Hershey Sweetlights is open everyday beginning Nov. 14th - Jan 1st. Do not visit on a Saturday! Your visit which will normally take less then an hour can turn into a 3 hour traffic jam! Sweetlights gets extremely busy on weekends, Try a week night, or an weekend evening early in the season!
Where:
Boathouse Road
Hershey, PA 17033
When: Nov 14th - Jan 1st - Hours vary
More Info: hersheypark.com
Meet Santa at Hershey's Holiday House
Each holiday season, Hershey's Chocolate World welcomes Santa! He is available for pictures infront a beautiful house made completely of Hershey's Chocolate!
Where: Hersheys Chocolate World
251 Park Blvd Hershey, PA 17033
When: Nov 14th - Dec 24th - Hours vary
More Info: hersheys.com
Breakfast with Santa and Mrs Clause
Enjoy breakfast with the Clause's! This experience is said to include a hot breakfast buffet, viewing of a 4-D movie, photos and a gift from Santa and more!
Where: Hersheys Chocolate World
251 Park Blvd Hershey, PA 17033
When: Nov 14th - Dec 24th - Hours vary
More Info: hersheys.com
Christmas Trolley at Hershey's Chocolate World
Hop aboard Hershey Trolley Works which departs Chocolate World daily for a 60-minute ride through town. Sing Christmas Carols, and enjoy some story telling, topped off with a visit from Santa!
HSWT Tip:
Purchase your tickets ahead of time! Either online, or in person. Trips do sell out!
Where: Hersheys Chocolate World
251 Park Blvd Hershey, PA 17033
When: Nov 14th - Dec 24th - Hours vary
More Info: hersheys.com
Where: Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad
136 Brown Street, Middletown PA 17057
When: Times vary
More Info: mhrailroad.com
Christmas Magic - York
Christmas Magic is a half-mile walking trail decorated with over 600,000 lights and displays in Rocky Ridge County Park. View indoor train displays and meet with Santa. Live entertainment available on select nights!
Rocky Ridge County Park
York County
More Info : yorkcountypa.gov
There is nothing like a visit to Christmas Candylane to make me feel the warm and fuzzy Christmas feelings! Millions of lights decorate the park, some dancing to music, others draping trees and bushes. Over 30 rides are open during Candylane, included in your admission fee. Ice Skating is available for a 2$ skate rental fee. You can also visit Santa Clause, and his reindeer!
HSWT Tip:
Get there early! Visit on a day the park opens at noon, ride some rides while the sun is out and the temperatures are warmer. Once the sun goes down, enjoy all of the lights!
Where: HersheyPark
100 W. HersheyPark Drive
When: Nov 14th - Dec 31st - Hours vary
More Info: hersheypark.com
Hershey SweetLights
Located in a field near The Hotel Hershey and HersheyPark, is Hershey Sweetlights. This has quickly become a holiday tradition for many area families. For those who have never been, Sweetlights is a drive-through holiday light spectacular! Winding through an open field, then disappearing from public view, into woods around The Hotel Hershey, your family will get into the holiday spirit as you drive along the 2 mile path, illuminated by over 600 lighted displays while listening to Christmas tunes. All this while staying warm in the comfort of your own vehicle. HSWT Tip:
Hershey Sweetlights is open everyday beginning Nov. 14th - Jan 1st. Do not visit on a Saturday! Your visit which will normally take less then an hour can turn into a 3 hour traffic jam! Sweetlights gets extremely busy on weekends, Try a week night, or an weekend evening early in the season!
Where:
Boathouse Road
Hershey, PA 17033
When: Nov 14th - Jan 1st - Hours vary
More Info: hersheypark.com
Each holiday season, Hershey's Chocolate World welcomes Santa! He is available for pictures infront a beautiful house made completely of Hershey's Chocolate!
Where: Hersheys Chocolate World
251 Park Blvd Hershey, PA 17033
When: Nov 14th - Dec 24th - Hours vary
More Info: hersheys.com
Enjoy breakfast with the Clause's! This experience is said to include a hot breakfast buffet, viewing of a 4-D movie, photos and a gift from Santa and more!
Where: Hersheys Chocolate World
251 Park Blvd Hershey, PA 17033
When: Nov 14th - Dec 24th - Hours vary
More Info: hersheys.com
Hop aboard Hershey Trolley Works which departs Chocolate World daily for a 60-minute ride through town. Sing Christmas Carols, and enjoy some story telling, topped off with a visit from Santa!
HSWT Tip:
Purchase your tickets ahead of time! Either online, or in person. Trips do sell out!
Where: Hersheys Chocolate World
251 Park Blvd Hershey, PA 17033
When: Nov 14th - Dec 24th - Hours vary
More Info: hersheys.com
Holiday Train Rides on The Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad
All Aboard! The Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad offers 2 Christmas themed train rides. Santa's Surprise Train is a 2 hour train ride that features a visit from Santa!
The Polar Express is a 2 hour journey to the "North Pole", a story will be read to the children before Santa come aboard and delivers each child a gift.
Where: Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad
136 Brown Street, Middletown PA 17057
When: Times vary
More Info: mhrailroad.com
Christmas Magic - York
Christmas Magic is a half-mile walking trail decorated with over 600,000 lights and displays in Rocky Ridge County Park. View indoor train displays and meet with Santa. Live entertainment available on select nights!
Rocky Ridge County Park
York County
More Info : yorkcountypa.gov
Dutch Winter Wonderland at Dutch Wonderland
Beginning Nov 22nd, Dutch Wonderland transforms into Dutch Winter Wonderland! Enjoy rides, and holiday themed shows while strolling through the festively lit park. Don't forget to visit Santa!
HSWT Tip:
Save time and money by purchasing your tickets online ahead of time!
Where: Dutch Wonderland
2249 Lincoln Highway East Lancaster, PA 17602
When: Nov 2nd - Dec 30th - Hours vary
More Info: dutchwonderland.com
Breakfast with Santa at Kitchen Kettle Village
This event is advertised as offering a "feast of Lancaster County foods." During your visit you will get to meet Santa, Kitchen Kettle Village mascot Yummie and Frosty! All kids 12 and under will receive a gift from Santa!
Where: Kitchen Kettle Village
3529 Old Philadelphia Pike, Intercourse, PA 17534
When: Dates and times vary
More Info: kitchenkettle.com
Where: Kitchen Kettle Village
3529 Old Philadelphia Pike, Intercourse, PA 17534
When: Dates and times vary
More Info: kitchenkettle.com
Dinner with Mrs. Clause at Kitchen Kettle Village
This event is advertised as offering a "family style feast of Lancaster County foods." Besides meeting Mrs. Clause and Yummie, Kitchen Kettle Village's gingerbread man mascot, the evening includes Storytelling, a gift from Mrs. Clause and photo opportunities.
Where: Kitchen Kettle Village
3529 Old Philadelphia Pike, Intercourse, PA 17534
When: Dates and times vary
More Info: kitchenkettle.com
During the Holidays, Strasburg Rail Road offers 3 great themed train rides!
Hop aboard The Christmas Tree Train for a ride to Leaman Place Grove, where you will have an hour to purchase a fresh Christmas tree! Free refreshments are provided and your tree will be transported back to the station for you!
Santa's Paradise Express features a visit from Santa himself! All children 11 and under receive a gift from Santa.
The Night Before Christmas Train will take you back in time. Listen to "The Night Before Christmas" being read while enjoying milk and cookies!
Where: Strasburg Rail Road
301 Gap Rd, Ronks, PA 17572
When: Dates vary
More Info: strasburgrailroad.com
This place may be a tad outdate and mostly unchanged since I was 3 or 4 years old, but Koziar's Christmas Village could easily get Scrooge himself into the Christmas spirit! What started as a family light display has turned into Koziar's Christmas Village, which is celebrating its 64th season of operation this year! You will find more 500,000 twinkling lights, train displays, and themed window displays among this sprawling display! Don't forget to stop and visit Santa!
HSWT Tip:
Even though you may be eager to get there, do not arrive too early! You will not want to miss the breathtaking moment as you drive over the final hill and the dazzling lighted scene comes into view directly ahead! It truly is amazing!
Where: Koziar's Christmas Village
782 Christmas Village Rd, Bernville, PA 19506
When: Fri./Sat/Sun nights now through Thanksgiving - Every night Thanksgiving - January 1st
More Info: koziarschristmasvillage.com
Macy's Christmas Lights - Philadelphia
If you are looking to get out of town for the day, I highly suggest checking out the light display at Macy's in Center City Philadelphia! You can check the show out every day on a 2 hour basis beginning Black Friday. Watch as this indoor light display dances along to the music of the historic Wannamaker Grand Organ. Before or after the show, head upstairs to visit with Santa and don't forget to drop your Christmas list in the big red mailbox!
HSWT Tip:
Is the first floor too crowded? Head upstairs to view from the upper floors with a much lighter crowd!
1300 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
When: Black Friday - Christmas Eve
More Info: visitmacysusa.com
Parades
Harrisburg Holiday Parade
Nov. 22nd - Noon
Lebanon Holiday Parade
Nov. 22nd - 10am
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