Bucks County is welcoming the holidays early this weekend! Check out the dazzling Grand Illumination at Peddler’s Village, drive through Shady Brook Farm’s festive Holiday Light Show and enjoy A Very Furry Christmas at Sesame Place!
Santa Claus is headed to Peddler’s Village to spark the Grand Illumination celebration! Watch thousands of lights come to life, enjoy complimentary hot apple cider and explore the Gingerbread House Competition & Display. Drive through a dazzling display of more than 3 million lights as they illuminate the acres surrounding Shady Brook Farm during this year’s Holiday Light Show. Don’t miss the debut of A Very Furry Christmas at Sesame Place, which kicks off with Santa’s Grand Illumination this Saturday!
Check out our guide below for details on this weekend’s must-see events around the County. Stay up-to-date on what’s coming up next week with our Upcoming Events calendar.
Friday, November 16
Peddler’s Village Grand Illumination
Join Santa Claus in welcoming the holidays to Peddler’s Village during the Gran Illumination Celebration! Enjoy complimentary hot apple cider and marshmallow roasting, check out the winners of the Gingerbread House Competition & Display and get a jump start on your holiday shopping!
When: November 16, 6 – 9 p.m.
Where: Peddler’s Village
Cost: Free to attend
Holiday Trees at the Bucks County Visitor Center
Don’t miss Holiday Trees at the Visitor Center, a beautifully decorated display of trees designed by former White House decorator, Coleen Christian Burke. Pick up an exclusive Bucks County Holidays Coupon book with discounts and special offers to must-see holiday attractions.
When: November 16 - 18, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Where: Bucks County Visitor Center
Cost: Free to attend
The Rivals at the Bristol Riverside Theatre
The Rivals, the famously funny farce with Mrs. Malaprop, is now a hilarious new musical. Be the first audience to experience this Broadway-bound, world premiere with book and lyrics by two-time Tony nominee, Peter Kellogg, and music by two-time Richard Rodgers Award-winner, Stephen Weiner.
When: November 16 – 18, check online for showtimes
Where: Bristol Riverside Theatre
Cost: $46 - $54
Once Upon a Time… Exploring the World of Fairy Tales at Mercer Museum
Step inside the larger-than life pages of beloved fairy tales from around the globe including Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, and Jack and the Beanstalk during the Mercer Museum’s “Once Upon A Time… Exploring the World of Fairy Tales” exhibit. Check out this Friday’s “Twilight Tales” special event!
When: November 16 – 18, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Where: Mercer Museum
Cost: Free with museum admission
“The Janis Project” and “30 Years: Art at the Michener” at the James A. Michener Art Museum
Marvel at the striking large-scale sculptures by the talented Frank Hyder during the Michener’s latest exhibition, “The Janis Project”. Make sure to check out “30 Years: Art at the Michener, 1988-2018” as well, a special exhibition that invites visitors to learn new stories about familiar works of art and discover objects from the Museum’s vault that have never before been on display.
When: November 16 – 18, 10 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Where: James. A Michener Art Museum
Cost: Free to attend
I Hate Hamlet at the Bucks County Playhouse
Hot Hollywood actor Andrew Rally, star of a recently cancelled TV series, arrives in New York to play “Hamlet” in Central Park and moves into the outrageously Gothic Greenwich Village apartment once owned by John Barrymore. While Andy loves the city, the theater and stardom … he hates “Hamlet.”
When: November 16 – 18, check online for showtimes
Where: Bucks County Playhouse
Cost: $40 - $80
Fonthill Castle’s Escape Room
Mystery and intrigue await all those who dare to enter Fonthill Castle’s Escape Room. Discover Henry Mercer’s connection with the legend of Bluebeard and solve the puzzle that awaits you in an uncharted room at the top of the castle’s tower! Reserve your spot online, tickets sell out fast!
When: November 16 – 17, check online for tour times
Where: Fonthill Castle
Cost: $40
Live Music with E Minors at Triple Sun Spirits
Enjoy live music by the E Minors as you enjoy delicious local brews at Triple Sun Spirits.
When: November 16, 8 – 10 p.m.
Where: Triple Sun Spirits
Cost: Free to attend
Live Music at the New Hope Winery
Don’t miss memorable performances by Classic Stones Live™ and John McEuan and the String Wizards this weekend at the New Hope Winery! Reservations are required.
When: November 16, 8 – 10 p.m. (Classic Stone Live™) and November 18, 4 – 6 p.m. (John McEuan)
Where: The New Hope Winery
Cost: $35 (Classic Stone Live™), $55 (John McEuan)
Bria Skonberg at the Zlock Performing Arts Center
New York-based Canadian singer, trumpeter and songwriter, Bria is one of the most versatile and imposing musicians of her generation. Listen to her bold horn melodies, smoky vocals and adventurous concoctions of classic and new at the Zlock Performing Arts Center!
When: November 16, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Zlock Performing Arts Center
Cost: $15
Bucks County’s First Art Hotel
The Centre Bride Inn is presenting Bucks County’s inaugural Art Hotel venture to the area’s community of art enthusiast far and near.
When: November 16 – 17
Where: Centre Bridge Inn
Cost: Free to attend
Shrek Jr. at Acting Naturally Inc.
Everyone's favorite ogre is back in this hilarious stage spectacle, based on the Oscar-winning smash hit film and outrageous Broadway musical. Part romance and part twisted fairy tale, Shrek JR. is an irreverently fun show with a powerful message for the whole family.
When: November 16 – 17, check online for showtimes
Where: Acting Naturally Inc.
Cost: $10 - $12
Art and Music at Cairn University
Cairn University is hosting a musical performance and art exhibit this weekend! The Cairn Symphony invites you to enjoy the melodies and flashy overtures of their “A New Beginning” performance. Plus, the “Blairstown: My Hometown” art exhibit will be on display all weekend-long!
When: November 16, 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. (A New Beginning) and November 16 – 18, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (Blairstown: My Hometown)
Where: Cairn University
Cost: $8 - $15 (A New Beginning), Free to attend (Blairstown: My Hometown)
Annual Small Works Show
Make your way to Washington Crossing to peruse the Annual Small Works Show, featuring over 35 artists with new work being displayed regularly.
When: November 16 – 18, check online for times
Where: Canal Frame – Crafts Gallery
Cost: Free to attend
Saturday, November 17
Holiday Light Show at Shady Brook Farm
Experience the magic of more than 3 million lights illuminating acres of Shady Brook Farm’s Holiday Light Show! 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.
When: November 17 - 18, 5 – 10 p.m.
Where: Shady Brook Farm
Cost: $30/carload, $50 mini-bus, limo or RV, $125/bus
A Very Furry Christmas at Sesame Place
Join everyone’s favorite Sesame Street friends during Sesame Place’s family-favorite holiday Celebration: A Very Furry Christmas. Sesame Place is transforming into a one-of-a-kind Christmas wonderland with millions of twinkling lights, spectacular musical shows and parades, as well as a Grand Illumination of the park by Santa on his magical sleigh this Saturday!
When: November 17 – 18, 11:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Where: Sesame Place
Cost: Check online for ticket prices
Nativity Weekend at Byers’ Choice
Jump start the holidays with a day of fun and Christmas spirit at Byers’ Choice Ltd. and Glencairn Museum. Enjoy festive projects, prizes, tours, exhibits and refreshments! Reservations required.
When: November 17 – 18, check online for times
Where: Byers’ Choice
Cost: $25
Once Upon a Pose: Fairy Tale Yoga Session at the Mercer Museum
Spark your child’s imagination by bringing fairy tales to life through a fun, educational and creative yoga practice at the Mercer Museum! Reservations are required.
When: November 17, check online for session times
Where: Mercer Museum
Cost: Free to attend
Great Gatsby Prohibition & Burlesque Show
Dress to the nines for a prohibition party featuring a burlesque show and live jazz, blues and pop performances in Doylestown’s Main Street Marketplace! Reservations are required.
When: November 17, 8 p.m. – 1 a.m.
Where: Main Street Marketplace
Cost: $80
Tree Lighting at the Shops at Valley Square
Bring the family and join the community for a fun night out to ring in the Holidays in the Shops at Valley Square! Watch Santa and Mrs. Claus lead the annual tree lighting in the Town Center, then stick around for free hot chocolate and live music.
When: November 17, 6 p.m.
Where: The Shops at Valley Square
Cost: Free to attend
Jazz Night at the James A. Michener Museum
Enjoy open galleries, hearty appetizers and a jazz concert by the ultra-talented V. Shayne Frederick at the James. A Michener Art Museum. Reservations required.
When: November 17, 8 – 11 p.m.
Where: James A. Michener Art Museum
Cost: $53
“The Place” Taping at McCoole’s Arts & Events Place
Be a part of the live audience experience as Mike Powell headlines "The Place" a new original TV series filmed at the newly upgraded McCoole's Arts and Events Place. Reservations are required.
When: November 17, 8 – 11 p.m.
Where: McCoole’s Arts & Events Place
Cost: $28.50
Saturday Morning Bird Walk at Peace Valley Nature Center
Join the Peace Valley Nature Center every Saturday morning for an early morning bird walk with an experienced bird watcher.
When: November 17, 8 – 9:30 a.m.
Where: Peace Valley Nature Center
Cost: Free to attend
Sunday, November 18
Stories and Stuff: Once Upon a Time
In this creative workshop series of ten sessions guided by artist-in-residence Darcy Fair, children ages 6-12 create their own magical stories inspired by fairy tales. Sessions feature live music, read-aloud stories and imaginative play. Reservations are required.
When: November 18, 1 – 2:15 p.m.
Where: Mercer Museum
Cost: Free to attend
Holiday Tasting Party with Gregory Benjamin Preserves
Visit the Tubby Olive this Sunday when Gregory Benjamin showcases his famous Bucks County preserves, marmalades and conserves, just in time for the holidays!
When: November 18, 12 – 4 p.m.
Where: The Tubby Olive Newtown
Cost: Free to attend
Sunday Crafternoons at Naked Brewing Company
Join the Naked Brewing Company for Sunday Crafternoons! Enjoy discounted drinks and participate in a different arts and crafts project each week.
When: November 18, 4 – 7 p.m.
Where: Naked Brewing Co.
Cost: Free to attend
Pairing Wine & Chocolate at Crossing Vineyards and Winery
Enjoy a "sweet" afternoon at Crossing Vineyards filled with tips on how to pair your two favorite foods. Includes instruction, wine tasting, tour and your personal assortment of Pierre's Chocolates.
When: November 18, 2 p.m.
Where: Crossing Vineyards and Winery
Cost: $35
