Top Holiday Happenings
Bucks County offers the perfect activities and events to celebrate the holiday season in 2023!
- Shady Brook Farm
ALL IS BRIGHT
Annual Holiday Light Show
Shady Brook Farm
November 18, 2023 - January 8, 2024
Remember the season with a photo of Santa. Don’t leave without a car or open-air wagon ride through the Holiday Light Show. With more than 3 million lights illuminating the vast farm, this 2-mile ride around is something to behold on a chilly wintry night. Finally, bundle up and toast some S’mores at a private or public fire pit!
Grand Illumination Celebration
Peddler’s Village
November 17, 2023
The Village lights up at 6:15 p.m. sharp on Friday, November 17! Join us when Santa and his helper flip the switch to illuminate the entire Village starting the Season of Lights complete with many musical and dance performances by local groups. Admission is free.
Gingerbread Competition and Display
Peddler’s Village
November 17, 2023 – January 13, 2024
A holiday tradition at Peddler’s Village since 1984, the Gingerbread Competition and Display is a feast for the eyes with more than 75 creative and whimsical entries in these categories: Traditional Holiday Gingerbread House, Holly Jolly, Authentic Reproduction of a Bucks County Landmark and more!
Holly Jolly Weekend
Peddler’s Village
December 2 & 3, 2023
The holiday season celebrations at Peddler’s Village culminate with the Holly Jolly Weekend, which includes among other happenings a Santa Parade through the Village on both Saturday and Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
- Peddler's Village
JINGLE BELL ROCK
White Christmas
Bucks County Playhouse
November 18, 2023 - December 31, 2023 Based on the classic Hollywood movie musical, “Irving Berlin’s White Christmas” is a technicolor, Broadway musical extravaganza filled with Berlin’s classic tunes including “Blue Skies,” “Sisters,” “How Deep Is the Ocean?”, “The Best Things Happen When You’re Dancing,” “Count Your Blessings” and more. Song-and-dance men, Bob Wallace and Phil Davis team up after the war to become of the hottest acts in show business.
Christmas with the Rat Pack - Together Again
Sellersville Theater
November 26, 2023
Swing into the Christmas season with The Rat Pack Together Again and their famous Christmas Concert. Together they amaze audiences with their recreation of a magical Christmas at The Sands Casino with Sinatra, Martin and Davis in this sensational show which brings the style, glamour and excitement of the Las Vegas Including all the great hits - My Way, Mr Bojangles, That’s Amore New York New York, Amore, and seasonal classics Christmas songs, such as, Let It Snow,The Christmas song and of course White Christmas. Christmas Memories Really Are Made of This! Together they amaze audiences with their recreation of the music of Sinatra, Martin and Davis, in a magical Christmas show The Rat Pack Together Again Christmas show is guaranteed to bring back magical festive memories and set the mood for the most wonderful time of the year!
Gerald Dickens’ A Christmas Carol Performance
Byers’ Choice
December 9 & 10, 2023
Byers’ Choice in Chalfont has been handcrafting Caroler® figurines for more than 40 years. Stop in the factory to see how they are made and tour their Christmas Museum. This year “A Christmas Carol,” performed by Gerald Dickens, Charles Dickens great-great-grandson, will be performed on Saturday, December 9 at 1:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., and Sunday, December 10 at 1:30 p.m.
A Christmas Story
Bristol Riverside Theatre
November 28, 2023 - December 31, 2023 The classic movie comes to hilarious life on stage! In 1940s Indiana, a young, bespectacled Ralphie schemes his way toward the holiday gift of his dreams, an official Red Ryder Carbine-Action 200-Shot Range Model Air Rifle. An infamous leg lamp, an outrageous set of pink bunny pajamas, a maniacal department store Santa, and a triple-dog-dare to lick a freezing flagpole are just a few of the obstacles that stand between Ralphie and his Christmas wish.
It's A Wonderful Life
Town and Country Players
November 17, 2023 - December 2, 2023 This beloved American holiday classic comes to life as a live 1940s radio broadcast. With the help of an ensemble that brings a few dozen characters to the stage, the story of George Bailey, the Everyman from the small town of Bedford Falls, whose dreams of escape and adventure have been squashed by family obligations and civic duty, and whose guardian angel has to descend on Christmas Eve to save him from despair, and to remind him – by showing him what the world would have been like had he never been born – that he has had, after all, a wonderful life.
- Sesame Place A Very Furry Christmas Grover & Friends
YULETIDE CHEER
'A Very Furry Christmas'
Sesame Place® Philadelphia
November 17, 2023 – January 7, 2024
Head to Sesame Place® Philadelphia in Langhorne for a special holiday performance from everyone’s favorite furry friends. The fun music and dance specials are a festive way for the family to enjoy some fun holiday spirit while singing along! Do a Christmas Dine with Elmo and Friends, see the 1-2-3 Christmas Tree Show, and join in on the Hanukkah & Menorah Lighting Celebration with Baby Bear!
The North Pole Express
New Hope Railroad
Weekends November 11, 2023 - December 24, 2023
Sip hot chocolate and enjoy a freshly baked cookie while singing along with the railroad’s roaming musicians as they play Christmas carols. The North Pole Express offers similar amenities, but is pulled by a vintage diesel locomotive instead. Gear up in pajamas and enjoy the relaxing holiday ride through historic Bucks County. Rent a private caboose or coach car for you and your close ones.
Holly Nights
Pennsbury Manor
December 7-8, 2023
Come and experience the enchantment of Pennsbury Manor by candlelight. Enjoy crackling bonfires, the merry sound of carolers, candlelit tours of the Manor House, colonial craft demonstrations, and a visit from Father Christmas himself!
- Snow at Fonthill Castle
DECK THE HALLS
Holidays at Fonthill Castle
Fonthill Castle
Starting on November 18, 2023
Starting on Saturday, November 18th on all weekdays throughout this holiday season, the daily one-hour guided tours of historic Fonthill Castle showcase Henry Mercer’s home decked for the holidays while sharing the history of Mercer and the construction of this unique property. Tours are 60 minutes and guided. Fonthill Castle’s interior features Mercer’s renowned, handcrafted ceramic tiles designed at the height of the Arts and Crafts movement, and the castle serves as an early example of reinforced concrete architecture with forty-four rooms, two hundred windows, and eighteen fireplaces.
Christmas at Aldie
Aldie Mansion
December 3, 2023
With gilded hallways, sparkling decorations, festive music, and delicious cuisine, Christmas at Aldie will be a magical evening starting at 5:00 p.m. You will delight in a holiday-themed cocktail and a delicious dinner from Jeffrey A. Miller Catering and are sure to head home in the festive spirit. Limited capacity to 160 guests. Reservations required.
Festival of Trees
Pearl S. Buck House & Historic Site
November 16, 2023 - January 7, 2024
Each year during the Annual Festival of Trees, the rooms of Pearl S. Buck’s iconic Bucks County stone farmhouse come alive with the glow of holiday decorations. The event showcases beautiful trees and vignettes designed by Bucks County’s best artists, decorators, and local community groups to convey the spirit of Pearl S. Buck’s legacy as an author, humanitarian, and activist. Visitors have the opportunity to vote for their favorite display.
Take a Driving Tour
Explore the many self-guided driving tours Visit Bucks County has online. Take the famous Covered Bridge Driving Tour. Or, try out one featuring Stone Barns, Haunted Stops, stops along the Underground Railroad – and more!
- Van Sant Covered Bridge
JOY TO THE WORLD
The Crossing Reenactment
Washington Crossing Historic Park
December 10 & 25, 2023
Held every year on Christmas Day at the location of Washington’s Delaware River crossing is a reenactment of the treacherous crossing itself! There are two chances to see the crossing with narrator Peter Hegseth, enjoy special colonial-era activities and demonstrations in the Historic Village. The park will be decked out in period wreaths, candles and holiday trees.
Grinchmas Food Truck Fest & Holiday House
Bolton Mansion
December 2 & 3, 2023
Ho-Ho-Ho! Santa Claus (and The Grinch!) are coming to town! Join Bolton Mansion for holiday fun for the whole family! This event will be held from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. and will feature the arrival of Santa via firetruck, visits and photos with Santa and The Grinch (free with your own camera!), food trucks, children's activities, a DJ, beer/cocktail garden, vendors/crafters for your holiday shopping and more.
- Instagram: Great Barn Brewery
DRINK & BE MERRY
Holiday Celebration & Light Up the Vines
Bucks County Wine Trail
December 9, 2023 - January 1, 2024
Join the six wineries of the Bucks County Wine Trail for the second annual Light Up the Vines holiday illumination! Come, see the beauty of the holiday season in Bucks County's beautifully lit vineyards. Join in for the event kickoff following the Holiday Celebration on Saturday, December 4 at each of the six member wineries of the Bucks County Wine Trail illuminating the vineyard each evening at dusk. Each winery will have its own hours and special happenings.
Bucks County Ale Trail
Grab a brew (or two!) at one of the many breweries along the Bucks County’s Ale Trail! Relax and kick back with seasonal brews as you complete your passport to win a limited-edition t-shirt.
Bucks County Distilleries
Visit Bucks County’s distilleries are offering take-out this holiday season! Warm up and sip on aged spirits, such as Whiskey with a Port Wine finish from Dad’s Hat or Sunday Morning Stout Corn Whiskey from Triple Sun Spirits Co. A bottle of one of their hand-crafted spirits makes the perfect holiday gift!