Celebrate the Season

Delaware County transforms into a winter wonderland during the holiday season! Enjoy everything from choosing your own Christmas tree and stunning light displays to outdoor ice-skating and festive live performances. Get into the holiday spirit with some of our favorite seasonal activities.

 

See holiday light displays.

There are few Delco holiday traditions more cherished than a visit to Rose Tree Park’s Festival of Lights.  For more than four decades, dozens of lighted trees and festive displays have illuminated the winter evenings as the glimmering walkways and grounds create a magical atmosphere for visitors young and old. This year, visitors can enjoy Delco Fare & Flair Nights (December 5, 7, 8, 14 & 15) with local food trucks, vendors, and family-friendly entertainment.  Trees and displays will illuminated every night from December 5, 2024 through January 4, 2025 for public enjoyment.

Once you’ve made the pilgrimage to Rose Tree Park, hop in the car, put on some holiday tunes, and take a drive through our towns, boroughs, and municipalities.  Delco decks the halls, or in this case, our houses, main streets, storefronts, and historic sites, with holiday lights and cheer for everyone to enjoy.  There’s even an app – Christmas Prism –  developed by a Delco Dad! –  you can download to plan your perfect light-seeing trip!

Savor Seasonal Flavors.

Food is truly one of the highlights of the holiday season, especially with the diverse dining options throughout Delaware County. From cozy, family-friendly restaurants to festive local pubs and upscale dining spots, Delco offers flavors for every craving and holiday gathering. Holiday menus feature comforting classics and warm seasonal desserts, perfect for creating memories with loved ones. Delaware County’s bakeries, cafés, and diners also add to the charm with freshly baked goods and seasonal treats. Enjoying holiday meals at these local gems not only satisfies but brings a special warmth to the season.

Cut your own Christmas tree.

Arasapha Farm is home to one of the spookiest and scariest attractions (Bates Motel) in the United States during the Halloween season.  But, during the holidays, the monsters and ghouls are long gone, and this family farm is a great place to bundle up and make some memories.  A free hayride to the Christmas Tree Forest is included where you can find amazing Douglas Fir, Fraser Fir, and Norway Spruce trees.

Linvilla Orchards, Delaware County’s favorite family-friendly farm, transforms into a Winter Wonderland during the holidays.  Take your whole family on a hayride to the Christmas tree fields to select your tree.

Visit with Santa.

With tree lighting ceremonies, holiday breakfasts, story times and photo opportunities scheduled throughout December, it seems like Jolly Old St. Nick will be spending lots of his spare time in Delco.  Here are a few of the places you can find him this season:

Glide on ice.

Flight on Ice  is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking the magic of the season. Winter’s chill is no match for the warmth of shared moments, flickering fire pits, and holiday ambiance and fun.  Whether skating with loved ones or sipping hot cocoa afterward, it’s a perfect way to embrace the holiday spirit.

Make Delco Your One-Stop Holiday Shop

Get ready to immerse yourself in a wonderland of holiday shopping, where the streets are adorned with twinkling lights, store shelves are bursting with possibilities, and the spirit of giving is in the air. From quaint boutiques to bustling markets, Delaware County has something for everyone on your list.  Discover Delco’s retail treasures here.

Catch a live holiday performance.

Here in Delaware County, there are loads of live productions and performances guaranteed to fill you with the holiday spirit. From seasonal symphonies to The Nutcracker, and everything in between, Delco serves up terrific festive fun for the whole family. With our world-class theater companies and creative talent, you’re sure to find something that will get you in the mood for celebrating this holiday season.

 

Get in the holiday spirit with local libations.

We guarantee you will find a little holiday cheer in a local-made brew or glass of wine.  Luckily, Delco has you covered on both counts.  Beer lovers can head to Sterling Pig Brewery, 2SP Brewing Company, Larimer Brewhouse, Iron Hill Brewery, Four Fingers Brewing Company, Ship Bottom Brewery Blendery & Barrel House , or Artillery Brewing Co.  Or, if you consider yourself more of an oenophile, Grace Winery, Penns Woods Winery, John Robert Cellars, and Vino Bambino Winery,  can recommend a bottle or two to suit all your holiday hosting needs.  Eat, drink (responsibly!), and be merry!   

Experience holiday (model) train fun.

Model trains have become a ubiquitous part of the holidays and Delco embraces this beloved holiday tradition and the heart-warming nostalgia they deliver. Brandywine Museum of Art’s Brandywine Railroad, a holiday favorite since 1972, features trains running on 2,000 feet of track and contains more than 1,000 pieces, including locomotives, passenger and freight trains, and trolleys that pass through a small village, a farm, factories, a drive-in movie theater and even a carnival.  A dazzling array of both toy and scale model trains can be seen chugging through the varied scenery, including those made by Lionel, Williams, Atlas, Mike’s Train House, K-line and others. Interactive components are also incorporated into the display to allow for further engagement.  Adding to the trove of tiny treasures on view, a new exhibition, titled The Wonderful World of Wyeth Miniatures, will feature dollhouses and model trains that were previously owned by members of the famously creative Wyeth family, which they lovingly outfitted with handcrafted tiny furnishings, paintings, and unique details.

The Historic Grange Estate is an architectural history lesson covering more than 300 years of Delaware County’s history and the holidays are an especially enchanting time to step inside and imagine Christmases past. Model train lovers won’t want to miss the Cobbs Creek Lines Holiday Railroad, a magical land of Lionel and o gauge trains housed in the Estate’s Carriage House. Visitors of all ages will delight in this immersive, fun-filled, and fantastic display.

Take a Holiday House Tour.

Whether you are looking for some decorating inspiration for your own home, or you just want to spend a leisurely afternoon enjoying beautiful houses and estates in their holiday finest, you won’t want to miss these opportunities to see firsthand just how Delaware County decks its halls. A number of local organizations welcome guests to tour homes and historical sites during the most wonderful time of the year.

 

Shop at a holiday market. 

Take a break from the big-box stores and spread the holiday cheer to our local artists and crafters. They offer plenty of one-of-a-kind gifts, from handmade jewelry to gourmet snacks and local wines. We’ve compiled a list of jolly markets happening in Delco this holiday season.  Check them out below!

Come home for the holidays. 

There’s no place like home for the holidays, especially in Delaware County. Delco offers a range of welcoming accommodations, from cozy B&Bs to comfortable hotels, perfect for hosting family and friends this holiday season. Whether you’re coming back to reconnect with loved ones or bringing visitors to experience the area, Delaware County has ideal lodging options to make the season memorable. With the charm and warmth that only Delco can offer, your holiday stay will feel just like home.

 

 

Disclaimer:  Visit Delco hosts information about regional events as a service to our local community and visitors.  This information is provided by event organizers, and while we strive to ensure accuracy, it is possible for information to be incorrect.  We may not be made aware of changes made to an event, such as a cancellation, postponement, rescheduling, or reaching attendee capacity.  Please check with the hosting organization to verify event details.  While events in this blog are moderated by Visit Delco, a listing does not imply an endorsement.