The holiday spirit will soon be in full swing in the Philadelphia region. Tree lightings, parades and other events will take place throughout the holidays as people gather with friends and family.
Here’s a list of upcoming tree lightings and parades to attend in the Philadelphia region, from Rittenhouse Square to the Shore.
Tree Lighting in Pennsylvania
Manayunk
Nov. 14 at Canal View Park, 4418 Main Street
Manayunk kicks off the festivities Thursday with tree lighting and the debut of “Manayunk Gets Lit” on Main Street. The festivities start at 5:30 PM with live music and a real snow machine. Santa arrives in a fire truck at 5:45 p.m. and the tree lighting is at 7 p.m. Businesses will unveil their holiday decorations – and turn on more than 80,000 lights – as part of the “Manayunk Gets Lit” contest.
Santa will also have prizes for some of the most festive Eagles fans on Thursday night.
Doylestown
Nov. 29 in downtown Doylestown
Bucks County will host a Christmas parade and tree lighting in Doylestown on November 29 at 5 p.m.
City Hall
December 5 outside City Hall
The annual tree lighting at City Hall is December 5 at 7 p.m. The event will feature musical guest Keyshia Cole and other artists. If you want to do some shopping after the festivities, the Christmas Village Market is also open.
Media
Dec. 5 at Rose Tree Park
Delaware County will begin to shine with the Festival of Lights tree lighting ceremony on December 5 at 5pm at Rose Tree Park in Media. This free event will feature holiday music from the Lake Middle School Select Choir, food trucks, a visit from Santa Claus and more. There will also be seasonal entertainment, food trucks and other programming on December 7, 8, 14 and 15.
West Chester
Dec. 6 at the courthouse
Downtown West Chester will host a tree lighting on the courthouse steps, followed by the Hometown Christmas Parade on December 6 at 6:30 p.m.
Rittenhouse Square
Dec. 9 at Rittenhouse Square
Celebrations, including the tree lighting, will take place in Rittenhouse Square on December 9 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
Tree Lighting in New Jersey
Marlton
Nov. 16 at The Promenade at Sagemore
Turn on the Christmas lights with The Promenade at Sagemore on Saturday, November 16 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM. The lighting of the Christmas tree takes place in the central square of the shopping plaza. The event, which benefits the Ronald McDonald House of Southern NJ, will feature Santa Claus, Evesham Township fire and police departments, a petting zoo, the Cherokee High School choir and musical guests Luke Abruzzo and Ginger Coyle.
Haddon Field
Nov. 29 at Library Point
Haddonfield will begin its celebrations with a tree lighting at Library Point on November 29 at 6pm. The first evening of Candlelight Shopping, on which the shops in the city center remain open until 8 p.m. or later, will follow. Mr and Mrs Claus will lead a parade to Kings Court and also post up for photos. Candlelight shopping is possible on Fridays until December 20.
Cape May
Dec. 6 at Rotary Park
Cape May will light a tree and host an evening of “old-fashioned family fun,” including carols and a visit from Santa Claus on December 6 at 7 p.m. at Rotary Park at 400 Lafayette Street.
Mount Hulst
Dec. 6 at Main Street & Mill Street
Mount Holly will host a tree lighting, parade, visit from Santa and train rides around town on December 6 from 6 p.m. to get you in the holiday spirit.
Camden
December 7 at Camden Waterfront
Camden will light a tree and celebrate the season on December 7 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Camden Waterfront at 401 North Delaware Avenue.
Tree Lighting in Delaware
Newark
December 6 on the Academy Building Lawn
Newark’s Winterfest is December 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. In addition to tree lighting, the celebration will include ice carving, singing, a new craft market and more.
Wilmington
December 7 at Rodney Square
Wilmington will ring in the season with a tree lighting on December 7 at 6:30 PM in Rodney Square. This evening will feature a performance by cast members of Candlelight Dinner Theater’s “A Christmas Carol by Candlelight.”
