Holiday Activities in Bucks County and Beyond

Below is a list of some of my favorite places in the Philadelphia area to visit during the holidays.

Chester County, Pa.

Longwood Gardens  in Kennett Square is the quintessential holiday wonderland both inside and out. If you haven’t experienced it, get your tickets now! However if your time or budget is limited, there are many other options in the Delaware Valley!

Bucks County, Pa.

Festival of Trees – Pearl S. Buck House, Perkasie. Tour this iconic Bucks County farmhouse decorated for the holidays by local artists, decorators and community groups. Reservations Required.

Fonthill Castle in Doylestown, pictured above, has been one of my favorite places since I was a child. It has a  different tree in every room of their tour. If you have been curious about this castle, there is no better time to visit than now to learn the history and get some great Christmas card photos!

Peddler’s Village in Lahaska a great place if you have littles, who might not be able to withstand the three hour tour of Longwood. You are free to roam the grounds and enjoy lights, food and shopping and great photo opportunities around every corner!

Byers Choice, Chalfont, Pa. We inherited these figurines from our parents and didn’t realize until recently that they are made right here in Bucks County! Did you know there is a Byers’ Choice Christmas Museum? Start with a short film about the company’s history inside a Victorian theater. Next walk down a cobblestone street scene straight out of Dickens’ London and peer through the windows of shops and homes filled with Christmas displays.

Delaware County, Pa.

Festival of Lights, in Rose Tree Park in Media, another free option, begins on December 4.

Thornton Farmer’s Market hosts a holiday market each year at Grace Winery in Glen Mills, which has become a yearly tradition. This year, it’s December 5th from 4pm-9pm.

Lehigh County, Pa.

Christkindlmarkt at ArtsQuest (SteelStacks) in Bethlehem. This German-inspired market is one of the largest markets in the nation, offering artisans, food and activities. Set on the grounds of former Bethlehem Steel, this site is a great example of repurposing of an industrial site.

If you like train displays, check out Brandywine River Museum, Morris Arboretum and Longwood Gardens. For train rides, I love the West Chester Railroad for a ride through the countryside and the New Hope Railroad for a variety of more curated excursions.

What are your favorite holiday spots?

Happy Holidays!