A list of best things to do in Chester County this weekend
December 17th, 18th & 19th
What to do this weekend with your family? Here is a list of things you can enjoy with your family this weekend. There is so much to do for families and kids, especially now that most venues are open and happy to welcome you back.
Join us this December for the Holiday Classic, The Nutcracker! Ring in the season with Tchaikovsky's timeless score, and join Clara and her Uncle Drosselmeyer as they battle the Mouse King, travel through a magical forest of dancing snowflakes, and finally enter the Land of Sweets to meet the Sugar Plum Fairy who rewards them with performances by a sweet cast of characters.
Twas the Weekend Before Christmas, and all through the borough, West Chester’s elves make your winter fun thorough! Chester County Hospital Lights Up Holiday Weekends in West Chester has activities for the whole family to make your spirits bright.
Hop aboard the tram for a ride to Enchanted Woods to meet Mrs. Claus Bundle up, bring your lists, and be ready for holiday fun with hot chocolate, a sing-a-long, and the magic of this garden spot. Enjoy story time at the Maypole at 11:00 am, 11:30 am, and 12:00 pm. Included with admission.
Brandywine Railroad at Brandywine River Museum
A holiday favorite since 1972, the Brandywine Railroad offers something for everyone with its dazzling array of both toy and scale model trains made by Lionel, Williams, Atlas, Mike’s Train House, K-line, and others.
The display features trains running on 2,000 feet of track with more than 1,000 pieces, including locomotives, passenger and freight trains, and trolleys that pass through a small village, a farm, factories, and even a carnival and a drive-in movie theater. Interactive components are also incorporated into the display, operated by hands-free foot pedals that allow for further engagement.
Phoenixville Firebird Festival
A festival of arts and culture celebrating our town of Phoenixville through the mythology of the Phoenix.
In this hilarious Christmas classic, a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant is faced with casting the Herdman kids–probably the most inventively awful kids in history. You won’t believe the mayhem – and the fun – when the Herdmans collide with the Christmas story head on!
Come enjoy our FREE Holiday Lights Display from dusk to dawn (5pm-7am). Drive through our corporate campus and over 600,000 dazzling lights. We ask that all visitors stay in their cars for everyone’s safety.
Based on the beloved holiday film, this hilarious fish-out-of-water comedy follows Buddy the Elf in his quest to find his true identity.
Buddy, a young orphan, mistakenly crawls into Santa's bag of gifts and is transported to the North Pole. The would-be elf is raised, unaware that he is actually a human until his enormous size and poor toy-making abilities cause him to face the truth. With Santa's permission, Buddy embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father and discover his true identity. Faced with the harsh realities that his father is on the naughty list and his half-brother doesn't even believe in Santa, Buddy is determined to win over his new family and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas.
This modern-day holiday classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner elf. After all, the best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing loud for all to hear.
Callous Scrooge shackled Marley, and the haunting spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Future spring vividly to life in our fresh adaptation of a favorite yuletide ghost story. Featuring a vibrant mix of original songs and newly arranged nineteenth-century English carols, this music-infused retelling captures the magic, joy, and generosity of Dickens’ beloved classic.
Quick thing! For all you People's Light holiday veterans, A Christmas Carol is not a panto. But it is music-filled, interactive fun for every age—whether you believe in spirits or not.
While you are enjoying the market, you can also search for your perfect fresh Christmas Tree. Choose from hundreds of locally grown PA trees.
Join us on weekends for family-friendly events, including visits from Santa & his Reindeer, food trucks and bonfires complete with marshmallow roasting. Hot chocolate, beer & wine are all offered throughout the weekend festivities.
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: NEW! Holiday on Wheels, Traditional, Authentic Reproduction Around the World, 3-D, Movie or TV Set, Winter Wonderland, Student, and Kids Only. The Gingerbread entries will be on exhibit during shopping hours from November 19 through January 8, 2022. Admission is free.
LumiNature at the Philadelphia Zoo
See the Zoo transform into a dazzling winter wonderland beginning Thursday, November 18. Taking guests on a journey of lights, sounds, and surprises, LumiNature offers sparkling new displays, enhanced installations, performance artists, and seasonal treats in our biggest holiday light show yet!
Elmwood Park Zoo’s favorite family tradition, Wild Lights, returns this holiday season! With new lights and decorative attractions, and with more animals on exhibit, this year’s Wild Lights is sure to be brighter than ever! Each night of Wild Lights features live entertainment, unique animal encounters, performances, holiday music, and a chance to see Santa himself.
Based on the beloved Hans Christian Andersen story and the classic film, Disney's The Little Mermaid is a hauntingly beautiful story of love and letting go. Ariel, King Triton's youngest daughter, challenges her father’s authority as she dreams of finding her own way in the world above the sea. But what will she give up to fulfill her dreams of independence? Disney’s The Little Mermaid will capture your heart with its timeless story and irresistible songs, including "Under the Sea," "Kiss the Girl" and "Part of Your World." Disney’s The Little Mermaid promises to be one of the most spectacular productions ever staged at the Walnut!
A Christmas tradition since 1959, Strasburg Rail Road welcomes a very special visitor every November and December. That’s right, Santa himself will climb aboard the historic steam train to greet families as they travel down the tracks to Paradise, PA and back. As a special treat, children ages 11 and under will receive a gift from Santa and his helper during this nostalgic 45-minute steam train ride.
All aboard Santa's Express! Join Santa for a 75-minute journey on our heated decorated train through the Chester Creek Valley. Santa will be greeting everyone at Market Street Station and then going along for the ride to Glen Mills and return. Santa will be visiting all passengers while on the train. Make sure you bring your holiday lists with you so Santa can check them twice!
Celebrate the season with a one-of-a-kind holiday experience. The Yuletide tour at Winterthur showcases rooms in Henry Francis du Pont’s former home decorated in full holiday splendor, including specialty decorated trees that celebrate the garden, and du Pont family traditions. The displays are inspired by the traditions and festivities of the season as enjoyed by H. F. du Pont and his family.
We’ve decked the halls with more than 5 million lights for the merriest event of the year, Hersheypark Christmas Candylane®! Enjoy your favorite rides and coasters, a visit with Santa, festive Hershey Character experiences, and more.
Dutch Winter Wonderland is a fun, winter wonderland event featuring themed rides, special entertainment, warm holiday drinks, and The Royal Lights Show! Take in thousands of twinkling lights as the kingdom is fully decorated for a truly royal holiday! A Dutch Wonderful season has just arrived!
A Very Furry Christmas Celebration at Sesame Place® is a festive, family-friendly celebration with everyone’s favorite Sesame Street® friends. The park is transformed into a one-of-a-kind Christmas wonderland with millions of twinkling lights and festive decorations all around.
At the center of our 1-2-3 Christmas Tree show, is a 30-foot fully-illuminated pixel-based tree, that will project festive animated images while guests can dance along to a festive holiday soundtrack – all making for the ultimate light show experience! Take a photo with Santa, visit the ALL-NEW Christmas Family Fun Zone, and so much more!
The Wizard of Oz Educational Exhibit, a traveling exhibit based on the beloved movie classic, opens on Oct. 8 in Philadelphia. Visitors of all ages are invited to come along with Dorothy and Toto on a multi-sensory exploration of the Land of Oz.
Driving through the darkened countryside and coming over that last hill on the unlit country road is like driving into a fairyland. Suddenly you find yourself in a dazzling valley set aglow with more than one million Christmas lights adorning buildings, gift barns, and landscape. A reflective lake adds to the stunning beauty of this magical place.
Our Garden Railway is an engaging blend of horticulture, engineering, and lighthearted fun that holds a special place in the hearts of many.
This holiday season, wrap yourself up in the warmth—and the chill—of A Longwood Christmas as we showcase the dramatically beautiful contrast of fire and ice.
Guests to the Philadelphia Museum of Art can pay what they wish for admission every Friday evening and the first Sunday of the month. Reservations are required.
Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park have adventures behind every corner. They are the ultimate indoor playground for your entire family. Take your kids’ birthday party to the next level or spend a day of fun with the family, and you’ll see why we’re more than just a trampoline park.
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Fun Things to Do With Kids In Chester County is not responsible for and can not be held liable for any of the events or activities posted on this blog. Events and activities are posted for informational purposes only. We do not guarantee the accuracy of the times, dates, or locations of activities and events. We also do not guarantee that you and your kids will have fun, but we hope you will.
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All the contents on this website and all social media platforms are provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is intended to offer guidance regarding venues and businesses that are reopening. The ultimate judgment regarding any specific activity is yours. We do not take any responsibility for any decision you make with the information provided on this website and on our social media platforms. We are not medical doctors or professionals, nor do we have any medical or scientific training, education, or experience. You should follow government guidelines for safe practices for yourself and your family members before making any decisions relating to any activities that are outside your home.
