Fa La La in Pa.: 2024 holiday events across Pennsylvania

Here’s a sampling of holiday events where you can celebrate the season in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania isn’t just a winter wonderland because of the cold temperatures and the snow—it’s also a celebrated winter attraction because of the numerous holiday events that take place across the state! Whether you’re driving through a light display, admiring a local tree lighting celebration, or touring a garden decked out in holiday cheer, there are dozens of holiday events you can attend in Pa. to make your season shine.

We’ve put together a list of some of our favorite ways to celebrate Christmas, New Year’s, Hanukkah, and winter itself—but rest assured, there are many more holiday attractions in Pa. that would bring a smile to your face! What’s your favorite holiday event in the commonwealth?

Holiday events in Philadelphia & Southeastern Pa.

Mummers Parade – Philadelphia

Date: Jan. 1

Philly’s annual Mummers Parade celebrates the start of the new year by bringing together thousands of costumed merrymakers performing their way down Broad Street. Join in the fun at the country’s longest-running folk parade on New Year’s Day.

Photo courtesy of Mobilus In Mobili/CC BY-SA 2.0.

Miracle on South 13th Street – Philadelphia

Dates: Dec. 1-Jan. 1

Thanks to a group of community-minded neighbors within the 1600 block of South 13th Street in Philly, you can enjoy an incredible, DIY holiday display in the middle of the city by visiting the Miracle on South 13th Street. The display was voted one of the 10 best public displays in the country by USA Today.

Koziar’s Christmas Village – Bernville

Dates: Through Jan. 1

Located in Berks County, Koziar’s Christmas Village and its dazzling holiday light display has been spreading Christmas cheer to Pa. families for more than 75 years. In addition to the more than one million lights, you can also visit Santa, several indoor holiday displays, food stalls, and more at one of the state’s biggest holiday attractions.

Holiday events in Pittsburgh & Southwestern Pa.

“It’s a Wonderful Life” Parade and Festival – Indiana 

Dates: Parade on Nov. 23; Festival on Saturdays through Dec. 21

Celebrate the classic Christmas movie—and its star, Jimmy Stewart, who was born in Indiana—at the small town’s “It’s a Wonderful Life” Parade and Festival. Visit the Jimmy Stewart Museum, cheer during the holiday parade, and, of course, catch a showing of “It’s a Wonderful Life.” They’ll be plenty of bell ringing, since “every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.”

Hanukkah Block Party – Pittsburgh

Date: Dec. 15

In mid-December, Chabad of South Hills is hosting a pre-Hanukkah party for kids with dreidel games, karaoke, food trucks, and arts and crafts. Taking place before the eight-day Jewish holiday, the Hanukkah Block Party is sure to get your family in the Hanukkah spirit!

Christmas in the Mountains – Donegal

Dates: Dec. 6-8

Throughout the first weekend of December, you can head to the Donegal area to experience a bevy of holiday activities and seasonal specials at more than a dozen local businesses. The event, Christmas in the Mountains, is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2024, having delighted revelers each holiday season since 1999. You might partake in a sale at a local business for your holiday shopping or enter giveaways for prizes like a weekend stay at the gorgeous Foggy Mountain Lodge & Pub.

Phipps Holiday Magic – Pittsburgh

Dates: Through Jan. 5

The Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens will light up with festive botanical displays, lights, and more during the conservatory’s annual Phipps Holiday Magic. This year, the theme of the floral show is “enchantment,” and you’ll surely feel like you’re in a fairytale when wandering through the fantastic light displays and magical exhibits.

Photo courtesy of Nick Amoscato/CC BY 2.0.

Holiday events in Northeastern Pa.

Peckville Christmas House – Peckville

Dates: Nov. 28 – Jan. 7

The Peckville Christmas House is an annual tradition for the local family that completely decks out their house in holiday decorations to rival the Griswolds of “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” Visiting and touring the house is also an annual tradition for thousands of Peckville and NEPA neighbors.

Olde Time Christmas – Jim Thorpe

Dates: Weekends Dec. 7 – Dec. 22

You’ll feel as if you’ve traveled back in time when visiting picturesque Jim Thorpe during its annual Olde Time Christmas celebration, complete with Victorian decorations and old-timey Christmas caroling. Plus, you can also travel by train aboard the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway’s Santa Claus Special!

Holiday events in Northwestern Pa. 

Asbury Woods Winter Wonderland – Erie

Dates: Dec. 1-30

During evenings in December, nature preserve Asbury Woods transforms into the Asbury Woods Winter Wonderland, where you and your family can walk the familiar boardwalk near the nature center when it is blazing bright with holiday cheer (and lots of lights)! The Winter Wonderland also has a fun animal display inside the nature center as well as a fan-favorite model train.

Presque Isle Lights – Erie

Dates: Dec. 6-29

The Presque Isle Lights is a holiday light extravaganza that you can enjoy alongside the beauty of Presque Isle State Park at night. You’ll take a driving tour through the nighttime light display, which also features a decorated lighthouse and views of the glowing Erie skyline.

Holiday events in Central Pa.

Dickens of a Christmas – Wellsboro

Date: Dec. 7

If you want to enjoy an old-fashioned Christmas, you can head to Wellsboro in northern Pa. to celebrate the little town’s Dickens of a Christmas celebration. This year (2024) marks the 40th incarnation of the event, which takes over Wellsboro’s classic, small-town Main Street. You can wander through a market of arts and crafts vendors, join the annual sing-along, and admire the traditional Dickens-era costumes—or wear one yourself! Be sure to catch Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol,” showing at local theaters.

Pa. Capitol Tree Lighting Ceremony – Harrisburg

Date: Dec. 10

The Pa. Capitol Tree Lighting Ceremony is led by the governor of Pa. when he (or she!) lights the state capitol’s holiday tree amidst Christmas caroling and visits from celebrities like Santa Claus. The tree stands sentinel in the middle of the capitol’s gorgeous rotunda for the entire holiday season. 

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.