Hey everyone! It's Kathy Romano from B101, and I'm so excited to share my annual Holiday Activities Guide with you!
I started creating this guide years ago because I'm absolutely obsessed with the holiday season—I love getting out there and experiencing all the magic our Philadelphia area has to offer. When friends, family, and listeners started asking me for suggestions on where to go and what to do during the holidays, I decided to put together a different list every year!
This guide is everything I actually do during the holiday season—from festive cocktails at cozy speakeasy bars to dazzling light shows, DIY workshops, tree farms, and so much more. Whether you're looking for a romantic date night, a fun girls' day out, or family-friendly adventures, I've got you covered.
So grab your hot cocoa, bundle up, and let's make this holiday season one to remember! **Happy Holidays!**
1. Elmwood Park Zoo - New Christmas Cows
Elmwood Park Zoo is one of my favorite places to visit any time of year but especially during the holiday season. Elmwood Park Zoo transforms into a magical winter wonderland during Wild Lights, running select nights from November 21 through December 30. This enchanting evening experience features millions of twinkling lights illuminating the zoo’s pathways, five sparkling light tunnels, and stunning animal-shaped displays that create an immersive holiday adventure for the whole family.
New this year are the adorable mini Highland cows in the Christmas Cows exhibit, offering perfect photo opportunities with these fuzzy favorites. Classic holiday traditions return including visits with Santa at his Workshop, cookie decorating and storytime with Mrs. Claus, and festive carousel rides beneath the glow of holiday lights. Adults can enjoy specialty Tito’s holiday cocktails at ZooBrew while everyone delights in live entertainment, animal meet-and-greets with the zoo’s ambassador animals, and the festive atmosphere.
Dog lovers shouldn’t miss Sunday nights when furry family members are welcome to experience Wild Lights and even pose with Santa. For a daytime holiday treat, Brunch with Santa takes place on December weekends with three sessions daily, featuring a buffet, photo opportunities with Santa, animal encounters, and zoo admission all included—making it the perfect way to create lasting holiday memories with your family.
Coupon Code: For $5 off admission use code: KRSLIGHT
2. Yeager’s Farm - Cut your own Christmas Tree
If you’d like to take the family on a little adventure to cut your own Christmas tree, Yeager’s is the place! Step into six generations of holiday magic at Yeager’s Farm and Market in Phoenixville. This authentic family operation offers the complete holiday experience: wander through 45 acres to hand-select your perfect tree from 50,000 growing on land farmed by the Yeager family. Enjoy complimentary hot cocoa and cookies.
Their charming gift shop overflows with fresh-baked treats, ornaments, and locally-made treasures. I suggest cutting your tree down in the late afternoon then stick around for the new Holiday Light Show. It’s a 1.1-mile drive through 60 acres of illuminated Christmas trees with music synchronized to the dazzling displays.
Take your own vehicle Thursday through Sunday, book a Friday or Saturday hayride for the full festive experience, or join the special “Bike the Lights” event on December 10th, where you can ride your bike through the lights as many times as you’d like. Free Santa visits start November 28th, and with free hayrides to the tree fields on Black Friday and weekends, Yeager’s Farm delivers old-fashioned hospitality with new-fashioned holiday sparkle.
Coupon Code: KATHY for $5 off light show
Bristol Riverside Theatre lights up the season with two holiday productions that bring Broadway magic to Bucks County. The world premiere of *The Nice List* (December 9-28) delivers festive family fun in a sparkling 90-minute musical created by the stars behind Sesame Street, Disney’s *Aladdin*, and *Avenue Q*. This heartwarming adventure features dazzling choreography, festive songs, and even invites lucky kids on stage before the show. Then, *An American Christmas Songbook* returns with classic carols and contemporary favorites performed by Bristol Riverside Theatre’s acclaimed singers.
The celebration extends beyond the theatre with Wine-Down Wednesday, Thirsty Thursday, and Friday Festival pre-show events, plus holiday cookies and festive treats available for purchase. Bristol Borough businesses are joining the fun with a “Naughty & Nice List” of themed cocktails and desserts, making it the perfect day trip for theatre, dining, and charming riverside shopping.
Coupon Code: B-101! 10% on tickets.
4. Tabletop Christmas Tree Centerpiece Workshop with Craft with Bespoke (Two dates and locations!)
- Saturday, December 7 at 12pm at Well Crafted, Lansdale, PA
- Wednesday, December 10 at 7pm at Wake Coffee & Bake, Flourtown, PA
Looking for the perfect girls' day out or a creative way to kick off the holiday season? Join Craft with Bespoke for a festive DIY workshop where you'll create an adorable tabletop Christmas tree centerpiece! This evergreen-based arrangement is designed around a delicious orange cranberry muffin from Wake Coffee & Bake and features clementine pomanders studded with cloves, dried oranges, pine cones, and live cranberry garland. It's crafty, it's festive, and it smells amazing!
People always ask me if they need to be crafty to do these workshops and the answer is no! No experience needed. They will teach you everything you need to know and guide you through. Whether you're a seasoned crafter or a total beginner, you'll leave with a beautiful centerpiece that you crafted yourself.
Coupon Code: $10 off if you book through the above link
5. North Pole Social at Hotel Indigo West Chester and the West Chester Parade
The North Pole Social is a cozy, classy holiday speakeasy tucked away in the basement of Hotel Indigo West Chester. This intimate pop-up bar brings serious seasonal charm with twinkling white lights, festive décor, and that unmistakable speakeasy vibe that makes you feel like you've stumbled onto the best-kept secret of the season.
The cocktail menu is packed with winter favorites designed to warm you up and get you in the spirit: sip on a bright and spiced Christmapolitan, a shimmering Snow Globe, velvety Clarified Egg Nog, and more creative concoctions that taste like the holidays in a glass. It's walk-in only; 5pm-1am daily. No reservations needed, so grab your friends (21+ only) and enjoy the holiday magic!
Hotel: If you book an overnight stay at the gorgeous Indigo Hotel as for the corner room that overlooks Gay street, my favorite room in the hotel!!! You’ll also receive the Longwood Package which includes untimed tickets to A Longwood Christmas. The entire Hotel Indigo and attached West Chester Seafood Kitchen are decked out for the season, so you'll be surrounded by Christmas trees, garland, and glowing lights from lobby to speakeasy to dining room.
Parade: I'm so excited to be hosting the West Chester Christmas Parade again this year! The streets of downtown West Chester fill with festive floats, marching bands, and community members with so much holiday cheer. The parade is preceded by the Tree Lighting ceremony featuring a brand-new Christmas tree that's taller than ever, and it's all part of Chester County Hospital Lights Up Holiday Weekends in West Chester—where more than 80,000 holiday lights transform the historic downtown into a sparkling wonderland. After the parade, you're just steps away from the Hotel Indigo, where you can warm up at the North Pole Social speakeasy or enjoy a cozy holiday dinner at West Chester Seafood Kitchen. Stay the night and head to Longwood Gardens the next day!
6. Santa Claus is Coming to Your House
How about if Santa stops by your house ahead of Christmas to create lasting memories with your little ones? No more rushed mall visits—this is a premier in-home experience where Santa spends genuine quality time with your family. The Real Santa has made time in his busy schedule and is available on weekends, weekdays, and weeknights from late November through December. He sees you when you’re sleeping, he knows when you’re awake, so he already knows your family’s traditions and is focused on creating lasting memories. The experience includes Santa’s undivided attention, storytelling, genuine conversation about each child’s year, and moments of pure holiday magic that feel absolutely real.
Coupon code: B101GIFT for a complimentary collectible keepsake for each child.
7. McGillins Holiday Bar
Step into Philadelphia's oldest continuously operating tavern and experience Christmas on steroids! McGillin's has been a Philly institution since 1860, and every holiday season they transform the historic bar into a twinkling winter wonderland with 3,000 lights, 1,000 feet of garland, 150 red bows, and 200 ornaments. It's the perfect holiday bar to hit up after visiting the Comcast Holiday Spectacular or Dilworth Park's Christmas Village.
Sip on festive cocktails, all with great names attached to them and enjoy special events all holiday long. Throughout the season, you'll catch Little Irish dancers, carolers, Santa visits, and strolling Mummers bands on weekends before Christmas. Don't miss their the Annual Toy Drive benefiting Ronald McDonald House (December 10), Ugly Sweater Karaoke (December 17), and Sing-Along Christmas Carol Night (December 18).
8. Johnson’s Corner Farm’s Holiday over the lake
At Johnson's Corner Farm, you can take a Musical Light Show Hayride around the farm as thousands of twinkling lights dance to your favorite Christmas tunes, with decorated barns, tractors, and farmhouses creating a festive wonderland. The COMBO ticket gives you the full experience: the Musical Lightshow Hayride, Fire and Lights in the Discovery Barnyard, and the Lightshow on the Lake in the animal farm—all at a reduced price.
Warm up by the fire pits while roasting s'mores, sip hot cocoa, and visit the goats and cows in the Animal Farm. Kids will love the animated Light Show on the Lake set to holiday music. On weekends, join Santa and Mrs. Claus for a family-style breakfast complete with story time and a personal visit with Santa himself!
Purchase discount tickets online in advance—they sell out during peak times! Weekdays offer lower crowds and better pricing, perfect for a more relaxed holiday outing.
9. Shops at The Wanamaker Light Show
Philadelphia’s beloved Wanamaker Light Show gets a brilliant companion this season with the debut of Shops at The Wanamaker Light Show. Opening Black Friday and running through Christmas Eve, this cozy new indoor market brings 30 curated local vendors into the historic Wanamaker Building’s Grand Court—the same stunning space where over 100,000 LED lights dance to holiday melodies every hour on the half hour. Browse handcrafted jewelry, Philly-themed gifts, artisan spirits, gourmet treats, and unique home décor while basking in the glow of one of the city’s most treasured spectacles since 1956.
It’s the perfect escape from the cold: warm up between outdoor festivities, catch a light show (daily from 12:30pm with the majestic Wanamaker Organ providing accompaniment), then shop your way through felted flowers, hand-blown glass, craft cocktails at the Snowflake Bar, and everything from alpaca wool accessories to locally sourced honey. Presented by the makers of Christmas Village in Philadelphia.
10. The Electrical Spectacle Light Show at Franklin Square
Nightly from 5pm – closing, every 30 minutes | FREE!
Experience one of Philadelphia's premier winter light shows for FREE at Franklin Square! The Electrical Spectacle Light Show, presented by PECO transforms the historic square into a dazzling winter wonderland with hundreds of thousands of LED lights synced to your favorite holiday classics. From Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You" to “Winter Wonderland” by Johnny Mathis, the choreographed light displays create the perfect backdrop for your Instagram-worthy holiday photos.
Themed around Ben Franklin's famous electric discovery with a giant kite and key, the shows run every 30 minutes throughout the evening—and listen closely, because you'll hear my voice announcing when each show is about to start! It's festive, it's free, and it's pure Philly holiday magic.
Coupon Code: This event is FREE!
*Bonus: Colebrookdale Railroad Holiday Excursions
The holiday season isn't complete without a train ride, and Colebrookdale Railroad's Holiday Excursions are hands down my favorite! I've been on this magical journey multiple times, and it never gets old. Step aboard beautifully refurbished Victorian coaches that are gorgeously decorated and heated for comfort as you journey into Christmas past on Santa's Polar Bear Express.
The experience is pure holiday magic: indulge in the most delicious hot chocolate, enjoy freshly baked cookies, and watch as every child receives a special gift and the chance to hand-deliver their Christmas letter to Santa himself. The railroad also offers "'Twas The Night Before Christmas" themed rides and the Snowflake Special through the scenic Secret Valley.
This isn't just a train ride—it's a treasured holiday tradition that captures the heart of the season. Trust me, this is the best holiday train ride you'll experience!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
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