​Christmas, Hanukkah Events In Doylestown: Parades, Lightings, More

DOYLESTOWN, PA — There are plenty of things going on around Doylestown to celebrate the 2023 winter holidays.

Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights, starts at sundown on Dec. 7, and ends at nightfall on Dec. 15. Christmas, of course, is on Dec. 25, but you don’t have to wait to start taking in all the sights and sounds of the season.

Menorah lightings in Doylestown are:

• A Chanukah Celebration will be held Sunday, Dec. 10 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Temple Judea, 38 Rogers Road, Furlong. There will be interactive singing, dancing, crafts, candle lighting, treat bags, doughnuts, raffle baskets and more. Register at Jewishphilly.org/TempleJudea. Walk-ins will not be permitted, government IDs will be checked at the door, and bags will be subject to search.

Christmas tree lightings include:

• Plumstead Township will hold its annual Tree Lighting on Friday, Dec. 1 beginning at 6 p.m. at Hanusey Park, 4757 Gordon Road, Doylestown. The rain date is Dec. 2. Featured will be an ugly sweater contest, dance performance, choral music, Santa's big arrival aboard a fire truck, crafts and refreshments.
• Buckingham Township will hold its annual Tree Lighting on Friday, Dec. 1 beginning at 6 p.m. at the township building. The CB East Choir will sing on the porch beginning at 6 p.m. Santa is scheduled to arrive on a fire truck at 6:30 p.m. to light the tree. Afterwards, there will be cider, coffee, hot chocolate and cookies inside the Buckingham Room. Youngsters will have a chance to visit with Santa and share their lists. Bring a non-perishable food item for the food pantry.
• A Festival of Trees is on display inside the Pearl S. Buck House, 520 Dublin Road, Perkasie, through Jan. 7. The event showcases trees and vignettes designed by Bucks County's best artists, decorators and community groups. The cost is $18 for adults, $15 for seniors (62 plus) and $10 for students for the Life and Legacy Tour and $10 per person for the decor tour. Call 215-249-0100 or visit pearlsbuck.org.
• The Bucks County Wine Trail presents its Holiday Vineyard Illumination from Dec. 9 to Jan. 6 from 5 to 8 p.m. at designated wineries in Bucks County. Guests will experience the wineries decorated for the holidays while enjoying spiced wine tastings, Christmas cookies and artisanal cheeses. Visitors can get a jump start on holiday shopping with special discount pricing, wine gift packs, gift baskets and unique wine accessories.

Christmas parades, often complete with Santa Claus, festively decorated floats and marching bands, are a holiday tradition, both nationally and locally.

Parades in the Doylestown area may not be able to match that in size, but the heart behind them is just as big. Parades to catch here at home include:

• Holly Jolly Weekend at Peddler's Village on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 2 and 3, will feature Santa Parades through the village starting at 1:30 p.m. both days. There will be live music, family activities, holiday food and drink specials, and a gingerbread display.

Holiday lighting displays are another holiday favorite. Some to catch in Pennsylvania are:

• Shady Brook Farm Holiday Light Show, open nightly from now through January 7. The farm is located at 931 Stony Hill Road in Yardley. To order tickets and for information, visit shadybrookfarm.com.