​Christmas, Hanukkah Events In New Hope: Parades, Tree Lightings, More

NEW HOPE, PA — There are plenty of things going on around New Hope 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 Lighting

• The Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce will hold a public Menorah Lighting on Dec. 10 beginning at 5 p.m. at the New Hope Visitors Center on South Main Street. The public is invited to attend.

Christmas Tree Lightings

• The New Hope Holiday Tree Lighting takes place on Sunday, Nov. 26. Presented by the Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce and the Logan Inn, the event will unfold at the Logan at 10 West Ferry Street beginning with music at 5 p.m. followed by the arrival of Santa to officially light the tree. Afterwards, everyone's invited for cookies and hot chocolate.
• 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.
• 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 New Hope 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:

• The Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce presents this year's New Hope Holiday Parade on Sunday, Dec. 3 beginning at 4 p.m. The parade will step off from the New Hope-Solebury High School and will proceed down South Main Street.
• 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.