No one has ever done this. Get out of here, unrealistic Christmas woman!
Have you ever noticed how busy December is? Of course you have.
I talked to one mom recently who told me “I couldn’t fit anything else into December if you paid me!”
So much for a relaxing holiday season to spend with our loved ones!
But that got me thinking: how busy is December, REALLY?
The best way I could think of the measure that was to look at public events in West Chester held this month.
Winter & Holiday Events in West Chester
I compiled this list of 30 events in December in West Chester—thirty!—to demonstrate how active and vibrant this town is, even when everybody is stretched thin.
By now, most of these events have passed, but the point is still the same:
There are LOTS of things to do in the West Chester winter—if you’ve got the time! 🙂
Let’s take a look.
Santa’s Express
Sat, 12/23 — by West Chester Railroad
West Chester Railroad
230 E Market St,
West Chester, PA 19382
All aboard Santa’s Express! Join Santa for a 90 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.
Once at Glen Mills passengers can disembark and explore the historic station. There are plenty of photo opportunities on Santa’s lap inside the station. All passengers receive treats from Santa!
Chester County’s Annual Holiday Gift Market
Sat, 12/10 — by For Sale, Free or Trade in Chester County PA
Exton Square Mall
Exton, PA 19341
Come out to FSFOT’s Annual Holiday Gift Market!
Shop from small businesses and local artisans and crafters. Local marketplace of beautiful holiday gifts all from Chester County businesses.
New Moms Holiday Coffee
Tue, 12/19 — by Chester County Down Syndrome Interest Group
316 Spring Meadow Dr.
West Chester, Pa
Please join us at the home of Dana Wainstein for a casual gathering to meet our new parents and to celebrate the Holiday Season.
Coffee and pastries provided. Children are welcome.
CPFA Winter Vocal Music Concert
Tue, 12/19 — by The Center for Performing and Fine Arts
Calvary Lutheran Church West Chester
730 S New Street
West Chester, PA 19382
The CPFA Music Department proudly presents a night of vocal music performed by our middle school and high school vocal students, along with the CPFA Chorale. Enjoy sounds of the season, along with classical and foreign language repertoire.
Admission is free. Donations and concessions benefit the CPFA Pillars Scholarship Fund.
Winter Solstice Drumming Fire Circle
Thu, 12/21 — by Temenos Community Retreat
1564 Telegrah Road
West Chester, Pennsylvania 1938
Come Join in Celebration on the Longest Night. Welcome Light Returning. Solstice Ceremonial Drumming. Extra Drums Available
Outside Fire. Inside Drumming with Fire in the Hearth. All Welcome.
Your Donations support Our Work. Suggested Donation $10.00 to $20.00
Temenos Holiday Open House
Sat, 12/16 — by Temenos Community Retreat
1564 Telegrah Road
West Chester, Pennsylvania 1938
Holiday Open House, featuring the Penns Wood Puppeteers.
Dedication of the Peace Path 2:30 & Face Painting with Meg and Jewel.
Ornament Making, crafts for sale, fefreshments for All & Tour of Temenos Retreat and Farm House!
4th Annual Bodega Christmas
Sat, 12/23 — by Boxcar Brewing Company
142 E Market Street
West Chester, PA 19382
We are excited to announce this years BODEGA CHRISTMAS at BOXCAR.
21+/$10 @ the Door
MORE INFO TBA!
27th Annual Christmas Concert: The Song in Our Hearts
Sun, 12/17 — by Westminster Presbyterian Church West Chester
10 W. Pleasant Grove Road
West Chester, PA 19382
Over 125 singers will perform in this concert along with a full orchestra and handbell choir. Led by: Robert Morris, Director, Glenn Kinckner, Accompanist, and Ron Bellamy, Handbell Director.
Free tickets are required to avoid overcrowding with a suggested donation of $20 minimum per ticket. You can preorder tickets on our website, which you can pick up in the church after November 6. Tickets will be available for distribution to the congregation on Sunday, November 5. There is a limit of six tickets total per family and no more than four tickets may be requested for the Sunday, 3pm concert.
Childcare is provided at all the Christmas Concerts for children 5 and under. We encourage parents to take advantage of this opportunity.
Holiday Family Movie Night
Fri, 12/15 — by West Chester Area YMCA
605 Airport Rd
West Chester, PA 19380
Jingle your family on down for a Holiday Double Feature of… ❄Trolls Holiday❄ & 🎄A Charlie Brown Christmas🎄
🌟REGISTRATION is REQUIRED for this event and is NOW OPEN🌟 Popcorn will be a-flowin’! MERRY MERRY!
2017 Holiday Gala
Sat, 12/2 — by Blake’s Blessing
225 N High St
West Chester, PA 19380
Blake’s Blessing is hosting a Holiday Gala fundraising event on December 2, 2017 at the Chester County Historical Society, in West Chester, PA. Formal attire.
Tickets available for purchase at BlakesBlessing.org.
The gala will include dinner by Limoncello, Open bar, dancing, and raffle prizes. Raffle tickets available for seperate purchase the night of the event.
All funds raised during this event will benefit the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Neurology and Infection Disease Departments responsible for Blake’s main focus of care and treatment as he battled Bacterial Meningitis in 2016.
Want more?
Here are 15+ more events! There’s just never enough time for anyone to make it to everything this town has to offer!
- Behold the Lamb, hosted by Christ Community Church
- Christmas Market/American Holiday Foods, by Tonya Lov Jewelry
- Toy Drive, hosted by Race 4 Ronald’s House
- Premier Holiday Party, hosted by Premier Personal Training
- Holiday Sweater Yoga, hosted by Local Yoga Cafe
- Night of Christmas Music, hosted by Journey Church
- WCM Holiday Party, hosted by West Chester Music
- Family Jazz Night/Cartoon Christmas, by Uptown Knauer PAC
- Hot Cocoa & Cookies Giveaway, by West Chester Growers Market
- Breakfast With Santa, hosted by Bar Avalon
- Skating with Santa, hosted by Ice Line
- Santa’s Comin’ To Town, hosted by West Chester Area YMCA
- 49ers Christmas Show 2017, hosted by Forty Niners Chorus
- Christkindl Polish Market & Foods, hosted by Artisan Exchange
- Christmas Carol Live Radio Play, by Resident Theatre Company
- The Nutcracker, hosted by Harrison Dance & Gymnastics Studios
- KidsJAM Musical Out-of-the-Box Christmas, by Westminster Presbyterian Church
So many choices!
Why it matters
Don’t ever let anyone tell you “there’s nothing to do around here!” If they do, show them this list.
West Chester really does have it all—in December or any other month!
Maybe next month, we’ll put together a list of upcoming spring events for the West Chester area. You know how those outdoor events start popping up everywhere as soon as March and April come around.
What’s your favorite?
Where do you spend your time in December? Ya know—other than stressing over shopping lists or pulling your hair out over travel plans 🙂
If you’ve got a few favorite events, charities, venues, or must-see goings on, please let us know! We’ll update this list to include them.
Happy holidays from the Fonash Team! See you all in 2018!
