Many holiday happenings in Pennsylvania are exciting and can bring the whole family together. These events include light displays, theme park visits, and ice-skating rinks. This list of exciting things to do for the holidays in PA will hopefully spark an idea for you to enjoy something fun with your spouse, kids, or friends.
While many people think of going to theme parks as a spring or summer activity, theme parks in Pennsylvania use the winter time to go all out with light displays. Here are some of the theme parks that can help you and your family get into the holiday spirit:
Knoebels’ Joy Through The Grove
Open from 5:30 pm-9 pm in December, Joy Through the Grove is a drive-through light display at Knoebels’ amusement park. The event features over 2 miles of lights and 500 individual illuminated set pieces featuring Knoebels characters and rides, such as a ski resort or Santa’s village. You can also get snacks and souvenirs for your family and even tune in to a custom radio station playing holiday classics and witty messages from the park.
Hersheypark Candylane
One of Pennsylvania’s most famous parks, Hersheypark, is putting on its Christmas Candylane event for the rest of the year. The event will feature a display of more than 5
million lights, select attractions, coasters guests can ride, and dessert dining experiences for those with a sweet tooth.
Holiday Events in Philadelphia
If your family is looking for more exciting things to do for the holidays in PA, you have plenty of options and events to look forward to in Philadelphia. The City of Brotherly Love has many holiday events for the whole family, and here are some of them.
Philly Neighborhood Light Displays
While you can see Philadelphia lit up during the holiday season, two neighborhoods are known for going the extra mile in their decorations.
Miracle on South 13th Street is a whole street lined with vibrant, decorated houses. For over 20 years, this neighborhood has been putting up holiday decorations like animated lights, Christmas wreaths, inflatable snowmen, or specific characters like Snoopy.
Smedley Street Christmas Spectacular is similar to Miracle on South 13th Street: a neighborhood in Philly with tons of extravagant, vibrant holiday decorations. The
people on Smedley Street have been putting up intricate, elaborate displays of Santa, Frosty the Snowman, and other holiday characters for over 50 years.
Dilworth Park and Philadelphia’s City Hall
Philadelphia City Hall always has a beautiful Christmas tree during the winter, and the surrounding plazas of Dilworth Park are fun to explore. Take your family ice skating at the Dilworth Park Ice Skating Rink, or walk around to see dozens of crafts, gifts, and food vendors. In addition, the driving tour of Broad Street and Ben Franklin Parkway offers beautiful scenic views.
Visit Burkholder Brothers’ Holiday Market
Are you looking for more exciting things to do for the holidays in PA? Visit the Burkholder Holiday Market. We have many unique gifts, from figurines to holiday-themed pillows. You can also purchase Pennsylvania-grown Christmas trees. In addition, our market also hosts family-friendly events, such as roasting marshmallows and visits from Santa and his reindeer. So stop by the Burkholder Holiday Market and have fun with the whole family.