Approaching “the most wonderful time of the year”.
Maybe you’re not ready to trim the tree yet, or you’re not celebrating Christmas yet.
Even if you don’t, there are still plenty of fun things to do in South Jersey and across the bridge in Philadelphia this time of year.
Here are 12 places to do over the holidays:
Dickens Festival, Medford
Medford’s Main Street will come alive December 3 4:30pm to 9:00pm with the Dickens Festival.
There will be food, carolers, magic, comedy, juggling, crafters and hot chocolate in a rain or shine family event.
Main Street will be transformed into a “whimsical winter wonderland.”
The event, which usually draws about 10,000 people, is free.
Go: Main Street Medford; https://medfordbusiness.org/events/dickens/
WheatonArts Annual Holiday Sale, Millville
The annual Holiday Studio Sale is on for you, the shoppers until December 4. Hours of operation are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m
Members can experience original works of ceramics and glass at discounted prices.
Ceramics include works by resident senior potter Terry Plaskett and the WheatonArts team of potters Samantha Bartlett, Tessa Carlton, Clint Hunter, Amy Pezeler and Phyllis Seidner.
For sale are glass works by Melanie and David Leple, as well as unique pieces by WheatonArts Glass Artists.
Admission is free for the Holiday Sale held at the WheatonArts Event Center.
Visitors can create personalized gift tags at the art activity table.
Go: 1000 Village Drive, Millville, 856-825-6800; wheatonarts.org/
Cook’s Tour of Moorestown, Moorestown
The popular holiday will return December 7 from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m Guests will be able to tour the four featured homes, all beautifully decorated for the holiday season.
Tickets can be purchased for $25 online through Ticket Leapor in person at participating stores:
Karl’s Shoes, Moorestown Community Center, Flagg Garden Center, Moorestown Hardware, Navy Blue Home & Gifts, Ralph’s Market, Ramblewood Garden Center, Mount Laurel.
Tickets can be purchased the day of the event at the Community House of Moorestown from 10am to 5pm and at Moorestown Hardware from 8am to 6pm.
The tour is presented by Virtua Memorial Auxiliaries.
Go: givetovirtua.org/partner-with-us/community-partners/cooks-tour-of-moorestown/
Winterfest, Smithville Historic Park, Eastampton
incl December 10 From 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., visitors will see roving Christmas carolers in Victorian costumes, a Victorian Santa, an elf hunt in the Mansion Maze, ice carvers, ice skating, a bonfire and s’mores, a carousel, live entertainment, a holiday market with artists and artisan vendors, a demonstration blacksmithing, food trucks, homestead and village tours, art exhibits and more.
Go: 803 Smithville Road, Eastampton, 609-265-5858; co.nj.us/1988/Winterfest
Mount Holly Vacation Homes Tour, Mount Holly
The tour takes place in the village December 10 from 3 to 8 p.m
Twelve beautifully decorated private historic homes and five public spaces are part of the tour.
Cost is $15 per ticket (in advance) or $20 per ticket at the door (night of event cash only). Tickets are available online at EventBrite.
Tickets can also be purchased at these three Mount Holly restaurants: Teddies of Mount Holly, 44 White Street; Robin’s Nest Restaurant, 2 Washington Street and The Local Eatery & Pub, 64 High Street.
Places for comfortWarm up while dining al fresco at these 20 South Jersey restaurants and breweries
Tickets are non-refundable.
Go: mainstreetmountholly.org/holiday-house-tour.html
Christmas Village, Philadelphia
This authentic German Christmas market has been in Love Park and City Hall for several years.
It works until December 24 and is open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m
There are vendors, food and drink, rides including a two-story carousel, tastings, activities, an appearance by Phil the Reindeer and more.
Go: 1500 JFK Blvd.; philachristmas.com/
Night of Lights at Creamy Acres, Malika Hill
This colorful drive-thru event features holiday lights and Christmas music.
Participants can bundle up and ride through the working display until December 24.
Those who drive through it can tune in to a special station and listen to their favorite Christmas carols.
The midway features bonfires, food trucks, and photo opportunities with Santa and Christmas characters. There is also a Christmas shop.
The price is $35 per car.
Go: Creamy Acres Farm, 448 Lincoln Mill Road, 856-223-1669; creamyacres.com/seasonal-events/#nightoflights
Tinseltown Holiday Spectacular, Oaks, PA
A massive, immersive experience featuring more than 1.2 million lights flow through December 31 on the fairgrounds at the Greater Philadelphia Exposition Center.
The event allows visitors to stroll through a one-of-a-kind winter wonderland of lights, shopping and dining.
Visitors will witness new experiences, including an 8,000-square-meter food rink with real ice, a 162-foot two-lane ice slide, an expanded vendor village, an all-new layout and more. Tinseltown will also bring back special events like Waggin’ Wednesday and Gritty Claus Nights.
This year Tinseltown will have professional choirs perform during Fa La La La Fridays with carolers. Also new this year is the Tinseltown illuminated dance floor.
Tickets start at $19.99 for adults and $14.99 for children 13 and under – children under four get in for free.
Go: 100 Station Avenue, Oaks, PA; phillyexpocenter.com/events/tinseltown-holiday-spectacular-2/
South Jersey Holiday Light Show, Bridgeport Speedway, Swedesboro
The South Jersey Holiday Light Show is on until December 31 on selected dates.
A mile of dancing light displays will be watched from the comfort of your car. By tuning the radio to the provided station, families can enjoy synchronized together the sights and sounds as the characters come to life to the beat of the music.
Advance tickets are $25 per reserved car or $62.50 for unlimited visits. Tickets can be purchased at the gate, although availability is not guaranteed.
Full show schedule and tickets available online.
Go: 83 Flood Gate Road; HolidayLightShow.com
HoliDIG Light Show, Diggerland USA, West Berlin
Diggerland USA is all about Christmas lights on January 1. This mile-long road trip features all the construction vehicles twinkling with lights, holiday displays, tunnels, and a Diggerland radio station to fill your car with holiday spirit.
Visitors can enter anytime between 5:30 PM and 9:00 PM. The ticket, which costs US$34.95, is valid for entry per vehicle and is not valid for general admission to Diggerland. Tickets are non-refundable.
Go: 100 Pinedge Dr., diggerlandusa.com/holiday-light-show/
Holiday Light Show, Shady Brook Farms, Yardley, PA
The Shady Brook Farm Holiday Light Show features more than 3 million lights illuminating acres of farmland.
You’ll encounter whimsical demonstrations and familiar characters as you drive your own vehicle or out in the open, pulled by a tractor.
The show is on until January 6. Attendees can tune their radio to 90.7 FM to listen to their favorite holiday songs during the light show. Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday from 17:00 to 22:00, Friday and Saturday from 17:00 to 23:00
Big sceneThe South Jersey Children’s Choir sings at the famous Radio City Christmas Show in New York
Prices: Car/Minivan/Pickup – $40 online, $50 offsite. Minibus/limousine – $75; bus – 150 dollars.
Go: 931 Stony Hill Road, Yardley, PA (use Morrisville for GPS); shadybrookfarm.com/pages/holiday-light-show
Vintner Wonderland, Renault Winery, Egg Harbor City
Head down for ice skating, shopping at The Shops at Vintner Village, stories with Santa, holiday tractor rides, Festival of Trees to benefit Faces 4 Autism, craft workshops, live entertainment, wine and dine and more.
The Renault family supports Faces with autism. Team members will decorate holiday trees that will be displayed on the grounds and auctioned at the Festival of Trees Gala on December 8.
The Village and ice rink are open Friday through Sunday until February 26 with rink sessions depending on the weather. Family 4 Packs, Season Passes and Resort Packs and detailed opening hours are now on sale.
There are fireplaces, igloos, and cabins available for rent.
Go: Bremensky Prospect, 72; renaultwinery.com/vintner-wonderland/
Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest, Philadelphia
Winterfest has been a Philly tradition for 29 seasons on the Delaware Riverfront.
Visitors experience thousands of twinkling lights in a winter wonderland with stunning views of the Delaware River.
It features cozy, warm cabins, a campfire station, rides and games, food and hot drinks, a signature holiday tree and star of the show ice skating on an NHL-sized rink.
Winterfest that works until March 5, entrance is free. Benefits such as skating and cabin and firebox experiences can be booked in advance. Admission to skate is $5, skate rentals are $12.
Go: 101 South Columbus Boulevard; https://www.delawareriverwaterfront.com/places/blue-cross-riverrink-winterfest
Celeste E. Whittaker is a news reporter for the Courier Post, Daily Journal and Burlington County Times. The South Jersey native started at CP in 1998 and has covered the Philadelphia 76ers, college and high school sports and won numerous awards for her work. Contact her by email at cwhittaker@gannettnj.com.
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