Tis the season to take a break from the usual hustle and bustle and enjoy some holiday cheer with friends. If you are looking for some yuletide cheer across the commonwealth, there are quite a few unique holiday attractions in Pennsylvania that you can check out!
“Nothing shines like Pennsylvania during the holiday season. From lighted walking trails to glimmering shops, holiday spirit is bright across the Keystone State,” said Carrie Fischer Lepore, Deputy Secretary of the Office of Marketing, Tourism, and Film, Department of Community and Economic Development. “So bundle up, hit the road, and pursue your happiness at the various charming attractions open now across the state.”
Eight of Pennsylvania’s must-see holiday attractions are:
Christmas Magic – A Festival of Lights; York, York County
This half-mile walking trail – accessible to anyone – wanders through a forest nestled on a quiet mountaintop and includes 600,000 Christmas lights, holiday scenes, train displays, and more. The event runs through Dec. 31, but is closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Shadrack Christmas Wonderland; Prospect, Butler County
The Shadrack Christmas Wonderland is the world’s largest drive-through, fully synchronized light and music show of its kind. Featuring hundreds of thousands of environmentally friendly LED Christmas lights, guests can sync their radio with the show. Shows are held nightly through Jan. 8, 2017.
Winter Lights Spectacular; Schnecksville, Lehigh County
This winter wonderland boasts giant snow globes, “snowballs” for children to toss, and milk and cookies with Santa. The event is open Wednesday to Sunday through Jan. 1, 2017, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
Hershey Sweet Lights; Hershey, Dauphin County
NOEL in Hersheypark, is a light show featuring more than 200,000 dancing lights synchronized to Christmas music. Nightly shows take place every half hour starting at 5 p.m. in The Hollow of Hersheypark. Hershey Sweet Lights is a two-mile wooded driving path with more than 600 animated displays.
Illuminaire Nights in Scenic Skippack Village; Skippack, Montgomery County
Hundreds of candles line the pathways and retail spaces of picturesque Skippack Village and are joined by carolers. See the spectacle Wednesdays and Fridays until Dec. 23.
Winter Flower & Light Show at Phipps Conservatory; Pittsburgh, Allegheny County
Built around a whimsical “Snow Day at Phipps” theme, the changing exhibit rooms will feature topiary penguins, bears and reindeer frolicking in showcases of artful LED lights, decorated fir trees, whimsical props, colorful poinsettias, aromatic paperwhites, showy amaryllis and more. From snowball fights and ice skating to cuddly blanket forts, the displays will revive the wonder of a winter’s day of childhood play in guests of every age. The site is open until Jan. 8, 2017.
Koziar’s Christmas Village; Bernville, Berks County
Celebrating 68 years of Season’s Greetings, Koziar’s Christmas Village has grown to a mammoth and extraordinary seasonal attraction drawing visitors from great distances as well as local families who have made Koziar’s part of their Christmas tradition for three generations. It is a seasonal attraction that includes displays, a train, a kissing bridge, and thousands of twinkling lights. It is open seven nights a week through Jan. 1, 2017.
Overly’s Country Christmas; Greensburg, Westmoreland County
Overly’s Country Christmas, a nonprofit organization operated mainly by volunteers who are committed to creating holiday memories with a walk-around Christmas Village that’s filled with an array of old-fashioned traditions and treats. Sing carols ’round the bonfire, revel in the model train display, have your picture taken with Santa (in the days before Christmas), take a horse drawn wagon/sleigh ride or shop for gifts in the C. Edgar & Sons General Store plus much, much more as you experience the warmth of this traditional Christmas Village!
