There is nothing like celebrating the holidays in the Philadelphia area! And that includes all of the fun ways to celebrate Christmas in Montgomery County.
From fantastic light displays to historic homes and even fun activities for the kids, there is no shortage of holiday cheer in the region.
Some of the events below are even FREE! So, let’s start planning your holiday fun for December (and into January).
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Free Ways to Celebrate Christmas in Montgomery County, PA
Festival of Trees at Ambler Theater in Ambler
New for 2025! Over 30 trees are beautifully decorated and on display inside the Ambler Theater on Butler Avenue. The display runs from December 5th through January 4th and is available to the public for FREE whenever the theater is open.
Pennypacker Mills Holiday Tours in Schwenksville
Pennypacker Mills is the former home of Pennsylvania Governor Samuel W. Pennypacker and showcases what life was like during the early 1900s.
However, for the holidays, from November 25th until January 4th, Pennypacker Mansion is decked out and tours focus on what Christmas was like at the turn of the 20th century.
Tours depart every 30 minutes Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 am to 3 pm, and on Sunday from 1 pm to 3 pm. Tours are FREE, but donations are always appreciated!
Holiday Parades in Hatboro and Ambler
Many towns in Montgomery County love to kick off the holiday season with a Christmas parade!
Hatboro hosts its annual parade the Sunday before Thanksgiving. For 2025 the parade is on November 23 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. It travels along York Road from Summit Avenue to Newington Drive.
Ambler also goes big for the holidays with its parade the first Saturday in December. It starts at 1 pm on December 6th for 2025, and travel down Butler Avenue from Bethlehem Pike to Main Street.
Christmas at Keswick Village in Glenside
Each year, Keswick Village throws the ultimate Christmas party! For 2025, there will be FREE rides on the Keswick Village Train, “snow” by Bucks Bubbles, and meet and greets with Anna and Elsa (plus even more!)
The party takes place on December 14th from 4 pm – 7 pm in Keswick Village (Keswick Avenue and Wharton Road).
Other Christmas Fun in Montgomery County
Glencairn Museum in Bryn Athyn
You have a few options to enjoy the holidays at Glencairn in Bryn Athyn.
First, you can tour the World Navtivities Exhibit on the main floor of the house. This self-guided tour is availble every day and features more than two dozen nativities. They also have a scavenger hunt and crafts for the kids.
This event is $5/person runs daily Friday, November 28, 2025–Sunday, January 4, 2026, and then Tuesdays through Sundays from January 6, 2026–Sunday, January 25, 2026
If you’d like to see more of the gorgeous home, take the Christmas in the Castle tour. The one-hour guided tour shares how the Pitcairn family celebrated Christmas and includes access to the tower and the family chapel.
Tours are offered daily from Friday, November 28, 2025–Sunday, January 4, 2026. Admission is $15 for adults. Reservations are required.
Merrymead Farm Santa Express in Lansdale
This one sells out fast, so you better move quick! The Merrymead Farm Santa Merry Express is a fun 15-minute train lighted ride through the farm.
Guests can meet with Santa & Mrs. Claus, enjoy donuts, hot chocolate, and warm up by the firepit after the ride.
For 2025, the train rides are offered Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from November 28 through December 13th.
Wild Lights at Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown
Elmwood Park Zoo’s Wild Lights are a fun way to enjoy the zoo at night! And it’s one of the best holiday light displays near Philadelphia.
Beginning November 21st, running select nights through December 30th, the zoo is lit up with projections, strands of lights, and other fun displays.
Food and treats are available for purchase. Some of the animals are still out and about during the event, making it even more fun.
Holiday Bricktacular at Legoland Discovery Center in Plymouth Meeting
Legoland Discovery Center is already a fun thing to do in Montgomery County. But add a little holiday magic, and it’s even better!
Every year, the space is transformed and decorated with holiday displays like GIANT LEGO DUPLO Sleigh, LEGO snowman, LEGO reindeer. Even the LEGO Philadelphia is decked out! There are also activities like Create a LEGO Gingerbread House and meet and greets with LEGO Santa.
Bricktacular runs from November 29th – January 4th for 2025. You’ll want to purchase admission ahead of time to save money.
Twelfth Night at Pottsgrove Manor in Pottstown
Pottsgrove Manor, built in 1752, showcases the elegance of early Georgian architecture. Throughout the year, visitors can learn about the history of John and Ruth Potts, their 13 children, and the paid, indentured, and enslaved people who lived and labored here.
However, during the holiday season, Pottsgrove Manor is transformed for the yuletide season!
Visitors can see each room decorated for the holidays and learn about how modern festivities differ from 18th-century celebrations such as Twelfth Night and Boxing Day.
This special tour is available from Saturday, November 29th, through Sunday, January 11th, Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00 am -4:00 pm, and Sunday, 1:00 pm-4:00 pm.
Historic Trappe Christmas Tours in Trappe
Capture the spirit of a Pennsylvania German Christmas and Historic Trappe’s Dewees Tavern and the Muhlenberg House. They are beautifully decorated for Christmas in a festive 18th-century style.
At the Dewees Tavern, you can enjoy the German Erzgebirge woodcarvings, a towering Moravian Christmas pyramid, whimsical Noah’s arks, and enchanting holiday displays that
Don’t forget to stop by the museum stores — perfect for holiday shopping! Find springerle cookies, redware pottery, fraktur, handcrafted ornaments, and many other Pennsylvania German-style gifts.
Tours are $15 for both houses and are offered Fridays and Saturdays (10 am to 4 pm) and Sundays (12 to 4 pm) from November 28th to January 4th.
More Ways to Celebrate Christmas Near Montgomery County
There are so many more ways to celebrate the holidays near Montgomery County.
First, you can check out the many amazing things to do in the neighboring Bucks County. We especially love Christmas at Fonthill Castle in Doylestown.
But of course, Philadelphia has so many fun FREE things to do for the holidays, and there are tons of places to see beautiful Christmas light displays near Philadelphia.
Lastly, a train ride with Santa is always a fun activity!
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