As much as I love Halloween and all the fun fall events, the minute the calendar flips over to November 1st, I’m in full Christmas mode!
Thankfully, more and more Christmas events in Bucks County are popping up before Thanksgiving. That gives us all plenty of time to see and do everything we can to celebrate the season.
We love all of the ways you can celebrate Christmas in Bucks County. With light displays, open houses, amusement parks, and historical fun, you can fill every weekend with something new.
The best part? Many of the events below are FREE, making holiday celebrations more affordable. Below, we share some of the best ways to celebrate Christmas in Bucks County in 2025. So, let’s start planning our fun!
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The Best FREE Ways to Celebrate Christmas in Bucks County
Peddler’s Village Grand Illumination in Lahaska
One of the most popular events in Bucks County is the Grand Illumination celebration at Peddler’s Village in Lahaska, PA.
The lights turn on on Friday, November 14th, in 2025. If you can’t make the illumination, don’t worry—they will be on until after the New Year!
While you are there, check out the Pine Wreath & Candle, a Christmas-themed shop! They have so many fun and unique holiday decorations year-round in the store!
Shady Brook Farm’s Walk Thru Light Show in Yardley
Shady Brook Farm in Yardley is a BIG Christmas lights destination! The biggest draw is the huge drive-through light display, which attracts thousands of visitors every year.
But did you know you can enjoy other beautiful light displays at the farm for FREE?
In 2020, Shady Brook Farm opened its “Candy Cane Lane”, a walk-through light show completed with flashing lights timed to fun Christmas music. It’s now part of the larger “Santa’s Village”, where guests can get photos with Santa, walk through the lights, enjoy tasty snacks, and warm up by the multiple fire pits.
The lights turn on November 22nd for 2025. It’s one of the best Christmas light displays near Philadelphia!
Byers Choice Christmas Museum in Chalfont
Bucks County is home to Byers Choice, the creator of the popular Carolers figurines. Byers Choice offers FREE self-guided tours of their Christmas museum on select days throughout the year.
If you visit during the week, you can watch the artisans bring the Carolers to life in the workshop!
Pearl S. Buck House Community Holiday Party in Perkasie
The Pearl S. Buck House in Perkasie has a few fun events for the holidays. In addition to their Festival of Trees (see below for more information), they are also hosting a Community Holiday Open House.
Kids can visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, while everyone can enjoy a complimentary tour of the Festival of Trees. For 2025, the event takes place on Sunday, December 14th, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM.
Mercer Museum Holiday Open House in Doylestown
Every year, the Mercer Museum in Doylestown hosts a Holiday Open House. The event is FREE and includes musical performances, kids’ activities, and a visit with Santa.
For 2025, the event will occur on Tuesday, December 2nd, from 7:00 – 9:00 PM.
While you are there, don’t forget to check out the community labyrinth at the corner of South Pine and East Ashland. Volunteers decorate trees and light up the installation every winter.
Washington Crossing the Delaware Reenactment in Washington’s Crossing
If you have a history lover in the family, you’ll love the reenactment of George Washington crossing the Delaware River on Christmas Day.
This event takes place at Washington Crossing Park from noon until 3:00 PM on Christmas Day. The crossing takes place at 1:00 PM.
If you want to watch the crossing but cannot attend on Christmas Day, you can watch the rehearsal (December 14th for 2025). There is a fee for the rehearsal, but it includes activities and tours of the historic buildings.
Christmas Parades in Yardley, Bristol, and Newtown
Nothing starts the holiday season off quite like a parade! And there are plenty of parades happening in Bucks County.
First, the Bristol Borough Parade wanders down Pond and Mill Streets on the Saturday after Thanksgiving (November 29th for 2025), beginning at 1 pm.
On December 6th, you can enjoy both a tree lighting and a parade down Main Street in Yardley. The event starts at 3 pm with music and fun floats and ends in Buttonwood Park, where the tree lighting occurs at 4:30 pm.
If you missed either of those (or just want more parade fun), head over to Newtown on December 7th for its holiday parade. The parade runs down Sycamore and State Streets, starting at noon. Don’t forget to stop by Santa’s Village at the corner of Silo and Sycamore. You can enjoy writing letters to Santa, a petting zoo, sipping on hot cocoa, and getting your face painted!
Other Ways to Celebrate Christmas in Bucks County
Holly Nights at Pennsbury Manor in Morrisville
Every year, on the first Thursday and Friday in December (December 4th & 5th for 2025), Pennsbury Manor hosts their Holly Nights.
Luminaries line the paths on the property, illuminating the outer buildings and the mansion, while interpreters give demonstrations and tours of the colonial-era property.
Admission includes access to all of the buildings, including a tour of the manor’s first floor. There is also free hot cider and musical entertainment.
The Lightshow at Shady Brook Farm in Yardley
Although we mentioned the FREE Candy Cane Lane walk-through above, we all know driving through Christmas lights at Shady Brook Farm is the best way to get into the Christmas spirit!
The two-mile trail is lit up with more than three million lights. It’s one of the best light displays near Philadelphia! Although you can drive your car through the lights, we think the wagon ride is the best way to enjoy them.
The lights turn on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and run daily through the New Year.
After driving through the lights, stop by their farm market, where they have fire pits, s’mores kits, and music playing. Kids can also meet with Santa Claus.
Pearl S. Buck Festival of Trees in Perkasie
If you can’t make it to the free Community Holiday Open House, you can still tour the gorgeous Christmas trees at Pearl S. Buck House.
From November 12th through January 4th, the Festival of Trees showcases trees decorated by many talented Bucks County artists. They also offer candlelight tours on select evenings.
Tickets and reservations are required.
Holidays at Fonthill Castle in Doylestown
Every holiday season, Fonthill Castle is decorated with beautifully themed Christmas trees.
You can visit Fonthill during the season for full guided tours. They offer them during the day and at night.
If you just want to wander around the castle and look at the trees, then the Holiday Lights Meander is for you! You’ll take a self-guided tour through the castle at night to enjoy the shining trees, while docents in each room can answer any questions you may have.
For 2025, tours begin on November 15th and run on select days and evenings until December 31st. Visit their website for dates and times.
Take a Christmas Train Ride in New Hope
The New Hope Railroad gives families the chance to ride the rails in style while enjoying Christmas carols and meeting with Santa Claus.
In 2025, they are offering holiday train rides on diesel or steam engines. Each ride is about one hour long and features visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Riders will enjoy hot chocolate and fresh cookies as musicians play Christmas carols on board.
Santa’s Steam Train by New Hope Railroad runs every weekend between Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well as Black Friday and the week before and during Christmas. Santa’s North Pole Express train runs almost daily from mid-November through December 30th, including Christmas Eve.
A Very Furry Christmas at Sesame Place in Langhorne
Sesame Place is a popular destination in Bucks County thanks to its fun rides and waterpark. But starting in mid-November, it’s transformed into a winter wonderland with lights and colorful trees.
A Very Furry Christmas features rides, special shows, and a Christmas parade, as well as some festive food options. All of the Sesame characters are dressed up in their winter clothes, ready to celebrate the season.
A Very Furry Christmas starts November 15th and runs select days through the first weekend in January. Visit their website for the most up-to-date information.
Coleman Hay Farms Countdown to Christmas in Chalfont
Enjoy more Bucks County holiday fun at Coleman Hay Farm.
Their Countdown to Christmas features a holiday hayride, hot cocoa, and meet-and-greets with Santa and Mrs. Claus. And you can also say hi to their adorable Highland cows!
Kids can get creative at the reindeer-making station, explore snow globes, and snap pics at the farm’s festive photo spots.
While you’re there, you can also shop for Christmas trees, wreaths, handmade gifts, and treats, or enjoy a ride on the CHF Express or a Belgian draft horse carriage.
The event runs on weekends only (including Black Friday!) from November 28th through December 21st.
Victorian Holiday House at the Grundy Museum in Bristol
Wander around the 1885 Queen Anne-style house while enjoying beautifully decorated Christmas Trees at the Grundy Museum in Bristol Borough. You’ll also get to see a collection of gorgeous toys from the Victorian times, transporting you back in time.
The Victorian Holiday House opens the weekend before Thanksgiving (November 22nd for 2025) and runs select days until the Saturday before Christmas (December 20th). It’s also one of the more affordable holiday events, as tickets are only $5 per person. Reservations are required and must be purchased in advance.
More Ways to Celebrate Christmas Near Bucks County
There are so many ways to celebrate the holidays near Bucks County!
Philadelphia has so many fun FREE things to do for the holidays, and of course, all of the fun next door in Montgomery County.
Don’t forget about the many places to see beautiful Christmas light displays near Philadelphia, including Longwood Gardens.
Of course, if you want to ride a train with Santa, you have more options within a short drive of Bucks County and the Philadelphia area.
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