If you’re looking for somewhere great to visit this holiday season, start planning your travels to these amazingly festive holiday towns in Pennsylvania.
Bethlehem
Dubbed “Christmas City USA,” the name of the community itself makes this Lehigh Valley city one of the most festive in the state. The city is home to two Christmas markets, the authentic Christmas City Village downtown, and the somewhat overhyped Christkindlmarkt.
In addition to shopping, visitors can also tour the buildings of Historic Bethlehem to see their Christmas decorations and to learn about the past residents of the area. There are even horse-drawn carriage rides through beautiful downtown Bethlehem.
To see more of our top picks, check out our favorite things to do in Bethlehem at Christmas.
Indiana
The birthplace of actor Jimmy Stewart, Indiana looks just like the setting of his most famous film, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The city will come alive in December and November with the It’s a Wonderful Life Festival, which brings a parade, live music, and many exciting events and activities into downtown Indiana.
While there, don’t miss the fantastic Jimmy Stewart Museum, where you can learn about the actor’s life and legacy. Then, head out to a Christmas tree farm and see why the area is dubbed the “Christmas Tree Capital of the World.” Finally, return for some great shopping at the local merchants along Philadelphia Street.
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania’s largest city features more than enough Christmas excitement to keep you occupied this holiday season. In fact, I’ve even written a whole post just about my favorite holiday destinations in the city.
Highlights include an amazing Christmas show at the world’s largest, functioning pipe organ. Then head over to the most authentic German Christmas market I’ve come across in the state, the great Miracle on South 13th Street, or try a bit of ice skating at the two outdoor rinks.
Philadelphia is also home to the oldest Thanksgiving Day parade in the country, great New Year’s Eve fireworks, and the Mummers Day Parade on New Year’s Day, the oldest folk festival in the nation.
Wellsboro
I’ve been to many communities in Pennsylvania, but none have made me feel more nostalgic than Wellsboro.
This north-central Pennsylvania town features an amazing downtown filled almost exclusively with local shops and restaurants. After dark, the 1920s theater and gas-powered street lamps give off a warm glow that’s sure to make you feel a little peace on earth.
The highlight of Wellsboro’s holiday celebrations is their Dickens of a Christmas festival held during the first weekend in December. This festival brings Victorian interpreters to the streets of the city, and you might even run into Scrooge himself.
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh pulls out all the stops during the holiday season.
Starting with their Light Up Night in mid-November, the city comes alive with a Christmas market, ice skating rink, lights, and more. Phipps Conservatory decks their gardens for their Winter Flower Show, and the Nationality Rooms at the University of Pittsburgh allow visitors to see how the holiday season is celebrated around the world.
The season culminates on New Year’s Eve with one of the best displays of fireworks in Pennsylvania.
Jim Thorpe
Another great holiday destination in Pennsylvania is the community of Jim Thorpe. Nestled among the Pocono Mountains, Jim Thorpe features a quaint downtown that seems like a winter wonderland.
The town throws an Olde Time Christmas celebration during the first three weekends of December. Visitors can enjoy shopping in the downtown shops and enjoy live music.
New Castle
Located about an hour north of Pittsburgh, New Castle really pulls out all the stops for the holiday season.
There are not one, but two fantastic drive-through light displays in the city: Cascade of Lights and the Parade of Lights. Even better, for $5, you can see both displays!
Combine these displays with some beautiful decorations downtown and a new holiday parade in 2023, and you’ve got one of the best places to celebrate Christmas in PA.
Hershey
It should come as no surprise that the town known as the “Sweetest Place on Earth” and “Chocolatetown, USA” is also one of the best holiday destinations in Pennsylvania. In fact, I’ve written a whole post with my suggestions for things to do at Christmastime in Hershey and Harrisburg.
The star attraction in Hershey is Christmas Candylane at Hersheypark. The park is open for holiday festivities in November and December and features many of your favorite rides, along with special holiday decorations, live reindeer, and Santa.
Nearby, visitors can drive through Hershey Sweet Lights, a two-mile driving trail through the countryside featuring hundreds of displays, and one of the best places to see Christmas lights in PA.
Greensburg
The holiday season in Greensburg means one thing: Overly’s Country Christmas. Begun in 1956, this holiday tradition has grown to become one of the largest holiday light displays in the state. Visitors flock to the Westmoreland County Fairgrounds just outside of Greensburg to see this light display, and proceeds go towards local children’s charities.
When visiting the area, don’t miss the holiday plays at both the Greensburg Garden and Civic Center and The Palace Theatre.
What’s your favorite holiday town in Pennsylvania? Let us know in the comments below.
Caught the Christmas spirit? Keep celebrating the season by reading about the Most Christmasy Places in PA and Koziar’s Christmas Village.
Since 1947, the Berwick Christmas Boulevard, created by the Jaycees, displays over a mile long Christmas show of lights and displays down Market Street in Berwick, PA. The Berwick Christmas Boulevard is seen by thousands of visitors every year, and it has been a regional favorite for over 60 years.Santa Claus is present every year to serve Berwick?s famous Wise Potato Chips to everyone who drives past him. Weekends are very crowed and cars with young kids are lined up over a mile to enter the Christmas Wonderland. Grab a local hot chocolate and enjoy the ride! Open until Dec 31st, opens each night at 6pm.
That sounds so lovely. I wish I lived closer to Berwick!
We would go visit my grandparents in Berwick every year. We lived in NJ so it was a long ride back when we were kids. We would always fall asleep my Dad would wake us up when we got to the boulevard. It was so exciting. Also, you could see the Wise’s home on the mountain from my grandparents living room window. They had a huge decorated tree. Always thought that was where Santa lived. Such wonderful Christmas memories of Berwick on 202 East 13th Street
I am always looking for new adventures for my husband and I to do and saw the article on Jim Thorpe in your 10 Most Festive Christmas Towns. I did some investigating and booked The Parsonage B&B for Friday and Saturday nights (the 10th and 11th of Dec) so we could experience the Old Fashioned Christmas that they hold there the first three weekends in Dec. What a wonderful adventure! The B&B is fabulous, the breakfasts served there even more so, and the town is just so lovely at Christmas! We had the best burger ever at The Inn at Jim Thorpe (it included cheese and sauerkraut and was done to PERFECTION). Liked it so much we went back for another go the next night. On Sunday, before we left town, we took the Santa train through the Gorge and my hubby posed next to the biggest lump of coal I’ve EVER seen right near the train station. Of course I had my photo with Santa outside the train station, so both of us got posted as the “naughty and nice” on my facebook page. And the very, very best part? We had flurries all three days we were there, which made it seem even more magical! Took over 100 photos and videos! A lovely way to usher in the season. Thanks so much for putting me on to this lovely spot.
That’s so great to hear, Tara. Jim Thorpe is a special town, and I’m glad you had a chance to enjoy it.
I love the article! I would like to add that downtown State College is also festive. They really decorate College Ave, South Allen Street, and the houses on Burrowes Road very well!
Enjoy your articles and Facebook page. In the article on Greensburg The palace Theatre is in Greensburg, not Irwin. I live near Greensburg. Just a small error but important to the town. Thank you for your interesting reports. We often use your information when we plan our little adventures. Keep up the good work. By the way we just returned from a 2 day getaway to Christkindl Market in Mifflinburg. A fun time for sure. Put it on your list.
Thanks, Johann. I love the Christmas market in Mifflinburg. I do have it on some of my Christmas lists, but didn’t put it on this one because it’s only one weekend as opposed to lasting throughout the season. Definitely a top holiday attraction in PA.
How about Christmas Village near New Bernville Pa their light show and displays are fantastic
I love Koziar’s. The only reason I didn’t include them was because I was putting places that had more than one attraction within this post. Not too much else Christmasy around there.
Going to Wanamakers and listening to the wonderful organ and seeing the light show was the beginning of the Holiday season.
How about Peddlers Village for beautiful light display and some Christmas shopping. So many unique stores.
I have a whole article about Peddler’s Village at Christmas: https://uncoveringpa.com/christmas-lights-peddlers-village Beautiful spot for sure.