Are you looking for fun ways to celebrate Christmas in Bucks County? You’ve come to the right place!
As much as I love Halloween and all of 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 park and historic fun, you can fill every weekend with something new.
The best part? Many of the below events are FREE, making celebrating the holidays more affordable. Below, we share some of the best ways to celebrate Christmas in Bucks County in 2023. So, let’s start planning our fun!
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, we may receive a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
The Best FREE Ways to Celebrate Christmas in Bucks County
1. Feeney’s Garden Center & Nursery in Feasterville
A Bucks County holiday “must-do” is a visit to Feeney’s Garden Center in Feasterville, PA.
This store is more than a store; it is an experience. As soon as you walk in, you are greeted by a fantastic display, and then you enter into a Christmas wonderland.
Almost the entire store is decorated for Christmas year-round. They have themed sections, such as a sweet shoppe, that feature ornaments, and decorations you wouldn’t find anywhere else. They have a massive display of the Dept. 56 villages and a beautiful train display that captures the kids’ attention.
Santa has his own little village in the greenhouse of the store and stops by often for photographs.
You can also purchase your live Christmas tree, poinsettias, and other holiday plants here. They even have some live animals to entertain the kids while you shop around.
2. 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 the Friday before Thanksgiving. If you can’t make the illumination, don’t worry. The lights 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 different holiday decorations, year-round in the store!
3. Shady Brook Farm’s Walk Thru Light Show in Yardley
Shady Brook Farm in Yardley is a BIG Christmas lights destination!
They are known for their beautiful light show to either drive or take a wagon ride through (more info below!). But did you know you can enjoy beautiful lights at the farm for FREE?
In 2020, Shady Brook Farm opened their “Candy Cane Lane”, a walk through lightshow completed with flashing lights timed to fun Christmas music.
In addition to the walk through lights, they have several firepits ready for s’more making.
Food and drinks, including beer and wine, are also available for purchase. It makes for a fun evening out with the family. It’s one of the best Christmas light displays near Philadelphia!
4. Byers Choice Christmas Museum in Chalfont
Bucks County is home to Byers Choice, the creator of the popular Carolers figurines. Byers Choice offers free tours of their Christmas museum every day throughout the year, except major holidays.
If you visit during the week, you can watch the artisans bring the Carolers to life in the workshop!
5. 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 2023, the event takes place Sunday, December 10th, from 3:00-5:00 PM
6. Mercer Museum Holiday Open House in Doylestown
Every year, the Mercer Museum in Doylestown hosts a Holiday Open House with musical performances, kids activities, and visit with Santa. The event is FREE.
For 2023, the event will take place on Tuesday, December 5th, from 7:00 – 9:00 PM.
7. Michener Museum Holiday Open House in Doylestown
Across the street from the Mercer Museum, the Michener Museum is also hosting their Holiday Open House on Tuesday, December 5th, from 7:00 – 9:00 PM. It’s easy to walk back and forth between the Michener and the Mercer museums, so you can visit both!
Like the Mercer Museum open house, the event is FREE to attend, and you can also tour the museum. There will be holiday entertainment throughout the evening.
8. 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 are unable to attend on Christmas Day, you can watch the rehearsal (December 10th for 2023). There is a fee for the rehearsal, but it includes activities and tours of the historic buildings.
9. Holiday Open House at Terrain
Terrain in Doylestown is hosting a Holiday Open House on Saturday, November 18th, from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm. The event is FREE for all to attend and features live music, kids’ face paint, fire pits, and more.
There will be local artisans selling gifts and plenty of delicious food and drinks you can purchase. You can also pick out your Christmas tree.
Other Ways to Celebrate Christmas in Bucks County
10. Holly Nights at Pennsbury Manor in Morrisville
Every year on the first Thursday and Friday in December (December 7th & 8th for 2023), Pennsbury Manor hosts their Holly Nights.
Luminaries line the paths on the property and light up the outer buildings and mansion, while interpreters give demonstrations and tours of the colonial-era property.
Admission gets you access to all of the buildings, including a tour of the first floor of the manor. There is also free hot cider and musical entertainment.
11. The Lightshow at Shady Brook Farm in Yardley
Although we mentioned the FREE Candy Cane Lane walk-through, 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! And, although you drive your car through the lights, we think the wagon ride is the best to way to enjoy them.
The lights turn on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and run daily through the New Year. Don’t worry if you’re too busy to see them before the year ends, the display will continue to shine weekends through the end of January.
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.
12. 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.
Starting November 15th and running through January 7th, the Festival of Trees showcases trees decorated by many talented Bucks County artists. For 2023, they will also feature artwork by Anna Marie Magagna, the illustrator of Pearl S. Bucks’s Christmas Miniature.
Tickets and reservations are required.
13. Holidays at Fonthill Castle in Doylestown
Every holiday season, Fonthill Castle is decorated with beautifully themed Christmas trees.
You can visit Fonthill during the day for their Winter Wonderland guided tours. Or come at night when the trees are lit in all of their glory for a guided evening tour.
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.
Tours begin November 18th and run select days and evenings. Visit their website for dates and times.
14. 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 2023, they are offering 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 runs weekends and Santa’s North Pole Express runs almost daily between Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well as Black Friday and the full week before Christmas.
15. 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 winter wonderland with lights and colorful trees.
A Very Furry Christmas features rides, special shows, and Christmas parade, as well 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 the weekend before Thanksgiving and runs select days through the first weekend in January. Visit their website for the most up-to-date information.
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 there are tons of places to see beautiful Christmas light displays near Philadelphia.
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.
Read It Now, Pin It For Later!
