Updated October 30, 2024 – Finding things to do in West Chester, PA, is never a challenge. The borough has its many perks. From the incredible restaurants and nightlife to the fantastic University (the two of which were recently paired as being one of America’s Best College Towns), it truly is a special place. But it would be hard to argue that a few places on Earth are more charming than West Chester, PA during the Holidays. The decorations downtown are hung by local volunteers and usher in a holiday spirit that is truly a piece of small-town heaven.
With that being said, in no particular order, these are our picks for the Top 3 Things to Do in West Chester, PA, During the Holidays in 2024.
Holiday Home Tour
This year’s 13th Annual Holiday Home Tour presented by West Chester Public Library is set for Saturday, December 7, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, featuring eight homes in the Borough’s Northeast and Southwest areas adorned for the season. These residences, spanning from cozy to spacious, showcase a mix of historic charm and contemporary enhancements, as well as the homeowners’ unique collections of art, antiques, and other treasures. Attendees can also visit the Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center for exclusive holiday festivities and gain complimentary access to the Chester County History Center as part of the tour experience. Click here to purchase tickets for the Holiday Home Tour.
Think Shop, Buy Local
We would be remiss if we did not simply draw attention to spending a day in the life in downtown West Chester during the holiday season, and never before have local businesses needed your support more. The Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce‘s “Think Shop Buy Local” program is one of the most supportive initiatives of the incredible businesses that help make our town unique. This year, the West Chester Business Improvement District “Shop Small West Chester” weekend will take place between November 29 through December 1. Visit one of the many excellent local restaurants and experience the fantastic food of Limoncello Ristorante, Bar Avalon, or Andiario (which was just named one of the Top 50 Restaurants in the U.S. in 2022 by the New York Times) followed by a stay at Hotel Warner. When you wake up, hop over to Yori’s Bakery and pick up some incredible fresh pastries with a fantastic cup of coffee from the Gryphon Cafe West Chester. Finish up with a cut and color at Balance Hair Spa before making your trek back home, elated for the holidays. It will be a day in your life that won’t disappoint.
Brandywine Ballet Nutcracker
Celebrate the season with Brandywine Ballet’s production of the “Nutcracker!” Enjoy Tchaikovsky’s iconic music and follow Clara and her Uncle Drosselmeyer as they face the Mouse King, journey through an enchanting forest of dancing snowflakes, and reach the Land of Sweets, where the Sugar Plum Fairy welcomes them with delightful performances by a charming cast of characters. The Nutcracker will be running from December 13 through December 15. Click here to purchase tickets for the Brandywine Ballet Nutcracker.
West Chester Railroad Santa’s Express
Will West Chester ever have a functional train line again? I, for one, sure hope so, but for now, everyone is more than content with enjoying West Chester Railroad Santa’s Express. From the holiday sing-along and live music of Greg Wright to meeting Santa at Market Street Station, this 75-minute train ride through Chester Creek Valley is bursting with holiday charm. The Santa Express will be running from November 23 through December 22. For more information visit https://wcrailroad.com/.
Show Your Love and Support
West Chester is truly one of the most significant towns on Earth. Please… don’t take that for granted. Our beloved town didn’t come together by chance, and as someone who has lived in West Chester for over 25 years, I remember it wasn’t always as unique as it has been these past 15-20 years. It took a lot of dreaming, planning, and hard work to make it what it is today (Thank you Stan and Scott). During this holiday season, residents need to rally behind the local businesses that make this town unique and depend upon the seasonal uptick in business during the holiday season for their survival. Make an effort and be intentional in supporting our local businesses. And remember, before you click “Buy Now” or “Add to Cart” on some big box site, remember that the small businesses of West Chester depend upon their residents’ full support. Commit to shopping locally in 2024 and beyond. You can make a difference this holiday season, and it’s a win-win for everyone, from all of us at Zukin Realty, Happy Holidays.
