Five holiday celebrations in Chestnut Hill

Enjoy shopping, family-friendly fun, more

The Friday Night Lights event at the Morris Arboretum transforms the Garden Railway into a nighttime show.
Morris Arboretum/PhillyVoice

This December, "Holidays on the Hill" returns to Chestnut Hill with various festive events. Germantown Ave. will celebrate the merriment of the season with gingerbread workshops, Santa photo ops, carolers, prizes and more.

Stag and Doe Nights

Gift shopping gets a festive upgrade. Every Wednesday in December the shops along the Avenue will be decorated in festive lights and decorations for the holidays. Various shops will offer wine and cheese or cocoa and cookies. Carolers and a brass quartet will also entertain shoppers as they shop through the extended store hours. 

On Wednesday, Dec. 9 members from Philadelphia’s Christmas Station 101.1 More FM will be there from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. They will play holiday music and give away free goodies. There will also be balloon art, games, and prizes.

Wednesday, Dec. 9, 16, 23
6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Germantown Ave.


Friday Night Lights 

For the holiday season, the trains and miniature landscape at the Morris Arboretum Garden Railway are adorned in twinkling lights. Tickets are required: It is $9 for an adult member, $3 for a member child, $16 for a nonmember adult and $8 for a nonmember child. 

Friday, Dec. 11 and 18
4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Morris Arboretum
100 E. Northwestern Ave.


Community Holiday Parade

Musicians, marching bands, community groups, and antique cars will parade on Germantown Avenue, led by the Philadelphia’s Mounted Police Unit, Chestnut Hill’s Fire Company Engine 37, Wyndmoor Volunteer Fire Hose No. 1 and the Phillie Phanatic. Joining them is the Venetian Club’s comic brigade, which performs each year in the New Year’s Day Parade. 

More than 400 marchers representing local schools, sports groups, scout troops and sporting clubs are also participating.  

This year neighbors are invited to join the parade with floats, fun costumes, banners, or themes.

Saturday, Dec. 12
9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Starting at 
8700 Germantown Ave.


Sugarplum Saturday

After the parade enjoy photos with Santa, arts and crafts, elves, storytelling, gingerbread workshops, cookie decorating, treats and more.

Saturday, Dec. 12
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Germantown Ave.


Sundays at Santa's Workshop

Santa and his elves will be available for pictures on Sunday's through December.

Sundays, Dec. 13 and 20
Noon to 3 p.m.
Laurel Hill Gardens
8125 Germantown Ave.