Christmas Comes to Lansdale Tonight

Christmas comes to Lansdale tonight.

Santa Claus — good ol' belly-like-a-bowlful-of-jelly St. Nick — arrives in the borough this evening, with Fairmount Fire Co. as his sleigh, to hit the switch and light up Railroad Plaza with Lansdale resident Randall Rosenberg's donated Christmas tree, signaling the start of the holiday in Lansdale.

Be sure to say "hi" to Little Miss Lansdale and Mayor Andy Szekely too.

Then, Santa will take a seat in the Santa House for the rest of the night.

Oh, might I also mention it's December's First Friday (on the fourth Friday), courtesy of Discover Lansdale?

Let's not forget — 311 W. Main St. opens its doors, somewhat, to the Lansdale Business Association's Holiday Christmas Tree Display.

The Grinch will be at Lansdale Library at 6:30 p.m.: "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" will be the library's free Friday Night Movie. (And, in case you forgot, The Grinch is stink, stank, stunk).

Lansdale becomes a winter wonderland starting at 6 p.m. Friday.

Santa's lap disappears at 8 p.m., but he's back in business every Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. He'll also come back every Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Friday from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. He heads back to the North Pole on Dec. 22.

Come back Saturday for Lansdale Historical Society's "Holidays at the Homestead" Open House. (Tell the kiddies you get to see some cool old stuff, including antique toys).

Know what? Stay until Sunday and watch and listen to the TubaChristmas Concert, which starts at 1:15 p.m. with the North Penn High Brass Ensemble.

The TubaChristmas Concert is a worldwide event that takes place in more than 200 communities.

According to its website, it was conceived in 1974 as a tribute to the late musician William J. Bell, who was born Dec. 25, 1902.

"Through the legendary William J. Bell we reflect on our heritage and honor all great artists/teachers whose legacy has given us high performance standards, well structured pedagogy, professional integrity, personal values and a camaraderie envied by all other instrumentalists," according to the website.

The TubaChristmas is presented by the parks department, and the Montgomery County Concert Band, led by Stephen Frederick. The concert features at least 70 tubas and euphoniums performing carols and holiday tunes.

First Friday is brought to you by Party Bounce, Green Street Luxuries, Milestones in Music and Chantilly Floral Boutique.

You can check out a photo gallery from last year's Christmas tree lighting in Lansdale here.

You can check out last year's photo gallery on the LBA Holiday Christmas Tree Display here.