Christmas and Chanukah Events On The Upper Main Line

MALVERN, PA — There is no shortage of things to do on the Upper Main Line to get the winter holiday season off to a rollicking good start.

Christmas and Chanukah, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights, intersect this year, with Chanukah running Dec. 18-26.

Christmas, of course, is on Dec. 25, but you don’t have to wait to start taking in all the sights and sounds of the holidays.

Here are some holiday events in the Malvern area:

• Longwood Christmas: Kennett Square's world-renowned Longwood Christmas features dozens of holiday trees, 500,000 light and fountains. Tickets are required to visit the holiday displays. More information is available here.
• Breakfast with Santa: The Inn at Villanova University, 601 County Line Road, Wayne, PA is offering a breakfast with Santa on Sunday, Dec. 11. There are two seatings: 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 to noon. The cost is $33 for adults; $25 for children ages three to 12 and complimentary for those under two. registration is available.
• Chabad Lubavitch of Chester County is hosting Chanukah at the Courthouse on Sunday, Dec. 18. The event will begin at 3:30 p.m. with a parade leaving from the Chabad of Chester County, 946 N. Valley Forge Road, Devon. A public lighting of the menorah is set at 4:30 p.m. outside the Historic County Courthouse. Music, donuts, latkes , hot drinks and crafts will be available. More information is available here.
• Winter Luminary Nights: Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens is celebrating winter with lights from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. or 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9 to Sunday Dec. 11 at the Arboretum and Gardens, 631 Berwyn Baptist Road, Devon. Guests are invited to bundle up for a walk down to the pond while enjoying luminary lanterns. Food and drinks will be available. A giant wreath will also be on display creating a backdrop for a holiday photo. Tickets are available here.
• Santa’s Express Train: The train provides a 75-minute ride through the country. It leaves at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Dec. 3, 10, 11, 17,18, at Market Street Station, 230 E, Market St., West Chester. Cost are as follows: adults $30, children $25 and toddlers $10. More information is available here.
• West Chester’s professional gingerbread house competition. Visitors can vote for their favorites at six downtown venues. Presented by the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce.
• Christmas Trees: It's never too late to get a fresh Christmas tree.
• KOP Shopping: There is also a lot of festive decorations and great sales for gifts at the King of Prussia Mall, one of the largest malls in the nation.