Visits With Santa Are Back Today In Malvern

MALVERN, PA — Santa Claus will be back in the borough of Malvern this holiday season after a couple of years of COVID-19 restrictions that made it difficult for kids speak to Santa in person to make their case that they’ve been good boys and girls over the last year.

Visits and pictures with Santa are at the heart of many families’ holiday traditions, but the coronavirus pandemic left them empty.

Malls and other places took social distancing measures in both 2020 and 2021 to help contain the spread of the virus, moving Santa meet-ups largely online.

Santa will be arriving this year in person, but children and parents are still asked to to the have their children wear masks in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines as Chester County is still in the medium category.

The lastest symptoms include a bad cold and sore throat.

Virtual visits are still an option in many places, but there’s nothing quite like seeing jolly old St. Nick live and in person.

In Malvern, kids have several chances:

• Malvern on King: Enjoy a festive day of shopping and socializing at the borough's annual Christmas on King from noon to 7 p.m. today. The festivities include food trucks, a beer garden, live music, face painting, balloon artists, live ice sculpture carving and more along King Street. Boutiques and other stores will offer holiday sales.
• Phoenixville Fire Department: Santa visit from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4 at 150 Paradise St.
• Wayne Business Association: annual tree lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, in downtown Wayne. The festivities include carriage rides, crafts, carolers and, topped off with the arrival of Santa.
• King of Prussia Plaza: visit with Santa outside Nordstrom noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Friday Dec. 9.
• Santa’s Express Train: A 75-minute train ride through the country. The train leaves 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: adults $30, children $25 and toddlers $10. More information is available here.
• West Chester Christmas Parade: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2 Market Street to Gay Street.
• Dicken’s Village at Macy’s Center City Store: Philadelphia, fron Sunday t0 Saturday, Dec. 23 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 24. Reservations are available here.
• Breakfast with Santa: Neiman Marcus, King of Prussia mall, 160 Gulph Road, 9 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 19. Reservations required and are available here.