Historic downtown West Chester transforms into a dazzling wonderland aglow with thousands of twinkling lights during Chester County Hospital Lights Up Holiday Weekends in West Chester, presented by the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce. Enjoy festivities every weekend throughout the holiday season with family, friends and neighbors, and discover the unique shops and restaurants that give West Chester its flair!
Every weekend features West Chester’s dazzling 25-foot-tall Christmas tree and the Professional Gingerbread House Competition featuring ho-ho-hometown artisan bakers. Every Saturday through 12/16, enjoy the FREE Making Spirits Bright Holiday Music Series on the steps of the Historic Courthouse and catch Santa cruising through the borough on a classic fire truck! For each weekend’s lineup of spectacular events — including select dates for photos with Santa at the Square — go to greaterwestchester.com. And be sure to set a reminder for Friday, December 1 for the beloved West Chester Christmas Parade!
Sponsorships are still available. For more information, visit greaterwestchester.com or email [email protected]
Kennett Square Holiday Light Parade ; Small Business Saturday: November 25,
2023
A community highlight for over a decade, the Holiday Light Parade shifts to the
Saturday after Thanksgiving, on Saturday, November 25, to coincide with Small
Business Saturday, creating a merry and full day for all.
Park at the garage for free from 10 am until 11 pm compliments of Longwood Gardens
; Kennett Collaborative, then support small businesses throughout Kennett Square,
including delightful cafes, bakeries, and restaurants, as well as a diverse array of
independently-owned shops, boutiques, and art galleries, which will be packed to the
brim with the most beautiful and highest quality gifts for everyone on your list.
Stay for the Holiday Light Parade at 6pm, featuring music, dance, community groups,
and, of course, an assortment of vehicles, including classic cars, tractors, wagons, fire
engines, and school buses, all decked with lights. The parade starts at the intersection
of Cypress and S. Broad Street, turning and continuing along State Street and
concludes with the entrance of Santa and Mrs. Claus lighting the town tree. Right after
the parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be ready for a meet; greet and photos at the
Work2gether porch.
THE HOOK EXPERIMENT: KINDRED
On view three days only at The Hook, Oxford, PA, December 1-3, 2023
Opening reception, December 1, 2023, 4–9 p.m.
The Hook Experiment is proud to announce its upcoming art exhibition, “Kindred” featuring the works of twelve talented women artists from Oxford and surrounding areas. This captivating showcase highlights the diverse and compelling
perspectives these artists bring to the art scene. “Kindred” is a celebration of the spirit of sisterhood that binds these
remarkable women together. The exhibition aims to provide a platform for these artists to share their unique visions and stories while fostering a sense of community and support.
The participating artists (Lisa Baird, Francis Beaty, Ellen Durkan, Helen Mason, Phyllis Mayes, Constance McBride, Rachel Romano, Nancy Sarangoulis, Lynda Schmid, Joy Smoker, Valetta, and Vicki Vinton) represent a wide array of artistic styles, mediums, and backgrounds, reflecting the rich tapestry of the local art community.
From vibrant paintings to intricate sculptures, each piece tells a story of individuality and collective strength.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Address:
The Hook Building, 45 South 3rd Street, Oxford, PA, 19363
Hours:
Opening Reception: Friday, December 1, 4–9 p.m.
Saturday, December 2, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday, December 3, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
Admission: Free and open to the public, some artwork will be for sale. 20% of sales will benefit the Oxford
Art Alliance
Wheelchair accessible
Art Stroll Kennett Square
https://historickennettsquare.com/
Art Loop Wilmington
First Friday West Chester
The West Chester Christmas Parade is one of the region’s most-loved holiday traditions! Voted “Best Local Parade” and “Best Family-Friendly Event” by readers of Main Line Today, and presented by the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce, the hometown parade delights fans of all ages as it kicks off a month full of celebrations during Chester County Hospital Lights Up Holiday Weekends in West Chester.
Parade night kicks off Dec. 1 at 6:30 p.m. with the official lighting of West Chester’s stunning 25-foot-tall Christmas tree on the lawn of the Historic Chester County Courthouse. The spectacle continues at 7 p.m. as 6abc’s Adam Joseph and WMMR’s Kathy Romano emcee the parade featuring local favorites — including more marching bands by popular demand! — as well as exciting newcomers and the most-anticipated appearance of the year: Santa!
Sponsorships are still available. For more information, visit greaterwestchester.com or email [email protected]
After several years' hiatus, the Clover Market's Holiday Market returns in a new venue at the Westtown School Athletic Center in West Chester PA.
This 2 day event will be held on December 2-3 from 10-4 pm with a curated group of 100 handmade and vintage vendors along with food and desserts. There is also a ticketed VIP option for early entry on Saturday only from 9-10 am. Admission and parking are free, and the event is open to the public aside from the VIP hour.
Shoppers can expect to find a selection of holiday-focused antiques and vintage goods along with handmade artisan products including ornaments, jewelry, candles, bath and body products, gourmet pantry items, clothing and accessories, ceramics, gifts for kids and pets, leatherwork, home goods, woodwork, cards and prints, and more. The Clover vendor community hails from the Philadelphia area and beyond, and they will have a variety of products, styles and price points as well as gift sets and stocking stuffers.
Popular local food trucks Clean Plate Club and Philly Hots will be providing savory food options indoors, Many Hands Coffee will have coffee and festive seasonal beverages, and Lola Pâtisserie, Taylor Chip (Sat. Only), and Flour & Oats Artisan Cookies (Sun. only) will be serving up dessert options for hungry shoppers. There will also be facepainting and hands-on crafts for the little ones in attendance throughout the weekend.
VIP tickets are also available and allow shoppers first dibs on the one of a kind and limited quantity items along with a full-sized cotton tote bag, coffee from Many Hands, and a "Molly's Mule" mocktail from participating vendor Bluestem Botanicals. VIP's are welcome to stay as long as they'd like, and tickets are available from the Clover Market website (theclovermarket.com)
Westtown's 600 acre campus is accessible from the Main Line, Chester County, Delaware County and more. It's close to a number of local attractions including downtown West Chester (10 min), the Brandywine Museum of Art (15 min), Longwood Gardens (20 min) and more. Customers can enter from either the West or East campus entrances for easy access to the Athletic Center and free onsite parking. Additional information at www.theclovermarket.com.
The Brandywine Valley Chorale, under the direction of Jason Throne, proudly presents its Christmas concert on Saturday, December 2. The Concert will feature John Rutter’s Gloria, additional seasonal selections, and a traditional Christmas Carol sing-along. The BVC will be accompanied by guest ensemble, the Hickory Brass!
Join us for a holiday musical spectacular celebrating the Nativity and all the joys of the holiday season. Learn more at https://thebvc.org/concerts-season
Employers Invited to Free Workshop on “Childcare: The Workforce Behind the Workforce” by Chester County Economic Development Council
The Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC) is inviting employers to a free workshop and breakfast on options for addressing employee childcare.
Childcare staffing shortages and extensive waitlists continue to affect families and employers, resulting in employee absences, scheduling conflicts and frustration.
The panel discussion and roundtable called “Childcare: The Workforce Behind the Workforce” will be held on Thursday, December 7th at Delaware County Community College-Downingtown Campus with a free continental breakfast and networking starting at 7:30 a.m. The program is from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
The interactive presentation featuring a panel of industry experts will share their key experiences and insights for creating and delivering tangible action-focused childcare solutions that benefit both employees and employers. Register at https://ccedcpa.com/event/
In Pennsylvania, 68% of children age six and under are in need of childcare, and families typically spend 11-20% of their income on those costs. Thursday’s panel discussion will explore employer options for supporting employee childcare, followed by a roundtable on innovative childcare infrastructure solutions.
"Labor shortages and challenges were the centerpiece of CCEDC’s Workforce Summit held last spring, said Patti VanCleave, CCEDC Vice President of Workforce Development. “All of us at CCEDC view it as our mission to bring together employers to alleviate this workforce crisis together.”
Register for this free event at https://ccedcpa.com/event/
For more information, contact Denise Hammel at [email protected].
Tinsel on the Town: December 8, 2023
A special holiday shopping evening from 4-8 pm with Kennett Square merchants,
designed for snatching up those last-minute gifts, and a bit of fun too. Explore the
different shops and restaurants along the State Street area and complete a BINGO card
to be entered to win a basket chock-full of KSQ goods and gift cards!
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Our grand opening is this Saturday Dec 9, from 2-4. It should be a blast!
Rachel Kohl Community Library
687 Smithbridge Road
Glen Mills, PA 19342-1225
Phone 610-358-3445
Fax 610-558-0693
A Beloved Tradition Returns: West Chester University’s 102nd Annual Holiday Concert
West Chester University’s 102nd Annual Holiday Concert has become a beloved winter tradition. Campus and community members are invited to jump-start the season and join in this joyous celebration on Saturday, December 9, at 3 p.m. in the 1200-seat Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall, Philips Memorial Building, 700 S. High Street, West Chester. Professor and Associate Director of Choirs Ryan Kelly directs. Tickets are $14 at http://www.wcupatix.com/schoolofmusic or 610.436.2266. This concert will not be available to view by livestream.
A time-honored tradition since its inception in 1921, the Holiday Concert features student choral, orchestral, and jazz ensembles from the University’s esteemed Wells School of Music in a 90-minute concert mix of classical, contemporary, and jazz selections. Nearly 200 students will perform in the concert that showcases the Orpheus Singers, Allegro Voices, Oriana Chorale, Concert Choir, Mastersingers, Symphony Orchestra, and the Criterions Jazz Ensemble. Greenery, lights, and poinsettias will adorn the stage.
Program highlights include recognizable Christmas and Hannukah selections as well as selections inspired by the winter season:
- A Christmas Festival (Leroy Anderson)
- Beatus vir (Claudio Monteverdi)
- Serenity (Ola Gjeilo)
- The Christmas Song (Mel Torme)
- I Saw Three Ships (arr. Mark Riese)
- I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day (arr. Brett Stewart)
Another event highlight is a rendition of “O Holy Night,” sung by the winner of the vocal honors competition, who is chosen by a faculty panel. This year’s winning vocalist is senior Music Education major Miranda Nilan (’24) who comes to West Chester University from Oxford, PA.
Nilan says, “I have known since my first semester here at West Chester University that singing ‘O Holy Night’ at the Holiday Concert was a goal. I have always had a deep love and passion for the holiday season, and I am honored to perform this beloved Holiday classic.”
Audiences are invited to come early to hear Christmas Carols by university organist Sándor Kádár on the historic Skinner pipe organ.
Limited parking is available across and along the street just outside the Philips Memorial Building. Parking is also available in West Chester’s M Lot, just a short walk away, and also in the Sharpless Street Garage. Purchasing tickets in advance is strongly encouraged.
West Chester University’s Wells School of Music offers students an outstanding opportunity in concentrated performance and musicianship. The school’s superior performance and practice venues include 22 new Steinways, Skinner organ, tech lab, Roland piano lab, and more. Students study with renowned faculty who have dual careers as dedicated educators and professional musicians. Faculty provide private lessons for all music students and are the directors for numerous student ensembles. The school supports a wide variety of Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees, including those in music education, performance, composition, studio composition, music theory, music history, and more. Graduates pursue successful careers at major institutions and teach music education at home and abroad.
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FIRST STATE BALLET THEATRE PRESENTS OF THE NUTCRACKER AT THE
GRAND OPERA HOUSE
First State Ballet Theatre, Delaware’s only professional ballet company and the Resident Ballet
Company at The Grand Opera House in Wilmington, is celebrating the holiday season with five
performances of The Nutcracker in Copeland Hall at The Grand.
FSBT’s first production of The Nutcracker at The Grand in 2002 featured two professional guest
artists heading a cast of students dancing multiple roles. This year’s production will feature
FSBT’s company of 21 professional artists from around the world who live, work and dance here
in Delaware. Over 40 students from The School of First State Ballet Theatre will round out the
cast in the children’s roles.
Each year the production is updated with new choreography, new costumes and new dancers,
but the essence of the ballet remains the same. Theatregoers come year after year to hear the
timeless Tchaikovsky score, be swept away by the fantastical story of Marie and her handsome
prince and their magical journey to the Land of Sweets, and to create new memories with
family and friends each holiday season.
THE NUTCRACKER
Delaware’s Holiday Tradition at The Grand
Join Delaware’s ballet company on the magical journey through the Land of Sweets in this sparkling
production at The Grand Opera House.
Saturday, December 16, 2023 at 2 pm
Saturday, December 16, 2023 at 7 pm
Sunday, December 17, 2023 at 2 pm
Friday, December 22, 2023 at 7 pm
Saturday, December 23, 2023 at 2 pm
The Grand Opera House – Copeland Hall
818 N. Market Street
Wilmington, DE 19801
Tickets: $19.99-$57
Call 1-302-652-5577or visit www.thegrandwilmington.org
Tickets available at https://www.thegrandwilmington.org/productions/7806-the-nutcracker/
ABOUT FIRST STATE BALLET THEATRE
Established in 1999, First State Ballet Theatre (FSBT) is Delaware's leader in ballet performance, training,
education and outreach. Our mission is to present ballet boldly to Delaware; to enrich our community
with live professional performances; to inspire and educate dancers and audiences of the future; and to
connect local youth with a creative, inclusive movement experience.
First State Ballet Theatre is Delaware's only professional ballet company and employs a diverse roster of
professional dancers from around the world. FSBT is based in Wilmington’s historic Grand Opera House
and presents classical and contemporary ballet programming and new works from local and
internationally-recognized choreographers.
Each year FSBT reaches over 6,000 people through our performances and outreach programs. The School
of FSBT offers ballet classes and other dance programming year-round for students ages three years to
seniors and attracts students from Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and all three counties in
Delaware.
For more information about First State Ballet Theatre’s 2023-2024 Season,
please visit www.firststateballet.org
Rachel Kohl
Evening Book Club
Join us on the third Wednesday of each month for our Evening Book Club! New members are always welcome.
- Time: 6:00pm - 7:00pm
- Location: Community Room
- Library: Rachel Kohl Community Library
- Audience: Adults New Adult Seniors
- Categories: Book Discussion
Celebrate New Years Eve at home watching our virtual event starting at 10:15 or park at KHS to watch the Mushroom Drop at Midnight. Weather permitting (no wind) the lighted Mushroom will be raised 80′ between S Union and Broad Streets in the 600 S Broad Street parking lot at 9 PM.
Entertainers to include: Kevin Pierce, William Rose and The Robert Brothers (Ken and Jon from the Funsters)
Please continue to support our local restaurants through these trying times. Take-Out only through 1/03/2021
- Braeloch Brewing
- Buddy’s Burgers
- Byrsa Bistro
- Cafe de Thai
- El Ranchero
- Giordano’s Pizza
- Grain Craft Bar & Kitchen
- Kaboburritos
- Kennett Brewing Company
- Kennett Square Inn
- La Michoacana Grill
- La Pena
- LaVerona
- Lily Asian Cuisine
- Portobellos
- Rump Roasters
- State Street Pizza & Grill
- Taqueria Quadalajara Express
- The Creamery
- Verbena BYOB
- Victory Brewing Company
PUBLIC SAFETY: Due to COVID spectators will not be allowed inside the gate at 600 S Broad Street.
The event is a joint venture of the Kennett Area Restaurant and Merchants Association and Mushroom Festival, a nationally-recognized annual event held in September, always the weekend after Labor Day.
THE SUN WILL COME OUT
New North American Tour of the Iconic Tony Award-winning musical to play The Playhouse on Rodney Square
January 5-7, 2023
Leapin’ Lizards! The Grand is happy to welcome an all-new tour of the iconic Tony Award®-winning musical ANNIE, which will play The Playhouse on Rodney Square January 5-7, 2024. This tour is produced by Crossroads Live North America.
Tickets for the Wilmington engagement of ANNIE are on sale now at BroadwayInWilmington.org, by calling 302.888.0200, or by visiting The Playhouse Box Office at 1007 N. Market Street. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more (excluding Saturday matinee) and may be placed by calling 302.888.0200. ANNIE is part of the 2023-2024 Broadway in Wilmington season presented by Bank of America.
“This show, with its iconic title character, continues to delight generations of theatre-lovers old and new by joyfully singing directly into the face of great adversity with perseverance, guts and guile,” said director Jenn Thompson. “For decades, ANNIE has continued to shine brightly, not only as an appeal to our better angels, but also as an example of the thrill of hope, hard-won: promising a better ‘Tomorrow’ not only for Annie herself, but for all who need her message now more than ever.”
ANNIE is directed by Jenn Thompson, who at the age of 10 stepped into the role of “Pepper” in the Original Broadway production, choreographed by Patricia Wilcox (Motown, A Night with Janis Joplin), music supervision by Matthew Smedal, with orchestrations by Dan DeLange. Talitha Fehr is the Music Coordinator and Jennifer Christina is the Music Director.
The design team includes scenic design by Wilson Chin (Pass Over), costume design by Alejo Vietti (Jersey Boys), based on lighting design by Philip Rosenberg, sound design by Ken Travis (Disney’s Aladdin), hair & wig design by Ashley Rae Callahan and casting by Paul Hardt of Hardt Casting, LLC.
The lovable mutt “Sandy” is once again trained by Tony Award® Honoree William Berloni (ANNIE, A Christmas Story, Legally Blonde).
In the title role of Annie is Rainier “Rainey” Treviño, an 11 year old from Chesapeake, Virginia making her national tour debut. Returning principal cast includes Stefanie Londino as “Miss Hannigan,” Christopher Swan as “Oliver Warbucks,” Julia Nicole Hunter as “Grace,” and Mark Woodard as “FDR.” Also starring in the tour are Jeffrey T. Kelly as “Rooster” and Samantha Stevens as “Lily. Georgie, rescued by William Berloni, stars as “Sandy.”
The Orphans are Savannah Austin, Arianna Guller, Avery Hope, Addie Jaymes, Kylie Noelle Patterson and Jade Smith.
The featured ensemble includes Savannah Fisher, Jerquintez A. Gipson, Caroline Glazier, Chance K. Ingalls, Kaleb Jenkins, Jaelle Laguerre, Tony Mowatt, Nick Traficante, Kaylie Mae Wallace, Callie Alexa, Brooke Olivia Gatto, and Trent Tyson.
Holding onto hope when times are tough can take an awful lot of determination, and sometimes, an awful lot of determination comes in a surprisingly small package. Little Orphan Annie has reminded generations of theatergoers that sunshine is always right around the corner, and now the best-loved musical of all time is set to return in this new production – just as you remember it and just when we need it most. This celebration of family, optimism and the American spirit remains the ultimate cure for all the hard knocks life throws your way.
Hailed by the Chicago Tribune as, “one of the best family musicals ever penned!”, ANNIE features a book by Thomas Meehan, music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin. All three authors received 1977 Tony Awards® for their work.
By permission of Tribune Content Agency, LLC, ANNIE is based on Harold Gray's popular comic strip “Little Orphan Annie” which premiered in the 1920s in the New York Daily News and became one of the most widely read strips in the 30s and 40s. Lyricist Martin Charnin bought a coffee table book called “The Life and Hard Times of Little Orphan Annie” as a Christmas gift for a friend in 1970. The clerk at the bookstore was too busy to wrap the book, so Charnin took the book home to wrap it. Instead, he read it and fell in love with the strip and set out to secure the rights. The friend never got the book.
The original production of ANNIE had its world premiere on Aug 10, 1976 at the Goodspeed Opera House (Michael J. Price, Executive Director) and opened on Broadway on April 21, 1977 at the Alvin Theatre (Neil Simon theatre). It went on to win the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical, seven Drama Desk Awards including Best Musical, the Grammy for Best Cast Show Album and seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Book (Thomas Meehan) and Best Score (Charles Strouse, Martin Charnin). It closed on Broadway after playing 2,377 performances. ANNIE was revived on Broadway in 1997 and again in 2014. It has been made into a film three times (1982, 1999, 2014) and was most recently featured as a live television production on NBC. The show remains one of the biggest Broadway musical hits ever; it has been performed in 28 languages and has been running somewhere around the world for 45 years.
The beloved score for ANNIE includes “Maybe,” “It’s the Hard Knock Life,” “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile,” “Easy Street,” “I Don’t Need Anything But You” and the eternal anthem of optimism, “Tomorrow.”
This production of ANNIE was licensed by Music Theatre International.
IF YOU GO:
What: ANNIE
When: January 5-7, 2024
Times: Friday, January 5 at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 6 at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 7 at 2:00 p.m.
Price: Tickets start at $40
Where: The Playhouse on Rodney Square
1007 N. Market Street, Wilmington, DE
Phone: 302.888.0200
Website: www.BroadwayInWilmington.org
Art Stroll Kennett Square
https://historickennettsquare.com/
Art Loop Wilmington
First Friday West Chester
Rachel Kohl
Evening Book Club
Join us on the third Wednesday of each month for our Evening Book Club! New members are always welcome.
- Time: 6:00pm - 7:00pm
- Location: Community Room
- Library: Rachel Kohl Community Library
- Audience: Adults New Adult Seniors
- Categories: Book Discussion
Midnight on the Square: December 31, 2023
How does the Mushroom Capital of the World ring in the new year? With an enormous
illuminated mushroom, of course! The legendary annual celebration, presented by the
Mushroom Festival in tradition of the Times Square ball drop, begins at 7:30 pm with
music, dancers, and a laser light show at the intersection of State & Union Streets. The
raising of the mushroom is at 8:55 pm, followed by the “Mushroom Drop” at midnight to
usher in 2024! Find more information at midnightinthesquare.com
Art Stroll Kennett Square
https://historickennettsquare.com/
Art Loop Wilmington
First Friday West Chester
Local artist, Ivy Egger will teach students the art of mixed media mosaic, utilizing pieces of cut glass, beads, mica, glitter and whatever else adds a sparkle to this art form! By the end of the class, students will create a 5x7” sunflower mosaic of their own to take home. Students will learn how to lay out and assemble a mosaic and cut glass using wheeled nippers. Students will be provided with glass, beads, glass cutter tools, safety glasses, and adhesive to create a unique and sparkly piece of art suitable for framing!
Artist Bio: Ivy Egger lives in Southeastern Pennsylvania where she grew up. She took an interest in art early in life. She studied at The University of the Arts in Philadelphia before graduating from Millersville University with a B.A. in art. After graduating she took additional design courses at the Pennsylvania College of Art and Design. After trying out many artistic means, her other current medium is mixed media mosaic, utilizing pieces of cut glass, beads, mica, glitter, and whatever else adds a sparkle to this art form. She continues to show in many art exhibitions and galleries in the Greater Philadelphia region. Some recent exhibitions include the Chester County Studio Tour, her solo show at the art gallery at St. David’s Church in Wayne, and the international Art Ability at Bryn Mawr Rehab show, in which she received an honorable mention.
This class accommodates 6 students; a minimum of 3 are required for advanced registration to execute the class; if the minimum number of students are not enrolled 48 hours prior to the class, the class may be cancelled and students will be refunded their registration fees. An additional $15 for materials is payable to the instructor.
You must reserve your spot through Muse Artisan Boutique. This is the only way to book the class. https://www.museartisanboutique.com/classes