-Courtesy of En Route Marketing
t’s the most beautiful time of the year in Chestnut Hill! Beginning November 19 and running through December 25, Holidays on the Hill offers visitors the chance to immerse themselves in a holiday fairytale while exploring Philadelphia’s urban village. During Holidays on the Hill, guests can enjoy the live sounds of a brass quartet and carolers, ride on a horse-drawn carriage along cobblestone streets, view an outdoor model train display, shop during extended hours and savor hearty holiday-themed food specials. If you’re lucky, visitors may even catch a glimpse of Santa strolling the Avenue, posing for pictures and handing out candy canes!
The Chestnut Hill Business District entices visitors with over 200 retailers, restaurants, and businesses to visit this season. Many are independently owned and feature uniquely handcrafted items by local artists. With a wide variety of shops to choose from, day-trippers can find the perfect holiday gift for anyone on their shopping list at multiple price points.
From shopping on Small Business Saturday to visiting the Holiday Garden Railway at Morris Arboretum to enjoying a beverage during the legendary Stag & Doe Nights, Chestnut Hill offers holiday experiences for all ages. Work up an appetite shopping? Many restaurants along the Avenue offer seasonal drink specials and savory dining options.
Holidays on the Hill Schedule of Events
● Circle of Trees – November 19: A perennial favorite of local families and children, Chestnut Hill’s kick-off to the holiday season, Circle of Trees, returns on November 19 at 5 p.m. with Santa arriving on a fire engine to meet children and hear their holiday wishes! During the night, there will be music, a straw maze, and the highly anticipated illumination of trees.
● Holiday Garden Railway – November 25, 2022, through December 30, 2022: Holiday Garden Railway at Morris Arboretum (100 E. Northwestern Avenue) returns November 25 and continues daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through December 30. Visitors can view the enchanting rail cars and intricately decorated villages, which span over a quarter-mile track and are surrounded by a festive wonderland of lights and sounds. Holiday Garden Railway is a marvelous experience for visitors of all ages. Tickets may be purchased HERE.
● Small Business Saturday – November 26: Shop Chestnut Hill’s trendy and one-of-a-kind boutiques on Small Business Saturday and #KeepItOnTheHill. Check off gifts from your holiday wish list and support local retailers and restaurants throughout the day. From noon to 3 p.m., visitors can meet Santa as he strolls up and down Germantown Avenue and enjoy free horse-drawn carriage rides from noon to 3 p.m. Finally, from 1 to 3 p.m., a Mummers trio and costumed Victorian carolers will entertain crowds with holiday tunes and sing alongs.
● Stag & Doe Nights – November 30, December 7, 14, 21: Chestnut Hill’s beloved annual Stag & Doe Nights return Wednesday during Holidays on the Hill from 5 to 9 p.m. Each night will feature unique entertainment, extended store hours, holiday specials, and complimentary refreshments and treats at many stores. Every Stag & Doe, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., shoppers can catch a glimpse of Santa strutting down the Avenue greeting families while listening to the holiday sounds of a brass quartet. From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., local distillery Stateside will sell vodka and bourbon bottles with available engraving, conveniently conducted at the Chestnut Hill Welcome Center (8514 Germantown Avenue).
● Santa at Market at the Fareway – December 4, 11, 18, 24: Santa will greet visitors at Market at the Fareway, located at 8221 Germantown Avenue, on Saturdays in December from noon to 2 p.m.
● Chestnut Hill Community Association Annual Holiday Parade – December 10 (rain date December 17) – The Chestnut Hill Community Association Annual Holiday Parade takes place on December 17 at 9 a.m. at Chestnut Hill and Germantown Avenues. It finishes at 10 a.m. at Market at the Fareway (8221 Germantown Avenue). Entertainment includes the Phillie Phanatic, fire engines, marching bands, choirs, antique cars, horses, and participating local schools.
Getting Here: During the holiday season, Chestnut Hill’s six public lots offer free parking ALL DAY on Wednesdays from November 16 through December 24.
For those taking public transportation, Chestnut Hill can be accessed by several SEPTA services: two SEPTA Regional Rail lines — the Chestnut Hill East and Chestnut Hill West, and SEPTA Bus Routes 23, 77, 94, 134, and L.
For those driving, Chestnut Hill is only 25 minutes away from Center City and just a short drive from New York, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C., with access to multiple major roadways like the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Pennsylvania Route 309, and interstates 476 and 76. All roads lead to Chestnut Hill!
For more information about Chestnut Hill, visit http://www.chestnuthillpa.com. Join the conversation on social media by following @chestnuthillpa and the hashtags #chestnuthillpa #KeepItOnTheHill #HolidaysontheHill.