Posted in Pennsylvania Small Towns, Winter October 30, 2022 by

Christmas In These 10 Pennsylvania Towns Looks Like Something From A Hallmark Movie

The Christmas season means plenty of things – from gathering with family and friends to watching the annual lighting of our town’s Christmas tree. And, for some of us, the highlight of the season is curling up in bed, sipping a cup of hot chocolate, and getting lost in a Hallmark movie. Call it our guilty pleasure, right? Well, when you visit these Christmas towns in PA, you might just feel as though you’ve stepped into the middle of a Hallmark movie.

1. Jim Thorpe
Facebook/Jim Thorpe Olde Time Christmas
Stroll through the festively decorated streets of Jim Thorpe, which transforms into a magical holiday wonderland in PA each Christmas season. And, for the first three weekends in December, Jim Thorpe welcomes residents and visitors to celebrate its annual Olde Time Christmas, featuring a slew of fun activities. Take a train ride with Santa. Listen to Christmas carols. And, join the free Christmas Club for Kids, which features craft-making and holiday movies.
Jim Thorpe, PA, USA
2. Wellsboro
Wellsboro Christmas on Main Street
Experience a picture-perfect Christmas when you visit the enchanting town of Wellsboro. The quaint town, with a Main Street drenched in Christmas lights, kicks off December with its Annual Dickens of a Christmas Celebration. Wellsboro also celebrates Christmas on Main Street, a charming celebration that includes trolley rides and appearances by Santa. Come see why this is one of the best holiday main streets in Pennsylvania this season.
Wellsboro, PA 16901, USA
3. Indiana
Facebook/It’s A Wonderful Life Festival
Feel as though you’ve stepped into the popular Christmas film "It’s A Wonderful Life" when you visit the enchanting town of Indiana, also the hometown of Jimmy Stewart. Every year, Philadelphia Street – the main street in town – transforms into Bedford Falls. Weekends mean the "It’s A Wonderful Life Festival," which features a full menu of activities including appearances by Santa, Christmas carolers, and free holiday movies. We can't get over this adorable Christmas town in PA and neither will you!
Indiana, PA 15701, USA
4. Franklin
Facebook/Franklin, PA – Events/Marketing Office
Bring your shopping list to Franklin, where you’ll be mesmerized by the festively-decorated windows in the town’s shops. The town features a variety of activities throughout the season, including performances of "A Christmas Story" at the Barrow-Civic Theater. Christmas in Pennsylvania has never been so cheerful!
Franklin, PA 16323, USA
5. Lititz
Facebook/Lititz Springs Park
Step straight into a scene from a Hallmark movie in the endearing town of Lititz. Tick items off of your Christmas list as you shop in the quaint shops along Main Street. And, visit for one of the special holiday events. The town comes together for the annual Lititz Hometown Christmas, a day filled with family-friendly activities, Annual Carol Sing, and a Christmas Candlelight Tour at the Johannes Mueller House. This adorable Pennsylvania holiday town is worthy of a spot on your holiday bucket list!
Lititz, PA 17543, USA
6. Bethlehem
Facebook/Visit Bethlehem
Known as Pennsylvania's Christmas City, Bethlehem celebrates Christmas all year long. But, the town glitters during the holiday season. Visit for Christkindlmarkt, perhaps the most popular Christmastime event. The massive holiday market boasts more than 150 vendors and is held every weekend through the end of December. Of course, you might also want to climb aboard a horse-drawn carriage ride for a picturesque Christmas tour of the town.
Bethlehem, PA, USA
7. Bellefonte
Facebook/Historic Bellefonte, Inc.
Journey through the pages of time with Bellefonte’s Victorian Christmas. This annual Christmas celebration in PA features such memorable activities as carolers, a gingerbread house contest, and appearances by Santa.
Bellefonte, PA 16823, USA
8. Glen Rock
Glen Rock Carolers
Embrace the warmth of the holiday season in Glen Rock, home of the famous Glen Rock Carolers. The Carolers have provided the soundtrack for Christmas since 1848. And, if you haven’t finished your Christmas shopping, you’ll find plenty of charming shops in Glen Rock, including The Shops of 104 South Main.
Glen Rock, PA 17327, USA
9. New Hope
Facebook/New Hope, PA
New Hope provides the perfect backdrop for holiday shopping. And, plan a visit during one of the scheduled holiday activities, such as Kids Night Out at Sweet Occasions. Of course, a trip to Peddlers Village is certainly a memorable experience during the holidays in PA. Peddlers Village is the ideal spot to finish your holiday shopping and to meet with Santa, who will be on hand Saturdays and Sundays throughout December.
New Hope, PA 18938, USA
10. Bernville
Facebook/Koziar’s Christmas Village
Bundle up for your journey to Bernville, home to perhaps the state’s most dazzling Christmas lights display in PA. Koziar’s Christmas Village, drenched in more than a million twinkling lights, welcomes guests to walk through its indoor and outdoor displays.
Bernville, PA 19506, USA

What other Pennsylvania towns would you add to this list? Join the conversation in the comments! Then, if light shows make your season brighter, embark on this holiday lights road trip in PA.

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Christmas Towns in PA

November 03, 2022
Tori Jane

What are some of the best Christmas towns in PA?  

Turns out, there are lots of wonderful options when it comes to the best Christmas towns in PA. We love charming little places like Hermitage, where it’s Christmastime from September through December! Greensburg is another wonderful little Christmas village in PA, being home to the tradition known as Overly’s Country Christmas, complete with lights, cocoa, horse-drawn sleighs, and more. Bernville is another excellent choice, and while you’re there, you must check out Koziar’s Christmas Village, which is so amazing that it’s a nationally recognized Christmas lights display in Pennsylvania adored by millions every season.  

What is Christmas in PA like?  

Christmas in Pennsylvania is a wonderful time, filled with cheer, lights, warmth, and pure joy. We get plenty of snow in the winter, so embarking upon a wonder-filled winter hike in PA or two is definitely encouraged. You can do all the classic holiday activities in PA like ice skating, snow sledding, and, of course, some of the best holiday shopping in the nation. Everyone’s a little kinder at this time of year, we think, and Pennsylvania is a shining example of just how wonderful this time of year really is.  

What are some fun holiday events in PA worth attending?  

Like anywhere else, there are some annual holiday traditions in Pennsylvania that you’re sure to make your own. For example, there’s always the delightful Christmas festival at Peddler’s Village, which features a Santa parade and all sorts of delightful winter things, like cocoa, peppermint sticks, and shopping! No holiday season in PA would be complete without a visit to the Christkindlmarkt, a German Christmas market that only comes to the best places (so obviously we’re on the list). Head up to Philly and visit the annual Christmas Village, which runs from Thanksgiving Day until Christmas Eve. The holidays in PA are a wonderful time – come enjoy it to the fullest!