Top Christmas Season Highlights (Part 1 of 2)
Our Top Christmas Season Highlights (in no particular order) abound throughout the beautiful Lebanon Valley and in areas beyond. Last week’s Blog featured all things Christmas/Hershey; in this post, since we have an extensive list of everything Christmas in our area (here are 37 suggestions, and there are many more!), we list just the basic information about Christmas in Hershey. See full details for Christmas in Hershey in our blog post of the Top Christmas Experiences in Hershey.
We Highly Recommend these Top 37 Christmas Season Highlights.
1. The Spectacular Hershey Symphony Orchestra
Join us for a beloved holiday tradition that has become a favorite here in the Valley:
Timeless classics and exciting new arrangements will capture the spirit of the season. Due to its popularity, the Orchestra offers two performances, ensuring everyone can experience this magical holiday celebration. Don’t miss out on this festive musical journey that promises to fill your heart with joy and wonder!
2. Christmas in the Valley, Lebanon Valley College. Five Minutes from Annville Inn
One of Lebanon Valley College’s most treasured traditions is Christmas at the Valley, which features the LVC Choirs and Music Department. As in years past, this multi-faceted concert will speak to the hearts of all who attend and share readings and music from poetry, children’s literature, and scripture.
Preludes will begin at 6:20 p.m. Matinee at 3: p.m.
While the concerts are free and open to the public, we encourage you to make a food or monetary donation to the Dutchmen Pantry, which offers free food and personal items to current LVC students who are in need. Monetary donations will be used toward improving access to the pantry. Cash will be accepted as a free-will offering as you leave the concert, or you can contribute food or personal care items at the Christmas tree in the Chapel Lobby. Items that are needed to replenish the pantry include:
- Personal care items, period products, and laundry detergent
- Microwaveable single-serve meals
- Microwaveable rice
- Microwaveable pasta
3. Koziar’s Christmas Village
Koziar’s Christmas Village on nearly everyone’s list of Top Christmas Season Highlights is listed in directory after directory as one of the top things to experience at Christmas in Pennsylvania. 30 minutes from Annville Inn.
Featuring more than a million holiday lights glistening in the cold winter air. Stroll through the Christmas village enjoying festive music, a variety of scenes, model railroads, and much more.
Koziar’s is open from November 2 through January 1.
4. Yuletide at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire
The newest Top Christmas Season Highlight is at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire this year: experience holiday merriment at a festive celebration that’s like no other! Prepare to be whisked away into a wonderous winter wonderland, where the magic of the holiday season comes alive amid a realm of fantastical characters, mouthwatering delicacies, as well as exquisite beverages. This outdoor event is taking place every weekend from November 24 – December 10th. Tickets are available online.
5. Annville Tree Lighting
The annual event will take place minutes from Annville Inn: Saturday, December 6, at 5:30 PM. Main Street between Gacano Real Estate and Swatara Coffee.
6. Lebanon Christkindl Market
Take a stroll through an artisan craft market featuring handmade goods, along with seasonal wares, and jewelry at the Lebanon Christkindl Market. Located in the storied Coleman Memorial Park, the market will also give you a chance to experience live performances from a number of German and Austrian folk dancers and musicians.
Food and refreshments from Cool Beans Brew, Grilled Cheese Café, and Keller BBQ will also be available on site.
- Date & Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024
Address: 1400 W Maple St., Lebanon, PA
Cost: Free
7. Historic Schaefferstown Christkindl Market
Fri, Dec 12. 4: to 8: PM. Schaefferstown St. Paul’s UCC Social Hall, 1304 Heidelberg Ave, Schaefferstown, PA 17088, USA
8. Bethlehem Christkindl Market
Bethlehem is home to a top-ranked holiday market with artisans, performers, and food. A must see, many of our Guests make it a “day trip”. Tour the Moravian section of town, take a trolley out to the giant star up in the mountains that glows down on the village of Bethlehem.
9. Hershey Park Christmas Candylane
During the holiday season, Hersheypark transforms into a breathtaking place of Christmas magic. With more than 5 million holiday lights illuminating the park, the sights alone are amazing.
As well as the festive lights, guests can enjoy special shows, decorative displays, rides and more as they wander through the park. Make sure you get to see the holiday lights show and sip a cup of Hershey’s hot chocolate between roller coasters. See our blog post of the Top Christmas Experiences in Hershey for full details and photos.
10. Hershey Sweet Lights:
Can’t get enough Christmas lights or candy? Hershey Sweet Lights is the perfect Christmas activity for you! Each year, Hershey turns into a Christmas lights paradise complete with nearly 600 animated light displays across 2 miles of fields and wooded trails.
Created using more than 2 million LED lights, Hershey Sweet Lights will illuminate your holiday season with Christmas cheer. You can enjoy the Hershey Sweet Lights attraction from the comfort of your car as you drive through the stunning light show with family and friends. See our blog post of the Top Christmas Experiences in Hershey for full details and photos.
11. Christmas Tree Showcase at Hershey Gardens
Friday, November 24 through Monday, January 1 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
(Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas)
The annual Christmas Tree Showcase returns – reimagined! Enjoy a dreamscape of 11 gorgeous trees, filled with color and twinkling lights. The 14-foot white poinsettia tree will be the perfect backdrop for your holiday photo! The Welcome Pavilion and Butterfly Atrium will also be festively decorated for the holidays.
New extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays in December until 6 p.m.
Save $3 on admission from 4 – 6 p.m. (Fridays and Saturdays in December only.)
Enjoy the twinkling lights of the indoor Christmas Tree Showcase and live holiday music from 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. on select evenings:
Appalachian Breeze: December 1, 8 & 15
Segno Duet: December 22
Jake Nguyen: December 29
PLEASE NOTE: the outdoor Gardens will close at 5 p.m.
12. Horse-drawn carriage rides.
Both Lebanon Valley and Bethlehem offer horse drawn carriage rides at Christmastime, selected dates.
13. Parades—Always on Top Christmas Season Highlights for most folks:
The main Community of Lebanon Association (CLA) Holiday Parade in Lebanon, PA is scheduled for Saturday, November 22, 2025, at 10:00 AM. It will start at Lincoln Avenue and Cumberland Street, proceed west on Cumberland Street to 9th Street, and have a rain date of November 29, 2025.
- Rain Date: Saturday, November 29, 2025
- Theme: “The Year of the Gingerbread”
Kicking off the holiday season in grand style, the Harrisburg Holiday Parade is a beloved tradition that brings the community together. This parade features colorful floats, marching bands, and even an appearance by Santa Claus himself. Bundle up and join the crowds to experience the magic on the streets of Harrisburg. The parade is at 10 am on November 18th and will be in downtown on 2nd St.
14. Christmas at Cornwall (15 minutes from Annville Inn)
This annual holiday event takes place at the historic Cornwall Iron Furnace. Enjoy guided tours of the furnace, snack on seasonal refreshments. Across the street, venture inside the Paymaster’s Office for visits from Santa, and then take a tour of Buckingham Mansion or see the model railroad display in the former Coleman Stable.
- Date & Time: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Dec. 7, 2024
Address: 94 Rexmont Road, Cornwall, PA
Cost: $8 for adults. Tickets will be sold on the day of the event at the Cornwall Iron Furnace Visitor Center. The walking tour costs an additional $5 per person.
15. Christmas on the Square in Schaefferstown
Enjoy an evening of holiday cheer in Schaefferstown at Christmas on the Square. Grab dinner from one of six food trucks, experience live music by Jake Sholl and then gather around for the tree lighting at 6 p.m. Bouchette Vineyards & Winery will be in attendance with drinks for friends 21 and over.
- Date & Time: 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024
Address: 200 S. Market St., Schaeffferstown, PA
Cost: Free
For more of our Top Christmas Season Highlights look for our next blog featuring the 2nd part of this post.
Enjoy your stay here at Hershey’s Five Star Annville Inn, famous for
- Rosalie’s breakfasts and hospitality
- Our quiet country elegance
- Amazing views…
And more amenities than most inns:
- Full sized in-ground swimming pool
- Six-person hot tub
- 20-seat movie theatre with Dolby 7.1 Surround just like at the “movies”
- Plant conservatory glassed in on all sides with a wood burning fireplace for winter
- Three acres of botanical gardens with over 600 roses and 10,000 bulbs.
- Large game room with pool table
- Three dining areas for breakfast,
- Jacuzzis in Guest Rooms,
- Most rooms with private entrances and decks
- Fireplaces in all rooms
- King and queen beds throughout
- …and much more to enjoy at Annville Inn!
