Philadelphia And Main Line Neighborhoods Announce Tree Lighting And Hanukkah Celebrations

The Delaware Valley will light up for the holiday season with Christmas Tree lighting ceremonies in four major neighborhoods and towns. Downtown Ardmore, South Street Headhouse District, East Passyunk Avenue and Old City District will all light up their Christmas and Holiday trees in the coming weeks - with Downtown Ardmore on Black Friday, November 23rd at 6:00pm in Schauffele Plaza, East Passyunk Business Avenue Business Improvement District on Thursday, November 29, 2018 at 5:00pm at the Singing Fountain, Old City District and Historic Holidays in Old City continues on Thursday, November 29, 2018 at 5:00pm at the Betsy Ross House, and South Street Headhouse District on Sunday, December 2, 2018 at 4:00pm at the Historic Headhouse Shambles. Santa Claus is coming to town and will join the celebration in Downtown Ardmore, on South Street and on East Passyunk Avenue. He will arrive by Fire Truck in Ardmore and on South Street. On East Passyunk, look for him to make a surprise entrance.

Additionally, Old City District will host a Community Menorah Lighting on Sunday, December 2nd, at 4:30pm. South Street Headhouse District will present a special Hanukkah celebration the day after, on Monday, December 3rd, at 4:00pm in Headhouse Square.

All events below are free and open to the public, with any food, drink and shopping pay-as-you-go. Thousands of children and adults of all ages are expected to come spread some holiday cheer as they usher in the holidays with these four neighborhood traditions.

Details for each event are found below:
DOWNTOWN ARDMORE TREE LIGHTING AND SANTA'S ARRIVAL
Friday, November 23, 2018 6:00pm

Schauffele Plaza, 56 Lancaster Ave, Ardmore, PA 19003

With sirens blaring, Santa Claus is coming to Ardmore! He will arrive promptly at Schauffele Plaza at 6:00pm on Friday, November 23rd, aboard the Merion Township Fire Company fire truck. Cookies and hot cocoa will be served, compliments of The Bercy Restaurant of Ardmore, while carolers sing holiday tunes in full regalia. Santa will perform the annual tree lighting and hand out candy canes to the kids (of all ages). For more information, visit: https://www.ardmoreshops.com/events/santa-comes-to-ardmore/
EAST PASSYUNK TREE LIGHTING
Thursday, November 29, 2018
5:00pm to 7:00pm
Singing Fountain on East Passyunk at Tasker and EPA
East Passyunk Avenue BID and Passyunk Avenue Revitalization Corporation invite you to kick off the holidays at the Annual East Passyunk Christmas Tree Lighting on Thursday, November 29th at the Singing Fountain (Tasker and East Passyunk Avenue). Come out with neighbors and friends for an evening filled with holiday music from Alphabet Academy Child Care, Andrew Jackson School HOME rock band, and more! CBS 3 Philly Meteorologist Lauren Casey joins us as Master of Ceremonies. Count down with her as she helps light the official Christmas Tree around the Singing Fountain. Bring an unwrapped new toy for Lauren to bring back to CBS 3 and The CW Philly 57 for their annual Toy Fest holiday drive. You can also donate $10 to the cause by texting JOY to 41444. Message and data rates apply.

Santa Claus will help spread holiday cheer and be on hand to take photos with the children. A number of Avenue bakeries, restaurants and retailers will provide FREE sips and samples, including sweet and savory surprises for both children and adults.

After the lighting ceremony, Philadelphia Mummer string band members and carolers will lead people down the Avenue. For your holiday shopping needs, look for select shops along the Avenue to be open late to kick off the holiday shopping season.

The Christmas Tree Lighting Party is free and open to everyone. Deck the Avenue and come kick-off a whole month of merrymaking in South Philadelphia.

For more information, like East Passyunk Avenue on Instagram and Facebook at @eastpassyunk, follow @epassyunkave on Twitter, or visit www.visiteastpassyunk.com.
OLD CITY TREE LIGHTING AND HISTORIC HOLIDAYS CONTINUE
Thursday, November 29, 2018
5:00pm to 8:00pm (Tree Lighting ceremony starts 6:00pm)
Betsy Ross House Courtyard (239 Arch Street)

Old City District presents the second annual Historic Holidays Tree Lighting Ceremony on Thursday, November 29, with festivities starting at 5:00pm and the lighting at 6:00pm. The kickoff celebration will take place at the Betsy Ross House courtyard (239 Arch Street) and will feature Betsy Ross, music performances, seasonal sips and bites, and a new holiday tree designed by Old City's Petit Jardin en Ville!

In addition, do your holiday shopping in one place, and enjoy some seasonal dishes and sips in Old City! Participating boutiques, shops, art galleries, museums, restaurants and cafes around the neighborhood will host offer extended hours and specials following the Tree Lighting Ceremony on November 29.

"Historic Holidays in Old City celebrates all that makes the neighborhood unique. There is something for everyone in Old City," said Job Itzkowitz, Old City District Executive Director.

For more information about Old City District and Historic Holidays in Old City, visit oldcitydistrict.org, tweet @OldCityDistrict or call (215) 592-7929.

SOUTH STREET TREE LIGHTING
Sunday, December 2, 20184:00pm to 6:00pm
Headhouse Square and the Historic Headhouse Shambles
2nd and Pine (200 Pine Street)

Celebrate the spirit of the season as South Street Headhouse District presents the annual Winter Wonderland on Sunday, December 2, 2018 from 4:00pm-6:00pm at the Historic Headhouse Shambles on 2nd Street, 200 Lombard Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147. FREE admission!

Come out and celebrate SSHD's finest holiday traditions. Santa Claus will arrive on a firetruck with our city's finest, then he will greet children and collect their wish lists. Parents should bring their own cameras for photos with Santa. Music, treats, and gift shopping will also be part of the event. CBS3 meteorologist Chelsea Ingram will help Santa count down to the official lighting of the tree at 5:00pm. Bring your family, friends and neighbors - the event is free! SSHD, CBS 3 and The CW Philly 57 will collect unwrapped toys for children in the region through the Salvation Army. Look for collection bins under the Shambles during the event. There will also be a Hanukkah celebration around 4:30pm at 2nd and Lombard, as the holiday begins that evening at sundown.

"Santa's arrival on a firetruck and the lighting of the holiday tree kicks off the season with lots of fun and excitement," remarked SSHD Executive Director Michael Harris. "This event brings out families and children for a lovely evening in the neighborhood and the opportunity to explore all the unique boutiques and stores in the South Street Headhouse District. We are also thrilled that Hanukkah starts this evening as well, so that we can celebrate our diverse and inclusive community."

For more information, visit southstreet.com or call (215) 413-3713. During the event, follow along on Twitter at @officialsouthst #SouthStHoliday.

OLD CITY COMMUNITY MENORAH LIGHTING
Sunday, December 2, 2018 4:30pmBesty Ross House, 239 Arch Street
Old City District presents a community Menorah Lighting to kick-off the Festival of Lights! The ceremony will begin around 4:30pm in the Courtyard of the Betsy Ross House.

For more information about Old City District and Historic Holidays in Old City, visit oldcitydistrict.org, tweet @OldCityDistrict or call (215) 592-7929.
SOUTH STREET HEADHOUSE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS CELEBRATION

Monday, December 3, 2018Approximately 4:30pm to 5:00pm
Headhouse Square and the Historic Headhouse Shambles
2nd and Pine (200 Pine Street)

South Street Headhouse District will again partner with Congregation B'nai Abraham to offer an evening celebration of the Festival of Light at the Headhouse Shambles. The event will take place Monday, December 3rd with gathering around 4-4:15pm and the ceremony to begin around 4:30pm, with song, prayer and the ceremony of the traditional lighting of the menorah at the Lombard Street Fountain at the intersections of 2nd & Lombard. All are welcome to attend. More info: phillyshul.com. Weather: In the advent of inclement weather the ceremony will move under the Headhouse Shambles. Please note: The Menorah will be placed in the fountain for the ceremony and then moved to Pine Street for the remainder of the eight days.

For more information, visit southstreet.com or call (215) 413-3713. During the event, follow along on Twitter at @officialsouthst #SouthStHoliday.

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