Doylestown is getting ready to sparkle for the holidays, with twinkling lights, a beloved Christmas parade, visits with Santa and plenty of opportunities to shop, dine and celebrate downtown.
Discover Doylestown is preparing a full lineup of seasonal events, beginning with Decorate the Town on Nov. 14 and continuing with the 112th annual Tree Lighting on Nov. 27. Santa will also return to his downtown cottage, where families can visit and take photos throughout the season.
For Kris Boger, volunteer and president of Discover Doylestown, the holiday events provide an opportunity to continue traditions that have brought generations of families together while giving residents and visitors a reason to explore downtown.
Decorate the Town takes place Nov. 14, when volunteers gather to hang wreaths and snowflake lights on the historic light poles along the roads leading into downtown.
Anyone can participate. Volunteers work in pairs, and those helping with decorations need to bring a 6-foot ladder to reach the hooks and electrical outlets. The wreaths are lightweight and easy to hang.
Sign up to volunteer at dtownwinterfest.com/volunteer.
The annual decorating effort attracts families, students and returning volunteers, including members of National Honor Society, National Charity League and Key Clubs. For some families, volunteering has become a tradition of its own.
“Many of the residents who have volunteered specifically at the Decorate the Town spot in November help year after year, and it's been really neat seeing their kids grow between seasons,” Boger said.
Student groups also help during the Tree Lighting, working to make the evening memorable for younger visitors.
Boger said the students take pride in helping children enjoy the festivities, even if they are now older than the age when Santa was especially exciting to them.
“They're usually well past the age where Santa is cool, but they always put forth so much energy to make sure the younger kids still get an amazing experience,” she said.
Doylestown's holiday season officially kicks off Nov. 27 with the 112th annual Tree Lighting, scheduled for 5 to 8 p.m. at the intersection of Main and State streets.
The event features a parade welcoming Santa to town, musical performances and the lighting of the Christmas tree. Parade participants are still being finalized, but last year's procession included more than 20 groups and about 140 participants.
Local music group Hay Sugar joined the entertainment lineup in 2025, keeping the crowd dancing despite temperatures in the 30s.
For Boger, who grew up in Doylestown, the event brings back fond memories. She remembers attending the parade with her mother and friends and watching the Central Bucks West High School football team march after winning a championship in the 1990s.
Now she gets to see a new generation experience the same excitement.
“I get to see my friends' kids look up with that exact same wide-eyed wonder as the parade arrives and Santa goes up in the bucket truck,” she said.
That continuity is what makes the event special to her.
“What makes our town's tree lighting so extraordinary is that it's not just another event; it's a living piece of our town's history,” Boger said. “For 112 years, we've gathered to celebrate and come together to watch folks experience the magic of the holidays.”
Although the celebration has grown, she said, its heart has remained the same.
The parade traditionally includes Santa arriving on an antique fire truck escorted by the Doylestown Fire Company. He then climbs into a bucket truck to help light the tree. This year's entertainment lineup is still being developed as organizers continue accepting parade applications.
A free, handicap-accessible shuttle operated by The DART will run from the parking garage to downtown beginning at 5 p.m. on Tree Lighting day. The service offers a convenient option for families with strollers and visitors who would rather avoid walking in the cold.
The celebration also takes place on Black Friday, creating a bridge to Small Business Saturday and the start of the holiday shopping season.
Boger hopes visitors will take advantage of the opportunity to explore downtown's independent shops, galleries, salons and restaurants while enjoying the festivities.
“It transforms holiday shopping from a stressful errand into a beloved community experience,” she said.
When thousands of people gather along Main and State streets, Boger said, they are not just attending a parade. They are also experiencing the businesses that help sustain downtown. The effects continue beyond the event, as visitors return throughout December to take photos by the tree and shop locally.
After arriving for the Tree Lighting, Santa will open the doors to his downtown cottage, welcoming children and families from Nov. 27 through Dec. 24.
Visits with Santa and photos are free, although donations are welcome to help support Discover Doylestown's volunteer programs. Families can bring their own cameras or smartphones to capture the moment, then enjoy a meal or do some holiday shopping downtown.
For Boger, keeping the experience free is an important part of the tradition.
“What makes this tradition so special is its accessibility,” she said, noting that families can visit Santa without paying for a photo package or standing in the typical mall lines.
Santa typically visits the cottage Thursdays through Sundays. Because hours may change due to weather or other circumstances, visitors should check the schedule before heading out.
His hours and updates are available at dtownwinterfest.com/events/2026/santas-cottage.
Together, the holiday events blend longtime traditions with newer additions. Along with Santa's fire truck arrival and the parade, past festivities have featured local musicians and special guest characters, including Elsa and Anna, as well as Glinda and Elphaba.
The events offer families a chance to make holiday memories while encouraging visitors to spend time and money downtown throughout November and December.
Boger also hopes residents will look beyond the festivities and find ways to help others during the holiday season. That could mean volunteering at an event, donating to local organizations that assist people facing food or housing insecurity, fostering an animal or picking up litter.
Her advice is to make time for others without losing sight of what matters most during the busy season.
“This holiday season, just remember to be kind to each other and most importantly, yourself,” Boger said. “Take time to slow down and enjoy the time with your loved ones, especially your chosen family.”
Those interested in volunteering with Discover Doylestown can find opportunities at dtownwinterfest.com/volunteer. For additional holiday event information, visit dtownwinterfest.com.
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