Holiday Entertainment Guide
The Holiday Entertainment Guide features a mix of traditional holiday selections as well as off-the-beaten-track offerings for those looking for alternatives to the usual seasonal fare. Happy Holidays!
George Washington’s Christmas Day Crossing of the Delaware River
235 years ago, at one of the lowest points of the American Revolution, General George Washington and a small army of men crossed the Delaware River on December 25, 1776, and led a successful surprise attack on the Hessian garrison at Trenton, NJ.
Washington Crossing Historic Park, the actual crossing site, hosts the Annual Christmas Crossing Reenactment with historic activities on December 25 with the crossing time at 1pm, Washington Crossing, PA. On New Year’s Eve, December 31, the re-enactors will follow the original nine-mile path that General Washington and his 2,400-member army took to Trenton, culminating in the re-enactment of the second Battle of Trenton at 11am.
Let there be half-a-million lights at Longwood Gardens
This Christmas, experience the spectacular both indoors and out at Longwood Gardens with living floral displays, opulent ornaments, stunning trees, a half-million lights, dancing fountains, musical and dance performances including choral groups and choirs, organ sing-alongs, garden railway, and much more. New this year, see Longwood landmarks recreated in gingerbread, trees adorned with gingerbread ornaments and the candy-laden Music Room, through January 8 on Route 1, Kennett Square, PA.
George Street Playhouse delivers a new holiday comedy by Emmy Award winner Peter Brash (Forbidden Broadway), with lyrics by Gerard Alessandrini, all set to the traditional Tchaikovsky score. “The Nutcracker and I,” onstage through December 31, is a wacky, satirical spoof of a local dance company’s “Nutcracker” production that goes terribly wrong. Complete with magic nuts and mistletoe, the show is recommended for ages 10 and up at 9 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ.
Other holiday event listings throughout the region:
Cape May Stage presents “This Wonderful Life,” by Steve, Murray, a one-man, stage adaptation of the film It’s a Wonderful Life, through December 31 at The Robert Shackleton Playhouse, corner of Bank & Lafayette Streets, Cape May, NJ.
Un Viaje – A Christmas Journey, an interactive, family-friendly celebration of both the Santa Claus and The Three Kings holiday traditions is onstage at Walking Fish Theatre, with a bi-lingual, Spanish/English celebration of Latino and American holiday stories, through December 30 at 2509 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia.
“Being Jewish at Christmas,” the National Museum of American Jewish History’s annual day of family fun is this Sunday, December 25, from 10am-5:30pm, featuring live music with Jon Nelson’s Rockin’ Kids Review, LaserScience, family activities and more, at the museum’s new location, 101 South Independence Mall East, Philadelphia.
The annual “Patriots Week” kicks off Tuesday, December 27, celebrating Trenton’s unique and pivotal role in the American Revolution with dozens of events for all ages through January 1 in Trenton, NJ.
The African American Museum in Philadelphia celebrates Kwanzaa with two days of family friendly events including music, workshops, a film screening and more, Wednesday, December 28 & Saturday, December 31 at the Museum, 701 Arch Street, in Philadelphia.
The annual Christmas at Hagley is underway as this year’s exhibition draws from the museum’s extensive collection of lace and handwork created and used by the du Pont family in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Also, elaborate handmade decorations, activities, performances, and more through January 1 at 200 Hagley Road, Wilmington, DE.
ToyTime, the first traveling exhibit to open in the Mercer Museum’s new state-of-the-art exhibition gallery, showcases life-size versions of some of the most popular action folk toys from around the world. Crafted entirely of wood, the sixteen interactive toy stations let visitors explore the fun and mechanics behind the Amazing Acrobat, Bouncing Bird, Jacob’s Ladder, Pecking Chickens, Tightrope Walker, Twirling Tops, Tumbling Toys, Walking Wonder, Whimmy Diddle and more, through April 1, 2012 at 84 S. Pine Street, Doylestown, PA.
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