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10 Christmas Eve Traditions for Philly Area Families

12/21/15 - By Maureen Rayburn

The countdown has almost ended! It’s Christmas Eve, and all the cookies are baked, the presents are wrapped, and there’s nothing left to do besides wait around for the big guy to show up. Yeah, right.

In reality, most parents are going crazy right about now, wondering if they have enough batteries and wrapping paper for all the goodies that are going to be opened the next morning.

Nevertheless, the holidays are about spending time with loved ones and even building some new traditions, even if we wind up short a AA or two on Christmas morning. Here are 10 ways for families to make some memories on Christmas Eve.

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  1. Check out the free drive-through light display at Herr’s Factory in Nottingham, which is open from dusk till dawn.
  2. Look for some last-minute photo ops at Longwood Gardens in Chester County.
  3. Take a road trip to Koziar’s Christmas Village to see the light show (and to guarantee that the kids will fall asleep on the ride home).
  4. Visit Macy’s in Center City for a last chance to ooh and aah at the free annual light show and Dickens’ Village display.
  5. Scope out some local neighborhoods for the best light displays in the area.
  6. Burn off some energy and some extra holiday calories by stepping out on the ice at one of the area’s outdoor skating rinks.
  7. Give back to the community by volunteering in the area with the kids. It’s the reason for the season!
  8. Get some last-minute shopping done at Peddler’s Village, while the kids play at Giggleberry Fair or look at the gingerbread houses in the annual competition.
  9. Take the kids to one of the independent bookstores in the area and have them choose a Christmas story to read in the evening. (Make some calls before you leave the house, just to make sure your favorite store is open!)
  10. Snuggle up, drink some hot chocolate, and listen for jingle bells and footsteps up on the rooftop!

Image courtesy of Koziar's Christmas Village