Travels With The Post

Weekend Stuff (Beyond Thanksgiving) on the Calendar

Weekend Stuff Nov. 23-26: A Past Travels Calendar

POTTSTOWN PA – You’ll likely be busy Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023) watching parades, enjoying a satisfying meal, and rooting for your favorite sports teams. And you and your credit cards may be busy Black Friday and during the weekend (Nov. 24) as well, taking in all the pre-holiday bargains.

Save time, though, for other fun family activities. There are more than 40 entertaining things to do this weekend on the Travels calendar.

Some weekend events are free. Some have fees (labeled as “ticketed”). Some have limitations, registrations, or other conditions. Some may be affected by weather conditions (hint: if unsure, call before you go). Each weekend listing includes a link for more information.

Thursday, Nov. 23

  • Drive-Thru Holiday Light Show, 5:30-10 p.m., ticketed, see a display of tens of thousands of lights and animated displays from the comfort of your own vehicle over a 60-acre, 1.1 mile route through a Christmas tree farm, lit and synchronized with holiday songs, runs Thursdays through Sundays (until Dec. 23) at Yeager’s Farm & Market, 1015 Pikesprings Rd., Phoenixville PA

Friday, Nov. 24

  • Christmas on the Farm, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., ticketed, featuring Christmas music in a corn maze, colorful lights, barnyard animals, a KidZone play area with thousands of lights to navigate through; last maze entry of the day is 9 p.m., bring flashlights to run the maze at night, held at The Gilbertsville Farm, 1200 County Line Rd., Gilbertsville PA
  • Twelfth Night Tours, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., donation suggested, Pottsgrove Manor transforms for the yuletide season and reveal the traditions of an 18th-century Twelfth Night party; the event marked the end of the Christmastide season, celebrated on Epiphany, includes guided tours of the manor to explore all aspects of the festivities, at the manor, 100 W. King St., Pottstown PA
  • Colebrookdale Railroad Excursions, seven trips: start 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., or 4 p.m., “Santa’s Polar Bear Express;” start noon or 4 p.m., “Locomotive Cab Ride;” and start 7 p.m., “Twas the Night Before Christmas; all ticketed (separately priced), at the railroad’s station, Washington and 3rd streets, Boyertown PA
  • Winter Festival, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., ticketed, visit with Santa and Dominick the Italian Christmas Donkey, free photo shoot included with your own device, Christmas trees, hay rides, pony rides, candy cane pedal cart speedway, cow train, little farmer playland, gingerbread house contest, paint ball range, at Northern Star Farm, 91 E. 3rd Ave., Trappe PA
  • Free Admission Fridays at Christkindlmarkt, 5-8 p.m. only (usually ticketed), a German-themed holiday market with hundreds of vendors, operating annually for more than 30 years, held in heated tents on the SteelStacks campus (about an hour’s drive from Pottstown), 101 Founders Way, Bethlehem PA
  • Illuminaire Nights, 5-9 p.m., free to attend, participating shops and restaurants with gifts for the choosing stay open until 9 p.m., luminaries line sidewalks outside to light the way for shoppers and diners, weekly on Fridays through Dec. 22, in Skippack Village, 4031 Skippack Pike, Skippack PA
  • Wild Lights, 5-9 p.m., ticketed, enjoy light displays, carousel rides, live entertainment, meet zoo animals, snap photos with Santa, warm up at indoor exhibits including the Trail of the Jaguar and Habitat HQ, at Elmwood Park Zoo, 1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown PA
  • Drive-Thru Holiday Light Show, 5:30-10 p.m., ticketed, see a display of tens of thousands of lights and animated displays from the comfort of your own vehicle over a 60-acre, 1.1 mile route through a Christmas tree farm, lit and synchronized with holiday songs, runs Thursdays through Sundays (until Dec. 23) at Yeager’s Farm & Market, 1015 Pikesprings Rd., Phoenixville PA
  • Black Friday Sip and Shop, 6-9 p.m., free to attend, featuring products by seven makers, with food and beverages available for purchase, at Manatawny Still Works, 320 Circle of Progress Dr., Ste 104, Pottstown PA
  • Friday Night Cash Bingo, starts at 7 p.m. (doors open at 5 p.m.), ticketed, proceeds benefit Transplant Alliance Foundation Inc., at State Street Entertainment Hall, 651 State St., Pottstown PA

Saturday, Nov. 25

  • Small Business Saturday observed by Pottstown Farm and Artisan Regional Market (FARM), 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., free to attend, at Smith Family Plaza, 100 E. High St., Pottstown PA
  • Huge Yarn Sale, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., free to attend, hundreds of skeins of yarn from the estate of Rachelle’s Crochet Creations, at 700 Smokepipe Ln., Harleysville PA
  • Leesport Holiday Craft Show, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., free to attend, at the Leesport Farmers Market, 312 Gernants Church Rd., Leesport PA
  • Rockstar Bizarre Bazaar, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., free to attend (but donations accepted at the door), hosted by Rockstar Roller Derby, with crafts fair, house plants, and food and drinks for purchase, benefits a project to refinish the roller rink floor, at The Officials Ringing Rocks Roller Rink, 1500 Ringing Rocks Park, Pottstown PA
  • Santa Arrives in Pottstown (and get details on having your kids receive a letter from Santa), 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., sponsored by Pottstown FARM and Pottstown Community Arts, at Smith Family Plaza, 100 E. High St., Pottstown PA
  • Twelfth Night Tours, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., donation suggested, Pottsgrove Manor transforms for the yuletide season and reveal the traditions of an 18th-century Twelfth Night party; the event marked the end of the Christmastide season, celebrated on Epiphany, includes guided tours of the manor to explore all aspects of the festivities, at the manor, 100 W. King St., Pottstown PA
  • Winter Festival, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., ticketed, visit with Santa and Dominick the Italian Christmas Donkey, free photo shoot included with your own device, Christmas trees, hay rides, pony rides, candy cane pedal cart speedway, cow train, little farmer playland, gingerbread house contest, paint ball range, at Northern Star Farm, 91 E. 3rd Ave., Trappe PA
  • Colebrookdale Railroad Excursions, seven trips: start 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., or 4 p.m., “Santa’s Polar Bear Express;” start noon or 4 p.m., “Locomotive Cab Ride;” and start 7 p.m., “Twas the Night Before Christmas; all ticketed (separately priced), at the railroad’s station, Washington and 3rd streets, Boyertown PA
  • Christmas on the Farm, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., ticketed, featuring Christmas music in a corn maze, colorful lights, barnyard animals, a KidZone play area with thousands of lights to navigate through; last maze entry of the day is 9 p.m., bring flashlights to run the maze at night, held at The Gilbertsville Farm, 1200 County Line Rd., Gilbertsville PA
  • Bluey Story Time, starts at 11 a.m., free to attend (no registration needed), suitable for all ages, includes a dance party and special visitors Bluey and Bingo, at the Royersford Public Library, 200 S. Fourth Ave., Royersford PA
  • SunnyBrook Small Business Saturday Craft and Vendor Show, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., free to attend, shop 55 local vendors filling the ballroom; full bar will be open all day, as well as a restaurant on location, at SoulJoel’s SunnyBrook Ballroom, 50 Sunnybrook Rd., Pottstown PA
  • Professional Photos with Santa, noon to 4 p.m., ticketed (advance registration required), dogs and other pets welcome, children can share their wish lists with Santa too, by Lindsay Derecola Designs & Photography at 1464 Weavertown Rd., Douglassville PA
  • Nightmare Before Christmas Murder Mystery, 2-5 p.m., ticketed, an interactive Christmas tale and murder mystery event with guests who become part of the play, family friendly, includes Light fare, non-alcoholic beverages, game prizes, wine and beer available for purchase, at the Ridgewood Winery, 215 Township Line Rd., Bechtelsville PA
  • Christmas at Colonial 2023, 5-8:30 p.m., ticketed, a self-guided, walk-through tour of a show with lights that dance to music, illuminate your favorite holiday characters, and wind their ways around trees; take photos, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate or a candy cane, visit with Santa and tell him your Christmas wishes, or meet and greet characters Elsa and Anna, held at Colonial Gardens, 745 Schuylkill Rd., Phoenixville PA
  • Wild Lights, 5-9 p.m., ticketed, enjoy light displays, carousel rides, live entertainment, meet zoo animals, snap photos with Santa, warm up at indoor exhibits including the Trail of the Jaguar and Habitat HQ, at Elmwood Park Zoo, 1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown PA
  • Drive-Thru Holiday Light Show, 5:30-10 p.m., ticketed, see a display of tens of thousands of lights and animated displays from the comfort of your own vehicle over a 60-acre, 1.1 mile route through a Christmas tree farm, lit and synchronized with holiday songs, runs Thursdays through Sundays (until Dec. 23) at Yeager’s Farm & Market, 1015 Pikesprings Rd., Phoenixville PA

Sunday, Nov. 26

  • Colebrookdale Railroad Excursions, six trips: start 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., or 4 p.m., “Santa’s Polar Bear Express;” and start noon or 4 p.m., “Locomotive Cab Ride;” all ticketed (separately priced), at the railroad’s station, Washington and 3rd streets, Boyertown PA
  • Winter Festival, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., ticketed, visit with Santa and Dominick the Italian Christmas Donkey, free photo shoot included with your own device, Christmas trees, hay rides, pony rides, candy cane pedal cart speedway, cow train, little farmer playland, gingerbread house contest, paint ball range, at Northern Star Farm, 91 E. 3rd Ave., Trappe PA
  • Build the Phoenixville Firebird, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., free, volunteers needed to finish construction of the Phoenix statue to be set aflame during the Firebird Festival scheduled for December, ages 16 and older welcome, younger than 16 must be accompanied by an adult, all skill levels invited, wearing boots and gloves suggested, at Phoenixville Veterans Memorial Park, 194 Mowere Rd., Phoenixville PA
  • Holiday Makers Market, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., free to attend, featuring 32 craft and items vendors, three food trucks, and free parking, at the Ludwigs Corner Fire Company, 1325 Pottstown Pk., Glenmoore PA
  • Christmas on the Farm, noon to 10 p.m., ticketed, featuring Christmas music in a corn maze, colorful lights, barnyard animals, a KidZone play area with thousands of lights to navigate through; last maze entry of the day is 9 p.m., bring flashlights to run the maze at night, held at The Gilbertsville Farm, 1200 County Line Rd., Gilbertsville PA
  • Twelfth Night Tours, 1-4 p.m., donation suggested, Pottsgrove Manor transforms for the yuletide season and reveal the traditions of an 18th-century Twelfth Night party; the event marked the end of the Christmastide season, celebrated on Epiphany, includes guided tours of the manor to explore all aspects of the festivities, at the manor, 100 W. King St., Pottstown PA
  • Christmas at Colonial 2023, 5-8:30 p.m., ticketed, a self-guided, walk-through tour of a show with lights that dance to music, illuminate favorite holiday characters, and wind their ways around trees; take photos, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate or a candy cane, visit with Santa and tell him your Christmas wishes, or meet and greet characters Elsa and Anna, held at Colonial Gardens, 745 Schuylkill Rd., Phoenixville PA
  • Wild Lights, 5-9 p.m., ticketed, enjoy light displays, carousel rides, live entertainment, meet zoo animals, snap photos with Santa, warm up at indoor exhibits including the Trail of the Jaguar and Habitat HQ, at Elmwood Park Zoo, 1661 Harding Blvd., Norristown PA
  • Drive-Thru Holiday Light Show, 5:30-10 p.m., ticketed, see a display of tens of thousands of lights and animated displays from the comfort of your own vehicle over a 60-acre, 1.1 mile route through a Christmas tree farm, lit and synchronized with holiday songs, runs Thursdays through Sundays (until Dec. 23) at Yeager’s Farm & Market, 1015 Pikesprings Rd., Phoenixville PA

Want to plan further ahead? Look for events on later dates (currently through April 2024)! See the The Travels With The Post extended calendar page.

Weekend events are curated from a variety of sources, including public submissions. Got a weekend (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holiday Mondays) event you’d like us to add? Send it to travelswiththepost@gmail.com.