POTTSTOWN PA – Nearly 50 events are competing for attention during the long (four-day) New Year’s Holiday weekend across Montgomery, Berks, and Chester counties.
Almost any commercial enterprise that sells food and beverages has scheduled New Year’s Eve or Day (or both!) party events. Local parks and recreation departments, and several non-profit organizations, have done the same. Plenty of opportunities await your family.
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, Dec. 28
- WSFS Bank Food Drive, collections accepted through Dec. 31 (2023) during bank business days and hours at its branches in Phoenixville, Oaks and Audubon, benefits area food banks and pantries, 124 Main St., Phoenixville PA
- Weekly “Scrabble” Game, 10-11:30 a.m., free and open to the public, held every Thursday beginning at 10 a.m. at Boyertown Community Library, 24 N. Reading Ave., Boyertown 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
- Holiday Tours at Pennypacker Mills, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., donation suggested, take a guided tour through the spectacular Pennypacker mansion to see over-the-top decorations and get a fascinating look at Christmas in 1900; the museum shop also is open, at Pennypacker Mills historic site, 5 Haldeman Rd., Schwenksville PA
- Colebrookdale Railroad Excursions, four trips: start 11 a.m., “Engineer For A Day;” start 1 p.m., “Snowflake Special,” and “Locomotive Express Cab Ride;” and start 4 p.m., “Snowflake Special;” all ticketed (separately priced), at the railroad’s station, Washington and 3rd streets, Boyertown PA
- PGA Golf Clinic, 5-6 p.m., free (advance registration required), taught by a local certified golf professional, focused on iron play and its importance to a golfer’s game, attendees to use simulators to practice their swings while receiving hands-on coaching, at PXG Philadelphia, 555 S. Henderson Rd., King of Prussia 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, 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
- Holiday Lights at Gring’s Mill, 5:30-8:30 p.m., free admission and parking, light displays, musical acts from 5:45 to 7:45 p.m., food, a model train display, and a warming fire pit, at Gring’s Mill, 2083 Tulpehocken Rd., Reading PA
- Tasting Room Trivia, 7:30-9:30 p.m., free to play, prizes for winners, at Manatawny Still Works, 320 Circle of Progress Dr Ste. 104, Pottstown PA
Friday, Dec. 29
- 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
- Holiday Tours at Pennypacker Mills, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., donation suggested, take a guided tour through the spectacular Pennypacker mansion to see over-the-top decorations and get a fascinating look at Christmas in 1900; the museum shop also is open, at Pennypacker Mills historic site, 5 Haldeman Rd., Schwenksville PA
- Helping Hands Bingo, 10:15-11 a.m., free (no registration required); senior citizens, adults, and children ages 3 and older invited to help each other play picture BINGO, intended to create meaningful connections between community members, at Boone Area Library, 129 N. Mill St., Birdsboro PA
- Lap-Sit Story Time, 10:30-11:30 a.m., free, join Miss Sorcha to learn new songs, read fun stories, play, and socialize, for ages from infancy to 2, at Boyertown Community Library, 24 N. Reading Ave., Boyertown PA
- Exhibition: “Vivid,” 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., free, an annual holiday art show of members and friends, at Studio B Fine Art Gallery, 39A East Philadelphia Ave., Boyertown PA
- Preschool Story Time, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., free (advance registration encouraged), intended for children ages 3-5, involves a book and fun craft for parents or guardians to do with their children, at Boyertown Community Library, 24 N. Reading Ave., Boyertown PA
- Colebrookdale Railroad Excursions, three trips: start 1 p.m., “Snowflake Special,” and “Locomotive Express Cab Ride;” and start 3 p.m., “Engineer For A Day;” all ticketed (separately priced), at the railroad’s station, Washington and 3rd streets, Boyertown 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, 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
- Holiday Lights at Gring’s Mill, 5:30-8:30 p.m., free admission and parking, light displays, musical acts from 5:45 to 7:45 p.m., food, a model train display, and a warming fire pit, at Gring’s Mill, 2083 Tulpehocken Rd., Reading PA
- Concert: “Nightwolf,” starts at 7 p.m., free and suitable for all ages, performing favorite songs from AC/DC, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, ZZ Top, and others from “the golden era of rock n’ roll,” at Rivet Canteen and Assembly, 238 E. High St., Pottstown PA
Saturday, Dec. 30
- PA Driver License and Photo Centers in Pottstown, Harleysville, King of Prussia, and Reading closed for New Year’s holiday; re-open Jan. 2 (Tuesday) with regular business hours
- 2024 Pennsylvania River of the Year voting, free, contenders are the Allegheny River, which starts in Potter County; the Lackawaxen River, in Wayne County; and the Youghiogheny River, which runs through southwestern PA; voting is restricted to once per e-mail address, vote online
- Noon Year’s Eve Celebration, 10 a.m. to noon, ticketed with discount if registered before Dec. 1, conducted by the Pottstown Children’s Discovery Center, includes a half-hour time of carousel rides, a snack, games, crafts, and a book to take home, and a countdown and balloon drop celebration to ring in the new year, at the Carousel at Pottstown, 30 W. King 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
- Holiday Tours at Pennypacker Mills, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., donation suggested, take a guided tour through the spectacular Pennypacker mansion to see over-the-top decorations and get a fascinating look at Christmas in 1900; the museum shop also is open, at Pennypacker Mills historic site, 5 Haldeman Rd., Schwenksville PA
- Trout in the Classroom, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., free (but space limited and registration required; send an e-mail to Rebecca.Blacketter@montgomerycountypa.gov), suitable for all ages, observe Rainbow Trout eggs go through their life cycle and then be released in Kepner Creek; also learn about water quality, fishing, and macroinvertebrates, at Norristown Farm Park, 2500 Upper Farm Rd., Norristown PA
- Exhibition: “Vivid,” 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., free, an annual holiday art show of members and friends, at Studio B Fine Art Gallery, 39A East Philadelphia Ave., Boyertown PA
- Pre-School New Year’s Party, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., free (advance registration requested; call 610-287-8360 or e-mail to PerkValLib@gmail.com), sponsored by Perkiomen Valley Library at Schwenksville, “join the fun and get ready to make lots of noise at noon,” the library said, at the library, 290 2nd St., Schwenksville PA
- Colebrookdale Railroad Excursions, three trips: start 1 p.m., “Snowflake Special,” and “Locomotive Express Cab Ride;” and start 3 p.m., “Engineer For A Day;” all ticketed (separately priced), at the railroad’s station, Washington and 3rd streets, Boyertown PA
- Elf-Themed Escape Room, 2-5 p.m., ticketed, a family-friendly event for groups of 4, help reunite Buddy The Elf with his father using clues, prize awarded, at Ridgewood Winery, 2039 Philadelphia Ave., Birdsboro PA
- Saturday Cash Bingo, 4:45-8 p.m., ticketed, a fund-raiser for the Transplant Alliance, at State Street Entertainment Hall, 799 State 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 your favorite holiday characters, and wind their ways around trees; take photos, enjoy a cup of hot chocolate or a candy cane, 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
- Holiday Lights at Gring’s Mill, 5:30-8:30 p.m., free admission and parking, light displays, musical acts from 5:45 to 7:45 p.m., food, a model train display, and a warming fire pit, at Gring’s Mill, 2083 Tulpehocken Rd., Reading PA
Photo by Matheus Frade on Unsplash, used by Travels With The Post under license
Sunday, Dec. 31
- PA Driver License and Photo Centers in Pottstown, Harleysville, King of Prussia, and Reading closed for New Year’s holiday; re-open Jan. 2 (Tuesday) with regular business hours
- Exhibition: “Vivid,” 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., free, an annual holiday art show of members and friends, at Studio B Fine Art Gallery, 39A East Philadelphia Ave., Boyertown PA
- Noon Year’s Eve, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., ticketed (advance registration required), families will be able to create some fun props and noisemakers commonly used for the holiday, children can dance the wait away to the noon-hour countdown and a balloon drop in Neag Planetarium, at Reading Public Museum, 500 Museum Rd., Reading 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
- Colebrookdale Railroad Excursions, five trips: start 1 and 4 p.m., “Snowflake Special;” start 1 and 4 p.m., “Locomotive Express Cab Ride;” start 10:30 p.m., “New Year’s Eve Celebration;” all ticketed (separately priced), at the railroad’s station, Washington and 3rd streets, Boyertown PA
- Boyertown Bear Drop, 5-6 p.m., free, watch the Boyertown Bear drop at midnight Germany time (6 p.m. locally), while enjoying free cookies, hot chocolate and live folk music, make care packages for veterans while you wait, at the Boyertown Area Historical Society, 43 S. Chestnut St., Boyertown PA
Monday, Jan. 1
- PA Driver License and Photo Centers in Pottstown, Harleysville, King of Prussia, and Reading closed for New Year’s holiday; re-open Jan. 2 (Tuesday) with regular business hours
- French Creek First-Day Hike, starts at 10 a.m., free, a first-day-of-the-new-year hike on the new section of the Hopewell Bigwoods Trail, 3 miles in length out and back on fairly easy terrain with a few hills and rocks, wearing orange is advised, at French Creek State Park, 843 Park Rd., Elverson PA
- William Penn State Forest First-Day Hike, starts at 10 a.m., free, a two-mile hike along Buck Hollow Tract, hikers meet at the Buck Hollow Parking lot off Hay Creek Road; dressing in layers, wearing proper footwear, and bringing water and snacks is advised, at William Penn State Forest, 845 Park Rd., Elverson PA
- 15th annual Pottstown Polar Bear Swim, 10:30 a.m. to noon (registration starts at 9:30 a.m.), free, take a brief plunge into the chilly water of the Schuylkill River, sponsored by the borough Parks and Recreation Department, swimmers must be age 16 or older, indemnity releases and in some cases parental permissions required, followed by a bonfire, at Riverfront Park, 140 College Dr., Pottstown PA
- 2nd annual Polar Run, noon to 2 p.m., ticketed (registration online; family pricing for groups), sponsored by the Manatawny Athletic Club and the Pottstown Parks and Recreation Department; finisher medal for each in-person participant, surprise finisher gift for first 100 registered for in-person race, accompanied also by virtual runs, at Riverfront Park, 140 College Dr., Pottstown PA
Photo by Stephen Goldberg on Unsplash, used by Travels With The Post under license
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.
Top photo by Travels With The Post