Winter villages, festive train rides, Scuba Santa and underwater Christmas trees — there’s plenty to do and see in this region over the holidays.
Renault Winery’s Vintner Village is always seemingly a hit with its outdoor ice skating rink, and then there’s Medford’s Dicken’s Festival, which draws thousands each year, and the Christmas Village in Philadelphia, too.
Here are festive events in our area to possibly check out.
Christmas Village in Philadelphia, Nov. 22 to Dec. 24
Love Park and City Hall transform into a magical Christmas Village each year.
It’s a popular “authentic open-air German-style holiday market”, its website states. There is no admission at attend.
It features vendors, food, drink, rides, Festival of Trees and more.
Go: 1500 John F. Kennedy Blvd.; philachristmas.com.
DiDonato Family Fun Center’s Magical Holiday Express, Hammonton, NJ, Nov. 15-Dec. 23
This one features a festive train ride through glowing lights, a meeting with Santa and Mrs. Claus for free photos and a special present from Santa for every child.
There are free cookies and hot chocolate, a holiday movie in the Snowman Tent and a walk through the glowing Walk-Through Holiday Village. A bonus game of bowling is included with each ticket.
Go: 1151 S. White Horse Pike; didonatofuncenter.com/magical-express.
Christmas Underwater, Adventure Aquarium, Camden, NJ, Nov. 21 to Dec. 24
Scuba Santa is back and set to take his first plunge in Ocean Realm on Nov. 21 at 10:30 a.m., a press release announced.
Christmas Underwater is to run from Nov. 21 to Dec. 24. It features the world’s tallest underwater Christmas tree in Shark Realm, “jaw-some holiday décor,” a station for children to write letters to Scuba Santa and twinkling lights.
Scuba Santa interacts with a guest as he dives in the Adventure Aquarium’s during the aquarium’s Christmas Underwater event in this file photo. The Christmas Underwater event is to run through Dec. 24.
Adventure Aquarium in Camden celebrates has their annual Christmas Underwater. Scuba Santa is shown diving into the aquarium’s Shark Realm in this file photo.
All Christmas Underwater activations are available with regular aquarium admission.
Go: 1 Riverside Drive; adventureaquarium.com.
Scuba Santa greets visitors at the Adventure Aquarium in Camden during the aquarium’s Christmas Underwater celebration on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. The Christmas Underwater celebration is to run through Dec. 24.
Winter Village, Sea Isle City, NJ, Nov. 28-29
Excursion Park is transformed into a Winter Wonderland.
A family-friendly holiday festival is to feature a food court, ice sculpting, photo stations, holiday music, holiday crafts, a shopping village, live entertainment and a visits from Santa Claus.
The event Nov. 28 is to feature a special Eagles pregame party with a live show.
Go: seaislechamber.com/winter-village.
Winter Wonderland, Congress Hall, Cape May, NJ, Nov. 28 to Dec. 31
Congress Hall transforms into a magical winter wonderland.
Visitors can ride the Congress Hall Express, a train that travels around the hotel’s lawn and veranda, and participate in family-friendly activities.
The Congress Hall Carousel is to be on the front lawn, and there’s also to be an enchanted vendor village with tents and specialty stores featuring Cape May gifts and souvenirs. The breakfast with Santa series is scheduled every weekend. There are also Santa’s workshop activities.
Go: 200 Congress Place; caperesorts.com/congress-hall/winter-wonderland.
Holly Jolly Weekend, Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA, Dec. 6-7
There’s to be Santa parades, live entertainment, family activities, holiday food and drink specials, and a gingerbread display.
More than 60 specialty shops and boutiques are available for gift-giving ideas.
At 4:30 p.m., Peddler’s Village is all lit up with millions of colorful lights.
The Gingerbread Competition & Display at Peddler’s Village in Lahaska on Nov. 13, 2025.
Free admission and parking is offered. The hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Go: Route 263 and Street Road; peddlersvillage.com/event/holly-jolly-weekend.
The Gingerbread Competition & Display at Peddler’s Village in Lahaska on Nov. 13, 2025. Visitors may see the gingerbread houses from Nov. 14 through Jan. 17. during shopping hours, excluding Thanksgiving and Christmas Days.
Lower Bucks Holiday Tour, Christmas Tour 2025, Bucks County, PA, Dec. 6 to Jan. 2
Families decorate their homes and people drive to see them.
The Lower Bucks Holiday Tour Facebook page can be followed for updates. Families sign up and agree to keep their displays up and running through the duration of the tour.
It’s a family-friendly community event.
Go: facebook.com/lbdrivethruhousetours.
Dickens Festival, Medford, NJ, Dec. 6
This rain-or-shine event is free and open to the public.
The festival, which draws thousands to Main Street each year, includes a Christmas village, carolers, food trucks, shopping, live music, vendors, games, horse and carriage rides and Santa Claus.
It’s to be held from 4:30-9 p.m.
Go: 67 N. Main St.; you may visit the event’s Facebook page for more info.
Yuletide Tour of Historic Salem, Salem, NJ, Dec. 6
The tour is to kick off is at 1 p.m. There are approximately 27 sites on the tour, including historic homes, churches, museums and more.
The event is to run from 1-6 p.m. and is celebrating the town’s 350th anniversary.
Tickets are $20 pre-tour and $25 day of the event. The event starts at Royal Port Antiques.
Go: 13 Market St.; facebook.com/royalportantiques.
A Very Furry Christmas, Sesame Place, Langhorne, PA, Nov. 15 to Jan. 4
This festive, family-friendly event is with favorite Sesame Street friends.
Sesame Place is transformed into a Christmas wonderland with “millions of twinkling lights, whirling rides, and festive decorations.” There are special Christmas shows and a music and light show at the 30-foot 1-2-3 Christmas Tree.
There is also a Sesame Street Christmas Parade with festive floats and performances. “One-of-a-kind” photos are to be available.
Go: 100 Sesame Road; sesameplace.com.
Cherry Hill Winter Festival, Croft Farm, Cherry Hill, NJ, Dec. 7
A winter craft market, food, beer garden, ice carving demos, fire pits, live performances and more are offered.
The Grinch hugs a child at Cherry Hill’s Winter Festival on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024.
Cherry Hill Township celebrated its Winter Festival at Croft Farm on Sunday, Dec. 18, 2024.
Grinch, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Cosmo the Elf, Elsa, Olaf, Stitch and of course, Santa Claus are to be there. The event is to run from noon to 4 p.m.
Go: 100 Bortons Mill Road; chnj.gov/1517/Winter-Festival.
Cherry Hill Township celebrated its Winter Festival at Croft Farm on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024.
Renault Winery’s Vintner Wonderland, Egg Harbor City, NJ, Nov. 28 to Jan. 19
The outdoor real ice skating rink and Vintner Wonderland is set to begin Nov. 28.
Renault Winery’s Vintner Wonderland is shown. It’s to run from Nov. 28 to Jan. 19.
Vintner Wonderland offers live entertainment, festive food and drink, fire pits, retail shopping village with local vendors, indoor dining options and more.
Renault Winery’s Vintner Wonderland is shown. It runs from Nov. 28 to Jan. 19.
Heated cabin cabanas and igloo experiences can be booked.
Go: 72 Bremen Ave.; renaultwinery.com.
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Winter festivals in Philly, Bucks County, PA, South Jersey