Heading into Thanksgiving week, the 2021 holiday season is about to bust open with bright lights, music, unique menu items, themed experiences, and plenty of ways to have a merry December. The following, from the Lower Bucks Times, is just a sample of what’s going on; the full roster would be longer than Santa’s ‘Nice’ list.

A Bounty of Bulbs

• 27th Annual Holiday Light Show at Shady Brook Farm: Three million lights decorate the vast farm.
• Bucks County Wine Trail vintners weave colorful strings of lights among their grape vines, creating a beautiful display among the greenery.

Deck the Halls

• Peddler’s Village is again holding its annual Gingerbread House Competition and Display. More than 75 sweet structures will present various themes in delicious cookie form.
• Christmas at Aldie Mansion is a sumptuous meal (limited to 160 guests) in an English Tudor setting. It includes an abundance of decorations, festive music, and seasonal cuisine.
• The interior of the Pearl S. Buck House will feature a festive forest of decorated trees. Visitors can vote for favorites.

Caroling, Caroling

• The Bucks County Playhouse has numerous opportunities to jam with jolliness. Its seasonal fare includes concerts by The Everly Brothers and The Coasters.
• Sellersville Theater invokes the seasonal sounds of the old country in its Christmas with the Celts. Using traditional Irish instruments, the musicians give an interesting spin on Yuletide favorites.
• Bristol Riverside Theater invites audiences to bask in the nostalgia of An American Christmas Songbook, when its concert band navigates holiday favorites old and new.

 Jolly Old St. Nicholas

• The North Pole Express and Santa’s Steam Spectacular chugs out of the New Hope Railroad station. The excursions include beautifully decorated cars, hot chocolate, cookies, and Santa himself.

Scrooges and Grinches

• Gerald Dickens, Charles’ great-great grandson, will present A Christmas Carol performance at Byers’ Choice. Attendees can also take a tour to watch these holiday figures being hand made.
• Bolton Mansion is having a Grinchmas food truck fest as part of its holiday house events. Self-taken pictures with Santa and the Grinch are welcome.

We Need a Little His’try

• The Crossing Reenactment at Washington Crossing Historic Park revives a pivotal moment in the Revolutionary War. It not only puts George in the boat, it has colonial-era activities and plenty of period decorations.

More on these events for the 2021 holiday season is at the Lower Bucks Times.