A Running List of Things to Do in the Borough and Beyond

Sign up now for the new Hello, West Chester events-only newsletter. It comes out the first and third Wednesday of the month, and includes a curated look at the week ahead. Want to plan out even further? The list below goes on for months. Just remember to double-check dates and times, especially when adverse weather is in the forecast!

October

Oct. 16 – 31 – West Chester’s Halloween Door Tour, various. Take a self-guided walking tour past the spooktacular houses of the Borough. This event is sponsored by the West Chester Public Library. Make a donation, get a map. 

Oct. 30 – Track-or-Treat Candy Scramble, WCU Farrell Stadium, 7 p.m. Run as many laps as you can and collect candy for every lap completed! The participant with the most laps in each age group will take home a prize. There will also be a costume contest. Tickets: $10; Proceeds go to support the WCU Track & Field Team.

Oct. 31 – West Chester Growers Market, 201 N. Church St., 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Oct. 31 – West Chester Growers Market: Halloween Market, corner of Church and Chestnut St., 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Stop by the WCGM for a special Halloween celebration including free face painting, a scavenger hunt, and all your fall produce favorites. Costumes encouraged.

Oct. 31 – Mischief, Monsters & Myths, Corner Art Collective, 341 S. Matlack St., 3-8 p.m. This gallery show celebrates the fantastical, where art meets the eerie, the whimsical, and the mysterious.

November

Nov. 1 – Celebrating Life with Art, Church of the Loving Shepard, 1 -4 p.m. Come hang out and get inspired by some amazing art that celebrates all the good vibes in life. This is a fundraiser event in support of the Ellen Salome Memorial Fund. This is a free event but donations are encouraged. Reserve a spot here.

Nov. 2 – Election Day

Nov. 4 – First Friday, Downtown West Chester, 4 – 8 p.m. Enjoy free street parking and extended business hours.

Nov. 6-8 – WCU Family Weekend, various. 

Nov. 6 – 100 Years of Jazz Welcome Concert, WCU Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall, 7:30 p.m. The Criterions Jazz Ensemble and Statesmen team up for an unforgettable kick-off to the 100th celebration. Profs. Mark Allen and Jonathan Ragonese lead this exciting evening. This event is free and open to the public.

Nov. 7 – West Chester Growers Market, 201 N. Church St., 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Nov. 7 – Stefon Harris Masterclass, WCU Philips Autograph Library, 2 p.m. The masterclass is an opportunity to learn directly from one of today’s prominent jazz artists and educators. This class is free and open to the public. 

Nov. 7 – A Dance Soiree: Celebrating 100 years of Jazz, WCU Science and Engineering Building (SECC) Ballroom, 6:30-10:30 p.m. Guests will dance the night away as the Alumni Dance Band and the current Criterions Jazz Ensemble perform music inspired by the Big Band Era.  Tickets: $100 includes dinner and drinks.

Nov. 7 – Somewhere Over The Rainbow, West Chester Area Senior Center, 530 E. Union St., 7 -10 p.m. Enjoy easy listening coffeehouse music by UCWC musicians and friends. Then at 8:15, the beat picks up, and the dancing begins. $10/person; $5/seniors. All are welcome.

Nov. 7 – The Goose Creek Get-Down 2026, Unitarian Congregation of West Chester, 7 – 11:50 p.m. Support and celebrate the Goose Creek Alliance with food, drinks, raffles, and live music! Tickets: $10/student; $30/adults

Nov. 8 – Community Clean Up (rescheduled), Rustin Park, 740 S. Walnut St., 10 a.m. First 100 people will receive a Jake’s Bar T-shirt and coffee and donuts. Cleaning supplies provided.

Nov. 8 – 100 Anniversary Celebration Featuring Stefon Harris, WCU Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall, 3 p.m. An all-star Alumni band will perform alongside Harris, as well as the current Criterions Jazz Ensemble. Newly commissioned works in honor of the band by Bob Mintzer and Orrin Evans will be premiered. Tickets: $13.50. Free for WCU students and staff

Nov. 8 – West Chester Veterans Parade

Nov. 10 – Give a Veteran a Smile Day, Community Volunteers in Medicine, appointments required. This event, held in the CVIM West Chester health center, provides FREE dental care for all area veterans who don’t have dental insurance.  Appointments are necessary—please call 610.836.5990 ext. 125 to schedule. This annual event fills up quickly!

Nov. 12 – The Bean Story Slam – Grand Slam, United Methodist Church of West Chester, 129 S. High St., stories begin at 7:30 p.m. Winning storytellers from the past year return to compete for the title of best storyteller in West Chester

Nov. 13, 14 – WCU Opera presents Cabildo, WCU Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall, performances at 7:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Beautifully lyrical and distinctly American, Amy Beach’s Cabildo is a charming one-act opera filled with humor, romance, and historical intrigue. Performance is under an hour. Tickets: $8.25. Free for WCU students and staff.

Nov. 14 –West Chester Growers Market, 201 N. Church St., 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Nov. 14 – Free-a-Tree Volunteer Day, Shaw’s Bridge Park, 10 a.m. The Free a Tree volunteer program is a series of monthly volunteer workdays in either East Bradford parkland or on the Township’s public trails. Meet at the parking lot at 274 S. Creek Rd.

Nov. 14 – GPAC Annual Craft Fair, East High School, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Annual event includes a variety of craft booths, baked goods, and custom raffle baskets. Proceeds go to support WCASD’s GPAC program.

Nov. 14 – Bingo For a Cause, Advent Lutheran Church, 1601 Green Ln. 5 -9 p.m. Come out for a fun night of Bingo; proceeds support the West Chester East Color Guard.

Nov. 14 – Concert in the Cupboard, 10 W. Barnard St., 6:30 – 9 p.m. Featuring Carry On. Good music, good food, and a great cause. All proceeds go to support Act Now.

Nov. 15 – West Chester Holiday Shop & Stroll, downtown West Chester, noon- 5 p.m. Explore 20+ participating stores offering exclusive discounts, treats, and surprises.The afternoon wraps up with a wine(d) down at 9 Prime. Best of all, it’s free to attend!

Nov. 17 – Holiday Makers Market, Sykes Ballroom, WCU Sykes Student Union, noon – 6 p.m. Shop for holiday gifts and support local businesses. Over 30 vendors participating. Free parking behind Sykes after 4 p.m

Nov. 21 –West Chester Growers Market, 201 N. Church St., 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Nov. 26 – West Chester Turkey Trot, downtown West Chester, 7:40 a.m. start (runners) 8:14 start (walkers). Join your friends and neighbors for a festive 5K before stuffing yourself full of turkey. Registration: $34/person if you register by Oct. 31. Prizes for the top 3 male and female finishers.

Nov. 27 – Nov. 29 – Small Business Weekend, Downtown West Chester. Experience the joy of shopping in person and support local businesses while you’re at it. Look for special deals, perks, and discounts as the day gets closer. 

Nov. 28 –West Chester Growers Market, 201 N. Church St., 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

December

Dec. 4 – West Chester Annual Christmas Tree Lighting, Historic Courthouse, 6:30 p.m. 

Dec. 4 – West Chester Christmas Parade, downtown West Chester, 7 p.m. 

Dec. 5 –West Chester Growers Market, 201 N. Church St., 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Dec. 5 – Jingle Run, Downtown West Chester (5k loop), 9 a.m. Join the Care Center Foundation for West Chester’s first-ever Jingle Run. Proceeds benefit the Care Center Foundation. Reg. opens at 7:45 a.m. Race starts at 9 a.m

Dec. 5 – WCU 105th Holiday Program, WCU Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall, performances at 3 and 7:30 p.m. The annual Holiday Program has been a staple of the West Chester University holiday season since its inception in 1921. This year’s concert brings the magic of the season through performances by our Symphony Orchestra, Combined. Tickets: $13.50

Dec. 5 – Santa in the Square, Marshall Square Park, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Dec. 12 –West Chester Growers Market, 201 N. Church St., 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Dec. 12 –  Free-a-Tree Volunteer Day, Plum Run Preserve, 10 a.m. The Free a Tree volunteer program is a series of monthly volunteer workdays in either East Bradford parkland or on the Township’s public trails. Meet at the parking lot at 940 Tigue Rd.

Dec. 12 – Christkindlmarkt 2026, Gay St., 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Christkindlmarkt will feature over 100 vendors offering individually handcrafted and locally designed products, such as art, ceramics, jewelry, homewares, and much more. Entrance is free and open to the public.

Dec. 12 – Bingo For a Cause, Advent Lutheran Church, 1601 Green Ln. 5 -9 p.m. Come out for a fun night of Bingo. Proceeds support the West Chester East Marching Band.  

Dec. 19 – West Chester Growers Market, 201 N. Church St., 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Dec. 26 –  West Chester Growers Market, 201 N. Church St., 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.