A Running List of Things to Do in the Borough and Beyond
Each week I share a Roundup of West Chester news and events at the end of which is a list of upcoming events. However, due to space in the newsletter, I can only share a week or two out but I often have information about events much earlier so I thought I would share with you my working document. Now you know what I know.
December
Nov. 21 – Jan. 5 – West Goshen’s Winter Wonderlights, sunset to 9 p.m. New this year, West Goshen has decorated West Goshen Community Park with lights, including a glowing archway at the children’s playground entrance and colorful strands strung around the amphitheater and gazebo.
Nov. 28 – Jan. 3 – Community Gingerbread House Competition. Chester County’s Brandywine Welcome Center is hosting its first-ever Gingerbread House Competition. Winners will be announced on Dec. 19
Nov. 28 – Jan 1 – Holiday Season Food Drive, West Chester Borough Hall, 401 E. Gay St., Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. West Chester Borough is collecting unexpired non-perishable food and personal care items for West Chester Food Cupboard.
Nov. 30 – Jan. 3 – Season of Lights, Chester County History Center. Stroll through 300 years of Chester County history while enjoying holiday installations celebrating the county’s diverse communities.
Dec. 19 – Lighted Labyrinth Walk, Everhart Park. Celebrate the Winter Solstice with a reflective walk through the luminary-lit Everhart Park labyrinth. Event begins at 5:30 p.m. Labyrinth is located at the southwest corner of the park.
Dec. 19–21 – The Nutcracker, Brandywine Ballet at WCU’s Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall. Every holiday season since 1985, the Brandywine Ballet has staged Tchaikovsky’s classic “The Nutcracker.” Visit the Brandywine Ballet website for a complete list of performance dates and times.
Dec. 20 – West Chester Growers Market, corner of Church and Chestnut, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Dec. 20 – Santa on the Fire Truck, Downtown West Chester. 3 p.m. Stop and wave as Santa makes his way through downtown aboard a West Chester fire truck.
Dec. 20 – Breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus, Knights of Columbus, 110 Market St, two seatings 9 and 10:30 a.m. Pancake breakfast provided. Cost $8 – all proceeds go to support the Care Center Foundation.
Dec. 22 – The Man Who Invented Christmas (Film), Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center, 7 p.m. The film shows how Charles Dickens used real-life inspiration to create the unforgettable characters in his timeless holiday tale. Tickets $5, includes complimentary popcorn.
Dec. 23 – Santa Band Stroll Fundraiser, walk starts at Bar Avalon, 6 p.m. The legendary Santa Band is returning to West Chester—bringing festive cheer, joyful music, and meaningful impact this holiday season. Donations go to support Safe Harbor.
Dec. 23 – Nefesh Mountain, Uptown Knaur Performing Arts Center Theater, 7:30 p.m. Nefesh Mountain celebrates identity while challenging injustice through heartfelt lyrics and soaring melodies. Join them for an unforgettable evening of musical transcendence that’s as spirited as it is soulful.
Dec. 24 – Santa Band Stroll Fundraiser, DK Diner, 8:30 a.m. The legendary Santa Band is returning to West Chester—bringing festive cheer, joyful music, and meaningful impact this holiday season. Donations go to support Safe Harbor.
Dec. 27 – West Chester Growers Market, corner of Church and Chestnut, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Dec. 27 – Have a Ball! Family Event, Chester County History Center, 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Kids create a New Year’s Eve party kit complete with hat, noisemakers, and resolutions. They can also decorate a cookie to enjoy when the ball drops on December 31 (or right away.) Tickets are $10/person and include admission to the CCHC museum.
Dec. 28 – Cool Runnings (Film), Uptown Knauer Performing Arts Center, 7 p.m. Four Jamaican bobsledders dream of competing in the Winter Olympics, despite never having seen snow in this uplifting tale about what is possible if you set your mind to it. Tickets $5, includes complimentary popcorn
Dec. 31 – Countdown to Noon, Oscar Lasko and West Chester YMCA, 10 – 12 p.m. Meet at the Y for a midday New Year’s Eve Celebration. This free event used to be open to the community. Now you need to have a family membership.
Jan. 1 – 18th Annual Stanley’s Dream 5K, corner of Church and Market St., 12 p.m. Registration: $30. Funds raised support the Stanley’s Dream scholarship program, providing college scholarships to graduating seniors, and childhood brain cancer research grants.
Jan. 3 – West Chester Growers Market, corner of Church and Chestnut, 10 a.m. – noon.
Jan. 17 – West Chester Growers Market, corner of Church and Chestnut, 10 a.m. – noon.
Jan. 20 – Science on Tap – Computer Science, Barnaby’s Restaurant, 6 p.m.Each session will feature a different WCU expert sharing interesting ideas and new research. The program invites audience participation and, of course, food and drink will be available for purchase. Cheers to science!
Jan. 31 – West Chester Growers Market, corner of Church and Chestnut, 10 a.m. – noon.
Feb. 7 – West Chester Growers Market, corner of Church and Chestnut, 10 a.m. – noon.
Feb. 17 – Science on Tap – Physics, Barnaby’s Restaurant, 6 p.m.Each session will feature a different WCU expert sharing interesting ideas and new research. The program invites audience participation and, of course, food and drink will be available for purchase. Cheers to science!
Feb. 21 – West Chester Growers Market, corner of Church and Chestnut, 10 a.m. – noon.
Mar. 7 – West Chester Growers Market, corner of Church and Chestnut, 10 a.m. – noon.
Mar. 17 – Science on Tap – Kinesiology, Barnaby’s Restaurant, 6 p.m.Each session will feature a different WCU expert sharing interesting ideas and new research. The program invites audience participation and, of course, food and drink will be available for purchase. Cheers to science!
Apr. 21 – Science on Tap -Psychology, Barnaby’s Restaurant, 6 p.m.Each session will feature a different WCU expert sharing interesting ideas and new research. The program invites audience participation and, of course, food and drink will be available for purchase. Cheers to science!
May 12 – Science on Tap – Chemistry, Barnaby’s Restaurant, 6 p.m.Each session will feature a different WCU expert sharing interesting ideas and new research. The program invites audience participation and, of course, food and drink will be available for purchase. Cheers to science!
Mar. 21 – West Chester Growers Market, corner of Church and Chestnut, 10 a.m. – noon.
Apr. 4 – West Chester Growers Market, corner of Church and Chestnut, 10 a.m. – noon.
Apr. 18 – West Chester Growers Market, corner of Church and Chestnut, 10 a.m. – noon.
May 2 – West Chester Growers Market, corner of Church and Chestnut, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.