Event Details

33rd Annual MARS Drinks Old-Fashioned Christmas Events - 2012

 

In case of inclement weather, please call the individual event for information.  For parade information, visit the Chamber of Commerce of Greater West Chester’s website at www.greaterwestchester.com for up-to-date information or call 610-696-4046.
*Advance tickets recommended or required. Limited capacity for many events – see event description for details.

Event Descriptions

 (Listed Alphabetically)

180 Dance Company: Contemporary ballet company, 180 Dance, is debuting their first holiday-themed production! Enjoy professional dance set to a cheerful Christmas medley, Friday, 5:15pm, 6:15pm & 7:15pm at the Chester County Historical, 225 N. High St.

*Advent Workshop: Celebrate the season with crafts, dinner, and hot chocolate before the parade. Friday, 5:30 – 7:30pm at First Presbyterian Church, 130 West Miner St. Admission $5 adults, $2.50 children. Dinner served beginning at 6pm. Register online at www.firstpreswc.com/register. 610-696-0554

Auld String Theory Christmas: Mix 3 Greystone Ramblers with one Philadelphia Jugbandite to create Auld String Theory (E=fb). Join us for an old-fashioned folk holiday! Friday, 6:30 – 8:30pm at ReworkWC, 23 North Walnut St. 

Baroque Christmas Concert: The West Chester University Baroque Ensemble plays Christmas music on period instruments in Baroque costumes.  Solos and full group of twelve people will perform. Sunday, 3:00pm at the Chester County Historical Society, 225 North High St.

Breakfast & Photo with Santa: Santa will host a pancake and sausage breakfast for children and adults, plus have a free photo with Santa! Free vision screening for latent eye defects. Saturday, 7:30 – 11:00am at the West Chester Area Senior Center, 530 East Union St. $6.00 adults, $3.50 children 12 & under. 610-431-4242

*Breakfast with Santa: Full hot breakfast and treats for the children. Make reservations early for this one – two seatings! Saturday, 8:30am and 10:00am at the Chester County Historical Society, 225 North High St. Reservations required, $12/person – call 610-436-9010

Brent Christopher: Acoustic guitar player and singer will entertain all night long. Friday, 7:00 – 11:00pm at Pietro’s Restaurant, 125 West Market St.

Candlelight Christmas Concert: Usher in this joyous time of the year with the choirs of First Presbyterian Church and orchestra. Message by Dr. Greg Stovell. Sunday, 4:00pm at First Presbyterian Church, 130 West Miner St. 610-696-0554

Cartoon Christmas Trio: Performing the music of A Charlie Brown Christmas and other classic holiday favorites. Friday, 6:00 – 8:00pm at Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant, 3 West Gay St. 610-738-9600

Chester County Brass: A quintet of Brass musicians from the Chester County Concert Band playing festive holiday favorites. Friday, 6:15 – 7:00 at Fox Chase Bank, 137 North High St.

Chester County Youth Orchestra Pops Concert: Seventy-five member symphony orchestra performs music by Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich, Berlioz, Vaughan Williams and music from Harry Potter and Mannheim Steamroller. Saturday, 7:30pm at the Church of the Holy Trinity, High and Union Sts. Free; please bring non-perishable food items. 610-524-0943

Christmas Caroling: Come join the West Chester Area Community Chorus singing Christmas carols…come and join us!! Friday, 6:30 – 7:30pm at DNB First, 2 North Church St.

Christmas Concert with the Flute Family: The Pennsylvania Flute Choir performs Christmas music played on the flute family, from piccolo to contrabass flute. Friday, 6:30 – 7:30 at the Church of the Holy Trinity, High and Union Sts.

Christmas Rock and Pop Songs: Build-A-Band performs Rock & Christmas Music Concert presented by Lisa Wolfe Music, LLC.  Friday, 5:00 – 7:30pm at the Masonic Lodge, 10 South Church St.

The Christmas Story Told through Rod Puppets: The Biblical narrative of Christ’s birth, illustrated with large rod puppets. A wonderful family tradition to keep Christ in Christmas. Saturday, 6:00pm, and Sunday, 6:00pm at the Reformed Presbyterian Church, 312 West Union St. (at S. New St.) Free admission. 610-696-3482

*Christmas Tree Train: Train departs Market St. Station promptly at 8:00am for Wiggins Tree farm to cut your own tree and return. Sunday, 8:00am from train station on East Market St. (200 block). Visit www.westchesterRR.com for more information and to order tickets online.

Family Holiday Fun at the Y: Something for everyone in the family at the Oscar Lasko YMCA Youth Program Center. Kids create holiday crafts (ages 3 to 10) while the whole family enjoys Jim Fitzgerald on the piano and an eclectic art show featuring local artists. Friday, 5:30 – 7:00pm at the YMCA, 1 East Chestnut St. 610-696-9622.

*Gingerbread House Making: Create a child-sized real gingerbread house! All materials will be supplied. Saturday, 2:00 – 4:00pm at the West Chester Municipal Building, 401 East Gay St.  Limited to first 30 people to pre-register. $12/person, 610-436-9010

Gracenotes: You are invited to enjoy a night of harmony by an all female a cappella group from West Chester University! Friday, 5:30 – 6:30pm at ReworkWC, 23 North Walnut St.

Greg Davis: Acoustic guitar player and singer will entertain all night long, Friday, 7:00 – 11:00pm at Nonna’s Restaurant, 116 East Gay St.

Handel’s Messiah: Handel’s beloved Messiah, performed by singers from the community, area churches and the Greenleigh Chorale with soloists and orchestra. Sunday, 3:00pm at St. Agnes Church, 211 West Gay St.

Harp for the Holidays: Come and enjoy the soothing sounds of the harp performing Christmas carols and popular music selections by Lissie’s Harpistry. Friday, 5:30 – 6:30pm at Penwick, 132 North High St. and from 7:00 – 8:00pm at Yori’s Bakery, 15 North Church St.

Holiday Concert: The West Chester Area School District Select Strings, directed by Mrs. Katrina Kelly along with the Henderson HS and Rustin HS Chamber Ensembles, directed by Cynthia Cox will present a holiday concert for your enjoyment. Thursday, 7:30pm at the Church of the Holy Trinity, corner of High and Union Sts.

Jazz-O-Poppin: Sponsored by Beam’s School of Music, Malvern…a blend of raucous Christmas Swing and solemn Yuletide Folk. Friday, 6:00 – 8:00pm at the Knights of Columbus, 110 West Market St.

 

JINGLE ELF RUN: Sponsored by First Niagara Bank, the 4th Annual Run is for adults & children. Awards given to runners and best elf costume! To add to the fun, pre-registered participants will receive an elf hat with bells to wear while running! Friday, start times – 6:30pm - 200m dash (kids 6 & under); 6:35pm - ½-mile run (kids 7 to 12); 6:45pm - 2-mile run, 6:45pm - 1-mile walk; 7:15pm – Awards at High & Market Sts. Register on-line at www.runccrs.com or call 610-696-0115. On-site registration at First Niagara Bank, 16 East Market St. at 5:30pm

Jingle Juggling: Stop by to enjoy an evening of juggling, music, and general tomfoolery with “Randini the Remarkable.” Friday, 6:15 – 7:00pm at Sovereign Bank, 50 West Market St.

John Grecia Duo: Well-known and extremely talented piano player and guitarist entertain all night long. Saturday, 8:00pm – 12:00am at Pietro’s, Restaurant, 125 West Market St.

Kreutz Creek Winery Art & Music: Got wine?  We do! The Moondawgs will be playing 70’s and 80’s pop and folk and Kyle Whary’s art will be displayed. We're pet friendly and BYOF! (Bring Your Own Food!) Friday, 7:00 – 10:00pm at Kreutz Creek Winery, 44 East Gay St.  

Kreutz Creek Winery Art & Guitar: Mark Oppenlander will be strumming his Classical Guitar and Kyle Whary’s art will be displayed. We're pet friendly and BYOF! (Bring Your Own Food!) Saturday, 7:00 – 10:00pm at Kreutz Creek Winery, 44 East Gay St.  

Little Lincolns - Gettysburg Address Contest/Charity Gift Drive: WCASD middle school students recite Lincoln’s famous “Four score” speech in the 14th annual competition for prizes, sponsored by WC Borough HARB.  Friday, 5:45-6:30pm - Finalists will speak from the Lincoln Building balcony at the Chester County Community Foundation, 28 West Market St. Bring your unwrapped gifts for local families in need.

Live Pop/Rock Holiday Jam: Taylor’s Music Store has invited local 60’s - 70’s Rock Bank “Who Needs Nigel” to perform just before the Christmas Parade. Friday, 6:00 – 7:00pm at Taylor’s Music Store, 116 West Gay St. 610-696-1812

Luminaria Around the Park: See and enjoy the magic of the candlelight glow of 400 luminaria lining the perimeter of historic Marshall Square Park. Friday, 6:00pm until midnight on East Marshall St. between Matlack and Franklin Sts. (assisted by BSA Troop 14)

The Many Moods of Christmas Concert: Family friendly concert featuring adult & children’s choirs, handbells and orchestra. No admission charge, but tickets required. Sunday, 2:00pm & 5:00pm at Calvary Lutheran Church, 730 South New St. Contact ManyMoodsTickets@verizon.net

NAACP 6th Annual Holiday Bazaar: Shop for holiday gifts from local vendors, homemade crafts, jewelry, ornaments, wreaths, homemade jellies and treats, gift baskets, book signing and more. Saturday, 10:00am – 4:00pm at the Masonic Lodge, 10 South Church St. 610-696-3231

*The Night Before Christmas: Join us for this festive family friendly danced production by WC Dance Works as we share holiday traditions and celebrations seen through many eyes! Saturday, 1:30pm & 4:00pm at West Chester United Methodist Church, 129 South High St. $7 general admission; $6 seniors and groups of 10 or more.  For tickets call 610-692-3398

Old Fashioned Christmas at Chester County Historical Society: Enjoy FREE museum admission plus art show by local abstractionist, James Lee Burk, ballet performance by 180 Dance Company (5:15, 6:15 & 7:15pm)and WC Studio for the Performing Arts (6:15 – 7:00pm). Friday, 4:30 – 9:00pm at the Chester County Historical Society, 225 North High St. 610-692-4800

Old Fashioned Christmas Soup & Sandwich Parlor: Serving assorted hot and cold sandwiches, soups, snacks and desserts at family prices while you enjoy music by Jazz-O-Poppin (6:00 – 8:00pm). Friday, 5:45 - 9:00pm at the Knights of Columbus, 110 West Market St.

PARADE: The 33rd Anniversary of the MARS Drinks Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade ushers in the festive Christmas season! Friday, START TIME at 7:15pm, beginning at Market and New Sts. ROUTE: opposite direction of traffic flow (from Market, north up New to Gay, Gay to Matlack, Matlack to Market, up Market back to New). Adam Joseph and Karen Rogers, from the 6abc News Team, will be the commentators on the corner of Market & High Sts. at the Historic Courthouse. Over 14 marching bands from around the region will perform! Visit www.greaterwestchester.com for map and line-up. 610-696-4046

Pennsylvania Academy of Performing Arts Chamber Choir: Group will perform a collection of holiday favorites for one and all. Friday, 6:15 – 7:00pm at Susquehanna Bank, 9 North High St.

The QVC Singers Perform Holiday Favorites: Enjoy familiar holiday songs joyously performed by the QVC Singers. This event is sure to put you in the holiday spirit! Friday, 7:00 – 8:00pm at Sovereign Bank, 50 West Market St.

Rejoicing at Christmastime: Come and enjoy the WCU Gospel Choir Ministries perform a concert of Gospel and Christmas songs, mime, and liturgical dancing. Sunday, 3:00pm at the Bethel AME Church, 334 East Miner St. Light refreshments afterwards.

Ringing at Senator Dinniman’s: Enjoy songs of the season played on bells by members of the Chancel Ringers of First Presbyterian Church. Come listen before the parade! Friday, 6:30 – 7:30pm at Senator Andrew Dinniman’s office, corner of Church & Market Sts.

Santa’s Express: Take a ride with Santa while listening to live holiday entertainment aboard West Chester Railroad. Treats for all the kids! Train departs Market St. Station, 230 East Market St., Sat. & Sun., 11:00am, 1:00 & 3:00pm for a trip to Glen Mills and back. $20.00 for adults, $13.00 for children ages 2-12 and $6.00 for toddlers. Santa’s Express runs every weekend beginning Nov. 23 through Dec. 16. Visit www.westchesterRR.com for more information and to order tickets online.

Santa Pictures Pre-Parade: Before the parade starts, warm up with us and enjoy Dove hot chocolate and cookies, pictures with Santa, and listen to the West Chester Area Community Chorus. Friday, 6:00 – 7:30pm at DNB First, 2 North Church St.

Scrooge’s Christmas - A Christmas Carol: This remarkable one hour adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic tale weaves in traditional Christmas carols performed by the PA Academy of Performing Arts. Saturday, 6:00 – 7:00pm at the Chester County Historical Society, 225 North High St. Free; $5 donation suggested. 610-692-4800

Self Guided Tours of the Historic Lincoln Building: Stop by to take a tour of the historic Lincoln Biography Building (c. 1833) and enjoy refreshments. Friday, 5:00 – 6:30pm at the Chester County Community Foundation, 28 West Market St.

Serendipity:  Enjoy holiday music with harps and a panpiper – Jupie Seaholm & Fran McGaughey on harps and Dave McGaughey on panpipe.  Friday, 6:15 – 6:45pm and 7:00 – 7:30pm at Fulton Bank, 116 West Market St. 

Simply Ike and Daughter: Performance of selective Christmas tunes with a Reggae touch on an acoustic guitar and cello. “You gonna love it, Man!” Friday, 6:15 – 6:45pm at Yori’s Bakery, 15 North Church St.

TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY: Come watch the lighting of the 23-foot community Christmas tree prior to the start of the parade! Friday, 7:00pm on the corner of High & Market Sts. at the Courthouse.

*Trial By Jury and Carol Sing: In this hilarious 40-minute Victorian-era musical comedy, Angelina takes Edwin, her playboy fiancé, to court for breach of promise. Presented by the award-winning Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Chester County. NEW LOCATION - Courtroom 1, Chester County Justice Center, 201 West Market St., Friday, 6:00pm, Saturday, 2:00 & 8:00pm, Sunday, 2:00pm. Advance tickets: $10 adult, $8 senior (60+), $5 student/child (6-21); Door tickets are $12 adult; $10 senior; $5 child, www.gsschesco.org or 610-269-5499

The Vince Brown Band: The four-piece high energy band will entertain all night long. Saturday, 8:00pm – 12:00am at Nonna’s Restaurant, 116 East Gay St.

*West Chester 24th Annual Charity Ball: Event proceeds benefit Friends Association for Care and Protection of Children. Live entertainment, dancing, live and silent auction, dinner stations and open bar. Saturday, 6:30 to 11:00pm at the West Chester Golf & Country Club, 111 West Ashbridge St.  Admission is $175 per ticket. To purchase tickets, call 610-431-3598 ext.219 or go to www.friendsassoc.org and click on Special Events.

West Chester Rustin High School Concert Choir: Come enjoy some of Rustin’s finest singers as they perform various holiday songs and other choral selections. Friday, 6:15 – 7:00pm at Wells Fargo Bank, 17 North High St.

West Chester Studio Singers: The West Chester Studio of Performing Arts presents a Christmas concert performing their holiday favorites. Friday, 6:15 – 7:00 at the Chester County Historical Society, 225 North High St. 610-692-4800
 
*WCU  Annual Holiday Program: A holiday festival of choral music in a traditional program. Saturday, 3:00 and 7:00pm at the Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall, corner of South High St. & University Ave. Tickets are $10 for adults; $5 for senior citizens and students. One free ticket to WCU students with their ID (must show ID with ticket at the door). Send a SASE to Attn: Ticket Office, WCU Holiday Program, Sykes Student Union Service Center, West Chester, PA 19383 or call 610-436-2266

West Chester University String Trio: Come to enjoy the sounds of a string trio brought to you by the West Chester University School of Music. Friday, 5:30 – 7:00pm at Hotel Warner, 120 North High St.

Thursday, Dec. 6th
Forty Niners Chorus: Presents “My Big Fat North Pole Wedding.” This humorous take on the holiday seasons combines wedding plans and Christmas prep in an original musical experience your whole family will enjoy.  Show runs from Dec. 6-9 at Stetson Middle School. For free tickets, visit their website at www.49erschorus.org

Thursday, Dec. 6th
Sounds of the Season Holiday Concert: Join us for an evening of holiday music with the West Chester Concert Band and the West Chester United Methodist Chancel Choir. Thursday, Dec. 6th, 7:30pm at WC United Methodist Church, 129 South High St. $10 adults; $7 seniors & students; children under 6 are free. 610-692-5190

Saturday, Dec. 8th
Holiday Lunch: Come join us for a delightful Holiday lunch…enjoy good food and friendship. Saturday, Dec. 8th, 1:00 – 3:00pm at the Charles A. Melton Arts & Education Center, 501 East Miner St.