Celebrate the Holidays in Chester County

It's the season for holiday celebrations in Chester County. Preview some of the many attractions, activities, and events taking place during the holidays.

The Kennett Holiday Light Parade will take place on Nov. 22, the West Chester Hometown Christmas Parade will occur on Dec. 5, and the Coatesville Christmas Parade kicks off on Dec. 6.

Holiday offerings at Longwood Gardens and Brandywine Museum of Art include A Longwood Christmas (Nov. 11 through Jan. 11) with extensive lights and carols, and the Brandywine Museum's Home for the Holidays: Cards and Hearths from the Collection, which opened Nov. 15.

In addition to celebrating the joy of the season, many organizations throughout Chester County are finding ways to support those less fortunate during this time of year.

Avondale will host a Santa Train on Saturday, Nov. 29, with toy collections supporting children in need as part of the national Operation Toy Train drive that distributes tens of thousands of toys.

Williams Holdsworth, chief of the Kennett Square Police Department, said Operation Toy Train is coming to the borough Nov. 29 with two stops planned. The first stop will take place at East Penn Railroad Station at 2:45 p.m., and the second stop will occur at the Creamery, 410 Birch St., at 3:30 p.m.

Holdsworth said Kennett Square has partnered with the Maternal and Child Health Consortium on two causes: a coat drive, which just ended, and an ongoing toy drive with an end date of Dec. 5.

State Senator Katie Muth, D-44th, of Royersford, is opening her district office at 338 Main St. in Royersford, Montgomery County, as a collection site for two causes: Toys for Tots and a special veterans holiday drive, in which community members are encouraged to drop off essential supplies. Muth's district spans portions of northeastern Chester, southwestern Montgomery, and southeastern Berks counties.

“We also collect food and clothing donations for other nonprofits throughout the year — so if you are able to, please find a way to help those in need this holiday season,” Muth told The Daily Local News.

The Kennett Library is planning to create a Giving Tree in collaboration with Kennett Area Community Service (KACS) and Good Samaritan. “We'll be making ornaments with wish lists for various families in our community,” said Amanda Murphy, director of marketing and communications at the Kennett Library.