This year, Peddler’s Village will celebrate the holiday season this year with a million lights on display in the Village, holiday shopping, food and beverage specials, and a gingerbread house competition and display. With its notable tradition of elaborate decorations and festivities, the 58-year-old attraction is one of Pennsylvania’s most popular holiday destinations—and it’s doing all that it can this year to maintain seasonal cheer despite revamping its longtime approach in the interest of public safety.
“While 2020 has presented us with myriad challenges we never expected, we are planning very creatively for the holidays, with safety as a top priority,” said Bob McGowan, Chief Operating Officer of Peddler’s Village. “We feel very fortunate to be an outdoor destination where we can offer some holiday magic in the fresh air.”
There will be no Grand Illumination event this year; holiday lights will be on starting November 19. Santa will make surprise socially distanced appearances during the weekends of November 21-22, November 28-29, and December 5-6. In accordance with Pennsylvania state mandates, masks are required outdoors when it is not possible to maintain at least a six-foot distance from others.
November 19 will also mark the opening of the Gingerbread House Competition and Display, which will be located this year in Shop #1 in the Courtyard instead of in the smaller Gazebo to allow one-way, socially distanced traffic flow. The Gingerbread House Competition and Display will include more than 70 creative entries and will remain on view through January 9, 2021.
From Monday, November 16 through Sunday, November 22, the Village will host a Merchants Open House, during which the 65 specialty shops and boutiques will welcome guests for gift-giving ideas and the opportunity to enjoy warm, personal service as part of their holiday shopping experience. More than 95% of the shops at Peddler’s Village are small businesses and/or locally owned. Masks are required indoors and shop capacity is limited. For those who wish to shop at locally owned small businesses but prefer not to do so in person, Peddler’s Village has created a Virtual Village.
On weekends from November 20 through January 10, Peddler’s Village—in partnership with Without a Cue—will present a family-friendly outdoor walking mystery event called “Elf on the Stealth.” Tickets are $25 and are available online.
Two restaurants at Peddler’s Village will be serving special dinners on Thanksgiving Day: Cock ‘n Bull is presenting an safely served buffet from 11 am to 6 pm, and Earl’s New American will be presenting Thanksgiving specials along with its regular menu. Buttonwood Grill will be open for breakfast from 7 am to 10 am. Starting November 15, the Cock ‘n Bull will present Sunday safely served brunches from 11 a.m to 2 p.m. Reservations can be made through OpenTable.com or by calling 215-794-4010.
Peddler’s Village is open air and open every day! Beginning Friday, November 27 and continuing until January 10, 2021, shopping hours for the Village will be extended to 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.
For more information about holiday happenings at Peddler’s Village, visit PeddlersVillage.com or call 215-794-4051.