Although it feels like we were just sitting on the beach, it’s getting hard to deny: winter is coming.

Before we hibernate, we have some merry-making to do. Here are some ideas and events to get you in the spirit right here at home. Get those calendars out and make some plans. It’s the busiest most wonderful time of the year, after all!

Note: This list was updated on 11/20/18. Keep checking back for new additions!

1. Attend a Holiday Craft Fair

Both Lynnewood and Manoa Elementary Schools will be hosting holiday markets featuring local vendors, artists, and crafters. Get some shopping done while supporting our schools…way to start the holiday season with a win!

Lynnewood Holiday Shopping Extravaganza: Saturday, November 18th, 11 a.m – 3 p.m. at Lynnewood Elementary School (1400 Lawrence Road, Havertown)
Featuring over 40 vendors, face painting, gift basket raffle, Create-A-Gift options for kids, and pizza by Havertown’s own Hoopty’s Pizza.  Click here for more info.

Manoa Holiday Fair: Saturday, December 1st, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Manoa Elemetary School (201 S. Manoa Road, Havertown)
A wide variety of local vendors, including handmade crafts and jewelery, baked goods, skin care, and more.  Click here for more info.

 

2. Make Your Own Menorah

Get ready to celebrate the festival of lights! Chabad of Delaware County will host a menorah making workshop at Lowe’s (116 W. Township Line Road, Havertown) on Sunday, November 18th from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. Enjoy some Chanukah refreshments after your hard work.

Space is limited and children must be accompanied by an adult. RSVP required: rikki@jewishdelco.org
Click here for more information.

3. Holiday House Tour

The Haverford Township Historical Society will present its 11th Annual Holiday House Tour, featuring seven local homes of different architectural styles. This is a self-guided tour. Round up some friends and make an afternoon of it! Afterwards, stop in to Town Tap, where you will receive a 10% discount on your bill by showing a House Tour brochure. 

Sunday, December 2nd, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Tickets: $20 HTHS members / $25 non-members. Proceeds benefit the Historical Society’s upkeep and preservation of local historical sites.
Tickets can be purchased on the day of at two locations: 536 Kathmere Road or 25 Tenby Road (both in Havertown).
Click here for more information.

 

4. Christmas at the Grange Estate

The crown jewel of Havertown, the Historic Grange Estate, has something to offer nearly every day of the holiday season between November 24th and January 6th. (Please note: no mansion tour on December 1st) The beautiful Victorian mansion, which dates back to the early 1700s, will showcase a themed tree in every room (13 in total). Take a stroll around the historic property’s 10 acres of woodlands and gardens. An extensive and unique Santa collection will be on display. Have a train lover in the family? You won’t want to miss the holiday train display. A flute choir will present a festive concert on Saturday, December 8th from 2-3 p.m.. (included with mansion tour admission). And, before you leave, get some shopping done in the Craft Shoppe, which sells items handmade by a crafting group that regularly meets at the Grange.

View the full list of Christmas events at the Grange Estate here.

5. Support Local Artists

The Havertown Open Studio Tour (HOST) will take place on the weekend of November 30th – December 2nd. Visit twelve open studio locations (all in Havertown), where you can meet the artist, see the work, and possibly make a purchase! Artwork includes paintings, photography, jewelry, wood work, glass, terrariums, and more.
Click here for a full list of locations and more information about the artists.

6. Take in a Show

Okay, so it’s not technically a holiday show, but if you’re in the mood for something other than The Nutcracker and would like to support our talented high school theater students, check out Haverford High School’s production of Little Shop of Horrors. There will be four performances between November 29th – December 1st. 

Click here for showtimes and ticket information.

HHS student Grazia LaRosa will play the role of Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors. (Photo courtesy of HHS Theater Program’s Facebook page)

 

7. Run (or Walk) a 5K

At the risk of having a pumpkin pie thrown at my face for suggesting it….just because it’s cold out doesn’t mean we can’t bundle up, lace up those sneakers, and burn off some holiday calories! Here are three local races happening in the next couple of weeks.

Cardinal Foley School’s annual Turkey Trot 5K Run and Family Fun Walk is on Saturday, November 24th at 9 a.m. The race begins on Wexford Rd, next to Annunciation Parish, and loops through the Brookline neighborhood. Registration is $35. More information and registration here.

The Chilly Trail Run 5K, presented by Haverford Township’s Department of Parks and Recreation, is on Saturday, December 1st and takes you through 3.1 miles of beautiful trails at the Haverford Reserve. The race is good for beginners and experienced trail runners alike. Registration is $30, the race begins at 9 a.m. More information and registration here.

If you see 600 people running and walking through Havertown wearing antlers on Saturday, December 8th – don’t panic. Join them! They are (most likely) participating in the Reindeer Romp, which benefits the American Cancer Society – adding to the over $300,000 this race has already raised for this cause over the years. 

Featuring a new course, as well as a pizza and pub crawl this year, runners can take their bibs to participating Havertown restaurants for a free beer or soda, and slice of pizza. Eat, drink, run, and be merry – all for a great cause! Sign me up! The race starts at 3pm. More info and registration here.

8. Have Breakfast with Santa

Santa knows the best spot for breakfast outside of the North Pole is Havertown, of course.

St. James United Church of Christ (135 Myrtle Ave, Havertown) will host breakfast with the big guy on Saturday, December 8th from 9 – 11:30 a.m. In addition to a breakfast buffet, there will be children’s crafts and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. More information here.

On Saturday, December 15th from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m., Santa will pull up his sleight at J.D. McGillicuddy’s (33 Brookline Blvd, Havertown). Reservations are suggested. Click here for more information.

You can also enjoy pancakes with Santa at the Haverford CREC on Saturday, December 15th from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. (When you’re as magical as Santa, you can be in two places at once!) $14 per person (children under age 2 are free). 

9. Witness a Good Old Football Rivalry

Thanksgiving morning means two words to families of St. Bernadette’s and St. Dorothy’s:

Turkey. Bowl.

The annual football game takes place at Steel Field and celebrates its 60th birthday this year. Why not get out and enjoy a classic local rivalry and support youth sports while you’re at it? More information here.

Our very own HHS Fords will take on Upper Darby on Thanksgiving Day – a rivalry going back to 1921.  The game is at Upper Darby this year. Kick off at 10:45 a.m.

10. Donate Toys for Children in Need

Haverford Township coordinates a township-wide Toys for Tots drive through December 12th. While you’re out shopping, pick up a new toy or two (no stuffed animals, please) for local children in need, and drop it off at one of the following Havertown area locations:

 

11. Go Ice Skating

When I think of fun winter activities, ice skating is one of the first things that comes to mind…despite my utter lack of skating ability. That’s okay, you don’t need to be a pro to spend an afternoon at the Skatium (1002 Darby Road, Havertown). Two lucky winners will win turkeys at the Turkey Skate on November 17 & 18th. More information here.   

Work up an appetite, and grab a bite at Have-A-Burger, located inside the Skatium. It’s worth the trip alone.

12. Get the “Santa Experience”

Forget the mall. You do not need to leave Havertown to get a photo with Santa that you will treasure forever. 

Local photographer Danielle Foster’s Santa photo sessions are so special, they are officially called a “Santa Experience.” And the price is very similar to what you would pay at the mall for a lesser quality photo.

Danielle Foster Creations studio is located at 1717 West Chester Pike, Havertown (please note: this is a NEW location!). Make your Santa Experience reservation online.

Now that you know about all the fun things to do right here in our own town, get out there! Please note: this is not an exhaustive list. Feel free to contact me with information about your holiday event. There are other events, such as community tree lightings, that I heard about through the grapevine but could not find any information. Please also check with your neighborhood’s civic association – many events in Havertown are planned through them. 

Happy Holidays, Havertown!