The historic borough of West Chester is lighting up more downtown blocks than ever – and hosting more free holiday events than ever – to attract visitors to the 50+ retail stores and 60+ restaurants that make downtown West Chester so unforgettable during the holiday season.

“Beginning this week, our beautifully decorated historic streets feature additional blocks aglow in the borough to accommodate the increasing number of visitors who want to shop (and eat!) small in downtown West Chester before Thanksgiving even begins,” said Katie Walker, President of the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce. “We’re also offering plenty of free, family-friendly activities and free street-level, metered parking as we head into Thanksgiving weekend.”

It’s just the beginning of six weekends of holiday magic, Thanksgiving through New Year’s, during Chester County Hospital Lights Up Holiday Weekends in West Chester when thousands of golden lights and sparkling decorations illuminate the heart of historic West Chester.

The first full weekend of events is Friday-Sunday 11/24-11/26 during Small Business Weekend in West Chester, including:

• Friday 11/24 at 9 AM: Thousands of holiday lights are aglow with free street-level, metered parking all weekend long, plus great sales & free giveaways as Chester County Hospital Lights Up Holiday Weekends in West Chester officially launches!
• Friday 11/24, at 5 PM-7 PM; Saturday 11/25, at 12 PM-2 PM: The West Chester Borough Balladeer Carolers roam our historic streets in Victorian attire & perform for you!
• Saturday 11/25 at 2 PM: The Making Spirits Bright Holiday Music Series launches featuring a free concert by the St. Agnes Parish Combined Choirs on High Street in front of the Historic Chester County  Courthouse.
• Saturday 11/25 at 3 PM: Bring the family downtown to see Santa on a Fire Truck
• Friday-Sunday 11/24-11/26: Holiday Window Decorating Contest. Visit your favorite holiday window displays in person and vote using the QR code on our posters.
• Pick out your viewing spot for the West Chester Christmas Parade on Dec. 1 beginning at 7 PM preceded by the magnificent Tree Lighting at 6:30 PM. Voted “Best Local Parade” and “Best Family-Friendly Event” by readers of Main Line Today, the parade delights more than 20,000 fans of all ages as it’s emceed by 6ABC meteorologist Adam Joseph and WMMR radio host Kathy Romano of The Preston & Steve Show.

Premium block sponsors of Chester County Hospital Lights Up Holiday Weekends in West Chester include Aqua, Benchmark Federal Credit Union, Del Vacchio Landscaping and Christmas Decor, Oakbourne Advisors, Treehouse World, West Chester Business Improvement District, West Chester University, and West Pharmaceuticals.

Half-block sponsors include CTDI, Media One Products, My Benefit Advisor, PentaHealth, Rudloff Custom Builders, S&T Bank, and West Chester Dental Arts. Quarter block sponsors include Arthur Hall Insurance, BUSH Infiniti of West Chester, Dave’s Automotive Repair Enterprises, First Bank, First Resource Bank, Gawthrop Greenwood–Attorneys at Law, La Difference Salon & Day Spa, M&T Bank/Wilmington Trust, MacElree Harvey, Ltd., PECO, Pegasus Technologies, Penn Oaks Golf Club, and Rothwell Document Solutions. 

In addition, more than 50 businesses and organizations are Lamp Post sponsors.

For more information on activities and to see a full list of sponsors, visit gwcc.org or contact the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce at 610-696-4046, info@gwcc.org.