Following Friday’s West Chester Christmas Parade, there are four more weekends filled with free, family-friendly holiday fun in downtown West Chester as you sip, shop, dine and support local businesses this holiday season.

“This upcoming weekend is an exciting one, with West Chester’s 2-Day Christkindlmarkt moving outdoors this year for the very first time and to a new location,” said Katie Walker, President of the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce. “Gay Street will be shut down for four blocks to showcase more than 90 vendors and their locally designed products on December 9 and 10.”

It’s all part of Chester County Hospital Lights Up Holiday Weekends in West Chester, when approximately 75,000 holiday lights will cover 13 blocks in historic Downtown West Chester now through New Year’s, with new, free events each weekend. Full details are here. This weekend’s events, Dec. 8-10, include:

Christkindlmarkt 2023

• Saturday 12/9, 1 PM-8PM
• Sunday 12/10, 11 AM-4 PM
• 90+ vendors set up outdoors as Gay St. is shut down between Darlington St. and Matlack St. to offer individually handcrafted and locally designed products such as art, ceramics, jewelry, homeware, and more. Hosted by the Chester County Art Association and Downtown West Chester.

Free Photos with Santa and Free Hot Chocolate

• Saturday 12/9, 2 PM-4PM at M&T Bank in West Chester

Making Spirits Bright Holiday Music Series

• Saturday 12/9 and 12/16, 2 PM
• Free outdoor concerts on the lawn of the Historic Chester County Courthouse. This weekend is West Chester Music Academy & next weekend is Bishop Shanahan Liturgical Choir.

West Chester Borough Balladeer Carolers

• Dressed in Victorian attire, they’ll stroll the streets to perform for you!
• Friday 12/8, 6 PM-7 PM
• Saturday 12/9, 12 PM-2 PM

Chanukah at the Courthouse

• Come join a public menorah lighting at the historic Chester County Courthouse with music, donuts, latkes, hot drinks, crafts and a fire truck gelt drop. Brought to you by Chabad of Chester County & Western Main Line.
• Sunday, 12/10, 4:30 PM

Professional Gingerbread House Competition

• Now through Jan. 2, judge your favorite! Locations are listed at GWCC.org, where you can also vote.

Holiday Window Decorating Contest

• Saturday 12/9 is the last day to vote. Judge your favorite! Locations listed at GWCC.org, where you can also vote.

“None of this would be possible without the hundreds of volunteers and sponsors who make the holiday season possible in West Chester, including during last weekend’s incredible West Chester Christmas Parade. Thank you!” Walker said.

Premium block sponsors of Chester County Hospital Lights Up Holiday Weekends in West Chester include Aqua Pennsylvania, 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 Country Club and Rothwell Document Solutions. In addition, more than 50 businesses and organizations are Lamp Post sponsors.

For more information on weekend 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.