These Pennsylvania Small Towns Become True Winter Wonderlands At Christmastime
The first time I ducked off the interstate into a Pennsylvania small town in December, I realized I had been underestimating Christmas my entire life.
Instead of huge attractions and noisy crowds, I found brick storefronts wrapped in lights, church bells chiming on the hour, and neighbors greeting each other in the middle of the street.
Since that trip, I have started treating Pennsylvania winter weekends as a personal scavenger hunt for wreath-covered lampposts, steaming bakery windows, and town squares that refuse to stay dark.
One night, I followed the glow of a tree lighting from a side street and ended up in the middle of a brass band performance, a cookie table, and three separate holiday markets all at once.
What I love most is how each town does December differently, from German-inspired markets and Victorian festivals to riverside light displays that turn entire parks into glowing evening walks.
These places remind me that the best holiday memories often happen on cold sidewalks, with camera batteries running low and another cup of something warm in hand.
If you are ready to trade crowded malls for main streets, this list of sixteen Pennsylvania small towns will help you find the winter wonderland that fits your style.
1. Bethlehem
There is a reason I keep finding myself on Main Street in Bethlehem every December with cold fingers and a big grin.
The Historic Bethlehem Visitor Center at 505 Main Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018, is where I like to start, since it puts me right in the center of the Moravian buildings, museums, and decorated storefronts that give this town its Christmas reputation.
From there, I can wander past garland-wrapped lampposts toward the glow of the Star of Bethlehem on South Mountain, which quietly reminds everyone that this town takes December very seriously.
Christkindlmarkt at the SteelStacks site fills my afternoon with handmade ornaments, food stalls, and the sound of carolers drifting between vendor tents.
One year, I bought a single wooden star just to look around, then left carrying a bag that clanked every time I walked.
Even simple things, like listening to a brass ensemble under twinkling lights, feel special when every corner of town has a wreath and a story.
Circling back to the visitor center with numb toes and a full camera roll, I usually feel like Bethlehem has quietly raised the bar for every other Christmas town I visit afterward.
2. Jim Thorpe
On one of my coldest weekend trips, I learned in about five minutes why Jim Thorpe does not need special effects to feel festive in December.
Downtown, around 41 Susquehanna Street and Josiah White Park, turns into a cluster of lights, greenery, and old brick buildings that seem designed for holiday strolls.
During the Olde Time Christmas celebration, I have stepped out of a shop to find horse-drawn carriages rolling past and costumed carolers leaning into harmonies right in the street.
One evening, I stood by the tree in the park and watched the colored lights bounce off the surrounding hills, while the Lehigh Gorge trains rumbled softly below town.
The steep streets give every walk a bit of a workout, which I secretly appreciated after sampling more fudge and cookies than I had planned.
Little shops tucked into former row houses keep me ducking in and out of doorways just to see which wreath or toy display comes next.
When those Victorian rooflines light up, and the last shops start closing, I find myself taking the long way back to the car just to delay saying goodbye to the night.
3. Wellsboro
My first December drive into Wellsboro started with a line of gas-lit lampposts and ended with me wondering why I had not come sooner.
Main Street, around 114 Main Street, Wellsboro, PA 16901, turns into a corridor of warm yellow light, wreaths, and shop windows packed with greenery and old-fashioned decorations.
During the Dickens of a Christmas celebration, I have watched people in Victorian outfits trade greetings on the sidewalk while a brass band sends music bouncing between the buildings.
Another weekend, the Christmas on Main Street event turned the whole downtown into a walking tour of trees, ornaments, and little historical stops that made the town’s past feel very close.
I like to warm up inside the small shops, where owners usually have a story about how the decorations came together that year.
The nearby hills and state forests mean that fresh snow does not stay untouched for long, and every side street seems to frame another wintry view.
Pulling onto the highway, I always make a mental note that the next time snow hits the forecast, Wellsboro deserves another slow, lamp lit evening.
4. Bellefonte
For a taste of Victorian Christmas charm that still feels lived in, I keep finding excuses to detour through Bellefonte in December.
Talleyrand Park at 320 West High Street, Bellefonte, PA 16823, gives me a peaceful starting point, with the creek, bridges, and historic buildings all dressed in winter lights.
From there, the blocks around West High Street and the courthouse fill with window displays, decorated porches, and events tied to Bellefonte Victorian Christmas.
One year I joined a walking tour and spent an entire afternoon hearing stories about the families who once lived in those ornate houses, all while snow flurries gently collected on the tour guide’s hat.
Shops tucked into old brick buildings offered everything from handmade gifts to local treats, and I quickly learned that just looking was a risky promise.
In the evening, the park’s lights reflect softly on the water, and the whole area settles into a quieter rhythm that makes it tempting to just sit on a bench and listen.
Driving down off the hill and past the last lit windows, I end up feeling as if Bellefonte has quietly sneaked onto my permanent December rotation.
5. New Hope
When I want a Christmas outing with a creative streak, I head to New Hope and let the town’s mix of galleries, shops, and riverside views set the pace.
The historic district around 1 West Mechanic Street and nearby 45 South Main Street, New Hope, PA 18938 turns into a compact maze of lights, window displays, and busy sidewalks.
I like to start by wandering past the Parry Mansion and the cluster of storefronts near the bridge, just to see how each business has reimagined its decorations that year.
On one trip, I timed things to catch a Santa-themed train on the New Hope Railroad, and watching families board in their winter coats set the tone for the whole evening.
Back in town, I usually slip into a bookstore or two, then reemerge to find the streets a little brighter as dusk finally settles over the river.
The mix of modern art shops and old stone buildings keeps every block interesting, so I never end up walking the same route twice.
Heading back over the cobblestones at the end of the night, I always feel like New Hope has packed an entire season’s worth of mood into just a few walkable blocks.
6. Kennett Square
For me, Kennett Square in December is all about pairing a lively small town with one of the most spectacular light displays in the country.
Downtown around 120 East State Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348 strings its own lights and trims its trees, giving the Mushroom Capital of the World a very different sort of glow.
Shops along State Street stay busy with holiday shoppers, and I like to duck into the independent stores to warm up and see what local makers are offering that season.
Just a short drive away, Longwood Gardens at 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348 turns its conservatories and grounds into a carefully choreographed sea of lights, fountains, and decorated trees.
I once spent an evening slowly working through every garden path, only to realize I had barely scratched the surface before closing time.
Back in town, I like to finish the night with a slow walk past the lit storefronts, letting my eyes adjust again after the intense sparkle of the gardens.
Once the lights of Longwood fade in the rearview mirror and downtown’s glow shrinks behind me, I know I have just stitched another Kennett Square night into my personal holiday highlight reel.
7. Ligonier
Whenever I start craving a classic town square Christmas, Ligonier comes to mind almost instantly.
The Diamond at 120 East Main Street, Ligonier, PA 15658 forms a natural stage for the town’s tree, gazebo, and light-wrapped buildings.
On one December visit, I arrived just as a small group started playing holiday music near the gazebo, and within minutes a circle of people had gathered with cups, scarves, and easy smiles.
The surrounding blocks offer boutiques, cafes, and small businesses where owners remember returning visitors, which gives every shopping trip a relaxed rhythm.
A short walk away, Fort Ligonier hosts seasonal events that add a dose of history to all the glitter, and I like the contrast between simple lanterns and the intricate light displays downtown.
Evening comes early in the Laurel Highlands, which means the square can stretch that twilight glow into what feels like hours of soft light on old facades.
When the Diamond finally shrinks to a soft blur in my mirror, I am usually debating whether one more slow circle around the square would really be so unreasonable.
8. Gettysburg
It might be famous for history lessons, but Gettysburg in December teaches me just as much about how a small town can embrace the season.
Lincoln Square at 1 Lincoln Square, Gettysburg, PA 17325, turns into the natural hub for lights, wreaths, and a central tree that gives everyone a clear meeting point.
From there, I like to follow Baltimore Street and Chambersburg Street, where shops lean fully into their decorations while still keeping their historic exteriors front and center.
On one visit, I arrived during A Gettysburg Christmas Festival and found the square filled with vendor tents, live music, and kids darting between activities.
Later that night, I joined a walking tour and discovered that candlelit sidewalks make even familiar monuments feel fresh.
I like how the town balances solemn sites with cheerful storefronts, letting both exist without stepping on each other.
Walking away from the square with the tree still glowing behind me, I feel like I have seen a familiar town put on a completely different face for the season.
9. Indiana
Whenever I want a Christmas that leans into movie nostalgia, Indiana, Pennsylvania, proves it knows exactly what people are hoping to find.
IRMC Park on North 7th Street, Indiana, PA 15701, becomes the focal point of the It’s a Wonderful Life themed festivities, with a tree, decorations, and plenty of small-town detail.
From there, Philadelphia Street turns into a ribbon of lights, storefront displays, and banners nodding to the town’s connection to Jimmy Stewart.
During one December visit, I joined the crowd for the Light Up Night event and watched families fill the park as the bulbs flicked on, moment by moment.
I like ducking into the museum to warm up and see the film exhibits before heading back outside to walk the decorated blocks again.
The combination of college town energy and small town pride means there is usually something happening, even on weeknights.
Rolling out of town under the last string of lights, I catch myself humming the film’s theme and thinking that Indiana might be the most on-brand Christmas stop I know.
10. Milford
Whenever I want a mix of historic architecture and forested hillsides in a single December day, Milford quickly rises to the top of my list.
Grey Towers National Historic Site at 151 Grey Towers Drive, Milford, PA 18337, is my favorite starting point, a hilltop estate that looks especially striking when winter light hits the stone walls and evergreen trees.
I have walked those grounds with a scarf pulled tight, admiring how the decorations and architecture work together instead of competing.
Back downtown, the area around Broad Street and Market Street adds its own tree lighting events and decorated storefronts, giving the streets a comfortable evening glow.
One year, I timed my visit with the tree lighting at Milford Community House and ended up staying much longer than planned, just talking with locals on the lawn.
The compact layout makes it easy to crisscross town in a few minutes, which is handy when temperatures keep dropping but curiosity keeps me outside.
When the last set of downtown lights slips out of sight, I always feel like Milford has managed to hand me a pocketful of small memories without ever trying too hard.
11. Hawley
For a holiday weekend that feels busy in the best way, I keep Hawley on my December radar.
Downtown along Main Avenue in Hawley, PA 18428, becomes the core of Hawley Winterfest, which fills the streets with decorations, events, and steady foot traffic.
During one Winterfest, I spent a morning browsing shops and an afternoon watching a parade, then realized I still had not seen half the schedule.
The Ritz Company Playhouse at 512 Keystone Street, Hawley, PA 18428, adds its own performances, giving the town another anchor for holiday evenings.
I liked walking from the theater back to Main Avenue, listening to the lingering music in my head while the town’s actual soundtrack came from carolers and street musicians.
Small cafes and local businesses line the main streets, so there is always a warm spot nearby when the wind picks up off the nearby lakes.
Driving past the final row of lit storefronts, I realize Hawley has turned what could have been an ordinary cold weekend into something I will be replaying for a while.
12. Mifflinburg
If you enjoy traditional markets, Mifflinburg might spoil you for every other December event.
The Mifflinburg Christkindl Market centers around 401 Market Street, Mifflinburg, PA 17844, where tents, stalls, and food vendors recreate a German-style street market for a few very busy days.
I once arrived right as the market opened and spent the first hour just walking the rows, trying to decide which smells to follow.
Wood crafts, ornaments, and handmade gifts fill the booths, and it is nearly impossible not to leave with at least one surprise tucked into your bag.
The rest of the town joins in, too, with nearby streets decorated and local businesses leaning into the extra foot traffic.
As daylight fades, the lights from the stalls take over, turning the whole length of Market Street into a bright ribbon of color and sound.
Walking back to the car with bags in both hands and music still echoing in my head, I always feel like the market has gently reset my whole sense of December.
13. Bernville
For a pure holiday spectacle surrounded by quiet countryside, I keep a special spot in my December plans for Bernville.
Koziar’s Christmas Village at 782 Christmas Village Road, Bernville, PA 19506, stands alone in the fields, and then suddenly does not feel alone at all once the lights come into view.
Walking through the village, I move past displays, miniature houses, and ponds that reflect back entire sections of the light show.
One of my favorite visits involved a light snowfall, which left a thin powder on the walkways while kids raced ahead shouting about which display to see next.
Small buildings along the route hold gift shops and snacks, so there are plenty of chances to warm up while still feeling surrounded by color.
I always end up pausing on the hill at the end of the loop, just to look back at the whole property glowing in the dark.
As the village glow disappears behind the trees, the quiet country road feels almost unreal after so many lights, and I know that night will stick with me for a long time.
14. Terre Hill
Sometimes the best Christmas experiences hide in the smallest boroughs, and Terre Hill proves that point with a lot of confidence.
Terre Hill Community Memorial Park at 210 Lancaster Avenue, Terre Hill, PA 17581, becomes the setting for Christmas in the Park, a fundraiser turned beloved tradition that wraps the entire space in lights and activity.
I remember walking the loop through the park and realizing that nearly every tree, fence, and corner had its own personality.
Local groups set up displays and food stands, and the whole event raises funds for the same park it transforms each December.
The town itself is small enough that parking and walking feel simple, which is a gift when the air is chilly and hands are full.
I like how the event feels both polished and homemade, with careful planning and a clear sense of community behind every light string.
Stepping out beyond the last arch of lights, I find myself smiling at how this tiny borough manages to throw a celebration big enough to stay with me all season.