Pictures with Santa at the York Galleria Mall

 Image source: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=6708

From now until Christmas Eve, kids can visit with Santa at the York Galleria Mall, in the J.C. Penny court.  Santa's photo hours are Monday-Saturday from 10am-9pm, Sunday from 11am-7pm and Christmas Eve from 10am-6pm.  Photo packages begin at $21.  

Click here for more Christmas events in York, including other events happening at the Galleria Mall.  











Holiday image from: http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/

Christmas Magic 2013: A Festival of Lights at Rocky Ridge

Via: http://yorkcountypa.gov/parks-recreation/events/christmas-magic/christmas-magic.html

Rocky Ridge County Park kicks off the holiday season on November 29, 2013 with its 30th annual Christmas Magic, A Festival of Lights.  Christmas Magic 2013 is a half mile trail with hundreds of thousands of lights on display, holiday scenes and also includes train displays, heated pavilions, Santa and more.  

Christmas Magic 2013 is held from November 29, 2013-December 31, 2013 (excluding December 24 and 25); Monday-Friday from 6-9pm, Saturday and Sunday from 5-9pm.

Via: http://yorkcountypa.gov/parks-recreation/events/christmas-magic/christmas-magic.html

The cost for Christmas Magic is Adults $8, Ages 4-12 $6, Under 4 is free, Seniors (60+) $7, Groups of 12+ adults $7 each, Groups of 12+ kids $5 each.  They only accept cash. 

Come hungry: visitors will be able to snack on food from local vendors including cocoa, cookies and cider from Brown's Orchard, fries from Bricker's, plus BBQ, nachos, funnel cake, chicken strips and much more, sold by the York County Parks Friends.
  

What's New for 2013:
-A New Santa Claus scene
-Larger G-gauge train display by Susquehanna Valley Garden Railroad Society.
-LED lighting
-More outdoor props
-New trail themes
-New Light-O-Rama synchronized lighting trail
-New section of paved trail

Via http://yorkcountypa.gov/parks-recreation/events/christmas-magic/christmas-magic.html

There are also special days throughout the event.  There is nightly live entertainment (see the schedule of performers below).  On November 29th and 30th the park is partnering with Toys for Tots.  Bring in a brand-new, still in the package toy on one of those two days and receive a Buy-One-Get-One Free admission for Christmas Magic.  Toys should be brought to the Ranger shack near the parking area.  Pet Night is Wednesday, December 4 during normal Festival hours.  Bring your pets along and get a photo with Santa for $5.  Regular admission rates apply.  The rain date is December 5th.  Non-essential pets are not permitted any other nights.  On December 10th at 10am The School of Culinary Arts will display ice sculptures.  These will be on display nightly for as long as the weather permits.   


Nightly Live Entertainment Schedule:
Nov. 29                        Lou Ann Jones- Vocal
Nov. 30                      Shrewsbury Assembly of God Bell Choir    
Dec. 1                        Sommer Garner Voice Students
Dec. 2                        Country Rockers- Band
Dec. 3                        Gloria’s Strings
Dec 4                        Linda Huber- Autoharpist
Dec. 5                       White Rose Chorus
Dec. 6                       Kayla Kroh- Vocal
Dec. 7                       Colby Joines– Acoustic Guitarist
Dec. 8                       Wetzel Robertson- Vocal
Dec. 9                       Spring Grove School District Choral Groups
Dec. 10                     The Chapelmen- Quartet
Dec. 11                     Mary Snow– Celtaic Trio
Dec 12                       Linda Huber- Autoharpist    
Dec. 13                      Soul Purpose– Duo
Dec. 14                      Keil Holland- Acoustic Guitarist
Dec. 15                      Suzanne Gates- Blues
Dec. 16                      Saints and Singers– Men’s Chorus  
Dec. 17                      Potter’s Clay Drama Group– Christian School of York
Dec. 18                      Madalynn Alt- Baton Twirler
Dec. 19                       Keith Andrew Grim- Acoustic Guitarist
Dec, 20                       Kayla Kroh- Vocal
Dec. 21                        Sweet Life Music Duo    
Dec. 22                       Sommer Garner Voice Students
Dec. 23                       Keith Andrew Grim- Acoustic Guitarist
Dec. 26                       Don Ryan Trumpeters
Dec. 27                       Colby Joines- Acoustic Guitarist
Dec. 28                       Country Rockers- Band
Dec. 29                       Leap of Faith- Band
Dec. 30                       Wetzel Robertson- Vocal
Dec. 31                       Lou Ann Jones- Vocal



Rocky Ridge County Park is located at:

3699 Deininger Rd, York, Pa 17406

 

FOR MORE CHRISTMAS ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS IN YORK, CLICK HERE.

Free December Workshop for Kids: Tic-Tac-Toe Game

Via: http://workshops.homedepot.com/workshops/kids-workshops

With the colder weather comes a higher demand for indoor activities.  Home Depot has just the cure for cabin fever with their free workshops for kids ages 5-12.  The activity for Saturday, December 7, 2013 from 9:00am-12:00pm is to build a Tic-Tac-Toe board game.  These free workshops teach kids safety, DIY skills and give them confidence.  In addition to keeping their board game, all kids receive a certificate of achievement and a workshop apron.  Spaces are limited in the workshops so register online as soon as possible; kits are available on a first come, first served basis. 

A few requests by the Home Depot:

Do not arrive before 9am.

Children must be present to receive the kit.

 

 

There are 2 Home Depots in York County: 

 1 in York located at 2905 E Market Street
York, PA 17402 (717)757-0440

 

The 2nd is located in New Freedom at 960 Far Hills
New Freedom, PA 17349 (717)227-1040

Free November Workshop for Kids: Build a Small Holiday Toolbox

 

Via: http://workshops.homedepot.com/workshops/kids-workshops

With the colder weather comes a higher demand for indoor activities.  Home Depot has just the cure for cabin fever with their free workshops for kids ages 5-12.  The activity for Saturday, November 30, 2013 from 9:00am-12:00pm is to build a small holiday toolbox.  These free workshops teach kids safety, DIY skills and give them confidence.  In addition to keeping their toolbox, all kids receive a certificate of achievement and a workshop apron.  Spaces are limited in the workshops so register online as soon as possible; kits are available on a first come, first served basis. 

A few requests by the Home Depot:

Do not arrive before 9am.

Children must be present to receive the kit.

There are 2 Home Depots in York County: 

 1 in York located at 2905 E Market Street
York, PA 17402 (717)757-0440

The 2nd is located in New Freedom at 960 Far Hills
New Freedom, PA 17349 (717)227-1040

Click here for more Christmas and Winter events in York

Visit with Abraham Lincoln

Via: http://yorkcountypa.gov/parks-recreation/the-parks/heritage-rail-trail-park/

Expose the family to some history on Sunday, November 17, 2013 at 2pm at the Hanover Junction Train Station on the Rail Trail.  Abraham Lincoln (portrayed by Jim Hayney) will arrive by train, just like he did 150 years ago, to deliver the Gettysburg Address.  After spending some time meeting the public he will recite the Gettysburg Address.  The Hanover Junction Museum will be open during this event.  Walk, bike (via the Rail Trail) or drive to the Hanover Junction Train Station.  
In November of 1863 President Abraham Lincoln visited the Hanover Junction Train Station while heading to Gettysburg.  His funeral train also passed through in April of 1865.  
This seems like a fun way to share history with your children!  Will you be attending with your family?   

Free Activitiy: Kids' Culinary Craft in York

Via http://photos.pennlive.com/patriot-news/2013/07/central_market_york.html

Just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday, the kids are invited to make a turkey pin craft at YorKitchen downtown in Central Market.  YorKitchen is offering a free Kids' Culinary Craft, presented by Heritage Hills on Saturday, November 23, 2013 from 10am-2pm (while supplies last).    
YorKitchen and Central Market are located in Downtown York, PA.  YorKitchen can be found at 37 West Clarke Ave. York, Pennsylvania 17401.