The winter holidays are almost here. Burlington, New Jersey, is ready to celebrate. There are weeks full of opportunities for holiday fun. Starting on November 19, there are one-day events and multi-week celebrations that run all the way until Christmas Eve. Check out our top reasons to visit during this magical time of year.
- Burlington provides the best of both worlds – small town and big city. As of the 2020 census, the city population came in at just under 10,000 giving it a small-town charm. Yet, the city is also a suburb of Philadelphia, so the energy of the big city is right around the corner. This distinctive juxtaposition makes for a delightful place to commemorate the holidays. There is so much happening within a 30-mile radius that you may want to schedule a multi-day getaway in order to see it all.
- The annual Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place along the Riverfront Promenade on Saturday, December 3, 2022. Parades are beloved by children and the young at heart. This parade attracts locals and visitors with fabulous floats and marching bands. Of course, no Christmas parade is complete without the special guest of honor, Santa Claus. The parade starts at 5 pm. Stroll through the town shopping for gifts before the parade, take a break to enjoy the festivities, then grab drinks or dinner in town later that evening.
- Holiday House Tours are another highlight of the first weekend of December. This year, the house tours will be available from 3pm until 7pm on Sunday, December 4. Visit 15-20 private homes and historic sites dressed up in their finest holiday garb. The ticketed event benefits the City of Burlington Historical Society. Because the event is early in the season, tour goers are known to find many ideas for decorating their own homes each season. The abundance of twinkling lights also provides for numerous opportunities for photographs along the way.
- The Bristol Riverside Theater produces fun holiday performances each year. The theater is located 20 minutes away, just across the Delaware River in Pennsylvania. This year they are featuring “An American Christmas Songbook.” Keith Baker and the BRT Concert Band will be joined by many entertainers. Attendees will be treated to their favorite Christmas carols and heartwarming holiday classics. The show runs December 8-18, 2022. There are 12 opportunities to catch this show that will fill you with nostalgia. Get dressed up for an evening affair or take in a matinee. Now in its 35th season, the theater is located in a renovated movie house. With only 300 seats in the theater, every seat is the best seat in the house.
- You can find gifts for family, friends, or yourself at the Historic Burlington Antiques and Art Emporium. The 14,000-square-foot space is celebrating more than 20 years of business. Scott Carlbon saw beauty and strength in the formally condemned building. It took him 2 ½ years to repair, refurbish, and reinforce the arch and truss building. It is now home to 65 antiques and art dealers and is a favorite stop for many collectors. The emporium is open 11am until 5pm, 6 days a week (closed on Mondays). Set aside an afternoon to wander through the stalls filled with furniture, toys, pottery, books, paintings, kitchenware, jewelry, and much, much more.
- An authentic German Christmas Market is held at Love Park and City Hall in Philadelphia from November 19 until December 24, 2022. The open-air market is filled with vendors in wooden booths giving it a true European flair. The smell of bratwurst, Belgian fries, and spätzle will tempt your appetite. Wash it all down with a beer from the beer garden or a cup of warm glühwein. There will also be special spirits and wine tastings on certain days. A carousel, Ferris wheel, and kids Christmas Village Express train add an element of childhood fun to the event. The daily market runs 11am until 7pm; it stays open until 8pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Admission to the market is free for everyone. Philadelphia is a short 30-minute drive from Burlington.
