WEST CHESTER, PA — West Chester businesses will offer holiday shopping discounts of 20% to 30% and other promotions beginning Friday, Nov. 27, as the borough launches a six-weekend holiday campaign expected to attract 40,000 visitors to its downtown shopping district.
The Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce is organizing the Chester County Hospital Lights Up Holiday Weekends in West Chester program, combining retail promotions, free parking and seasonal entertainment to encourage spending at local businesses through New Year’s Day.
The initiative involves a downtown district with approximately 180 shops and restaurants, many of which will offer discounts, spending-based promotions, gift card specials, raffles and giveaways during Thanksgiving weekend.
On-street parking will be free from Friday, Nov. 27, through Sunday, Nov. 29, removing a potential cost for shoppers during the opening weekend.
Surface parking lots and garages are also free every Sunday, except for the Chester County Justice Center Garage.
The holiday program begins on Black Friday, traditionally one of the busiest shopping days of the year, as local retailers compete for consumer spending during the year-end shopping season.
Laurie Ryan, president of the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce, expects the campaign to bring approximately 40,000 visitors into the borough.
“This year we’re encouraging people to set aside the endless scrolling, so they can experience true holiday magic offline,” Ryan stated.
The chamber is positioning the seasonal program around in-person shopping and community events, using holiday attractions to encourage visitors to spend time in the downtown business district.
More than 100,000 lights will illuminate the borough, alongside a 28-foot Christmas tree and decorations throughout the shopping area.
Thanksgiving weekend activities include performances by the West Chester Borough Balladeer Carolers, who will travel through the downtown district in Victorian-era clothing Friday evening and Saturday afternoon.
Santa Claus is scheduled to ride through the borough on a fire truck Saturday, Nov. 28, at 3 p.m.
The program continues the following weekend with the West Chester Christmas Parade on Friday, Dec. 4, an event that typically attracts more than 20,000 spectators.
The parade’s official Christmas tree lighting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
This year’s parade will feature a new float carrying Santa Claus, with 6abc meteorologist Adam Joseph and B101 radio host Kathy Romano serving as emcees.
The parade is part of a broader schedule of holiday activities continuing through Jan. 1, 2027.
Chester County Hospital is the title sponsor of the holiday weekends program, which is organized by the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce.
Karen Pinsky, MD, chief executive officer of Penn Medicine Chester County Hospital, described the hospital’s sponsorship as an investment in an established community tradition.
“As the title sponsor, Chester County Hospital is honored to support this community celebration, which brings people together and showcases the spirit of the holiday season,” Pinsky stated.
The seasonal program is supported by businesses and organizations throughout Chester County, including utilities, financial institutions, professional services firms, restaurants and local retailers.
Premium block sponsors are Brandywine Valley Heating & Air Conditioning, Del Vacchio Landscapes & Christmas Décor, Aqua PA/Essential Utilities and West Pharmaceutical Services.
Half-block sponsors include Cabinet IQ of West Chester & Main Line, CTDI, Fred Beans Ford of West Chester, Howell Engineering and Scott Auto Group/Scott Honda of West Chester.
Quarter-block sponsors include 9 Prime, AFC Urgent Care West Chester, Arthur Hall Insurance, BeautyMark West Chester, Bentley Systems, Burke & Herbert Bank, Dave’s Automotive Repair Enterprises, First Resource Bank, FPA Wealth Management, Gawthrop Greenwood, Giunta’s West Chester, John Serock Catering, La Difference Salon & Day Spa, MacElree Harvey, Millers Insurance Agency, Pegasus Technologies, Penn Oaks Golf Club, Pietro’s Prime, Rothwell Document Solutions, Station 142 x Saloon 151 and The Golf Zone Family Fun Center.
PECO is also supporting the event as a special sponsor.
Key Financial Inc. is sponsoring the Christmas tree, while Lamb McErlane PC and Treehouse Group are sponsoring Santa’s float.
Sheller Energy is sponsoring special parade elements, and Alexander Catering, Café Gourmino, Phoenix Interiors and The Master’s Baker are sponsoring the VIP area.
Main Line Today and VISTA Today are serving as media sponsors, with parade support from A.J. Blosenski and JDog Junk Removal.
Blue Dog Printing & Design is the print sponsor, and Massive Dynamic is providing parade night technology sponsorship.
Additional seasonal activities include photos with Santa sponsored by M&T Bank, a Toy Drive Breakfast sponsored by WSFS and Santa’s fire truck appearance sponsored by Tolsdorf Oil Lube Express.
West Chester Music Academy will provide a holiday concert, while the West Chester Downtown Foundation will provide caroling.
The six-weekend program is intended to sustain visitor activity beyond Thanksgiving and the Dec. 4 parade, extending shopping and entertainment opportunities through the end of the holiday season.
A complete schedule of events, participating businesses and sponsorship information is available at https://www.greaterwestchester.com/lightsupchristmasparade.html.
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