WEST CHESTER, PA — Historic downtown West Chester is preparing for nearly 26,000 people to sip, shop and dine in the 226-year-old borough as it unveils a majestic new Christmas Tree during the West Chester Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting this Friday, December 5th, beginning at 6:30 pm.
Sponsored by Penn Medicine Chester County Hospital and presented by the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce, the West Chester Christmas Parade was voted one of USA Today‘s Top Places to see Santa Claus and the 2025 Best of the Main Line “Family Friendly Event.” This Friday, with 6abc Meteorologist Adam Joseph and B101 Radio Host Kathy Romano as emcees, West Chester will present live musical performances as it illuminates a stunning Majestic Mountain Pine Frame Style Christmas Tree adorned with 150 individual branches and 20,000 lights, rising 28 feet tall on the lawn of the Historic Chester County Courthouse. West Chester’s famous hometown Christmas Parade follows at 7 p.m. under 100,000 twinkling lights, wreaths and greens adorning the borough.
The region’s flagship hometown Christmas parade kicks off a month full of FREE holiday festivities during Chester County Hospital Lights Up Holiday Weekends in West Chester now through New Year’s, with a complete list of events at www.GreaterWestChester.com
“This year’s parade is ready to dazzle with high-stakes competitions for our marching bands, best parade floats and entries — and the much-anticipated arrival of Santa,” said Laurie Ryan, President of the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce. “We can’t wait to welcome visitors to West Chester’s more than 75 restaurants and 65 boutiques, as they enjoy our spectacular parade.”
“Every year, this celebration is a reminder of how powerful it is when a community comes together,” said Karen Pinsky, MD, CEO of Penn Medicine Chester County Hospital. “There’s something truly special about watching West Chester glow this time of year, and as title sponsor, we’re grateful to help spark that sense of joy and community connection that brings a little extra magic to Chester County.”
The West Chester Christmas Parade was started by the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce in 1979, and the new Christmas tree is only the second artificial tree in West Chester’s history. The previous tree was purchased in 2006, with decorations refreshed annually. The purchase of the new tree was made possible through the generosity of donors Adam Loew and Eli Kahn, West Pharmaceutical Services and the Barry Family. In addition, Lasko Products LLC will return again this year as the sponsor of the tree and lighting ceremony.
“I co-hosted this parade when I was a single guy and now experiencing it through the eyes of my two kids, who are already 9 and 11, the magic of the West Chester Christmas Parade is magnified!” said 6abc meteorologist Adam Joseph, a parade emcee who has been participating in the parade since 2008. “The spirit of the holiday comes alive not only this one night, but for the whole season in the borough. I promise it will warm your heart and leave you feeling festive.”
B101’s Kathy Romano, host of The Kathy Romano Show, said “I’m so excited to be back emceeing for this magical evening with Adam Joseph. I love that this has become a new tradition for me. There’s nothing quite like the West Chester Christmas Parade. It’s something you need to experience to fully understand why it’s so special!”
Performing marching bands include: Bishop Shanahan Marching Band, Caravel Academy Marching Band, Downingtown High School Combined Marching Bands, Easton Area High School Red Rover Marching Band, Octorara High School Band, Oxford Marching Hornets, Saint Mark’s High School Marching Band, the West Chester University Incomparable Golden Rams Marching Band and for the first time in West Chester history, three powerhouse marching bands are joining together to represent the entire West Chester Area School District as one unified parade ensemble in the West Chester Area School District Marching Band.
Massive Dynamic Sound will provide production as the West Chester Christmas Parade begins on Market Street at New Street, where it heads east toward Matlack Street and completes its one-mile loop heading west on Gay Street through the heart of West Chester’s historic district.
Parking includes the following options:
- $20 flat rate starting at 8 am at the Chestnut Street Garage at 14 East Chestnut Street & Bicentennial Garage at 20 South High Street
- $20 flat rate starting at 8 am at the Justice Center Garage at 220 West Market Street (access via Wollerton Street, driving north on Darlington)
- All borough lots with kiosk parking will also adhere to the flat event fee rate
- For more on parking: https://www.greaterwestchester.com/paradenight.html#parkinginfo
From 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, December 5th, the following roads will be closed: West Market Street between New Street and Bradford Avenue (staging area), High Street between Gay Street & Market Street, Gay Street between Matlack Street & New Street, Market Street between Matlack Street & Bradford Avenue, Walnut Street between Chestnut Street & Miner Street, High Street between Chestnut Street & Miner Street, Church Street between Chestnut Street & Market Street, Darlington Street between Chestnut Street & Wollerton Alley, New Street between Chestnut Street & Market Street.
This community event would not be possible without unwavering support from businesses big and small throughout Chester County. Premium sponsors of the parade and Chester County Hospital Lights Up Holiday Weekends in West Chester include Del Vacchio Landscapes & Christmas Décor, Essential Utilities, First Bank, Oakbourne Advisors and West Pharmaceutical Services. Half-block sponsors include CTDI, Fred Beans Automotive Group, Rudloff Custom Builders, Scott Auto Group and West Chester Dental Arts, with PECO as a Special Sponsor. Quarter-block sponsors include Arthur Hall Insurance, BeautyMark West Chester, BUSH Infiniti of West Chester, Dave’s Automotive Repair Enterprises, First Resource Bank, FPA Wealth Management, Gawthrop Greenwood – Attorneys at Law, Guided Wealth Management, Hazley Builders, John Serock Catering, LINKBANK, MacElree Harvey, Millers Insurance Agency, The Golf Zone Family Fun Center, True by Kristy, Pennsylvania American Water, Pegasus Technologies, Penn Oaks Golf Club, Rothwell Document Solutions, Station 142 x Saloon 151 and WSFS Bank.
This year Santa’s float is once again sponsored by Lamb McErlane PC and Treehouse Group, and the VIP area is sponsored by COCOON Remodeling, Alexander Catering, Café Gourmino and The Master’s Baker. Parade special element sponsors include D.E. Duffey & Sons, Inc. and Sheller Energy. Parade support sponsors are A.J. Blosenski and JDog Junk Removal. Blue Dog Printing & Design is the print sponsor.
As Chester County Hospital Lights Up Holiday Weekends in West Chester unfolds throughout the holiday season, photos with Santa are sponsored by M&T Bank with the Free Holiday Concert sponsored by West Chester Music Academy, the Toy Drive Breakfast is sponsored by WSFS, Santa on a Fire Truck is sponsored by Tolsdorf Oil Lube Express and professional caroling is sponsored by the West Chester Downtown Foundation.
To see a full list of those sponsoring Lights Up and for more information, visit https://www.greaterwestchester.com/lightsupchristmasparade.html.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.
This article is intended for informational, entertainment or educational purposes only and should not be construed as advice, guidance or counsel. It is provided without warranty of any kind.