Christmas has always had a special spot in my heart. The joy, treats and the colorful aura of Pocono Christmas never fail to fascinate me; it is such an amazing season of festivals. Last year, when I was traveling around the holiday season, I got a chance to visit the Pocono Mountains during the celebration, and I was instantly fascinated by the glory and offerings of the region. The hills were filled with snow and lakes frozen for skiing; it was such a lovely atmosphere during the holiday season.
The towns light up brighter than the constellations, commercial establishments and stores are decorated thoroughly and the gates for winter fun and Christmas activities are officially opened. This winter wonderland is a hidden gem with various activities, places to visit and cultural events that will make your Christmas a memorable one.
Scroll through to find out more about the allure of the Pocono Mountains during the Christmas season.
Best Places to Celebrate A Beautiful Christmas at Poconos
The charming aura of towns in the Poconos makes it one of the best places to celebrate Christmas night. I’ll brief you through some of those great towns that should be on your list:
Jim Thorpe
First on the list is Jim Thorpe, an alluring town with the style of the Victorian Era that has been my go-to place for celebrating the holidays. This quaint town imitates the feeling of the Victorian era during Christmas.
The celebrations usually kick off with the inception of “Olde Time Christmas Festival,” the annual Christmas festival in Jim Thorpe, which is accompanied by several events, such as beautiful tree lighting ceremonies, scenic train rides where Santa makes his appearance, a gingerbread house contest, and horse carriage rides. As you stroll through the historic district, you can come across many open markets and shopping centres, where you can purchase local artisan-made goods and souvenirs.
Stroudsburg
Stroudsburg is another amazing spot for a beautiful Christmas celebration in Poconos. The vibrant weather, captivating history and welcoming nature of the locals make this place a pleasant destination for a holiday trip.
Experience the feel of the 1800’s Christmas candlelight guided tour with the “Old Time Christmas” event, organized by Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm. The farm will be filled with lights, lanterns and many other luminaries. You can indulge in Christmas day parades, tree lighting and decoration as well as enjoy live festive performances and visit the holiday markets for a fruitful evening. Be sure to stop by “the Snowmen” in Downtown Stroudsburg, the artists showcase brilliant representations of Snowman all around the town.
Hawley
Another gem on the list is Hawley, a hub of recreational spots and winter activities.
The ambience and the charm of this town will surely have you in awe. Its strategic location to lakes and close proximity to many resorts is surely a game changer for adventure enthusiasts.
If you are in town during Christmas, you shouldn’t miss the Hawley Winter Festival. You get to enjoy dangling light shows, special decorations and live events. Oh, and be sure to attend the WinterFest Parade. The holiday events in Poconos are really fascinating and there are tons of food spots and restaurants offering exquisite Christmas menus with all the seasonal delicacies. The local breweries are another great addition to their menu, making the whole experience magical.
The fun does not end with these activities, you may try horseback riding in the winter which is more thrilling than carriage rides.
Ways to Spend Your Christmas Week
Most of the winter events kick off during late November until the end of December. In the Poconos, you get the opportunity to take part in a number of celebrations, being hosted on a regular basis. Below, I have listed a few of the unmissable Poconos Christmas events that’ll elevate your Christmas celebrations.
1. Belvin Family Christmas Light Show
The Belvin Family Christmas Light Show is a sparkling light show that takes place during the Christmas season. Every year, it draws a lot of locals and tourists to catch glimpses of more than 100,000 synchronized Christmas lights in Poconos, with classic Christmas songs and snacks. Though the show is completely free, donations are appreciated and any funds generated go directly to the United Way of Monroe County. What better way to celebrate the holiday season than taking part in a noble cause? So, be sure to visit.
| Location | 464 Cherry Lane Road at East Stroudsburg, PA |
| Timings | 5pm to 10pm on Sunday to Thursday and
5pm to 11pm on Saturdays and Fridays |
2. Yenser’s Tree Farm
This generation’s old family-owned tree farm in Poconos is just the way to begin your Christmas pursuit. The Yanser’s tree farm has the provision of “cut your own tree,” giving the visitors an upper hand to cut their own tree alongside other freshly chopped Christmas trees. Prices vary based on the height of the tree you choose. They also sell wreaths, decor, centerpieces, and garlands and have an extensive collection of gifts. If you are lucky enough, you can meet and greet Santa as well.
| Location | 1910 Mahoning Drive East |
| Timings | 9am to dark on Weekends and
3pm to dark on Weekdays |
3. Enjoy Festivities at Skytop Lodge
Skytop offers a huge variety of activities, where the residents can indulge in decoration of gingerbread houses, take guided hiking and skating sessions, wagon ride and tree lighting ceremony and much more. Visitors can take part in these festivities without even booking a stay at the resort; the food is exceptional and drinks are excellent. They also offer various packages during the holiday season that are totally worth the experience.
| Location | One Skytop Lodge Road, Skytop, PA 18357 |
| Christmas Schedule | Begins during the first week of November and lasts throughout the December month |
4. Experience Thrilling Adventures
Poconos is a haven for various winter activities; this beautiful destination offers a myriad of opportunities to enjoy winter sports at your own pace. If the weather cooperates during the Christmas season, you can stand a chance to enjoy skiing, snowtubing, snowboarding, ice fishing, horseback riding, ATV tours, ice skating and many other snow activities. The best thing about this is that there are a lot of resorts and state parks in the Poconos that offer these experiences based on difficulty levels for families, kids, and experienced folks. Below, you will find the top venues to visit if you are looking for an outdoor getaway during Christmas.
| Venue | Location |
| Camelback Resort | 193 Resort Dr, Tannersville, PA 18372 |
| Jack Frost Ski Resort | 434 Jack Frost Mountain Rd, White Haven, PA 18661 |
| Blue Mountain Resort | 1660 Blue Mountain Dr, Palmerton, PA 18071 |
| Tobyhanna State Park | 114 Campground Rd., Tobyhanna, PA 18466 |
| Skytop Lodge | 1 Skytop Dr, Skytop, PA 18357 |
| Hickory Run State Park | 3 Family Camp Rd, White Haven, PA 18661 |
Places to Stay on Your Getaway
The mountains of the Poconos have some of the cozy yet luxurious places to spend a vacation. Though resorts might provide you with good packages and excellent stays, it all comes down to privacy and comfort. So, I’ll brief you through types of properties where you can stay during the festive season.
- Mansions: mansions should be your first preference if you are traveling with extended family or a large group. Mansions make sure all of the guests can stay together and do activities together at the same time in a single place. One can even host parties in a mansion, which is another added benefit.
- Cottages: cottages can be the coziest place for you to stay during the winter seasons. Perfect place for a family to stay without any outside interference. Sitting near the fireplace, covered in a blanket, with breathtaking views is surely a special feeling.
- Lakefront homes: vacationing in a lakefront home can be the best place for immersing yourself in calmness and serenity. Additionally, you can enjoy activities such as fishing and boating well within the premises, along with exceptional amenities.
Conclusion
Poconos can be a spectacular holiday experience for everybody; the region boasts many Christmas attractions in PA. Furthermore, during the winter season, the mountains will be glowing everywhere with lanterns and decorations with many events and activities.
Traveling to the Poconos to spend your Christmas holidays will be a great decision. Take part in the various festivities along with your family and friends. Fancy a pleasant stay during the winter and feel the warmth of luxury by staying at our holiday homes. We at HolidayKeepers provide you with exceptional Christmas rentals equipped with state-of-the-art amenities and comfy getaways in the heart of Poconos.
Contact Us for further queries.
FAQs
Q: What are the top places to celebrate Christmas in Poconos?
A: The best places to spend Christmas in the Poconos are Jim Thorpe, Stroudsburg and Hawley.
Q: What are the must-attend Christmas events in Poconos?
A: Olde times Christmas and Hawley Winter Fest are probably the must-attend Christmas events in Poconos.
Q: Is there any entry fee to attend these festivals?
A: Most of the events organized are free, while some might require entry tickets or passes. Always be sure to do appropriate research before you visit.
Q: Will there be opportunities available for skiing and snowboarding during the Christmas season?
A: It totally depends on the weather conditions; since the last couple of years, the snow season hasn’t been coordinated during the Christmas timeline, we can only hope it occurs this upcoming holiday season.
