Tinsel on the Town returns to Kennett Square on Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m., with all the downtown trimmings.
And, there are more holiday season events still to come.
Families can enjoy free train rides in the heart of the borough on the Kennett Express beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Organized by Kennett Collaborative, Tinsel on the Town will bring out an appearance by Santa and local shops will stay open late.
"The holiday shopping season can be make or break for many of these small businesses," said Daniel Embree, executive director of Kennett Collaborative. "It really feels like Kennett Square is just on fire this year."
And there will be plenty of extra yuletide cheer, too, with carolers from Calabrese Arts, based in Kennett Township, scheduled to sing some merry good tunes on State Street for all to enjoy.
"Kennett Square isn't a hidden gem anymore, it's a known treasure," Embree said. "There is something magical about this place, especially during the holidays. We want everyone who comes downtown to feel that sense of wonder and community."
"Kennett Square creates the magic of the holiday season in a small town," said Sandra Morris. She and her husband, chef Brett Hulbert, own Portabellos of Kennett Square at 108 E. State St.
Patrons who visit the popular restaurant can sip a Mistletoe Martini or taste a Mad Elf draft beer while listening to Wayne James perform live jazz music.
Morris said Longwood Gardens is the star of the season, attracting visitors from around the world.
Nearby attractions
Longwood Gardens is less than 3 miles from Kennett Square. Tourism has substantially increased with the return of the botanical institution's famous "A Longwood Christmas" holiday display on view through Jan. 11.
More than 46,000 people visited Longwood Gardens during the first weekend of December.
Bob Norris, Kennett Square Borough Council president, said 1,100-acre Longwood offers one of the most special holiday displays in America.
There's indoor conservancies with gardens, sculptures, fountains, a bell tower, a ballroom, woodlands, rolling meadows, ponds, treehouses and waterways. Despite having a Kennett Square mailing address, the property's scope falls within three Chester County townships: East Marlborough, Kennett and Pennsbury.
Pierre du Pont purchased the land in 1906. Its iconic East Conservatory opened to the public in 1921.
There are two other world-renowned gems nearby Kennett Square.
The Brandywine Conservancy was established in 1967. Its museum in Chadds Ford opened in 1971. The Brandywine Conservancy & Museum of Art collectively preserve cultural and natural heritage in Chester County, Delaware County and beyond.
Guests who visit the museum through Jan. 4 can experience firsthand its iconic Brandywine Railroad train display, spanning 2,000 feet of track across a wintery scene that includes a village, farm, carnival, movie theater and factories.
The O-gauge model train has been delighting spectators for generations. It includes more than 1,000 pieces from locomotives and coaches to freight trains and trolleys.
"The Brandywine Railroad is pure nostalgia and joy. It's been a centerpiece of our holiday season since 1972," said Nicole Kindbeiter, spokesperson.
The museum is also showcasing "Home for the Holidays: Cards and Hearths," an exhibition featuring dollhouses and Wyeth family Christmas cards.
"The holidays are a time to reflect on what connects us, and at Brandywine, that includes the landscapes and communities we cherish," she said.
The conservancy has facilitated the preservation of 70,200-plus acres and holds more than 500 conservation and agricultural easements.
Near Kennett Township, Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library is home to a preeminent collection of American decorative arts, a 60-acre naturalistic garden, and a research library for scholars around the world.
Year-round, Winterthur is open to visitors for tours and exhibitions. The institution is home to a vast collection of American artworks. Winterthur has the largest collection of George Washington portraits.
Henry Francis du Pont transformed his childhood home and birthplace, Winterthur, into a public museum in 1951.
It is located at 5105 Kennett Pike, on Route 52, 6 miles northwest of Wilmington, Delaware between Centerville and Greenville.
While visiting the nearby gems of Winterthur, Longwood and Brandywine, Norris encouraged people to finish up their Christmas shopping -- and support local businesses -- in Kennett Square, plus enjoy "a perfect day" dining in the borough.
Norris said the borough is diverse and that Kennett Squarians are friendly and caring.
"We are quite fortunate to have a vibrant local economy," he added.
'Safety paramount'
"I'm a Chester County native and really love this area, specifically Southern Chester County," said Kennett Square Police Chief William Holdsworth. "This is where I spend the majority of my time, between work and family. Chester County is such a wonderful part of Pennsylvania."
Still, the holidays consistently pull police officers away from their families. And that's challenging, the chief said. Holdsworth said officers can never get that time back with loved ones.
Kennett Square officers working this Christmas will have the day off in 2026. "The last thing we want is our families to associate a holiday with their loved ones always being gone," the chief said.
Holdsworth thanked officers for their work and the sacrifices. The department will be busy on Thursday for Tinsel on the Town, too.
"We take great efforts to keep safety paramount," the chief said.
Holdsworth asked that people be patient, alert and aware, especially as traffic congestion increases. And if someone sees something, they should say something.
"Our goal is for Kennett Square to be continually thought of as the wonderful and loving community it is," he said.
Kennett Square began to celebrate this season of giving and hope with the Holiday Light Parade on Nov. 22. Kennett Collaborative organizes thAT event.
"From neighbors supporting local businesses to volunteers showing up in big ways and families gathering to celebrate together, this is a season defined by giving, connection and the simple magic of being part of a small town that truly cares," he said.
Next year's Holiday Light Parade is scheduled for Nov. 21.
Holiday Village Market
Kennett Collaborative just held the Holiday Village Market for the ninth year at the Creamery, which is owned and operated by Square Roots Collective. This partnership began in 2016 when Kennett Collaborative was still called Historic Kennett.
"We love events that draw people from the whole region, while also delighting residents in our local community," said Luke Zubrod, Square Roots Collective chief of staff. "Modeled after the European Christmas market experience, this is a great way to start the season."
Admission was free. There were cozy beverages, outdoor fire pits, music and an appearance by Santa. Zubrod said Kennett Collaborative did a great job of curating artisans and a first-rate guest experience.
There were 130 vendors who signed up to sell goods. The lineup changed every day, Embree noted. As many as 4,000 people visited the market on Birch St. on Dec. 6.
Sunday's market was canceled due to snowy and windy conditions. Still, 13,000 people attended the market on Dec. 6, 7 and 13. "The first weekend was the most attendees we've ever had in a single weekend," Embree noted.
Embree said Kennett Square's shops and restaurants have been reporting a strong start to the shopping season since the holiday parade.
Lifelong passion
Kallista Pluciennik bakes French-inspired delights, homemade croissants, macarons, canelés and baguettes, at her European-style bakery, Pâtisserie Lola in Kennett Square.
Located at 219 E. State St., the micro-bakery is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sundays.
Pluciennik grew up in Scranton and opened Lola Pâtisserie in 2023.
"We've just gotten so many consistent customers and regulars that I have come in, which have been the basis for my success here," she said.
Folks can also enjoy right now brown butter chocolate chip cookies, which Pluciennik called a "fan favorite."
"We usually have some scones and maybe a trifle or tiramisu," she said. "The macarons are always a staple."
The last day to order holiday treats from Pâtisserie Lola ahead of Christmas is Dec. 18.
"It's gotten a lot busier, which is great," Pluciennik said of the holidays.
She said the catering menu includes Bûche de Noël, a classic traditional French cake, specialty macarons, and a lovely cranberry, pear and apple tart.
"I fell in love with baking through my grandmother," she said. "Her name was Dolores, so we called her Lola for short."
Pluciennik was trained in the French culinary arts, learning cuisine and baking techniques from French chefs at the Culinary Institute of America. And her passion for creating pastry and viennoiserie runs deeps; intrinsic.
Douglas Rae is a business partner of Marlene Robinson, founder of Mrs. Robinson's Tea Shop at 129 E. State St. in Kennett Square. Walking into the shop this December, there are several unique window displays celebrating Christmas and the holidays.
From stocking stuffers to unique teas, handcrafted jewelry and hats, "you can find a little bit of everything here," Rae said.
There's an entire room dedicated to candy, too.
Rae said Mrs. Robinson's Tea Shop is unveiling a new mushroom tea in partnership with Phillips Mushrooms Farm.
"It's premiering right now," Rae said. "We sold out of the first batch."
Southern Chester County's mushroom farms, production houses and packaging facilities are the hub of a 50-square-mile area that produces 60% of all mushrooms grown in North America. The mushroom industry's economic impact to Pennsylvania is $1.1 billion.
Rae said the shop is staying open late for Tinsel on the Town this Thursday.
Mushroom drop
The Mushroom Festival, run by a team of volunteers, is inviting the public to attend its annual Midnight in the Square event on New Year's Eve.
The festivities will begin after 7 p.m. Jan. 31 at Union and Broad streets. The price of admission is a non-perishable food donation for Kennett Area Community Service. Live music will begin at 10 p.m.
Organizer Kathi Lafferty owns the Mushroom Cap at 114 W. State St. in Kennett Square.
"Longwood Gardens feeds this town all year round," Lafferty said. "Definitely during the holidays."
The Mushroom Drop began in 2013.
Folks can now partake in a 50/50 raffle drawing for the chance to win $1,700. People can purchase tickets at the Mushroom Cap for $10 each. Three prize winners will be announced on New Year's Eve.
Folks can also enter to win baskets filled with local gifts and gift cards through the Kennett Area Restaurant & Merchant Association. Tickets are available for $5 per ticket or $10 for three tickets and are being sold at small businesses across Kennett Square.
From the Mushroom Festival to WinterFest, Lafferty said there's always plenty to do in Kennett Square,
"I talk to a lot of people who definitely want to live here," she said. "They're searching for homes."