Yikes. It’s December. Although it may not feel like December weather-wise, this weekend kicks off the holiday season. This month is filled with lighting trees, breakfasts with Santa, winter produce, and holiday dinners.
Eat your way through this weekend with Foodie First Friday, holiday brews, and several holiday food festivals. Stay tuned for our post on where you can eat out on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. For now, check out last year’s post to get some ideas. Cheers!
Events are listed in chronological order
1. Christmas Tree Lighting & Dinner at Karlton Cafe
Friday, December 2, 6 – 9 pm, Downtown Quakertown, PA
Head to downtown Quakertown and enjoy a long tradition of lighting the Christmas tree. The tree lighting itself will take place from 6 – 8 pm. There will be vendors, caroling, special treats from downtown merchants, the alpacas from Harley Hill Farm, an ice sculptor, gingerbread house contest, live Nativity, and more fun than Christmas morning itself!
While you are in Quakertown, warm up with hot cocoa, visit Santa Claus, and have a delicious dinner at Karlton Cafe, which is open on Friday from 8 am – 9 pm. Stop by earlier in the day and pick up freshly baked goodies like the cafe’s morning coffee and vegan energy bars. Karlton Cafe also has gluten-free bread options since it teamed up with The Happy Mixer recently.
2. Beer Tasting: Holiday Brews
Friday, December 2, 5 pm, The Washington House, 136 N. Main St., Sellersville, PA
Kick off December with some holiday brews from The Washington House in Sellersville. Stop by to share flights of seasonal, hearty brews for about $10 to $13. Grab some food while you’re there, since the restaurant has everything from appetizers to entrees, and seasonal menu options too.
3. Foodie First Friday
Friday, December 2, 5 – 9 pm, Doylestown Borough, PA
Looking for a new restaurant in downtown Doylestown? This Friday, October 2, is Foodie First Friday, a monthly event that celebrates culture, community and cuisine. Many of the restaurants have specials for the celebration so try a restaurant you’ve never been to, or stop by your usual place and enjoy your favorites. For a full list of participating restaurants, click here.
4. Fun First Friday
Saturday, December 2, Doylestown Food Market, 29 West State St., Doylestown, PA
The Doylestown Food Market welcomes you to Fun First Friday, where you can listen to music by local folk musician Trevor DuBose. Also, try out samples of high-quality Mediterranean products from Tunisia, provided by Abdel of Mediterranean Delicacies. This event is free.
5. First Friday at Triumph Brewing Co.
Friday, December 2, 6 pm, Triumph Brewing Co., 400 Union Square, New Hope, PA
Join Triumph Brewing Co. at 6 pm on Friday, December 2, as their brewer taps a barrel of beer and their friends from Factory Girl Bake Shop in New Hope hand out samples of their baked goods. Their items are fresh-baked and made from scratch and with real ingredients. Favorites include salted caramel brownies, scones, cookies, and apple/pear cake, plus their daily specials like coffee cakes, french macaroons, pudding parfaits, and croissants are always a hit.
6. Breakfast with Santa
Saturday, December 3, 8:30 – 11 am, Redemption Episcopal Church, 1101 2nd Street Pike, Southampton, PA
The Redemption Episcopal Church is hosting its annual Breakfast with Santa and mini fair this Saturday, December 3 from 8:30 – 11 am. This event is one of the biggest fundraising opportunities for the church, and all are welcome. Each child will get a picture with Santa, a candy cane, and a balloon. There will be baked goods, crafts, fresh wreaths, and Christmas plants for purchase. Advance tickets are $5 per child and $6 per adult. Day of tickets cost $6 per child and $7 per adult. To buy tickets, call Diane at 215.357.7530.
7. Carversville Christian Church’s Holiday Festival of Food
Saturday, December 3, 10 am – 4 pm, and Sunday, December 4, 11:30 am – 4 pm, Carversville Christian Church, 3736 Aquetong Rd., Carversville, PA
Are you a foodie or do you have someone in the family that appreciates good food? Come enjoy the Carversville Christian Church’s Holiday Festival of Food. All vendors are food-related. Enjoy breakfast sandwiches and lunch, and homemade soups. There will be themed raffle baskets, gift cards with a silent auction, and a tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, December 3 at 4:30 pm. Admission is $3.
8. Ottsville Holiday Festival
Saturday, December 3, Linden Hill Gardens, 8230 Easton Rd., Ottsville, PA
9. Spaghetti Dinner
Saturday, December 3, 4 – 8 pm, American Legion Post Home, 315 North St., Doylestown, PA
Enjoy a spaghetti dinner with all the fixings, followed by a bake sale at the American Legion Post in Doylestown. Besides eating warm and hearty pasta, take pictures with Santa and meet with people of your community. Adults cost $8 and children ages four to 12 cost $4. Children under four are free. Buy tickets at the door of the event.
10. 107th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
Saturday, December 3, 5 – 8 pm, 7th St. & Market St., Perkasie, PA
There are plenty of towns that host their own tree lightings, but Perkasie hosts the oldest tree lighting ceremony in the United States. This year, 2016, is its 107th year. Santa will arrive over the hill and he will travel to the top of the tree on a Perkasie fire truck. There will be free photos with Santa after the lighting of the tree. Community members can enjoy free carriage rides, listen to live music, and drink hot cocoa or cider. Soup will also be served from local churches and supporting businesses. Get a head start on the holiday season this weekend! More information on the ceremony can be found here.
11. Holiday Celebration at Sand Castle Winery
Sunday, December 4, 1 – 4 pm, Sand Castle Winery, 755 River Rd, Erwinna, PA
Time for a holiday celebration, and one that includes seasonal wine. The Sand Castle Winery is hosting a holiday dinner with its famous Alpine Spice wine. Tickets are $30 per person, and it includes spiced pork tenderloin, holiday stuffing, salad, spiced apple cake and a glass of warm Alpine Spice. As a special bonus, when you purchase a case of wine you’ll receive 20% off and receive a signature Alpine Spice mug. Tickets must be purchased in advance and they are non-refundable. Limited seating is available so call 610.294.8303.
12. Art Exhibit at Lumberville General Store
Sunday, December 4, 1 – 4 pm, Lumberville General Store, 3741 River Road (Route 32), Lumberville, PA
None of these strike your fancy? You can always check our Food Events in Bucks County calendar 7 days a week, 24 hours a day here.
Have a great weekend!
Want to know what’s happening in Hunterdon County? See our Food Events in Hunterdon County calendar.