'Tis the Season for Lansdale Holiday Events

Lansdale Parks and Recreation Department is gearing up for another holiday season, which starts next month.

The Santa House returns on November 30, which also coincides with the Lansdale Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.

December's First Friday will be pushed forward and become Fifth Friday, as Discover Lansdale will hold the monthly event during the Christmas Tree Lighting event.

Festivities on Nov. 30 begin at 6 p.m. at Railroad Plaza. The North Penn High School chorus will perform holiday music and refreshments will be provided by Hatfield Quality Meats and Rosenberger's Dairies.

Santa Claus will arrive in Lansdale that evening at 6:30 to lead the tree lighting countdown. 

From there, Santa will head to the Santa House, which has new hours this year.

According to Lansdale Parks and Recreation Director Carl Saldutti, the no-charge Santa House will be open Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Fridays 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.; and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to Noon.

"We thought three hours was too long (for Saturdays)," Saldutti told the parks committee last Wednesday. 

"The Santa House has been received quite well," he said. "It's a big hit for those that come in."

Children that visit Santa will go home with a Christmas coloring book and bag of Christmas-themed treats.

The Santa House is staffed by the Lansdale Parks and Recreation Department. 

Something good to know — if a parent or guardian forgets their camera to take a picture of their child with Santa, the parks department staff will take it for them and email the pictures.

"It's a real popular thing," Saldutti said. "It's a goodwill thing. I think everyone gets excited for it."

The next day is December 1 — and the holiday events don't stop there.

Lansdale Historical Society will hold its holiday open house at Jenkins Homestead on Dec. 1.

The annual TubaChristmas Concert returns on Dec. 2 to Railroad Plaza.

The TubaChristmas Concert is a worldwide event that takes place in more than 200 communities. According to its website, it was conceived in 1974 as a tribute to the late musician William J. Bell, who was born Dec. 25, 1902.

"Through the legendary William J. Bell we reflect on our heritage and honor all great artists/teachers whose legacy has given us high performance standards, well structured pedagogy, professional integrity, personal values and a camaraderie envied by all other instrumentalists," according to the website.

The event is presented by the parks department and the Montgomery County Concert Band, led by Stephen Frederick. The concert features at least 70 tubas and euphoniums performing carols and holiday tunes.

The annual Menorah Lighting event takes place Dec. 8 at 6:30 p.m. at Railroad Plaza, the first night of Hanukkah.