Tree Lighting Ceremony
America’s Oldest Tree Lighting Ceremony is scheduled for 5pm-8pm on Saturday December 7th.
Perkasie’s ceremony began in 1909 and is now in its 116th year. It was officially recognized as the oldest in the US in 2015, when it was read into the Congressional Record by Congressman Michael Fitzpatrick.
Families can expect a traditional evening out, with Holiday music, food and fun. Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will arrive on a Perkasie Electric Truck to light the Christmas tree at 7pm and one lucky child will be chosen to climb on the stage to help Santa light the tree; bring a non-perishable food item for Pennridge FISH to enter the drawing. Drawing at 6:30pm. SANTA ARRIVES AT 7:00PM
This event is crowded and not a suitable environment for pets. PLEASE, SERVICE ANIMALS ONLY.
NO COOLERS!
Parking Restrictions and Road Closures will be in effect in the town center from 2:00pm onwards.
Scroll down for information about public parking, ADA parking, and Park & Ride.
A summary of event attractions follows. Check out our Facebook event page for changing information.
AROUND THE EVENT / 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Antique Wagon Rides at 8th & Market
Horse & Carriage Rides presented by Davis Feed Mill on 7th St
Photos with Santa after he lights the tree. Presented by RE/MAX 440
Elsa & Anna perform at 7th & Arch
Revivals Block Party at 6th & Market
Family Fun Zone with games & crafts on Arch St. Presented by the Pennridge Minsterium
Wandering carolers by Ring the Rafters
Live store window dioramas on N. 7th St
Visit the Nostalgic Train Display at the Perkasie Electric Company building. Presented by the Perkasie Model Railroad Club
Shannon Carney Dance Academy Perform excerpts from The Nutcracker on Market St at 5:30pm & 6:30pm
Live aerial acrobatic displays in the Penn Community Bank lot
Food Trucks in the Shelly's lot. Local eateries open!
Photo ops everywhere!
ENTERTAINMENT TENT PROGRAM
- 5:15pm: Former Mayor: T’was the night Before Christmas
- 5:30pm: Pennridge South Middle School Choir
- 5:45pm: Pennridge Central Middle School Harmony Group
- 6:00pm: Mike Greer & Co. live music
- 6:30pm: PTIA draw raffle for child to switch on the lights
- 7:15pm: Mike Greer & Co. live music
LAST CALL for alcohol sales at 7:45pm
ROAD CLOSURES & PARKING RESTRICTIONS: Town center roads will be closed and parking restrictions in effect.
PARK AND RIDE: operated by First Student Inc. runs from 4:30pm through 8:30pm, between the South Middle School (610 S 5th St) and the town center.
PARKING INFORMATION: public parking is available on the street around the event and in the following public and private lots:
* municipal lots at 7th & Walnut, 3rd & Walnut (Little League lot), 6th & Walnut, 2nd St (Kulp Park), Menlo Park, Lenape Park
* Trinity Lutheran Church (4th & Chestnut)
* EFE Laboratories (700 W. Park Avenue)
* Grandview Service Center (530 Arch St)
* Ken Smith Basses lot (Arch St & Race St)
* Penn Community Bank HQ (219 S. 9th St, then walk through the trolley tunnel)
* Guth Elementary School (601 N. 7th St.)
ADA PARKING and DROPOFF is at the QNB lot at the corner of 6th St & Chestnut St
The Perkasie Historical Society Museum will be open with a “Christmas in Perkasie” display on W. Walnut St. 4pm-7pm on Saturday December 7th. “The Polar Express” Conductor reads story times at 4pm & 5pm.
Perkasie’s Historic Carousel will be open for rides with Santa. 12pm-5pm on Saturday December 7th.
Join the Christmas Sing-Along beginning every half hour at the Methodist Church at the corner of 5th & Market
Perkasie's Nostalgic Holiday Train Display will be open from 12:00pm – 8:00pm on Friday 12/6 AND Saturday 12/7 at the Perkasie Electric Company, 120 N 7th St. This event is presented by the Perkasie Model Railroad Club.
Christmas Café will be open from 4:30pm-6:30pm at Trinity Lutheran Church.
Nativity Photo Op & treats from 5pm-8pm at St Stephen's Church
SPONSORS: We are grateful to the organizations that made last year's America’s Oldest Tree Lighting possible.
- Major Sponsors: A&T Chevrolet Subaru, American Heritage Credit Union, Dunkin' Donuts, First Student Inc., Gilmore & Associates, The Gutter Guys, Perkasie Dentail Loft
- Carriage Sponsors: Begley Carlin, Mandio, Covered Bridge Car Wash, Laurel Abstract, Grim Biehn & Thatcher
- Tent & Entertainment Sponsors: Penn Community Bank, , QNB Bank, Three Tower Audio
- General Sponsors: Cannon Chiropractic, Joe Davis Autosport, Perkasie Historical Society, Thrivent Financial, Upper Bucks Free Press
VOLUNTEERS: we couldn’t run an event like this without our wonderful volunteers. Thank you! Contact events@perkasieborough.org to get involved with Perkasie’s events.
In 2020, the global COVID pandemic led to Borough staff working with local businesses to create and stream a virtual Tree Lighting event. The video of 2020’s virtual Tree Lighting can be enjoyed here: special edition of “Perkasie LIVE” . The show was hosted by Todd Hurley and Joe Weichel and was produced by Perkasie’s PBR Productions.