Now in its 111th year, Perkasie’s traditional ceremony began in 1909 and is officially the oldest community tree lighting ceremony in the United States. The ceremony has changed shape and even location over its many years and we are working to design as safe an event as possible for 2020. Our community has come to love and expect the traditional aspects of the ceremony, and our aim is to incorporate as many of them as we can into this year’s event. Please stayed tuned: we will post the format of the 2020 event here, and on our Facebook page.
Planning is underway for our 111th year. Please check back for more information.
Event Schedule (2019)
5:00pm: Event attractions open. Horse & Carriage Rides begin; Food Vendors open
5:15pm: Mayor Hollenbach recites “T’was the Night Before Christmas”.
5:30pm: Pennridge School singing groups
6:15pm: Mike Greer & Co
6:00pm: Nutcracker excerpt on Market St
7:00pm: SANTA ARRIVES!
7:20pm: Mike Greer & Co
7:30pm: Photos with Santa
8:00pm: Event closes
One lucky child will climb the stage and flip the switch to light the tree: every child who brings a non-perishable food item for Pennridge FISH is entered into a drawing to win the honor.
2019’s exciting special attractions included:
- a heated entertainment tent with carols and rocking Holiday music;
- free horse and carriage rides
- a visit from Mary Poppins & Bert
- aerial and acrobatic performances by AcroDynamics
- roving Barbershop Quartet, Ring the Rafters
- food trucks and stalls and town center restaurant specials
- live store window displays, special art exhibits, and all day shopping specials in town
The Perkasie Electric Department at 120 N. 7th St hosted Doug Kramer’s Nostalgic Holiday Train Display from 12pm -8pm on December 6th & December 7th , andl ocal churches were open with seasonal displays and events, hot cocoa, cookies and more.
The Perkasie Historical Society is open every year on W. Walnut St.
Everyone rides FREE at the Perkasie Carousel at Menlo Park from noon – 5pm on the day of the Tree Lighting. Santa and Mrs Claus will be there.
The annual tree ornament, organized by the Perkasie Towne Improvement Association is on sale in local stores from Thanksgiving and at the Tree Lighting event.
PARKING RESTRICTIONS AND ROAD CLOSURES: Parking restrictions begin at 2:00pm and road closures are in effect from 3:00pm until 8:30pm. The following roads will be closed to traffic and must be cleared of all vehicles:
- 7th St. from Chestnut St. to Arch St.
- 6th St. from Chestnut St. to market St.
- Market St. from 8th St. to 6th St.
- Chestnut St. from 7th St. to 6th St.
- Market Alley is closed at 7th St.
ADA Parking for this event is in the Borough Hall parking lot at 7th & Chestnut. Please access from 7th St.
Thank you to everyone who makes the annual tree lighting ceremony such a wonderful event. Perkasie Borough acknowledges these local businesses for their support of Perkasie’s 2019 Tree Lighting Ceremony:
MAIN EVENT SPONSORS: American Heritage Federal Credit Union; Dunkin’; EFE Laboratories; Gilmore & Associates; McDonalds, Pennridge Development Enterprises / Pennridge Airport; A&T Chevrolet-Subaru
CARRIAGE SPONSORS: Grim, Biehn & Thatcher; Laurel Abstract
ENTERTAINMENT SPONSORS: Penn Community Bank; Shelly’s Design Center; Three Tower Audio
GENERAL SPONSORS: Black Cat Collective; Davis Feed Mill; Perkasie Historical Society; QNB Bank; Upper Bucks Free Press