Christmas in Pennsylvania – Customs and Traditions

Pennsylvania boasts a rich tapestry of culture, history, cuisine, and traditions, all of which color their Christmas celebrations. The diverse landscape—encompassing vast lands with a rich variety of flora and fauna—plays a pivotal role in shaping the region’s holiday traditions.

Pennsylvania’s geography is remarkably varied, with the Appalachian Mountains slicing through the center and the Pocono and Allegheny Mountains gracing the northeastern reaches. With over 60% of the state blanketed in forests, the Christmas season offers an array of activities, including the tradition of selecting your own Christmas tree.

Along the 140 miles of waterfront bordering the Delaware River and Lake Erie, visitors revel in a myriad of watersport activities. The region also boasts various navigable rivers, offering additional avenues for holiday enjoyment.

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Christmas customs and traditions in Pennsylvania

The festive period of Christmas brings forth a plethora of customs and activities deeply embedded in Pennsylvania’s culture. Embraced by the locals, these customs create memorable experiences for friends and families during this joyous season.

Pennsylvania hosts an array of unique traditions that add an extra charm to the holidays—a treat you can explore when visiting the region. Here are some of the customs and traditions cherished in Pennsylvania.

Christmas tree in Pennsylvania

A hallmark tradition found across the country, Pennsylvania enthusiastically embraces the holiday tradition of Christmas trees. Amid its forested landscapes, the state offers a unique opportunity for visitors to venture into the woods and select their own Christmas tree.

Exploring this tradition while in the region reveals the exceptional charm it brings to the festive season. With a diverse array of trees available, you’re bound to find one that resonates with your taste and preferences. However, it’s crucial to obtain a permit from the forest service when partaking in this activity.

Christmas dinner in Pennsylvania

The Christmas culinary delights in Pennsylvania draw heavily from Dutch traditions, shaping the festive dishes you’ll encounter during your visit. Common dishes across the state during this season include goose, duck, or pig, complemented by an array of side dishes that truly elevate the dining experience. Families in the region often prefer farm-produced delicacies, offering meals rich in both nutrients and flavor.

The holiday menus are often crafted based on locally available produce, creating a distinctive culinary experience. Each of the state’s twenty-five counties showcases its unique traditional foods, promising varied and delightful local dishes depending on the area you visit.

Adam and Eve cookies

A prevalent tradition in Pennsylvania during the festive period involves families baking Adam and Eve cookies for their children. These cookies come in various types, from regular to gingerbread, and are cherished treats found throughout different parts of the state.

The Wickelkind, a commonly enjoyed cookie, is worth sampling from various pastry shops across the region. Baked goods hold a significant place in Pennsylvania’s traditions, and during your visit, you’ll come across numerous establishments offering these delights. The celebration of Christmas in Pennsylvania varies based on different religions and cultures prevalent in various regions, contributing to diverse and unique festivities across the state.

Hanging of the Moravian star

The Moravian star, a symbol of the birth of Jesus adopted by the Moravian Church, holds significance in the region’s traditions. During your travels, you’ll encounter various celebrations, including the hanging of the Moravian star.

Symbolizing the star of Bethlehem, it is traditionally hung on the first Sunday of Advent and remains illuminated until Epiphany, offering a chance to witness this symbol across the country.

Belsnickel

Pennsylvania holds a unique tradition unseen in neighboring regions—the legend of Belsnickel. It’s believed that Belsnickel arrives during the holiday season to discipline naughty children from the past year, while rewarding well-behaved kids with presents.

Clad in furs, Belsnickel administers discipline, presenting fruits, candies, and other gifts to those who behaved well. However, mischievous children might receive a light smack with birch branches or hazel. The origin of this tradition remains mysterious, urging visitors to respectfully engage with local customs for an enriched experience in the region.

Christmas markets in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, numerous Christmas markets await exploration during your travels through the region. These markets showcase a wide array of cherished traditions, with attractions like the Christkindlmarkt drawing millions of visitors annually. As you venture through these markets, you’ll find an assortment of items perfect for Christmas—both for personal use and as gifts for loved ones.

With various markets scattered across the state, you’ll have ample opportunities to purchase souvenirs and diverse products. These bustling markets offer delightful culinary experiences, featuring authentic European foods and the popular spiced wine, glühwein, ensuring a memorable visit.

Two Christmases

Pennsylvania offers a unique Christmas experience—two celebrations that you can immerse yourself in during your travels. The second Christmas, notably celebrated after the traditional Christmas, holds a deep-rooted tradition among the Pennsylvania Dutch for centuries.

Evolving into a common practice over time, this additional celebration offers an intriguing aspect to the festivities. It serves as a day for relaxation, unwinding from the earlier celebrations, and engaging in less religious activities while visiting friends and family.

Notably, the Amish community in the state actively participates in these celebrations, adding to the distinctive holiday experiences in the region.

The torch runs

In this region, the torch run has emerged as a prevalent Christmas tradition, observed by many during the festive season. This ritual involves lighting the menorah and takes place notably in Luzerne County, a practice existing for over fifty years. While Hanukkah is celebrated in the region, it is generally a smaller holiday compared to Christmas and the New Year.

Mummers Parade

The Mummers Parade, an enduring tradition spanning over a century since its origins in 1901, draws thousands of spectators to Philadelphia.

Elaborate and vibrant, this parade captivates revelers with a diverse array of activities. The event comprises competitions and parade performances that amalgamate various cultures and traditions prevalent in the region.

Traditionally, participants dress up, engage in lively shout-outs, and revel in merry celebrations. Post-parade, there are regular performances where visitors can actively participate, adding to the vibrant atmosphere during their visit to the region.

Boilo

Pennsylvania boasts another prevalent tradition: Boilo, a popular beverage particularly cherished in the northern part of the state, introduced by European immigrants. Derived from a Polish or Lithuanian recipe, Boilo comprises spices, citrus fruits, water, and honey simmered on stoves.

Depending on the locality, individuals often infuse their preferred alcohol like whiskey or vodka. Crafting your own Boilo during the holidays using the common recipe can elevate your holiday experience with a wide variety of flavors.

Sauerkraut and pork

Following the Christmas festivities, a significant tradition unfolds in the consumption of sauerkraut and pork in the region. While these dishes may not be widespread across the southern United States, they hold immense importance among a specific group in this area—a tradition you can partake in during your visit.

Pork is prepared uniquely, aligning with the region’s distinct culinary customs. Beyond pork, other regional delicacies like black-eyed peas and noodles find their place in the holiday feasts, reflecting the region’s gastronomic diversity. Considered a symbol of luck, pork holds significance, further accentuated by the traditions upheld by the German community in this area.

Hiding of the pickle

In Pennsylvania, an age-old Dutch tradition known as “Hiding of the Pickle” prevails. During the festive season, a pickle is hidden within the deep branches of the Christmas tree, a custom deeply rooted in the region. Parents typically hang the pickle as the final ornament on the tree.

As the youngsters eagerly search for their Christmas presents beneath the tree, discovering the pickle becomes part of the tradition. The individual who finds the pickle receives the first gift of the Christmas season. Furthermore, it is believed that the adult who uncovers the pickle will be fortunate throughout the upcoming year.

Springerle cookies

Among the traditional ornaments adorning tabletop trees in Pennsylvania are Springerle cookies. These cookies, infused with flavors like vanilla, almond, or anise, often feature edible gold accents. Handcrafted and steeped in history, these cookies have graced the region for centuries.

During your visit, relish not only the local cuisine but also indulge in these delectable, locally-made cookies that add an extra touch of tradition to the area’s festivities.

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