Explore a Life-Size Advent Calendar Across Historic Homes

Downtown Lancaster’s Square 13 Historic District will once again become a life-size advent calendar during the fifth annual Advent Window Walk. Beginning Dec. 1, historic homes will feature holiday-themed, illuminated window displays, with 24 residential displays available to view each night in December. Visitors can explore the displays on foot or by car from 6–10 p.m. Dec. 1 through 31.

“Every day there is a new one,” says Jonett Haberfield, executive director of Visit Fairfield County. “At six o’clock a new one [display] lights up and a lot of people in the neighborhood go to every single one of the ceremonies.”

The artwork is displayed inside the front windows of historic homes, facing outward for visitors to enjoy. Created by the homeowners, the displays feature a variety of materials and techniques, including paint, colored tissue paper and even some in years past with moving mechanical elements. Visitors can also see three additional window displays celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, created by local nonprofit organizations.

The Advent Window Walk is a grassroots neighborhood project inspired by the Germanic Christmas tradition and is part of the Lancaster Holiday Spirit Trail. It is also a featured experience on Fairfield County’s Tinsel & Traditions Trail, which highlights holiday events and activities throughout the county.

“It’s real welcoming for visitors,” Haberfield says. “Some of [the historic houses] even have open houses where they invite the neighbors to come in to their house and serve hot chocolate or cookies.”

The holiday festivities continue with a lineup of events on the Tinsel & Traditions Trail. Here are a few highlights.

Fairfield County Festival of Lights | Nov. 26–Dec. 25
Drive, walk or take a horse-drawn carriage ride through lighted displays, visit with Santa and try various desserts. Fairfield County Fairgrounds, 157 E. Fair Ave., Lancaster 43120. $10 per car. Sun.–Wed. 6–9 p.m., Thurs.–Sat. 6–10 p.m.

Once Upon a Christmas at The Pines at Buckeye Ridge | Dec. 11, 18 & 19
See more than 100,000 lights beginning in a decorated Christmas Story Barn featuring Rudolph, the Grinch and other familiar characters, then follow an illuminated woodland trail to Santa’s Workshop while snacking on cookies and drinking cocoa. The Pines at Buckeye Ridge, 3550 Blacklick-Eastern Rd. NE, Millersport 43046. $25 per car. 5:30–9 p.m. 

Downtown Christmas Stroll in Lancaster | Dec. 12
Take a guided tour through historic churches, see seasonal performances and pass through the Advent Window Walk neighborhood. Hot chocolate and children’s activities are available. Downtown Lancaster, 128 N. Broad St., Lancaster 43130. Free–$25. 5–9 p.m.

For more information and the full lineup of events on the trail, go to visitfairfieldcounty.org.

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