The 12 Stops of Christmas
Six river towns. Twelve festive stops. One magical holiday season.
There’s something magical about the river towns at Christmastime. Historic streets dressed in twinkling lights, festive markets, timeless traditions, and seasonal celebrations. We’ve brought together twelve enchanting experiences across The River Loop’s six charming towns, all curated in one beautiful place for you to explore and enjoy this holiday season.
CLINTON
01 | Dickens' Days & Downtown Celebrations
November 27–29, 2026
Step into a Victorian Christmas with costumed characters, theatrical carolers, horse-drawn carriage rides, and festive storefronts throughout historic Clinton.
02 | Red Mill Winter Village & Festival of Trees
November 27–29 and December 5–6, 2026
Shop more than 50 local artisans, explore beautifully decorated trees, and enjoy a festive holiday market at the iconic Red Mill.
More Clinton Holiday Celebrations
November 27 | 6:30–8 PM — Christmas Tree Lighting
December 4 | 7–9 PM — Christmas Parade
December 10 | 6–9 PM — Candlelight Night
December 13 | 1–3 PM — Santa Comes to Town
FRENCHTOWN
03 | Santa on the River
December 6, 2026 | Noon–3 PM
Santa arrives at Sunbeam Lenape Park for a charming riverside holiday celebration.
04 | Holiday Magic at ArtYard
Seasonal dates throughout November and December
Celebrate the season with creative workshops, exhibitions, and ArtYard's wonderfully quirky Night of the Radishes.
MILFORD
05 | International Pastry Fest
December 5, 2026 | Noon–7 PM
Head to Descendants Brewing Company for an international celebration of pastries, holiday traditions, shopping, and entertainment.
06 | Christmas in Milford
December 11, 2026 | 6–9 PM
Celebrate the season with a festive evening in downtown Milford, surrounded by small-town Christmas charm.
STOCKTON
07 | Winter Fine Arts & Crafts Show at Prallsville Mills
December 5–6, 2026 | 10 AM–4 PM
Celebrate the season at the Winter Fine Arts & Crafts Show, a cherished Delaware River town tradition. Browse beautiful works from regional artists, artisans, and jewelers inside the historic Grist Mill and Silo. A perfect stop for one-of-a-kind holiday gifts.
08 | Christmas with the Goats — The Bubbly Goat
Select dates | $23 weekdays, $25.49 other sessions
Spend 45–60 minutes with friendly goats in a festive setting, complete with treats for the goats and hot cocoa by the bonfire. Ages 8 and older; advance registration required.
LAMBERTVILLE
09 | A Christmas Carol — Music Mountain Theatre
November 20–December 13, 2026
Celebrate the season with a live musical adaptation of Dickens' classic Christmas tale.
10 | The Frosty Tinseled Nutcrackers — Birdhouse Center
December 11, 2026 | 8 PM
A delightfully unconventional evening of novelty holiday songs and seasonal traditions.
NEW HOPE
11 | Santa's North Pole Express Train — New Hope Railroad
November 27–December 27, 2026 | Select dates
All aboard a nostalgic holiday journey with Santa and Mrs. Claus, complete with carols, hot cocoa, cookies, and a ride through the Bucks County countryside.
12 | New Hope Holiday Celebrations
Annual New Hope Christmas Tree Lighting— November 29, 2026 | 5–7 PM
New Hope Holiday Parade — December 6, 2026 | 4 PM
Two festive traditions featuring holiday music, sparkling decorations, and Santa's arrival.
A Little Extra Holiday Magic
Irving Berlin's Holiday Inn — Bucks County Playhouse
November 19, 2026–January 3, 2027
A festive musical filled with romance, dancing, and classic holiday songs.