This year's Christmas in Christiana celebration, presented by the Christiana Lions Club, will take place on Saturday, Dec. 13. A host of activities will take place at the William P. Brinton House, 17 Green St., headquarters of the Christiana Historical Society (CHS), and at the Christiana Freight Station, 10 Railroad Ave., home of the Lancaster Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society. Events will also take place at community organizations throughout the borough.

Santa Claus will be on hand at the freight station from 3 to 5 p.m. Children age 12 and under are invited to attend accompanied by a parent or guardian. Children will receive a hot dog dinner and a photo with Santa. There will also be hayrides and refreshments.

Mini train rides will be available from the Brinton House to the freight station, which will be open for touring. Visitors will be able to tour a retired Conrail caboose, enjoy a 10-by-30-foot model train layout and learn about the railroad history in Christiana through a display of photos and other artifacts. The freight station will also hold an open house on Sunday, Dec. 14, from 1 to 4 p.m.

Christmas at the Brinton House will be celebrated from 3 to 8 p.m., where guests may enjoy complimentary refreshments. "We will have salty snacks like pretzels, trail mix and popcorn, plus coffee and hot chocolate," said CHS member Patti Shrom of Gap. "They will have a variety of sweet snacks and baked goods at the freight station." Live music by the Englerths and the Christiana Singers will be featured on the porch of the Brinton House from 4 to 7:30 p.m.

CHS has been renovating the Brinton House since it acquired the building in April of 2022. Local residents will get a peek inside the house on Dec. 13. "The front two rooms will be open," said Shrom. "Coffee will be available in one, and the other will be decorated for Christmas."

Also at the Brinton House, guests will be able to ring a railroad bell next to the porch for a donation, with proceeds to benefit the ongoing restoration of the building. A bonfire will be tended throughout the evening by members of Boy Scout Troop 20.

The Christiana Fire Company will escort Santa Claus through Christiana and the surrounding area from 6 to 8 p.m. Santa will be portrayed by Jeff Rowe, president of the Lions Club. His wife, Denise, will portray Mrs. Claus. As they ride through the area, firefighters will collect nonperishable food items for the Octorara Area Food Cupboard.

Suggested donations included canned fruit and vegetables, boxed potatoes, peanut butter, boxed pasta and rice and meaty soups. Donations will also be accepted from 3 to 8 p.m. at Christiana Borough Hall, 10 W. Slokom Ave.

Also offered on Dec. 13 from 3 to 8 p.m. will be guided tours of the Underground Railroad Center at Zercher's Hotel, 11 Green St. Darlene Colon, CHS president, will offer the tours.

A "Light Up Christiana" lighting and decoration contest will be presented by the Christiana Lions Club. Judging of homes will begin at 6:15 p.m., and cash prizes will be awarded for the winners in the categories of Santa's Choice, Up-Town and Down-Town. There will also be three honorable mention prizes. Homes will be judged on amount of effort, curb appeal, use of luminarias and creativity.

The Lions Club is also sponsoring a sale of luminarias. There will be a fee for a set of five luminarias. The order deadline is Wednesday, Dec. 10. Payments can be dropped off in the front door slot at Shivery Funeral Home, 111 Elizabeth St., Christiana. Orders will be delivered on the morning of Dec. 13. All proceeds from the sale of luminarias will help support the Lions Club's activities throughout the year, such as maintaining the park and supporting programs for the visually impaired.

In addition, Moores Memorial Library, 9 W. Slokom Ave, Christiana, will provide free refreshments from 6 to 8 p.m., and New Beginnings Church of the Cross, 1 Penn Ave., Christiana, will present a live Nativity from 6 to 8 p.m.

The Borough of Christiana is also holding a gingerbread house competition. Members of the public may vote for their favorite on Dec. 13 from 3 to 8 p.m. at Christiana Borough Hall.

Christiana United Methodist Church, 14 S. Bridge St., will be open from 6 to 8 p.m. Visitors will enjoy music by organist Robert Trimble and be able to meet pastor Trevor Webster. Refreshments will be provided.

For more information about events, visit http://www.christianahistoricalsociety.com/events or http://www.facebook.com/christianahistoricalsociety. Free parking will be available at the Brinton House.