Peddler's Village Holiday Charter Bus Guide 2026: Bucks County Christmas Day Trip

Grand Illumination Friday, November 20 — 60 days of Christmas in Bucks County

Peddler's Village in Lahaska, PA — 42 acres of colonial-style shopping village in central Bucks County — kicks off the 2026 holiday season on Friday, November 20 at 6:15 pm when Santa and Mrs. Claus flip the switch on the Grand Illumination. The event runs from 4:30 pm to 10:00 pm with live entertainment, and the lights stay on nightly through January 18, 2027.

Kickoff Weekend (November 20 to 22) brings live entertainment throughout the village. Then it settles into 60 nights of decorated shops, dining, and the annual Gingerbread House Competition & Display — over 100 entries on view November 20 through January 10, 2027.

Village hours: 11:00 am to 6:00 pm daily. Restaurants stay open later. Free general admission — shopping, dining, and Gingerbread Display are all no-charge; you pay for what you buy or eat.

Why groups love Peddler's Village at Christmas

Peddler's Village is genuinely group-friendly in ways that trend-chasing shopping districts aren't:

• Everything is walkable. 70+ shops and 6+ restaurants in a compact, paved, well-lit loop. No shuttle needed on-site.
• Motor coach parking is designated and free. Drop at Cock 'n Bull entrance; park in the overflow lot 200 yards away.
• Restrooms every 100 yards. Multiple sit-down restaurants for group meals. Public benches throughout.
• No hard sell. Independent shopkeepers, not chains. Church groups, women's clubs, senior centers all fit naturally.

Best vehicles

Motor coach (40 or 56 passenger)

Church women's ministry, senior center, quilting guild, or workplace outing. Reclining seats, onboard restroom, 90-minute pickup-to-village ride is entirely comfortable. Panoramic windows for the Bucks County drive.

Mini-coach (24 to 32 passenger)

Smaller group, workplace lunch outing, or condo association event. Same feel, no onboard restroom.

Sprinter van (14 passenger)

Girlfriend getaway, book club, birthday shopping trip. Doorway pickup at each rider's home.

Stretch limo

Milestone birthday celebration or a mother-daughter/grandmother outing. Add drinks on the return trip for a genuine event.

Sample itinerary

9:30 am — Pickup Philadelphia (Center City hotel, church parking lot, senior center).
11:00 am — Arrive Peddler's Village. Coach drops at main entrance near Cock 'n Bull.
11:00 am to 12:30 pm — Shop the village. Stop into Byers' Choice Christmas Gallery adjacent (free admission, incredible collection).
12:30 pm — Group lunch at Cock 'n Bull (book in advance for 20+) or Peddler's Pub.
2:00 pm — Visit Gingerbread House Display (in the Golden Plough Inn common room).
2:30 to 4:00 pm — More shopping; walk the outdoor holiday photo scenes.
4:00 pm — Coach board.
5:30 pm — Home Philadelphia.

Total on-clock: 8 hours. For an evening group aiming to see lights at their brightest, shift the whole schedule 4 hours later and return to Philly by 10:00 pm.

Pricing ranges

• 25-passenger mini-coach, 7 hours round trip: $1,000 to $1,400
• 40-passenger motor coach: $1,300 to $1,800
• 56-passenger motor coach: $1,500 to $2,100
• Sprinter van, 7 hours: $700 to $1,000
• 14-passenger stretch limo: $900 to $1,300

Includes fuel, tolls, driver. Gratuity 15 to 20 percent customary. Group meal at Cock 'n Bull runs $25 to $40 per person; call to book.

Booking timeline

Weekends in December book fast. Reserve by early October for peak Saturdays (Dec 5, 12, 19). Weekday and early-season (mid-Nov, first week of Dec) dates remain flexible into November.

What's in the village during the holidays

Peddler's Village is 70+ independent shops arranged around a colonial-style village green. What's actually there and worth planning around during the holiday season:

• Byers' Choice Christmas Gallery — adjacent to the village; free admission; the Byers family carols and Christmas caroler figures are a Bucks County institution. Groups of 20+ can request a curator's talk.
• Gingerbread House Competition & Display — 100+ entries from professional bakers, home cooks, kids, and design teams. Located in the Golden Plough Inn common room. Free.
• Grand Illumination Kickoff Weekend (Nov 20-22) — Santa & Mrs. Claus 6:15 pm switch-flip on Friday, live music through the weekend, hot cocoa stations.
• Visits with Santa — weekends through Dec 24 at the Santa House. Free photos on your phone; framed prints for sale.
• Ice carving demos — select weekends in December; check the village calendar.
• Live carolers + performances — walking through the village most evenings and weekend afternoons.

Shopping standouts

The village leans toward gift, home decor, and specialty food. Groups tend to fill their bags at these shops:

• The Best of Bucks — locally-made pantry items, jams, honeys, small-batch spirits.
• The Village Basketry — hand-woven baskets and rustic home decor.
• Sweet as Fudge Candy Shoppe — fresh fudge cut in front of you. Fights break out over the cookies-and-cream flavor.
• Christmas Warehouse — year-round Christmas ornaments; peaks in November-December.
• Rice's Sale & Country Market (nearby) — Tuesdays; if your bus can stop on the way home, worth it.

Dining details for group meals

• Cock 'n Bull Restaurant — the village institution. Colonial-tavern atmosphere; hearty portions; group reservations 20+ take at least 3 weeks notice during December. $28 to $45 entrees.
• Peddler's Pub — casual pub food; smaller group friendly; walk-ins usually work.
• The Golden Plough Inn Restaurant — quieter, refined; good for a birthday or anniversary sub-group within a larger charter group.
• The Snack Shack (seasonal) — coffee, hot chocolate, soft pretzels for a warmup break between shopping.

Group meal budget: allow $30 to $50 per person for a proper sit-down at Cock 'n Bull; $18 to $28 at Peddler's Pub.

Frequently asked questions

Book your Peddler's Village day trip. Get an instant online quote or call (267) 223-4647. Add a Longwood Christmas evening to your holiday season, or see the holiday lights tours hub for more group ideas.