By John Chambless
Staff Writer

Downtown Kennett Square has earned widespread acclaim for its restaurants, shops and attractions, picking up an award for Best Suburban Shopping Destination 2019 by Philadelphia magazine.

If you haven’t sampled all that the little town has to offer during the holidays, this is your chance to find out what everyone is talking about. With a convenient parking garage (free on Saturdays and Sundays, as well as weekdays after 5 p.m.), getting into town is easy, and once you’re there, you can stay a while.

The annual Holiday Light Parade packs State Street with spectators and marchers on Nov. 29 beginning at 6:15 p.m. Under holiday lights, there will be antique cars, marching bands, farm equipment, fire equipment and Santa and Mrs. Claus, who arrive to start the holiday season. Immediately after the parade, meet Santa & Mrs. Claus at Anchor Life + Fitness (112 S. Broad St.) for pictures and refreshments

Small Business Saturday 2019 is Nov. 30, when you can sample Kennett Square’s independently owned small shops that are stocked with jewelry, local art and pottery, and handcrafted homewares, as well as new and vintage clothing and accessories, specialty food items, outdoor gear, and toys and games.

Adding to the holiday atmosphere, The Brandywine Singers will be caroling throughout town on Nov. 30, Dec. 7 and 21 from 2 to 5 p.m.

The Kennett Square Holiday Village Market is a curated, open-air artisan market filled with holiday gift options from local and regional vendors. On Dec. 7, 8, 14 and 15 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., enjoy food trucks, ice sculptures, seasonal craft workshops, live music, a photo booth, children’s activities and greenery sales and holiday shopping at the Creamery of Kennett Square. A shuttle will run to and from downtown Kennett Square.

Dec. 12 will be the date for Tinsel on the Town, an evening of holiday shopping with a DJ spinning holiday music, State Street closed for pedestrians, a visit from Santa and more. It runs from 6 to 9 p.m.

Kids can have Breakfast with Santa at the Kennett Fire House (423 Dalmatian St.) on Dec. 15 from 8 to 10 a.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for ages 3 to 12, and free for ages 2 and younger. The menu includes eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes and French toast sticks. No walk-ins are allowed, and reservations are required in advance. Call 610-444-4810 or e-mail [email protected]. Proceeds benefit the fire company.

As always, Midnight in the Square will cap the holiday season in Kennett Square, when a lighted mushroom is dropped on Dec. 31 at midnight, after an evening of live music, activities and specials offered by downtown restaurants beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Many visitors discover that Kennett Square and Longwood Gardens are a good pair, but locals can also take part in Longwood Gardens Christmas in Kennett, which is offered through Dec. 28. Visit Kennett Square for a festive Saturday of shopping, dining, and strolling. Then catch the shuttle bus and explore “A Longwood Christmas” at Longwood Gardens. The 2019 dates are Nov. 23 and 30, Dec. 7, 14, 21 and 28. To take part, buy your Christmas in Kennett tickets online (www.longwoodgardens.org), which includes the shuttle. Park for free in the Kennett Square Parking Garage, with the entrance off of East Linden Street (100 East Linden Street). Catch the shuttle and enjoy “A Longwood Christmas.” You must have a special Christmas in Kennett ticket to use the shuttle. Afterward, you can return to your car and easily head home, without traffic and parking headaches.

Shuttle pick-up and drop-off locations are:

In Kennett Square:

Corner of State and Union streets, 101 E. State Street, Kennett Square

Pick-up every half hour from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m.

At Longwood Gardens:

In the Visitor Center Bus Lot

Pick-up every half hour from 3:30 to 10 p.m.

Return shuttles (from Longwood Gardens) will leave Longwood Gardens every half hour from 3:30 to 10 p.m. to transport guests back to Kennett Square. Tickets are $30 for adults, $27 for seniors (ages 62 and older), $27 for college students with valid ID, $16 for ages 5 to 18. Visit www.longwoodgardens.org