Travel Guide PA: National Christmas Center to Close in 2018

It’s a museum in Lancaster County dedicated to Christmas. A place where people celebrate the holiday all year-round. I first visited the National Christmas Center back in 2010. I was taken aback by the size of the display and amount of items in the collection. Everything—and I mean everything—related to the holiday throughout history managed to find a spot. From the collection of Santa’s, to a mini-walk through section of Bethlehem, and finally, a reproduction of a Woolworth’s 5 and 10 from the 1950’s. There’s even a room, if I remember correctly, which is supposed to be the base of a gigantic Christmas tree. Large ornaments hang down at head-level as you walk your way through. If any museum deserved to be called “unique”, this would be it. But more impressive than the displays themselves (more than 10 in total) is the love and attention that went into every detail.

Then comes this news. Posted to the business’s Facebook two days ago was the following message:

It is with great sadness that we make this post today.

After many tough conversations and some difficult seasons over the past few years, National Christmas Center has had to make the very difficult decision to close it’s doors permanently following our 2017 season.

We will officially close the business at 6 pm on SUNDAY, JANUARY 7, 2018.

We have had 19 wonderful years as a business sharing our incredible collection of Christmas throughout the years. Our passion for this most wonderful holiday is stronger than ever and we are deeply saddened that we will not be able to share it with the world going forward.

We appreciate all of our many loyal and loving customers and friends and cannot thank you all enough for the many years of support and love you have shown us over the years.

Merry Christmas to you all!

National Christmas Center

While I went only once, it did leave quite an impression on me. More than 20,000 square feet of everyone’s favorite holiday. Appealing to me was the historical and cultural aspects behind Christmas. Visitors young and old would have a good time. I will definitely try to get back this year for a final visit, and I highly recommend that you go too.

As a side note to anyone with deep pockets, their website denotes, “ANYONE INTERESTED IN PURCHASING THE NATIONAL CHRISTMAS CENTER AS A WHOLE CAN E-MAIL DAVE MURTAGH AT BRINTONCDM@MAC.COM.”