Our guide to local holiday tree lightings

Things are about to get merry and bright. The season's most beautifully adorned trees will get the switch flipped on within the coming weeks at these local lighting ceremonies.

Adventure Aquarium (1 Riverside Dr., Camden, N.J.): Weekends from Friday, Nov. 28 through Thursday, Jan. 1 and Friday, Dec. 26 through Thursday, Jan 1, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster lights the aquarium's tree at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. each day.

Sesame Place (100 Sesame Rd., Langhorne, Pa.): Every half hour from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (and some nights until 8 p.m.), Sesame Street tunes and Christmas carols will blare around the park's tree as the giant plant sparkles for visitors. The show runs on weekends in November and December (and Dec. 26-31), starting Friday, Nov. 28.

Doylestown (375 W. Court St., Doylestown, Pa.): Santa parades on a fire truck while the high school's band and choir bring the tuneage. The tree gets lit at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 28 with free cookies and cider. Hang out to meet Santa and disclose wish list items.

Haddonfield (Kings Highway, Haddonfield, N.J.): Before you embark on a candlelight shopping experience, see the tree light up for the first time this season followed by a Santa-lead parade at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 28.

Canal View Park (Main and Gay Streets): Manayunk kicks things off on Saturday, Nov. 29 with their tree lighting from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Get there at 1 p.m. if you want to get photos with Santa or to hear some festive carols.

Rittenhouse Square (18th and Walnut Streets): Not only will the tree be lit in a ceremony hosted by CBS3's Katie Bilo on Monday, Dec. 1, but attendees can snack on complimentary bites from Parc and The Rittenhouse, see a special performance from the cast of the Walnut Street Theatre's "Mary Poppins," enjoy giveaways and more. Santa makes his appearance at 5:30 p.m. to light the tree. Bring a new, unwrapped toy to benefit the Salvation Army.

Shops at Liberty Place (1625 Chestnut St.): Continuing to make his rounds is the big guy in red. Also look forward to free hot chocolate, face painting and performances from the Philadelphia Dance Academy and the Liberty Strings Orchestra during this tree lighting extravaganza, taking place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2.

Sellersville (2 N. Main St., Sellersville, Pa.): After the 6:30 p.m. tree lighting on Tuesday, Dec. 2, take an old-fashioned trolley ride around the town. Many businesses along Main St. will also offer giveaways and more.

City Hall (1401 JFK Blvd.): Mayor Michael Nutter will make remarks while a whole evening of illuminating entertainment will follow the 6 p.m. lighting on Wednesday, Dec. 3. Be sure to take a lap or two around the all-new Rothman Ice Rink at Dilworth Park, too!

East Passyunk Ave. (East Passyunk Ave. and Tasker St.): A truly festive evening awaits on Thursday, Dec. 4 when carolers stroll down the avenue, Santa lights the tree and visitors indulge in holiday treats and hot cocoa. The party runs from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest (101 S. Columbus Blvd.): The 43' tree will come to life at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5 with skating opportunities with Santa, crafts, hot chocolate and performances from the Olde Towne Carolers, Philadelphia Youth Ballet, Vanessa Howard, Philadelphia Symmetry Synchronized Skating, Philadelphia Handbell Ensemble, String Theory School of the Performing Arts, In the Mix Acapella and Sister Cities Girlchoir.

Washington Lake Park (626 Hurffville Cross Keys Rd., Sewell, N.J.): The evening on Friday, Dec. 5 features Christmas carols, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus and a heated tent housing hot chocolate and cookies. It all begins at 7 p.m.

Citizens Bank Park (1 Citizens Bank Way): No longer baseball season, but Phillies outfielder Ben Revere, the Phillies Ballgirls, Phanatic (dressed up as Phanta Claus) and carolers help light the tree and stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 5 p.m. Make it an all-day thing with book signings with sports writers, a live radio broadcast, photos with Phanta Claus, photo opportunities with players and on-field and more, starting at 11 a.m.

Perkasie (7th and Market Streets, Perkasie, Pa.): For the 106th time, Perkasie Olde Towne lights the tree, holds carriage rides and welcomes Santa starting at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. Inside the event's heated tent, get warmed up with live music, children's activities and live music.

Absecon Lighthouse (31 S. Rhode Island Ave., Atlantic City, N.J.): Don your ugliest Christmas sweater for a dance party, tree lighting and lighthouse climb on Saturday, Dec. 6 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Headhouse Square Shambles (2nd St. between Lombard and Pine Streets): You'll forget you're not at the North Pole on Sunday, Dec. 7 when taking a carriage ride or peeping the decked out window displays at over 30 South Street Headhouse District businesses. Don't miss Santa — he'll be arriving via fire truck — PHAIR holiday market, performances and finally the tree lighting at 6:30 p.m., however the whole affair begins at 3 p.m.

Wildwoods Convention Center (4501 Boardwalk, Wildwood, N.J.): After the Wildwood Jaycees Christmas Parade (which ends at the Convention Center), the shore welcomes the season with a 7:15 p.m. tree lighting ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 12.

Note: LOVE Park's grand tree will be lit with a fantastic ceremony and details will be available soon.