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 Saturday, Dec. 5 through Sunday, Dec. 27 and Thursday, Dec. 24 through Wednesday, Dec. 30, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster lights the aquarium's tree at 11:45 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. each day.

Sesame Place (100 Sesame Rd., Langhorne, Pa.): Every half hour from 4:30 p.m. to 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 weekends in November and December, and Dec. 28 through Dec. 31.

TreeFest (Bucks County Visitor Center, 3207 Street Rd., Bensalem, Pa.): 25 decorated trees will get switched on, courtesy of Santa, at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 24 when he arrives on firetruck. Check out TreeFest from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week except for Thursday, Nov. 26, Friday, Dec. 25 and Friday, Jan. 1.

Doylestown (State and Hamilton Streets, Doylestown, Pa.): The tree gets lit by Santa at 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 27 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. 27. Musical performances and carriage rides will follow.

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. 1.

Sellersville (2 N. Main St., Sellersville, Pa.): After the 6:30 p.m. tree lighting on Tuesday, Dec. 1, take an old-fashioned trolley ride around the town. Many businesses along Main St. will also offer giveaways and more.

Christmas Village (LOVE Park, 16th St. and JFK Blvd.): Christmas Village's first-ever tree lighting starts at 4:45 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4 with a homemade lantern procession, caroling, music and the official tree illumination at 6:20 p.m.

East Passyunk Ave. (East Passyunk Ave. and Tasker St.): A truly festive evening awaits on Thursday, Dec. 3 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 9 p.m.

Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest (101 S. Columbus Blvd.): The huge tree will come to life at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4 with skating opportunities with Santa, crafts, hot chocolate and performances from the Olde Towne Carolers, Philadelphia Youth Ballet, Philadelphia Symmetry Synchronized Skating, In the Mix Acapella and Sister Cities Girlchoir and more.

Citizens Bank Park (1 Citizens Bank Way): No longer baseball season, but the Phillies Ballgirls, Phanatic (dressed up as Phanta Claus) and carolers help light the tree and stadium on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 5 p.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. 5. 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. 6 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 — holiday market, performances and finally the Shambles' Menorah and 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 Friday, Dec. 11.

Cape May (Rotary Park, Lyle Ln., Cape May, N.J.): Come for the tree lighting at 7 p.m. and stay for caroling and a visit from Santa on Friday, Dec. 4.

Philadelphia Museum of Art (2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway): The museum's decorated white fir, facing the Parkway, will be lit at a 5 p.m. ceremony with hot chocolate, treats, caroling and pay-what-you-wish admission on Wednesday, Nov. 25.