Current Bostonian, parents live in Downingtown, considering moving to downtown West Chester. Only issue, I don't have a car and can't drive. Is the public transit doable enough that I could use it for a work commute? If so, what areas are best? I know Philly has a more robust system, but I'd rather not live that far away - if I'm moving to be closer to family, I'd rather be actually close, you know? Thanks!

Who ever dialed the outdoor thermostat down, stop it and put it back up to 50ish.

Thanks.

Just wondering if there are any sweet events going on we’re missing?

I love listening to choral music. Is there any local group, whether at a church or a performing ensemble, that you recommend?

I’m curious do people use anything other than garages or street meters for short term parking needs? What other options do you have when lots and streets are full?

Anyone who cant be with their family for any reason and would like to kill some time talking, walking etc. good conversations?

Hey PA, join the 21st century, fix your stupid liquor laws, I’m tired of driving to DE for alcohol.

Has anyone done these before? Or will be going for this year’s crawl? Just looking for honest reviews and if it is worth the ticket price

What's up everyone! Here with another round of events happening in WC and throughout ChesCo this week. With Thanksgiving here, we've got plenty of turkey trots, holiday events, and live music.

If you have an event you'd like to submit for a future post / the newsletter you can do so by clicking here - as long as I get enough info on an event submission I'll be sure to include it. Thanks!

I've marked events that are paid with the "$", if you don't see the $, the event is free to attend!

I put a list together of events throughout ChesCo each week and email it out every Tuesday. If you want it, you can subscribe for free at https://www.chescobuzz.com/subscribe

Have fun out there y'all.

West Chester Events

Wednesday ( 11/27 )

🧸 Cheers-Giving @ Levante | 12 PM - 10 PM | West Chester | Levante is making Thanksgiving Eve a day to give gratitude for their customers AND community. Doors will open at 12 pm with live music, specialty offerings, and more. Bring a new, unwrapped toy for our local Toys For Tots chapter, and we'll cheers you with a FREE pour of your choice, including several specialty options in the lineup. Additionally, $2 of every flight will be donated to Hops & Vines for Hunger, a campaign that raises funds for Feeding Pennsylvania, which provides support to Pennsylvanians facing food insecurity. (details)

🎵 Thanksgiving Eve @ Righteous Taphouse w/ Tommy Froelich Band | Starts 8 PM | West Chester | Spend Thanksgiving Eve rock'n in the woods at Righteous with Tommy Froelich Band! Come get your fill of classic rock & blues from the vinyl days to lift your spirit and soothe the soul. (details)

Thursday ( 11/28 )

🏃‍♀️‍➡️ 1st Annual WC Turkey Trot 2024 | $ | 8 AM - 10 AM | West Chester | This 5K run / 2K walk is a great way to kick off the holiday early. Bring your family & friends and plan for this to be an annual tradition! Runners and walkers will start at the corner of Market Street & Church Street and race through the southwestern portion of the Borough. Registration is $30/person. Participants will receive a complimentary t-shirt. Registration ends 11/27 (details)

Friday ( 11/29 )

🛍️ West Chester Small Business Weekend | 11/29 - 12/1 | All Day | West Chester | The holidays are the most important time of year for the small business community. Enjoy an entire weekend of discounts, deals, and extended hours at the over 50+ retail shops and 60 restaurants that make up downtown West Chester. Special holiday events including live music, appearances from Santa, a gingerbread house competition, and a holiday window decorating contest are just some of the things to look forward to as you shop around.

Street-level metered parking will be FREE from 11/29 thru 12/1, so make sure you come out to support small business in WC this weekend. (details)

🐶 BVSPCA Meet N' Greet + Doris's Donuts | $ | 5:00 - 8:00 PM | West Chester | Help support a great cause and ring in the Christmas season with a visit to the West Chester Christmas Light Display! Their outdoor interactive walk-through features 50+ inflatables, 15,000+ lights, and 50+ lighted figures. Doris’s Donuts will be offering donuts at the Christmas Display and proceeds from the event will go to supporting BVSPCA. (details)

Saturday ( 11/30 )

🎸 River Dawgs @ The Brickette | 9 PM - 12 AM | Come out to the Brickette Lounge for the area's best BBQ & western bar! River Dawgs will be playing live, channeling a Philly-powered western vibe to deliver an eclectic array of songs. (details)

🎤 Making the Spirits Bright Holiday Music Series sponsored by Oakbourne Advisors | 2 PM - 5 PM | Starting this Saturday, meet on High Street in front of the Historic Courthouse to catch amazing performances on Saturdays at 2:00 pm from November 30 - December 21. This weekend catch the Uptown! Singers. (details)

Reminder: Your favorite shops and restaurants will be having specials all weekend, be sure to go out and support!

Sunday ( 12/1 )

⭐️ Lights On! Season of Lights Opening Night | $ | 3:30 - 7:30 PM | West Chester | Season of Lights will display the rich culture of Chester County’s diverse population. Twinkling lights, festive displays, decorated trees, international cuisine, and multicultural activities for all family members will immerse visitors in a multi-sensory experience that transcends cultural boundaries. Kids will love Lights On! Dip candles, design snowflakes, and try tin punching at our guided activity stations. (details)

The Rest of ChesCo

Wednesday ( 11/27 )

🍺 Dark Wednesday 2024 @ Victory | All day | Downingtown, Kennett Square, Parkesburg | Victory will be holding their anticipated Dark Wednesday across all taprooms on the 27th featuring exclusive pours, limited edition merchandise, and a dark food menu. If you're a fan of Victory, don't miss out! (details)

🎸 Thanksgiving Eve LIVE @ Tuned Up Brewing Company | 6:30 - 10:30 PM | Spring City | Rofo Audio will be getting the Holiday season started off right with a full band show. They will be playing originals through the night as well as their new and expanded "Acoustic Set." Bring everyone to the biggest night of the year for great food, brew and music. (details)

🎤 Altered Ego live at Friendship Fire Company | 7 - 11 PM | Phoenixville | Altered Ego will be bringing their talents to the Friendship Fire Company Diving-Rescue Unit for a night of high-energy live music playing party & singalong Rock & Roll. (details)

🍾 Thanksgiving Eve @ The Creamery | Starts 8 PM | Kennett Square | The crew at the Creamery can't wait to welcome everyone back to town for an evening of fun, friends, and family vibes. SlayTown City will be performing LIVE from 8 - 11 PM. Come out for a great night! (details)

Thursday ( 11/28 )

🦃 23rd Annual Chester County Turkey Trot | $ | Starts 7:40 AM | Downingtown | The Chester County Turkey Trot is celebrating its 23rd year and there's no better way to start your Thanksgiving Day. Since 2012 the event has raised money for Cure4Cam Childhood Cancer Foundation, so your registraton will go towards a great cause. The event is a 5k race (2 waves), 2K walk, and a kids’ fun run. Technical running shirts are guaranteed to the first 2,200 registered runners. | (details)

👟 Unionville High School 5K and 1 Mile Turkey Trot and Food Drive | $ | Registration at 9:15, race starts 10:15 AM | Kennett Square | Come join the Unionville High School Softball and Baseball teams who are hosting the third annual Unionville 5K and 1 Mile Turkey Trot and Food Drive on Thanksgiving morning. The race will be at the beautiful campuses of Unionville High School and Patton Middle School. This race is for all ages and all skill levels. The 5K race will be a timed event. Runners and community members, please consider bringing a canned good or any non-perishable item to drop off at the race. All items collected will be delivered to the Kennett Food Cupboard. (details)

Friday ( 11/29 )

🌟 Drive Through Holiday Light Show Grand Opening @ Yeager’s Farm | $ | 5:30 - 8:30 PM | Phoenixville | Enjoy a unique display of tens of thousands of lights and animated displays from the comfort of your own vehicle. Load up the car with family and friends and traverse the 60 acre/1.1 mile route through the Christmas Tree farm; lit up and synchronized with Holiday songs to celebrate the season! (details)

🎶 Sin Brothers live at Main Line Tavern | Starts at 8 PM | Paoli | With a broad repertoire encompassing crowd favorites and eclectic b-sides few other live bands perform, you'll be in for a treat watching the Sin Brothers perform live this Friday. (details)

Saturday ( 11/30 )

🔥 Burn off the Bird 5k | $ | 9:30 - 10:30 AM | Phoenixville | In its 15th year, Burn Off the Bird is a family tradition in the Phoenixville region. Bring out your family, extended family and friends for a 5K Race on the scenic Schuylkill River Trail. (details)

🐦‍�� Small Business Saturday PXV | All day | Phoenixville | From handcrafted goods to personalized gifts, downtown Phoenixville shops will offer something special for everyone. Join the borough in celebrating and supporting the community by choosing to shop small this holiday season. (details)

🎅 Visit Santa, Mrs. Claus, & the Reindeer at Gardner's | 11 AM - 1 PM | Chester Springs | Despite a busy schedule, Santa & the Mrs., plus their faithful reindeer will be making a short stop at Gardner's Landscape Nursery & Barn this weekend to take pictures with anyone who's looking to secure their spot on the nice list. Come out for a great event and get your photo with the whole gang! (details)

🛍️ **Sip & Shop - Small Business Saturday at Silkie'**s | 12 - 4 PM | Chester Springs | Come to Silkie's on Saturday for a great day of storewide sales, photos with the aplacas, some great food+drink, and live music. Bring the family and try your hand at their prize wheel for a chance at a surprise gift. (details)

🤶 Christmas on King | 12 - 6 PM | Malvern | Come out to Malvern on Saturday for a day full of holiday cheer. From 12 - 4 PM on King Street you'll find holiday shopping, food trucks, beer garden, live music, kids activities, Mrs. Claus & Santa's elves, and more. From 4-6 PM at Burke Park you'll get a visit & photos with Santa, sweet treats, warm drinks, HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR ~ live song & dance performances, kids activities, and tree lighting at dark! (details)

🎄 8th Annual Upper Uwchlan Township Tree Lighting | 4 - 6 PM | Chester Springs | Enjoy hot cocoa, cookies, a letter to Santa station, a visit from Santa, and a tree lighting at dusk during the 8th annual Upper Uwchlan Tree Lighting. Unfortunately, due to the current weather circumstances, there will be nofireworks display this year. Instead, come support some of the local small businesses that will be selling unique and handcrafted gifts for all of your holiday shopping needs. (details)

🌟 Kennett Square Holiday Light Parade | 6:30 PM | Kennett Square | Get ready to kick off the holiday season in Kennett Square! The fun starts at 6:30 PM with the incredible voices of the Calabrese Arts Carolers, then watch the Longwood Dance Company light up the evening with their holiday performance. Next up, the parade of glowing floats will wind through downtown. And don't miss the big moment when Santa arrives to work his magic, lighting up the tree to wrap up the festive evening in style! (details)

🎹 Friendsgiving with The Mighty Manatees | $ | 7:30 - 10:30 PM | Phoenixville | Come to Steel City and spend an intimate evening celebrating Thanksgiving as only the Mighty Manatees can! Special musical guests and two long sets of mostly original music for your entertainment. (details)

🎪 Krimson Cirkus Debut at Marchwood Tavern | 9 PM - 1 AM | Exton | Grab a drink and come listen to all the songs that you love to hear from the 60's all the way up to today. Krimson Cirkus will be performing all night at Marchwood. (details)

Sunday ( 12/1 )

🐶 Sunday Funday Adoption Event @ Twelve78 Brewing | 1:00 - 3:00 PM | Phoenixville | Don't miss Main Line Animal Rescue's adoption event at twelve78 Brewing! Grab lunch or drinks and spend your Sunday Funday meeting adorable adoptables and learning about their lifesaving mission. (details)

🖼️ Artists Sunday | 11 AM - 4 PM | Phoenixville | Shop local, shop art, for unique gifts this holiday season! Join artists from Bridge Street to Quick Street as they open their studios and shops for a festive day of art and shopping! (details)

🧀 Paradocx Vineyard Holiday Charcuterie Workshop | $ | 1 - 3 PM | Landenberg | Come join The Cheese Chick for a another fun-filled- event where you will learn how to create your own personalized charcuterie board. Enjoy laughter, drinks, and delicious food while discovering the art of building an aesthetically pleasing presentation using a variety of meats, cheeses, fruits, nuts, garnishes and other accompaniments. (details)

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That's all for this week! I'll be back again next week. If you'd like to submit an event for these posts / the newsletter use the form at the top of this post!

Thanks all. Always open to feedback so please let me know in a comment or DM how you think this list could improve.

I’m currently an HS senior and am considering West Chester University as an option. As someone who’s going to be majoring in art, does anyone have any experience with WCU’s art department? Or just other general things to note about the school?

Hello, we are considering relocating to West Chester, PA from NYC. I am from Delaware, husband is from Brooklyn. We are looking for an affordable town where we could settle, be close to Philadelphia / Train access and our families in Delaware and Philadelphia. We are a Jewish family, so being near a synagogue and pre-school is very important to us, maybe the most important. We like the idea of the Main Line, but prices are much higher there. My husband's job can be fully remote and I would need to find work in the non-profit / philanthropy / Jewish space. Would love to hear your thoughts on the best towns in the area for a young (ish) family with 2 kids looking to move in Summer 2025. thanks!

Does anyone know what’s up with that red taco truck in that gas station parking lot on high street? I always see it and I am wondering is it actually good? Should I be afraid to stop by and try a taco?

Recommendations please. No Wawa, Primo's, Capriotti's, etc. I only want to support local businesses.

Anyobe

I know about At The Table in Wayne, but are there any other multi course tasting menus outside Philly?

Hey yall

I'm 26 and a working professional who recently moved back to the area from the city. While there, I volunteered regularly at a food bank where I helped with cooking - which was usually a highlight of the week. Now that I'm back in West Chester, I'm looking to find similar meaningful ways to connect with the community and meet new people.

College made socializing easy with built-in communities, and I had a great volunteer network in the city, but now I'm starting fresh here and looking to be proactive about finding my people and ways to give back.

Some things I'm interested in:

• Mental health awareness advocacy
• Hiking groups (total beginner but eager to start!)
• Volunteering opportunities, especially:
  • Food banks/community kitchens (would love to find something similar to what I did in the city)
  • Mentoring at local schools (financial/technology maybe?)
  • Any other impactful causes

I'm really looking to find others who are passionate about personal growth, staying active, and making a positive impact. Would love recommendations for:

• Active hiking/outdoor groups that welcome newcomers
• Volunteer organizations that need regular help
• Mental health/wellness communities
• Any other social groups/activities you've found rewarding

If anyone else is in a similar boat and wants to connect or explore some of these activities together, feel free to DM me! I'd love to meet some like-minded people who are also looking to build community here in West Chester.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions

Small menu, everything was great. The little tuna tacos were the best.

A little birdie has said the FIJI frat at West Chester is done. Too much hazing, too many dumb choices. A cease and desist has been administered.

does anyone know of a mens hockey league around west chester? or just anything to get some time on the ice. much appreciated 👍

Recently applied for The Point off of Matlack / 202. Got denied because I’m self employed. I only paid myself what I need for bills and kept everything else in the business account, so I look very broke on paper. And unfortunately business documents don’t work for personal qualification.

I really liked Beckon Collective but heard horror stories, so not sure I even want to risk that. I toured Chestnut Square, it was alright but not good enough for me to want to spend $3k a month.

I want to live in West Chester, and looking for that luxury high end style with two bedrooms. But I also am not sure what to do about the qualification issues.

If anyone has any recommendations or advice I’d appreciate it.

Cheers

Has anyone seen film crews around WC this week? What are they filming?

Do any borough homeowners with off street parking rent out space? I always wondered if anyone did that, or if that's even something folks who work in the borough would take advantage of.

Today was a sad day when I walked to my car and found a ticket with a warning that south Adams street will now be closed for residential/public parking. What a shame… this was the only place I could get away with parking my car for the last 2 years without getting fined. If anyone knows a good spot feel free to pm!

I know there's quite a few running groups in town, but anyone know of any walking groups?

Update: Sounds like there's at least some interest in starting a WC walking group. Should we spin up a sub for that?

I created a sub called WalkingInWCBoro (so creative lol) if anyone is interested.