The first-ever Chester County Hospital Lights Up Holiday Weekends began in West Chester on Nov. 21. The Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce, the event organizer, noted that 44 local businesses are sponsoring 75 festive lamp posts.

In addition, the streets of historic West Chester will be bathed in the glow of thousands of holiday lights every evening from Friday, Nov. 26, to Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022. Each weekend will feature a new set of holiday festivities during Shop Small Business Weekend, Nov. 26 to Sunday, Nov. 28; Old-Fashioned Holiday Weekend, Friday to Sunday, Dec. 3 to 5; First Responders and Health Care Heroes Weekend, Friday to Sunday, Dec. 10 to 12; 'Twas the Weekend Before Christmas, Friday to Sunday, Dec. 17 to 19; and New Year's Weekend, Friday and Saturday, Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, 2022. More highlights include:

The Professional Gingerbread House Competition will begin on Nov. 26, sponsored by Delphi Wealth Management Group.

The ceremonial lighting of the Christmas tree at the Historic Courthouse on Dec. 3 will feature a surprise guest in a red suit and musical entertainment, including the West Chester University marching band. The Christmas tree is sponsored by Lamb McErlane.

The Making Spirits Bright Holiday Music Series will feature local choirs singing holidays classics every Saturday at 2 p.m. outside the Historic Courthouse, sponsored by First Bank.

Santa will tour the borough on a fire truck every Saturday at 3 p.m., sponsored by Tolsdorf Oil Lube Express.

In the week leading up to New Year's Weekend, people will have their last chance to take a glowing stroll through the borough's historic streets and enjoy signature drinks and appetizers from West Chester restaurants, sponsored by LifeBrand.

Throughout the holiday season, people can look for the "Lights Up" QR code at http://www.GWCC.org and throughout the borough. All donations made via the QR code will go to local fire departments, police departments, EMS and health care workers. This effort is sponsored by Krapf Transportation.

For additional information, visit the aforementioned website or contact the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce at 610-696-4046 or info@gwcc.org. Readers may also search for @GreaterWestChester on Facebook and Instagram or @GWCC_PA and #HolidayWeekendsInWestChester on Twitter.