Santa Claus, the pleasant bearded elf dressed in red (in case you thought I was referring to some other Santa Claus), was not predestined to be a worldwide Christmas icon ...

→ Christmas Candylane opens Friday for holiday season - LancasterOnline

→ Pennsbury Manor prepping for festive Holly Nights celebration - Bucks County Courier Times Experience the enchantment of Pennsbury Manor by candlelight. Enjoy crackling bonfires, carolers, candlelit tours of the Manor ...

→ Pennsylvania Folkways: The Belsnickel brings light and darkness - Reading Eagle After having read many articles about Belsnickel, I find that one the most interesting aspects about the tradition is ...

Yes! Kick Santa to the curb and turn Belsknickel loose upon the land. For more 'Ask A PA Dutchman' episodes and Pennsilfaanisch Deitsch language videos check out Doulgas Madenford's YouTube channel.

→ Belsnickle Santa of yesteryear was not so jolly - The Herald-Dispatch More details here on the legendary Belsnickel. I do take issue with the following... Needless to say the first Belsnickle ...

→ City of Reading embraces ugly Christmas tree - The Morning Call Perhaps Reading should adopt the phenomena of the "Worlds Ugliest Christmas Tree" as a yearly ritual. Pretty, well decorated trees can ...

→ “Days of the Belsnickel” Lunch Tour Pennsylvania at the Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum Start with a video, then take a guided tour through the village, decked out Pennsylvania ...

→ The Two Worlds of the Pennsylvania Dutch Webcast | Library of Congress The Pennsylvania Dutch culture, which is now over three centuries old and still evolving, is an American hybrid ...

In my mind's eye, the fanciful events depicted in Der Belsnickel Suite portray two special days on a family farm in a rustic and sturdy home built from field stone. ...

* I'm still in the process of formatting the Deitsch version. Scroll down for English version. Die Nacht for de Chrischdaag 'S waar die Nacht for de Chrischdaag und dorch es gans Haus ...

→ Homestead Recreating 18th Century Christmas - Pottstown Post Watch out kids because Belsnickel's going to show up! danielboonehomestead.org 12/7: A Homestead Christmas 12-4pm Admission Adult (13+) $6.00, Child (5-12) $4.00. FDBH members free, ...

→ Old-fashioned Christmas in Lehigh County offers look at Pennsylvania German life in 1842 - lehighvalleylive.com Saturday, December 6: 1:00 pm– 6:00 pm, last tour 5:15: A Pennsylvania Dutch Christmas Travel back ...

In the Belsnickel's world, Christmas shouldn't be so enjoyable for the naughty kids. He comes at night, dressed in dirty furs, face blackened with charcoal. He has one purpose: To ...

The sound is not that great but this clip is very informative and well worth watching if you want to learn more about the Pennsylvania Dutch tradtion of Der Belsnickel.

→ ‘Yes Helen, there is a Belsnickel’.

I came across this Belsnickel story on the Appalachian Lifestyles blog by Matthew Burns. He was gracious enough to grant me permission to repost it here. Enjoy. Christmastime in the Land ...

If you are interested in Pennsylvania Dutch culture and folklore, chances are you have heard of Don Yoder. Source: Don Yoder, 'dean' of Pennsylvania Dutch studies, dies at age 93 | ...