It was about this time last year that commuters on Route 422 noticed something unusual rising in Oaks, near the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center. When its installation was complete, it was finally identified as “Tinseltown Holiday Spectacular Presented by Deitz & Watson,” a full-bore, fully interactive, family-friendly, feat of food, folderol, and festivities.

And it’s on its way back for 2023, promoted again by the Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board.

Opening night is Nov. 25, but tickets have been on sale since Oct. 7. And forewarned is forearmed: Numerous dates of this event sold out in 2021.

What Is Tinseltown?

For elves big and little who happened to miss Tinseltown’s debut last year, its centerpiece experience is walking through a 360-degree presentation of oversized sculptures covered in Christmas lights.

More than a million Christmas lights.

But Tinseltown is also an opportunity to shop, eat, enjoy an adult beverage, take Christmas-card worth pictures of the kids, visit Santa and Mrs. Claus (and, on certain nights, Gritty), hear seasonal songs, spend some quality time with a pet (certain nights only), and generally become fully immersed with family and friends in the spirit of the holidays.

“This year’s Tinseltown will have all the magic of last year, but with new experiences that are sure to impress both new and returning visitors. Guests visiting Tinseltown can expect amazing light displays, delicious holiday treats, and so much more,” said Michael Sulkes, Vice President, Events and Entertainment.

New for 2022

For fans who did attend this glittering gem last year, there are a few new and revised enticements to come again:

• Rudolph’s Rink, a skating opportunity to glide on real ice, with the benefit of a timed ticket to make the most of a 30-minute glide of ample artistic axels
• A 160-foot-long “ice slide,” on which kids and adults can grab a mat and whoosh down an incline faster than Frosty the Snowman’s belly-whopping
• Mistletoe Marketplace, a vending area in which local artisans will offer unique items like ornaments, artwork, clothing, and décor. It is doubling in size from the 2021 edition

Certain themed nights allow ticket-holders to overlay their Tinseltown experiences with additional ways to engage in the magic:

• Waggin’ Wednesdays: Guests bring leashed dogs
• Fa La La La La Fridays: Professional choirs sing in concert
• Gritty Claus appearances: Nov. 30, Dec. 8, Dec. 15, Dec. 22
• Sensory-friendly environment nights (limited attendance capacity, toned-down music): Dec. 15, 26

Dates and Times

Tinseltown runs Nov. 30 to Dec. 18, Wed.–Sun., 4:30–10:00 PM, with the last entry sold for 9:00 PM.

Exceptions are Nov. 30, Dec. 1, Dec. 7, Dec. 8, Dec. 15, and Dec. 15, when Tinseltown closes at 9:00 PM and last entries are at 8:00 PM.

On Dec. 19, its calendar expands to Mon.–Sun., 4:30–10:00 PM but retains the last-entry time of 9:00 PM.

Onsite parking is free.

Complete details are online.

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This video is from the inaugural edition of Tinseltown in Oaks last year; the 2022 version has a few new surprises.