Looking for a way to celebrate the Holidays with your company, civic organization, scout troop or civic organization? Call Jeri Jones at (717) 840-7226 for more details. Special opening time, discounted admissions and Santa visits can be included in your planning.
 


Please bring a canned food item along to give to the Parks Rangers Food Drive.

(Call our informational line (717) 840-7443 for trail closings and updates.

Where:
Rocky Ridge County Park located east of York - a mile and a half north of Route 30 off Mount Zion Road (Route 24)

Official Radio Stations:
Cumulus Broadcasting -
WSBA 910
WARM 103.3
96.1 WSOX

O
fficial TV Station:
WGAL TV 8

Print Coupon - Buy One Adult, Get one Free (Good Mon-Thurs only, Nov. 30 - Dec. 17)

New for 2009
 1. Additional LED lighting
 2. Santa Claus building decorated
     by Strathmeyer Landscaping

 3. Additional indoor displays
 4. Larger Penquin village
 5. Larger G-guage train display
 6. New entertainment stage
 7. Barnyard Christmas scene
 8. Synchronized lighting
 9. Additional drive-through arches
10. Modern restroom
When:
November 27 - December 31
(Closed Dec. 24, 25 )


Times: 
Monday through Friday, 6 to 9 p.m.  Saturday and Sunday 5  to 9 p.m.

Costs:
Adults, $8;  Ages 4-12, $6
Under age 4, Free,
Seniors(60+) $7
Groups: 12+ adults - $7 each
Groups: 12+ children - $5 each



What:
: Christmas Magic is a 0.5 mile long walking trail (accessible to anyone) that meanders through 400,000 Christmas lights, holiday scenes and five enclosed heated pavilions. The spirit of the Holiday is displayed by using animation, displays, Santa Claus, food and G-gauge train display. The trail sits among a mature oak forest nestled on a quiet mountaintop.

Lights: : In 2009, 400,000 lights will greet Park visitors. Since 2006, LED mini lights and C- 7 bulbs have been introduced to the trail to conserve electric. Each year, additional LED lights are being added to the program. The LED mini lights save about 80% on the wattage while the LED C-7 bulbs save about 33% wattage. Rope lighting and other special lighting will also be used.

Background:
Christmas Magic is in its 26th season this year.  It began in 1984, the product of the "energy crunch" , when fewer homes were decorating, yet there was still a desire to see Christmas lights locally.  In 1984 a small budget allowed for
10,000 lights and props, most produced by the Parks Department. Today,
the props are produced commercially and “in-house.” This is the largest program
presented by the York County Department of Parks and Recreation each year.

2009 Participants:
Friends of the Heritage Rail Trail Corridor
Friends of Wallace-Cross Mill
Strathmeyer Landscaping
Strathmeyer Forests
Susquehanna Valley Garden Railroad Society
York County Conservation District


 

Neat Stuff...

 In 1984, park staff hung some 8,000 lights in the trees.
It takes about 3,000 hours to set up, run and disassemble Christmas
     Magic.

Christmas Magic is one of three major Christmas events in southeastern
    Pennsylvania and is the only event set in a woodland environment.

The largest attendance occurred in 2006 with a total of 41,272 visitors.
In 2008, the trail was closed 9 of the scheduled 36 nights due to
     inclement weather, but the nightly average attendance was over 1100
     visitors.
Nearly 2000 hours of volunteer time was accumulated at the 2008
     event.
Since 1999, the Parks Ranger food drive has brought in 5100 items.
In 2008, 21 civic organizations decorated Christmas trees on the
     interiors of the buildings.
 
Special Recognitions:

*  Best Special Event in Pennsylvania by the PA Recreation & Parks
    Society
in 1992

*  Top 13 Holiday Events in the Country by Wall Street Journal in 2003

*  Top 10 Holiday Events in Pennsylvania as recognized by the
    Philadelphia Inquirer in 2004.

*  2006 – Welcomed the 500,000th visitor to Christmas Magic

*  2006 – Celebrated our One Millionth Annual Visitor to the Parks
 

 

Special Nights:

Although every night is special as one walks the 0.5 mile magical trail, here are some special events that you do not want to miss. They include:

November 30thPet Night hosted by the Friends of Canine Meadows. Bring your pet (the only night that pets are allowed on the trail) and have their picture taken with Santa. The picture will be framed and presented to you for $5.00. Proceeds benefit Friends of Canine Meadow. Regular admission rates apply. Pets are admitted free.

November 30th, December 1st and 2ndToys for Tots Night. Bring a new toy still in its box or container, present the toy to Toys for Tots and receive a “Buy One Admission – Get One Free” discount.

December 15th - 12:00 p.m. - Ice carving by the York Culinary Arts students. Carvings will be on display along trail as long as weather permits.

December 16th - Doug Allen- WGAL TV 8 Backyard weather.


Municipal Week: Municipalities and recreation departments are invited to participate in presenting their residents with discounted admission. The municipality runs an ad for the event and their residents receive a “Buy One – Get One Free” coupon.
 

2009 CHRISTMAS MAGIC MUNICIPALITY NIGHTS

November 27 - December 5 Hellam Township
 
December 6 - 12 Dover Borough
North Codorus Township
Shrewsbury Borough
Spring Garden Township
West Manchester Township
Wrightsville Borough
Yoe Borough
York Township
 
December 13 - 19 City of York
Dallastown Boro
East Manchester Township
Hallam Boro
Red Lion Borough
Springettsbury Township
Spring Grove Borough
Warrington Township
Windsor Township/Borough
Winterstown Borough
 
December 20 - 26 Glen Rock Borough

Download Christmas Magic Poster to
printout and share with someone
(Print Poster Now )

2009 Entertainment Schedule

November 27 - Keith Grim - Acoustic Guitarist
November 28 - Shrewsbury Assembly of God Church Bell Choir
November 29 - York Area Suzuki Superbows - Strings
November 30 -  Black Rock Twirlers
December 01 -  Wetzel Robertson - Acoustic Guitarist and Vocals
December 02 -  Jerry and Mary Variety Duo
December 03 - Leah Burkey – Vocals
December 04 - Jerry and Mary Variety Duo
December 05 - Margaret Lischer - Vocals
December 06 - Leah Burkey - Vocals
December 07 - Northeastern Middle/High School Music Departments
December 08 - Wetzel Robertson - Acoustic Guitarist and Vocals
December 09 - Wanda's Cadettes, Todd Eckert Band
December 10 - Wetzel Robertson - Acoustic Guitarist and Vocals,  Pottery's Clay
December 11 - Nan Graybill - Vocals
December 12 - Keith Grim - Acoustic Guitarist
December 13 - Colby Joines – Acoustic Guitarist
December 14 - Behavior Nightmare – Classic Rock and Roll
December 15 - The Chapelmen – Quartet
December 16 - Behavior Nightmare – Classic Rock and Roll
December 17 - Leah Burkey – Vocals
December 18 - Nan Graybill – Vocals
December 19 - Dover Women’s String Ensemble
December 20 - Keil Holland - Acoustic Guitarist
December 21 - Linda Huber - Autoharpist
December 22 - Leah Burkey – Vocals
December 23 - Keil Holland – Acoustic Guitarist
December 24 - CLOSED
December 25 - CLOSED
December 26 - River Rhythm Ramblers - Bluegrass
December 27 - Colby Joines – Acoustic Guitarist
December 28 - Jerry and Mary Variety Duo
December 29 - Leah Burkey – Vocals
December 30 - Jerry and Mary Variety Duo
December 31 - Jerry and Mary Variety Duo