News
- Published on: 11/8/2018
This year marks the 50th anniversary for the Park’s department, making our annual Christmas Magic even more special. We will be introducing a new online ticketing system to expedite the admission process and enhance the visitor experience.
Tickets for weekends — Friday, Saturday and Sunday — must be purchased for specific times and in advance at this website.
When: Nov. 23 through Dec. 31 (closed Dec. 24 and 25)
Where: Rocky Ridge County Park Located east of York, 1.5 miles north of U.S. Route 30, off Mount Zion Road (PA Rte. 24). Park address is 3699 Deininger Road, York, PA.
Times: Monday through Thursday, 6 to 9 p.m.; Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 5 to 9 p.m.
Cost: Adults, $10; Ages 4-12, $5; Under age 4, free; Seniors (ages 60+), $9; Children group rate (12 or more), $5; Adult and Senior group rate (12 or more), $7.
Ticketing: Admission to Christmas Magic on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays is by timed tickets only, which can be purchased at yorkcountyparks.org. Reservations will be required, no walk-ins will be permitted Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Timed admission limits the number of people attending Christmas Magic, providing a better visiting experience and less waiting in traffic and lines. Tickets for Monday through Thursday are available online and at the admissions window. Tickets purchased at admission window must be with cash. ATMs are onsite. Buying your ticket online will allow you to bypass the ticket purchase line and go directly to the timed ticket entry window. Timed tickets will be able to be purchased in person or over the phone 717-840-7440 at John Rudy Park.
Who: Sponsored by the York County Department of Parks and Recreation. All proceeds benefit the Parks Department. For information, call the hotline at 717-840-7443 or visit us at the Parks' website. For related updates, you can also follow us on Twitter at @yorkcountyparks or find us on our Facebook page or on the Parks' Instagram.
What: Christmas Magic is a half-mile walking trail accessible to anyone that meanders along a wooded hilltop through nearly 600,000 Christmas lights, holiday scenes and five enclosed, heated pavilions. The spirit of the holiday is displayed by using animation, displays, visits by Santa Claus, food, a G-gauge train display and an O-gauge train display.
Weather: The trail may be closed due to inclement weather. The Park makes a decision on any cancellation as early as possible. To find out the status of the trail, people may call the Christmas Magic hotline at 717-840-7443, follow us on Twitter at @yorkcountyparks or our Facebook page. Pre-purchased, timed tickets will be refunded if York County Parks closes the event due to weather.
TRAFFIC ADVISORY: The busiest nights of Christmas Magic are Fridays and Saturdays. To avoid traffic issues, we encourage visitors to come to Rocky Ridge County Park weekday nights. In the event that we are experiencing high traffic into the park, road signs will be posted along Mt. Zion Road, indicating that visitors must report to the Central York High School parking area. Here you will receive a vehicle pass that will allow you to access Deininger Road and the park when you are instructed to do so. Any vehicle being held at the school will be permitted to visit Christmas Magic that night. York County Sheriff’s Department officers will be located at the intersection of Mt. Zion Road and Deininger Road to only allow vehicles with passes to turn onto Deininger Road. The Parks expects the heaviest traffic flows on Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22 and 23.
History: Christmas Magic began in 1984, the product of an 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.” It takes about 6,000 hours to set up, run, and disassemble Christmas Magic. Last year, a food drive generated 610 pounds of canned goods. To date, this is the largest program presented by the York County Department of Parks and Recreation each year. In 2017, the event set an attendance record with 44,615 visitors.
Lights: In 2018, 600,000 LED lights will greet park visitors. Since 2006, LED mini lights have been introduced to the trail to conserve electricity. All holiday lighting in 2018 will be LED. The LED mini lights save approximately 80 percent on the wattage of incandescent bulbs while the LED C-7 bulbs save about 33 percent wattage.
New for 2018:
• Online ticketing system
• Nixon Park Nature Center wildlife scene
• Santa Claus scene constructed by the Turkey Hill Experience for the second year - providing handouts
• Additional outdoor props
• O-gauge train display by Stillmeadow Crossing Modular Train Group
• New trail themes
• Light-O-Rama, a synchronized lighting program
Parks Food Drive: Visitors are encouraged to bring canned goods to Christmas Magic for donation to the York County Parks Food Drive. The donated items will be presented to York County Food Bank during the Holiday season.
Toys for Tots Nights: For the ninth year, the York County Parks is partnering with Toys for Tots. Anyone bringing a new toy still in the box or container for donation to the Toys for Tots will receive a voucher for a free food item and drink at the Park’s food stand located in White Oak Pavilion. Dates for this are Nov. 23 and 24.
Pet Night: Scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 28. Pet owners are invited to bring their pets to the event and have their picture taken with Santa Claus. Members of the Friends of Canine Meadows will be present to process the picture and place it in a frame for $7. Regular admissions apply. This is the only night that non-service animals are allowed to the event. Rain date is Thursday, Nov. 29.
Special Appearances: Meet the York Revolution’s mascot, Downtown, roaming the trails or Christmas Magic. Dates to be posted at a later date.
Media Sponsors: Cumulus Broadcasting (WSBA 910/WINK 103/96.1 WSOX and AM 1440)