Independent Arts News Reporting 
Pictured Above: Winter bird watchers. Photo Credit: Bucks County Audubon Society’s website.
Restoring Your Artistic Soul and Wallet this New Year
By Mandee K. Hammerstein and Devon Beacham
Refill with these 10 Free Arts and Cultural Experiences in Bucks County This January 2025
After the holiday dashing around, it’s clear we’re all in need of a comforting and rhythmic reset—something low-key, low-cost, and soul-soothing. January is the perfect time to recharge, and rediscover the simple joys of art, culture, and even nature in this brisk weather.
As a New Hope local and founder of Arts News Now, I’m excited to team up with my daughter, Devon Beacham—a film major at Emerson College and remote contributor to Arts News Now—together, we’re happy to share with you a curated list of free arts and cultural activities in Bucks County.
Pictured Above: “Perihelion” by Mark Pettegrow are Randy Ragasto and Pettegrow. Photo Credit: Sourced.
1. Winter Wonderland Sculpture Walk
Explore historic New Hope while enjoying its outdoor sculpture walk. Discover impressive works by local and regional artists in a charming winter setting. The current map is linked below and will be updated for 2025.
Location: New Hope, PA
Dates: Daily year-round
Website & Map: Public Arts Program
2. The New Hope Library Art Exhibition
The New Hope Free Library showcases local artists in their ongoing exhibits. Visit for a quiet afternoon of art appreciation.
Location: Various Bucks County Library branches
Dates: Ongoing
Website: New Hope Free Library
Pictured Above: The New Hope Arts Center during an opening reception. Photo Credit: ArtsNewsNow.com in 2024.
3. New Hope Arts Center Opening Reception
Stop by the New Hope Arts Center’s Opening Reception for a preview of the latest exhibition – the Members’ Salon, featuring over 115 works of art from photography, paintings, mixed media and more. Devon and I have been going to opening nights at New Hope Arts with friends in tow since she was 10 and now being over 21, she can have a complimentary glass of wine when she attends! New Hope Arts is a perfect outing for art lovers of all ages and a great place to mingle with creative people!
Location: New Hope Arts Center
Date: Saturday, January 11, 2025
Website: New Hope Arts
4. Free Museum Day at the James A. Michener Art Museum
The Michener Art Museum always serves as a warm-welcome for art appreciation and inspiration this time of year for us especially. We we’re happy to confirm the museum still offers free admission on the second Sundays of each month (next up, January 12th). Explore the museum’s impressive collection of Pennsylvania Impressionism and special exhibitions – there’s even a free paper lantern making class that is also free, but you guessed it, the class is full!
Location: Doylestown, PA
Date: Sunday, January 12, 2025
Website: Michener Art Museum
5. Evening Healthy Hikes at Washington Crossing Historic Park
This time of year, heading outdoors may sound intimidating but if you get inspired by history and the idea of brisk air and like-minded people, why not join the park naturalist for a quickly paced 2-mile hike along the trails of WCHP! Register by visiting the link below or email: mtruesdale@pa.gov
Location: Washington Crossing Historic Park
Date: Monday, January 15, 2025
Website: Washington Crossing Historic Park
6. MagiKava in New Hope – Open Mic Nights – Wednesdays
Sip tea and listen to open mic nights every Wednesday, MagiKava attracts young artists and is nestled within Main Street – you can catch Devon and friends relaxing and chatting film, books and more there when she’s home on college break!
Location: New Hope Borough, 87 Main Street
Date: Every Wednesday
Website: MagiKava
7. Fire. Ice & Last of Holiday Lights at Peddler’s Village
Wander through the scenic village and view live fire artistry and ice carving demonstrations which include over 30 ice sculptures. Peddler’s Village will have live DJ music. This is also the last chance to experience the holiday lights and gingerbread house competition. Living down the road from Peddler’s Village, Devon and I have the benefit of going off hours and seeing the sites anytime we crave to remedy cabin fever quickly.
Location: Peddler’s Village, Lahaska
Date: January 10, 11, & 17, 18, 2025
Website: Peddler’s Village
Pictured Above: Outside of Dharma Bums. Photo Credit: Contributed.
8. Upstairs Open Mic Night at Dharma Bums
What better way to get out and together while breaking out of your comfort zone while feeling comfortable? Open Mic! Every 3rd Sunday, we hear Dharma Bums hosts an open mic night – offering up music, comedy, poetry and more! We’ve experienced the pub (with some picky eaters we might add) and the music, we imagine open mic is just as fun & the best part, it’s open to all ages! Side note, there’s a drum circle on Sunday, January 12th too – donation based.
Location: Dharma Bums, River Road, New Hope
Date: 3rd Sunday each month, 12 – 3pm
Website: DBums.com
Pictured Above: A bluejay. Photo Credit: Bucks County Audubon Society website.
9. Birding at Honey Hollow
Take your pup friends as we do and head for a meditative birding stroll at Honey Hollow – made possible by the Bucks County Audubon Society, guests can even arrange the use of Birding Backpacks! Plus, you can download a free birding checklist on the link below! Feeling creative, bring your favorite camera, snap a pic of a given winter bird and create your next sketch, painting or conversation piece! The next scheduled group bird walk is set for January 18, 2025 from 8 am- 10 am – BYOB – Bring your own binoculars (or you can borrow on site).
Location: Creamery Road, New Hope/Solebury
Date: Year-round, hours: Dawn to Dusk
Website: BCAS.org
10. Bucks County Guild of Craftsmen Exhibition
Wrap up the month with viewing the last couple of weeks and view the Bucks County Guild of Craftsmen Exhibition and Sale – A wide range of fine craft media and art includes ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, millinery, painting, photography, weaving and wood turning and is also available for immediate purchase! After viewing the exhibit, continue on a stroll through campus and take a gander at the Tyler Mansion and sculptures by Stella Elkins Tyler.
Location: Hicks Art Center Gallery at the Bucks County Community College, Newtown pa
Date: Now through January 25, 2025 (Hours: Monday – Friday, 10 – 6 pm & Saturdays 12 – 4 pm
Website: Hicks Art Center Gallery
Wishing you the best self-journey January yet! If you think there’s an event we should include, be sure to share it with us—we love hearing from you! Simply email Editor@ArtsNewsNow.com. For more all-art news and updates, visit ArtsNewsNow.com.
January can truly be a fantastic time to check back in with yourself and explore *free arts and culture events in Bucks County*. We hope this list inspires you, helps you stay active, while embracing the wintery season. Lastly, if you’re looking for a free event to celebrate MLK Day with the family on January 20th – cross the water and head into Princeton, NJ to the Arts Council of Princeton for a free art day workshop, details here.
