Three December Events Bring Seasonal Magic to Phillips’ Mill

Reported on Friday, November 28, 2025.

Pictured Above: Event art for the Phillips’ Mill event on Dec. 18th, titled “Promises to Keep: A Yuletide Ceremony. Photo Credit: Contributed.

NEWSROOM POST: NEW HOPE, PENNSYLVANIA

Discover three festive December events at Phillips’ Mill, including a holiday soirée, storytelling salon, and ghost story readings in New Hope, PA.

New Hope, PA, – Phillips’ Mill is celebrating the spirit of the season with three festive events throughout December, offering members and the community opportunities to gather, create, share stories, and enjoy the warmth of togetherness during the holiday season. From a festive holiday soirée to a beloved storytelling salon and a winter-solstice-inspired night of ghost tales, there is something for everyone at the Mill this month.

Holiday Soirée – A Festive Tradition

Monday, December 1 | 5:30–7:30 PM

Kick off the holiday season with a lively evening at the Mill featuring good cheer, delicious and heart-healthy hors d’oeuvres, and the Mill’s signature killer punch and classic eggnog. Hosted by the Phillips’ Mill Drama Committee, this gathering is open to Mill members and their guests.

NEW THIS YEAR: Guests are invited to create and sell a holiday wreath at the soirée. Creators may design, price, and display their festive wreaths for purchase, with 40 percent of each sale benefiting Phillips’ Mill and 60 percent going to the maker. The wreaths will serve as part of the evening’s décor.

The soirée also features a warm and spirited group sing-along of traditional holiday songs accompanied by keyboard—an uplifting way to welcome the season.

Holiday Storytelling Salon – Winter Tales Shared in Community

Sunday, December 7 | 3:00 PM

Phillips’ Mill’s beloved Salon series returns with a special holiday edition celebrating personal stories of winter wonder, family memories, seasonal mishaps, and heartfelt traditions.

Participants are invited to bring a five-minute personal story inspired by the season.

“Storytelling is one of the oldest human traditions—a way to connect, reflect, and celebrate what matters most,” says Salon host John McDonnell. “We all have stories to tell.”

Based on the 19th-century salons of Paris, London, and New York, the Phillips’ Mill Salon gathers writers, actors, artists, and creative thinkers of all kinds in a welcoming atmosphere.

Admission: Members & students free; non-members $10.
To sign up to share a story, contact John McDonnell at mcdonnellwrite@gmail.com.

Promises to Keep: A Yuletide Ceremony – Night of Ghost Story Readings for the Whole Family

Thursday, December 18 | Evening Event

Long before the winter solstice became synonymous with travel, gift-giving, and holiday logistics, it was a time for gathering around fires to share ghost stories—tales meant to spook, delight, and bring families closer together.

Phillips’ Mill continues this old-world tradition with Promises to Keep, an evening of ghost story readings designed to offer a fun, atmospheric “tonic” for holiday stress.

Attendees will enjoy four ghost stories delivered as 15-minute monologues by returning and new actors to the Phillips’ Mill stage:

Kim Cicconi

Griffin Horn

Carlos Jiga

Jacob Ryan

Warm cider and popcorn will be served as the audience settles in for an imaginative night of chills and charm.

Admission: Adults $10; Children ages 7–12 free.

Phillips’ Mill Community Association has been serving the creative community in our area since its founding in 1929 and is located at 2619 River Road, New Hope, PA 18938. 215-862-0582. www.phillipsmill.org.