Shops along Germantown Ave. sparkle with lights during the holiday season

Stag & Doe Nights return to Chestnut Hill for three magical Wednesday nights ‘til 9 p.m. in December, when shops along Germantown Avenue hold extended business hours and provide shoppers with twinkling white tree lights and greenery, roasted chestnuts, refreshments, and live music.

Residents and visitors of all ages enjoy these nights every year—but many don’t know how it started. Kate O’Neill of the Chestnut Hill Business Association explained to us how Chestnut Hill began such a tradition.

Shortly after World War II, a night was reserved on the Avenue for husbands to shop for their wives’ Christmas gifts, appropriately named stag night. The strategy to Stag Night was that wives would share their gift wishes with shopkeeper Santas before their husbands arrived.

As this tradition continued, wives came to realize that there was a bit more than shopping going on: Shopkeepers and restaurants were making it a very jolly night out, providing the Stags drinks as they shopped for their Doe’s gifts.

The best solution, as far as the wives were concerned, called for inviting the wives to join in. Soon, Stag & Doe Nights became as much a couples and family night out as a gift night, and Chestnut Hill has expanded on the beverage menu by providing live street musicians, cider and wine, and other entertainment.

Now, when the sun goes down Wednesday nights in December, Chestnut Hill’s Germantown Avenue lights up with music, luminaries, and stellar gift shopping. And yes, you can still make a holiday gift wish: Just drop your list off with your favorite Santa—er-- shopkeeper!

Gather friends and family and see a true community gather in spirit and song for Stag & Doe Nights on Wednesdays, Dec. 9, 16, & 23.

Know stores open for Stag & Doe Night:

Apothecary Garden - until 8 p.m.

Bird in Hand - until 8 p.m.

Breadenbacks - until 7:30 p.m.

Bugay’s - until 9 p.m.

Chestnut Hill Flower and Garden - until 8:30 p.m.

Chestnut Hill Camera - until 8 p.m.

Chestnut Hill Cheese Shop - until 9 p.m.

Chestnut Hill Sports - until 9 p.m.

Cobblestone Fine Gifts - until 9 p.m.

Delphine Gallery - until 9 p.m.

El Quetzal - until 9 p.m.

The Bone Appetite - until 9 p.m.

The Candle Shop - until 9 p.m.

George Hobe Antiques - until 9 p.m.

Hideaway Music - until 9 p.m.

Intermission - until 9 p.m.

Kitchen Kapers - until 9 p.m.

Lavender Hill - until 8 p.m.

Lemons & Limes - until 9 p.m.

Pacific Leather - until 9 p.m.

Penzeys Spices - until 9 p.m.

Roots, Inc. - until 8 p.m.

10,000 Villages - until 9 p.m.

The Paperia - until 8 p.m.