Philadelphia may not be as well known for its holiday festivities as its neighbor to the north, but this only makes celebrating Christmas in Philadelphia a bit of a hidden gem. There are Christmas markets, skating rinks, and holiday lights galore — without the throngs of people and exorbitant hotel rates.
It seems like Philly gets overlooked when it comes to the holidays, but that is a shame (or a great hidden secret, depending on how you look at it). There is so much to do at Christmas in Philly, for locals and tourists alike, plus you have great historical sights, museums, and terrific restaurants.
The holiday season kicks off early with the 6abc Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade (the longest-running Thanksgiving Parade in the country) and goes straight through New Year’s Eve fireworks on the Waterfront and the famous Mummers Parade on New Year’s Day.
12 Ways to Celebrate Christmas in Philadelphia
Here is a sampling of how you can enjoy Philadelphia around the holidays.
1. Christmas Village at LOVE Park
From before Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve, LOVE Park transforms into a German-style Christmas Village. (Check current dates and hours. ) The outdoor market features food stalls with waffles, gingerbread, spaetzle, candies, and more, as well as shops with 110 vendors from around the world.
Get into the holiday spirit while sipping mulled wine from local wineries in souvenir mugs and snack on mouth-watering raclette (melted cheese spread onto bread), Bratwurst grilled over hot coals, and local craft beers.
You can shop for gifts like Christmas ornaments from Germany and other handcrafts and watch performances from local bands and dance groups. Plus, you can take a picture with the iconic LOVE sculpture!
Christmas Village offers a double-decker carousel in the middle of the City Hall courtyard and visitors can also ride a 65′ high Ferris Wheel in the North Broad Section of the Village. There is also a kiddie choo choo train. You may even have a chance to meet the Village mascot, Phil the Reindeer.
After visiting the Christkindlmarkt in Chicago, I fully expected the village to be jam-packed with crowds on a Friday night, but I was pleasantly surprised. The park is large enough to allow for space between the aisles for people to easily pass. The booths weren’t blocked by lines of people waiting for food. And there was a nice picnic seating area to enjoy all the delicious treats.
While the vendors weren’t all traditional German handicrafts and not all were Christmas-related (like the guy selling truffle oil), I still rate this as one of my favorite markets because of the food and the space to move around. For me, overwhelming crowds can really detract from my enjoyment of an experience or destination.
Dates and Hours:
Nov 18th – Dec 24th, 2023
12:00 pm to 8:00 pm daily
Location:
Christmas Village is located at LOVE Park in the heart of Center City at 1500 Arch Street, Philadelphia PA 19102
2. Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest
Located not far from the Old City near Penn’s Landing, the Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest has been ringing in the holidays for nearly 30 years. Winterfest offers visitors and locals everything they need to enjoy some winter outdoor fun with a great view of the Ben Franklin Bridge.
There is a regulation-size ice rink, outdoor fire pits, cozy warming cabins, boardwalk rides and games, comfy couches, delicious food and hot beverages, and the signature holiday tree. Winterfest is free to enter and open to the public, but amenities such as ice skating and cabin and firepit experiences should be booked in advance.
Dates:
November 24, 2023 to early March 2024 (free ice skating on opening day, reserve tickets in advance.)
Location:
101 South Columbus Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19106
3. Winter in Dilworth Park
Dilworth Park beside City Hall transforms into a winter wonderland packed with fun attractions.
Ice Skating at Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink
You can skate outdoors just beside City Hall at Rothman Rink in Dilworth Park. The rink offers timed tickets, good for 90-minute skating sessions. Book skating sessions online to ensure availability.
Rothman Orthopaedics Cabin
After skating, relax over food and drink in a ski-chalet-type setting or outdoors around fire pits at the Rothman Orthopaedics Cabin. This is a cozy après-skate spot for snacks, cocktails, beer, and hot drinks. There is also a front-row view of the skaters.
The Ice Rink and Cabin are open from November 10, 2023 through February 25, 2023.
Wintergarden on the Greenfield Lawn
The Wintergarden on the Greenfield Lawn is an outdoor sanctuary in the middle of Center City. Children and adults will enjoy the rustic décor, reindeer topiaries, and twinkling lights, while adults can also purchase warm mulled wine at the Chaddsford Winery kiosk.
Wintergarden is open from November 3, 2023 – March 17, 2024.
Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market
Purchase locally-made gifts from 40 vendors spread throughout the park offering handmade crafts, jewelry, clothing, home décor and treats. The Holiday Market is open from November 10, 2023, to January 1, 2024.
Deck the Hall Holiday Light Show
The Deck the Hall Light Show is one of Philadelphia’s most unique holiday attractions. Holiday lights are projected onto the west facade of the Historic City Hall and synchronized with sound effects at the top of the hour nightly from 5:00 to 9:00 pm, daily.
Location:
1 S 15th St (West Side of City Hall), Philadelphia, PA 19102
Holiday Tree at City Hall
The annual holiday tree arrives on the north side of City Hall for the official ceremonial tree lighting will take place on November 30, 2023 at 7:00 pm.
4. Franklin Square Holiday Festival
Close to Old City’s Independence Hall, Franklin Square hosts a Holiday Festival “Winter in Franklin Square” from November 16, 2023, through February 25, 2024. The centerpiece of the festival is the free Ben Franklin-inspired Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light show featuring over 200,000 lights that are coordinated to holiday music from Mariah Carey.
The light show takes place daily every 30 minutes between 5:00 pm and closing when Franklin Square is open. Franklin Square also hosts special events including: Santa’s Arrival, Jingle and Mingle with Santa, Hannukah Celebration with Old City Jewish Arts Center, Kwanzaa Celebration with the African American Museum, and a Kids’ New Year’s Eve Countdown.
Families will enjoy this because there is also a carousel and the city’s only Philadelphia-themed “Chilly Philly” mini golf course. There is even street curling!
In addition to treats such as some delicious churros and burgers at SquareBurger in Franklin Square, there is also a Ben’s Sweets & Treats Tent featuring make-your-own-s’mores, local brews, cocktails, and hot beverages. You can enjoy these treats while sitting around one of the many fire pits and watching the light show.
Dates and Hours:
November 16, 2023, to January 7, 2024, from 10 am to 9 pm; January 8, 2024, to February 25, 2024, from 10 am to 7 pm (Thurs-Sun); December 24 and December 31 from 10 am to 8 pm; January 15 to February 19, 2024, from 10 am to 7 pm. Closed: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, & New Year’s Day
Location:
Franklin Square, 200 N. 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
5. Macy’s Holiday Light Show & Dickens’ Village
Macy’s continues the Wanamaker tradition of a holiday light show, which has been running since 1956. The famed Wanamaker Organ accompanies more than 100,000 lights that create holiday images like snowflakes, ballerinas, and reindeer in the center city store’s Grand Court atrium.
In addition to the interior holiday light show, the store’s elaborate window displays rival its sister store in NYC. They have also transformed the third floor into a Dickens Village for the holiday season with a 6,000 square-foot village and more than 100 animated figures from A Christmas Carol. You walk through various scenes from the story, including visits from the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future.
Advance tickets are required to visit Dickens Village. Starting on November 24, 2023, you can make a reservation online five days in advance of your visit.
Just be prepared to get there early to catch one of the light shows at 10 am, 12 pm, 2 pm, etc. Keep in mind that there will be a long line to visit Dickens Village if you head to the third floor directly after one of the light shows.
Therefore, you may want to leave a little time in between so you can enjoy the displays without the pressure of the crowd. It helps to understand the story of A Christmas Carol in advance, but kids can always enjoy a visit with Santa at the end. And, of course, you will exit into an area selling toys.
Dates and Hours:
November 24 – December 31, 2023 (Santa’s last day is December 24th) from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm except Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve when it is 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Location:
Macy’s, 1300 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA
6. Miracle on South 13th Street
Each year, a neighborhood on South 13th Street in South Philly takes it upon itself to decorate for the holidays in a manner worth a visit. This one-block stretch of row houses goes all out with lights, signs, music, and other decorations both outside and in their windows.
It is worth finding a spot to park and walking up and down the block to see the details these residents have incorporated, from writing a letter to Santa to inflatables ready for Instagram poses. You can find this phenomenon on South 13th Street between Tasker and Morris Streets.
7. Christmas in Longwood Gardens
One of my favorite things to do near Philadelphia at Christmas is visit Longwood Gardens for A Longwood Christmas. Longwood’s amazing gardens and outdoor holiday light display will get you in the festive spirit.
Each year is different so even if you have already been, it is worth a return trip. You will need a timed-entry ticket and it is recommended that you visit mid-week if you can, or at least early in the season.
I can say that visiting in early December versus right after Christmas made a HUGE difference in the crowd levels (for the better), plus, it was much warmer and more enjoyable to spend a longer time outside.
Longwood Gardens covers 402 acres in Brandywine Valley and was once the home of business and philanthropist Pierre S. du Ponte. A Longwood Christmas includes exhibits in the four-acre Conservatory and 500,000 lights outside. There are fountains that dance to seasonal music, organ music, holiday caroling, and even special events like breakfast with Santa.
I think it is best to book a mid-to-late afternoon ticket. That way you can arrive and tour the inside conservatories while it is still light (these usually take at least an hour.) This way you can still see the grounds in the dark and enjoy all the outdoor holiday lights before the night gets too cold.
What I learned on my recent visit is that it is a good idea to make a reservation at 1906, the fine dining restaurant on the property. I was blown away by the quality of the food, presentation, and service. Certainly not what I would have expected from a restaurant inside a botanical garden. If the fine dining option is not in your budget, you can also eat at the quick service cafe.
Keep in mind that nearby Kennett Square is the capital for mushroom growing so be sure to try the mushroom soup and anything else mushroom on the menu. Even the bread is served in individual flower pots and look like big mushrooms.
Location:
1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, PA
8. Comcast Holiday Spectacular
The Comcast Center’s annual super high-res LED holiday show is back in the lobby of the city’s second-tallest building on one of the world’s largest LED continuous video walls.
This 15-minute family-friendly show features classic holiday songs and performances by the Pennsylvania Ballet. There are also free photos with Santa. Programming kicks off Thanksgiving Day and runs through New Year’s Day.
Location:
1701 JFK Blvd Philadelphia, PA 19103, Comcast Center Lobby
9. HOliday Light Show at Shady Brook Farm
There are many other holiday celebrations in the greater Philadelphia area, including the Holiday Light Show at Shady Brook Farm in Yardley, Pennsylvania in Bucks County. They use more than three million lights to create a holiday spectacle that you can drive through, or ride through in wagons.
There are illuminated tunnels and celebratory nighttime displays. You can also visit Santa and enjoy hot chocolate by the bonfire. Tune your radio to 90.7 FM to listen to holiday faves as you drive through.
Tickets can be purchased online in advance of your visit (and are cheaper than buying them at the gate). Included with admission is a walk-through of the Candy Cane Lane light show.
Dates and Hours:
The Holiday Light Show runs from November 18, 2023 through January 8, 2024. Sunday through Thursday from 5:00 to 8:00 pm and Friday and Saturday from 5:00 to 9:00 pm.
Location:
931 Stony Hill Rd. Yardley, PA 19067
10. Adventure Aquarium in Camden
Just across the river in Camden, NJ, Adventure Aquarium offers a way to get out of the cold and entertain the kids for a while. In addition to seeing hippos and touching stingrays, if you visit at Christmas you may get to see Rudolph and the Abominable Snowman as we did on our visit. Christmas Underwater takes place from November 24 through December 24, 2023, when Scuba Santa returns to dive with sharks, sea turtles, and rays.
Location:
1 Riverside Dr, Camden, NJ 08103
11. LumiNature at the Philadelphia Zoo
The Philadelphia Zoo comes alight for the holidays with more than a million twinkling lights across 14 illuminated zones. New displays include a 15-foot tall glowing blue gorilla and an under-the-sea-inspired holiday tree.
Guests will also travel through a 100-foot-long aquarium tunnel (complete with enormous jellyfish) and past a 21-foot-tall brilliantly bright snake. Warm up with seasonal fare, hot chocolate, and adult beverages while enjoying live performers.
Reserve your tickets online in advance.
Dates and Hours:
November 17, 2023 – December 31, 2023
Operating days are Wednesday through Sunday (closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day), with reservations available from 5:00 p.m. through 8:00 p.m. LumiNature will close at 10:00 p.m. each night.
Location:
3400 West Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA
12. Holiday Garden Railway at the Morris Arboretum
Train enthusiasts will enjoy the annual Holiday Garden Railway at the historic Morris Arboretum. Model trains chug along a quarter-mile track through a mini-winter wonderland along loops, through tunnels and over bridges, past perfect little replicas of beloved Philadelphia landmarks.
On select Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings throughout the season, visitors enjoy the railway amid thousands of twinkling lights as part of the after-hours Holiday Garden Railway: Nighttime Express programming. Lighted trees and other colored lights make the garden even more magical. Advance tickets are required and can be purchased online.
Dates and Hours:
The Holiday Garden Railway runs from November 25 through December 30, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. The Arboretum is closed December 24 & 25 or for inclement weather.
Location:
100 E. Northwestern Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118
13. Tinseltown Holiday Spectacular
South Philly’s FDR Park turns into a winter wonderland with the Tinseltown Holiday Spectacular, where you can skate along a winding ice trail or glide down a 160-foot-long ice slide. Shop at the Mistletoe Marketplace to find that perfect gift from a collection of local vendors selling original art, seasonal treats, and other goods, or grab a bite to eat and an adult beverage inside the Union Forge Lodge.
Philly sports fans will love getting photos with Gritty Claus every Friday in December. Dogs are also welcome on Wednesdays and families can enjoy storytime at Mrs. Claus’ reading room, where she shares the magic of the season with live readings of her favorite holiday stories.
Dates:
November 17, 2023 to January 1, 2024. Advance tickets are required!
Location:
Tinseltown is located within FDR Park in South Philadelphia, next to the Philadelphia Sports Complex. The Entrance to Tinseltown is located off of 20th Street and Pattison, there is NO entry at Broad Street and Pattison.
BONUS: Mummers Parade
Of course, if you are sticking around for New Year’s Day, the Mummers Parade is a Philadelphia tradition that is not to be missed. It dates back to 1901 and can only be found in Philadelphia. The parade involves thousands of adults and kids wearing feathers and sequins while dancing to music and parading along Broad Street from City Hall to Washington Avenue.
The night before features fireworks over the Delaware River and before the parade, MummersFest gives visitors a behind-the-scenes look at set-building, rehearsals, and opportunities to dress up.
Looking for Christmas Travel Ideas?
You may also want to check out:
- Places to go for Christmas on the East Coast
- Best Christmas Hotels in the USA
- Longwood Gardens at Christmas
- Tips for Visiting Historical Philadelphia
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Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Publisher of We3Travel. A former marketing executive and travel advisor, Tamara is an award-winning travel writer and recognized expert in family travel. Tamara is a member of SATW and the Adventure Travel Trade Association, and serves on the Board of the Family Travel Association. She is also the publisher of YourTimetoFly.com and the co-host of the Vacation Mavens travel podcast.
