Top Holiday Activities in Philadelphia

There are plenty of festive things to do during the holiday season in Philadelphia. Here’s a list of seasonal activities, attractions, and experiences to add to your holiday itinerary.

Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market

Dates: November 15, 2024 – January 1, 2025
Neighborhood: Center City
Address: Dilworth Park (1 S 15th St.)

The Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market is a great place to get some holiday shopping done. Dozens of local artisans sell holiday-inspired crafts, gifts, and other goods at this market. Enjoy food, confections, and local beer from stands set up on the West side of historic City Hall.

LumiNature at Philadelphia Zoo

Dates: November 21, 2024 – January 4, 2025 
Neighborhood: West Philadelphia
Address: Philadelphia Zoo (3400 W Girard Ave.)

Head to America’s first zoo for LumiNature at the Philadelphia Zoo. More than a million lights create dozens of illuminating, animal-themed displays that are spread throughout the grounds. Experience different themed zones, including the popular Penguin Prismatic area, featuring a 40-foot-tall penguin that glimmers with 40,000 lights. Another whimsical zone is the Shimmer River, featuring a 100-foot-long tunnel made of 4,000 lights that create scenes from growing vines to blooming flowers.

A Longwood Christmas

Dates: November 22, 2024 – January 12, 2025
Neighborhood: The Countryside of Philadelphia
Address: Longwood Gardens (1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square)

A Longwood Christmas at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square is worth the trip. Stroll the 1,000+ acre property to admire beautifully decorated trees and other holiday light displays. Or relax and warm up beside one of several fire pits. Visit in the evening to see the entire property glow with half-a-million carefully strung holiday lights.

Philadelphia Christmas Village

Dates: November 23 – December 24, 2024
Neighborhood: Center City
Address: LOVE Park (Arch St.) and the north apron of City Hall (1400 JFK Blvd.)

Across the street from the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market, is Philadelphia Christmas Village, the city’s authentic German Christmas market. Every year, more than 100 local artisans sell hand-crafted goods out of traditional wooden shopping stalls. The annual market features a beer garden, as well as family-friendly activities, including a carousel, Ferris wheel, and a train for children.

Holidays at the Comcast Center Campus

Dates: November 29, 2024 – January 3, 2025
Neighborhood: Center City
Address: Comcast Center Lobby (1701 JFK Blvd.) and Comcast Technology Center (1800 Arch St)

The Comcast Holiday Spectacular at the Comcast Center features performances by the Philadelphia Ballet to classic holiday songs. Visitors are welcome into the center’s lobby to stand and watch the 15-minute show on a massive screen. And if you’re hungry, head downstairs to The Concourse at Comcast Center, a food court filled with casual dining options.

Across the street at the Comcast Technology Center, guests can step into The Universal Sphere™ and experience DreamWorks Shrek’s Festive Flight. Join Shrek, Donkey, and friends on a cinematic, interactive, magical journey to the North Pole. Guests can also decorate gingerbread cookies and watch them come to life at the North Pole Bakery.

Holiday Attractions at Macy’s

Dates: November 29 – December 31, 2024
Neighborhood: Center City
Address: Macy’s (1300 Market St.)

The Macy’s Christmas Light Show in the historic Wanamaker Building has been a Philadelphia tradition since 1956. The show features whimsical holiday scenes made of over 100,000 LED lights, including a tree made of 34,500 LED lights. The lights dance along to classic tunes from the Wanamaker Organ, which is the largest fully-functional pipe organ in the world.

Another holiday attraction in the department store is Macy’s Dickens Village. Visitors are transported into Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” The 6,000-square-foot walk-through experience features more than two dozen scenes from the classic holiday story.

Christmas Underwater at Adventure Aquarium

Dates: November 29 – December 24, 2024
Neighborhood: Camden, NJ
Address: Adventure Aquarium (1 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ)

Home to the largest collection of sharks in the Northeast, Adventure Aquarium’s Christmas Underwater special event features “sea”-sonal fun. Enjoy appearances by Scuba Santa, who dives daily, posing for selfies among the sea turtles, sharks, and stingrays. Or awe at the world’s largest underwater Christmas Tree. Then, take a winter stroll through Snowtunda, where the Aquarium sprinkles guests with snow-like flurries.

Hanukkah celebrations at Betsy Ross House

Date: December 30, 2024
Neighborhood: Old City
Address: Betsy Ross House (239 Arch St.)

Celebrate the first night of Hanukkah with a traditional menorah lighting ceremony at the Betsy Ross House. The community event is hosted in partnership with the Old City Jewish Arts Center. Festivities include traditional treats like latkes and jelly donuts. Children will be given dreidels and menorahs, while supplies last.

The Miracle on South 13th Street

Dates: Through December
Neighborhood: East Passyunk
Address: 1600 block of S 13th St.

The Miracle on South 13th Street is an annual tradition where residents create a stunning holiday display for visitors of all ages to enjoy. Over 300,000 lights are strung along the street, crossing overhead from house to house, while each home features their own unique holiday theme. Visitors are welcome to drive through or walk along the block to admire each house in greater detail.

Kwanzaa celebrations at African American Museum in Philadelphia

Neighborhood: Old City
Address: African American Museum in Philadelphia (701 Arch St.)

Celebrate Kwanzaa at the African American Museum in Philadelphia (AAMP). The holiday is rooted in African harvest traditions that uplift principles of family, community, and culture. AAMP hosts a series of family-friendly activities, including arts and crafts, interactive workshops, and community discussions that recognize and honor the seven principles of Kwanzaa.

For more holiday activities, check out the Philadelphia Official Visitors Guide.