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Top Holiday Activities in Philadelphia

November 13, 2023

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 10, 2023 – January 1, 2024
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.

Several white tents are set up in a line. There are bright stars on top of each tent. Shoppers are shown walking up and down the row of shopping stalls. Each tent is lit up with items for sale. The shopping stalls are set up along a large building.

Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market. Photo by C. Kalff.

LumiNature at Philadelphia Zoo

Dates: November 17, 2023 – January 6, 2024
Neighborhood: West Philadelphia
Address: Philadelphia Zoo (3400 W Girard Ave.)

Head to America’s first zoo for LumiNature at 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 woman is shown pushing a stroller down a path. Trees on the righthand side are brightly lit with blue and green holiday lights. The path appears to be glowing a bright green as lights shine on it. There are more people shown farther down the path. A large bright, white jellyfish decoration is shown hanging from a tree off to the left.

LumiNature. Photo courtesy of Philadelphia Zoo.

Tinseltown Holiday Spectacular

Dates: November 17, 2023 – January 1, 2024
Neighborhood: South Philadelphia
Address: FDR Park (1500 Pattison Ave & S Broad St)

For the first time ever, the Tinseltown Holiday Spectacular is coming to FDR Park in South Philadelphia. Walk through an immersive environment filled with gigantic seasonal light displays. Visitors of all ages can enjoy snow tubing, ice skating, and seasonal snacks all in one place.

Large, immersive holiday light displays are shown throughout a large outdoor space. There is a group of people shown walking through a light tunnel. There are numerous trees glowing in gold lights.

Tinseltown Holiday Spectacular. Photo courtesy of Comcast Spectacor.

A Longwood Christmas

Dates: November 17, 2023 – January 7, 2024
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.

A beautiful scene is shown with a large tree lit up in gold lights with red decorations hung throughout. There are vibrant yellow flowers shown in the forefront. Beyond the yellow flowers, there are bright red plants and flowers. Lush green trees and plants tower over the arrangements. A pond in the center reflects the bright lights on the tree in the center. The sky seen through the glass ceiling above is a light blue.

A Longwood Christmas 2021. Photo by H. Davis, Longwood Volunteer Photographer.

Philadelphia Christmas Village

Dates: November 18 – December 24, 2023
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.

There are numerous red, metal tables and chairs set up throughout an outdoor space. There are people sitting at the tables. In the center of the space, there is a large tree with gold lights. and a large silver star on top. On both sides of the tree, there are wooden shopping stalls set up. Shoppers are shown walking, shopping, and browsing the items for sale.

Photo courtesy of Christmas Village in Philadelphia.

The Comcast Holiday Spectacular at the Comcast Technology Center

Dates: November 23, 2023 – January 1, 2024
Neighborhood: Center City
Address: Comcast Center Lobby (1701 JFK Blvd.)

The Comcast Holiday Spectacular at the Comcast Technology 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.

A group of people are shown standing while looking up at a show on large TV screens in front of them. On the screens, there are animated snowmen surrounded by snow in a winter scene. The sky in the movie is a bright blue with bright white snowflakes.

The Comcast Holiday Spectacular at the Comcast Technology Center. Photo by J. Ryan for the PHLCVB.

Holiday Attractions at Macy’s

Dates: November 24 – December 31, 2023
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.

A group of people stand, looking up at a large Christmas tree surrounded by lights for the Macy's Christmas Light Show inside of a historic building. Two red decorative banners hang on either side.

Macy’s Christmas Light Show 2022. Photo by J. Ryan for the PHLCVB.

Christmas Underwater at Adventure Aquarium

Dates: November 24 – December 24, 2023
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.

A fish tank inside of an aquarium is shown with Scuba Santa appearing on the other side of the glass underwater putting his hand up to the glass to interact with a young girl standing on the other side, peering into the tank. A shark appears over Santa's shoulder to the left.

Christmas Underwater. Photo courtesy of Adventure Aquarium.

Hanukkah celebrations at Betsy Ross House

Date: December 10, 2023
Neighborhood: Old City
Address: Betsy Ross House (239 Arch St.)

Celebrate 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 menorahs and chocolate gelt, while supplies last.

A large menorah is shown outside of a historic building.

Photo courtesy of Betsy Ross House.

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.

A woman is shown walking in a crosswalk. Overhead, there is a large sign that reads The Miracle on South 13th St Merry Christmas. The street is lined with houses lit up with holiday decorations. There are strands of lights draped across the street from one side of houses to the ones across the street.

The Miracle on 13th Street. Photo by J. Ryan for PHLCVB.

Kwanzaa celebrations at African American Museum in Philadelphia

Dates: December 26, 2023 – January 1, 2024
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.

A woman stands in a colorful outfit lighting red and green candles in celebration of Kwanzaa at the African American Museum in Philadelphia.

Kwanzaa celebration at African American Museum in Philadelphia. Photo by J. Fusco for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®

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

Holidays
Things to Do

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Philadelphia Museums and Attractions

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