Excited for the holidays in Philadelphia? Our guide will help you uncover all the festive fun! For Philadelphia aficionados and curious cats, our guide is your ticket to holiday discoveries.
Popular events abound in the city during this joyful season. Experience the magic of the Christmas Village in Philadelphia, where charming wooden booths offer unique gifts and traditional treats in a festive outdoor setting. Enjoy the spectacular sight of the Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show, featuring thousands of twinkling lights synchronized to cheerful holiday music. And the enchanting LumiNature is something you definitely don't want to miss, as it transforms the gardens into a dazzling winter wonderland. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Philadelphia
- Christmas Village in Philadelphia
- LumiNature
- Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show
- Macy's Christmas Light Show
- A Longwood Christmas (Kennett Square)
- Shady Brook Farm Holiday Light Show (Yardley)
- Holidays on The Hill (Chestnut Hill)
- Tinseltown Holiday Spectacular
- Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market
- The Muppet Christmas Carol
See these and even more events listed below!
Philadelphia Holiday Light Displays
Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show on historic marketplace buildings.
Description:
The Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show is a dazzling display of lights and decorations at Franklin Square, featuring intricate designs and vibrant colors that transform the square into a vibrant holiday destination.
Where: Philadelphia | More Info: Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show
LumiNature
What to Expect:
Interactive light and sound installations with animal themes.
Description:
Philadelphia Zoo's LumiNature features over a million twinkling lights across 16 illuminated zones, including new zones like Shimmer River and LumiNature Lane. Guests can ride the Septa PZ Express train, participate in a Nature Blazers Scavenger Hunt, and enjoy various photo opportunities with light performers and animal-themed displays.
Where: Philadelphia | More Info: LumiNature
A Longwood Christmas
What to Expect:
Spectacular holiday light displays and festive decorations.
Description:
A Longwood Christmas features hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights, live carolers, festive music, poinsettias, and Christmas trees in a beautifully decorated conservatory and outdoor landscapes.
Where: Kennett Square | More Info: A Longwood Christmas
Macy's Christmas Light Show
What to Expect:
Grand organ finale with 28,750 pipes.
Description:
The Macy's Christmas Light Show features a 100,000-light spectacle with animated characters, a majestic organ finale, and classic holiday tales like "The Nutcracker" and "Frosty the Snowman."
Where: Philadelphia | More Info: Macy's Christmas Light Show
Shady Brook Farm Holiday Light Show
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday light display with various viewing options.
Description:
Shady Brook Farm's Holiday Light Show features over three million lights illuminating acres of farmland, with whimsical displays and familiar characters. Drive through in your vehicle or enjoy an open-air wagon ride while listening to holiday tunes on the radio.
Where: Yardley | More Info: Shady Brook Farm Holiday Light Show
Tinseltown Holiday Spectacular
What to Expect:
Over 350 light sculptures and holiday treats.
Description:
Tinseltown Holiday Spectacular features over 350 light sculptures, a Mistletoe Marketplace, and holiday-inspired treats and eats in South Philadelphia.
Where: Philadelphia | More Info: Tinseltown Holiday Spectacular
Holiday Garden Railway
What to Expect:
Twinkling lights and model trains on a quarter-mile track.
Description:
The Holiday Garden Railway at the Morris Arboretum features a quarter-mile track with 15 rail lines, nine bridges, and seven loops, all decorated with thousands of twinkling lights. Visitors can see model trains running along the track, crossing bridges, and circulating under festive lights, creating a marvelous experience for all ages.
Where: Philadelphia | More Info: Holiday Garden Railway
Philadelphia Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christmas Village in Philadelphia
What to Expect:
Historic, two-tiered Christmas Village Carousel.
Description:
Christmas Village in Philadelphia is an authentic German Christmas Market at LOVE Park and City Hall, featuring over 120 vendors offering international holiday gifts, ornaments, jewelry, high-quality arts and crafts, and European food and drinks. The event includes a historic Christmas Carousel, Santa's House, and a variety of festive activities.
Where: Philadelphia | More Info: Christmas Village in Philadelphia
Holidays on The Hill
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday spirit with local businesses and seasonal pop-ups.
Description:
Chestnut Hill offers a holiday experience with a brass quartet, outdoor model train display, late-night shopping, and Santa photo opportunities amidst historic villages.
Where: Chestnut Hill | More Info: Holidays on The Hill
Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Local artisans and designers showcasing unique handmade goods.
Description:
The Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market features over 45 local artisans, designers, and crafters offering unique handmade goods and special holiday foods in festively lit tents.
Where: Philadelphia | More Info: Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market
Philadelphia Holiday Shows and Entertainment
The Nutcracker by Philadelphia Ballet
What to Expect:
Elaborate sets and costumes in a classic ballet performance.
Description:
Philadelphia Ballet's production of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker is a holiday classic featuring intricate sets, timeless choreography, and Tchaikovsky's iconic score. The story follows Marie and her Nutcracker doll on an epic journey, crossing swords with the Mouse King and dining with the Sugar Plum Fairy.
Where: Philadelphia | More Info: The Nutcracker by Philadelphia Ballet
Yannick’s Holiday Mixtape in Concert
What to Expect:
Special treat of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's Christmas Overture.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season with Yannick's musical picks in this sparkling new program featuring classic holiday tunes and French melodies.
Where: Philadelphia | More Info: Yannick’s Holiday Mixtape in Concert
Handel’s Messiah
What to Expect:
World-class choral performance with renowned conductor.
Description:
Handel's Messiah is a transcendent choral masterwork that gathers friends and family in an unmissable annual tradition. Renowned conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin unites The Philadelphia Orchestra, soloists, and chorus to create a sound that is both intimate and grand, notably warm and remarkably tender, leaving listeners ready to sing the glorious Hallelujah!
Where: Philadelphia | More Info: Handel’s Messiah
The Glorious Sound of Christmas
What to Expect:
Time-honored holiday music tradition with The Philadelphia Orchestra.
Description:
The Glorious Sound of Christmas features The Philadelphia Orchestra, conducted by William Eddins, performing classic holiday music that has been a time-honored tradition since the iconic recording by Eugene Ormandy in 1962. This event is a joyous celebration of the holiday season, bringing together families, friends, and classical music lovers.
Where: Philadelphia | More Info: The Glorious Sound of Christmas
The Muppet Christmas Carol
What to Expect:
Live orchestral performance of the Muppet Christmas Carol film score.
Description:
The Muppet Christmas Carol is a holiday concert featuring the Philadelphia Orchestra performing the iconic score to the beloved film, accompanied by the Muppets in a charming adaptation of Charles Dickens's classic tale.
Where: Philadelphia | More Info: The Muppet Christmas Carol
Old City Holiday Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Live performances and tree lighting ceremony.
Description:
The Old City Holiday Tree Lighting features entertainment by Jordin Sparks, Zeek Burse, Felicia Punzo, Disney's FROZEN, and DJ Diamond Kuts, culminating in the lighting of a spectacular tree at the Wawa Holiday Plaza on the north side of City Hall.
Where: Philadelphia | More Info: Old City Holiday Tree Lighting
Philadelphia Other Holiday Activities
Circle of Trees Celebration
What to Expect:
Santa arrives on an antique fire truck.
Description:
The Circle of Trees Celebration brings the community together at the start of the holiday season with hot chocolate, cider, cookies, music, and goodie bags for kids. Santa arrives on an antique fire truck, and the event culminates in the lighting of the Art Museum and Christmas trees. Kids also enjoy climbing a hay maze under lights.
Where: Chestnut Hill | More Info: Circle of Trees Celebration
Chestnut Hill Community Holiday Parade
What to Expect:
Fire engines, marching bands, antique cars, horses, schools, and Santa Claus.
Description:
The Chestnut Hill Community Holiday Parade features fire engines, marching bands, antique cars, horses, schools, and Santa Claus, including the Phillie Phanatic. Families line Germantown Avenue to wave to the marchers in this long-standing Chestnut Hill tradition.
Where: Chestnut Hill | More Info: Chestnut Hill Community Holiday Parade
Victorian Christmas Open House
What to Expect:
Period-accurate decorations and demonstrations.
Description:
The Victorian Christmas Open House at Pennypacker Mills in Schwenksville, PA, features living historians, a bell choir, and Victorian Santa Claus. Visitors can tour the beautifully decorated mansion, see a clear toy candy demonstration, and shop for vintage ornaments and gifts.
Where: Schwenksville | More Info: Victorian Christmas Open House
Holiday Bricktacular at Legoland Discovery
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday-themed LEGO builds and scavenger hunt.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at LEGOLAND Discovery Center Philadelphia with seasonal LEGO build activities, holiday theming, and festive attractions like the giant LEGO sleigh, winter wonderland in MINILAND Philadelphia, and a scavenger hunt for gingerbread minifigures.
Where: Plymouth Meeting | More Info: Holiday Bricktacular at Legoland Discovery
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Center City (0 miles)
- Wharton (2 miles)
- Whitman (2 miles)
- Camden (3 miles)
- Cherry Hill (7 miles)
- Abington (12 miles)
- Bensalem (15 miles)
- Jackson (20 miles)
- Levittown (23 miles)
- Wilmington (25 miles)
- Trenton (29 miles)
- Vineland (33 miles)
- South Vineland (36 miles)