The Best Holiday Things to Do in Philly This Year
Tis the season to be jolly, yes, but also quite busy. This time of year, many things to do in Philly are sorta : Shop for secret Santas. Show up at end-of-year celebrations. Cram into the old Wanamaker’s to see the light show and Dickens’ Village. Shop some more.
But there are also so many ways to feel incredible doing all the holiday things: Take an evening stroll through neighborhood lights. Surprise a neighbor with a little gift from one of those makers markets. Treat an old friend a seasonal cocktail at a pop-up bar. Do things you gotta do, for sure. But also: Do things you want to do.
in PHILLY (FREE)
in PHILLY (ADMISSION REQUIRED)
OUT-OF-TOWN LIGHTS and DISPLAYS (ADMISSION REQUIRED)
and THEATER
POP-UP HOLIDAY BARS
and POP-UP SHOPS
High school marching bands, Disney floats, giant balloons and Santa on Market Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway kick off the holidays in Philadelphia — a tradition currently known as the ,November 23 from 8:30am to noon. Kids: Bring Christmas lists — and canned goods to donate.
& FAMILY EVENTS (FREE!):
EXPERIENCE A . Every December, the 1600 block of South 13th Street — a couple blocks from East Passyunk Avenue — transforms into residential holiday display that delights the whole family. Look out for festive trolleys full of tipsy revelers (see below).
Girard Estates does the season right. The residents of South Smedley Street up a winter wonderland park complete with a nativity scene in the center of a quaint circle of tidy rowhomes.
STROLL THROUGH A . Through March 17, Dilworth Park’s display of topiary and lights features 100 varieties of native plants, a willow branch pergola, and space for families and friends to mingle and snap festive photos.
STAG & DOE IN CHESTNUT HILL. Every Wednesday evening through Christmas, pretty Germantown Avenue lights up and gets festive: Shops stay open late, bars get crowded, a brass quartet roams, and Santa stops by. On November 29, December 6, 13 and 20 from 6:30 to 8:30pm.
CROWD IN FOR THE WANAMAKER’SMACY’.November 24 through December 31, five times a weekday (10:30am, noon, 2, 4 and 6pm), three times on the weekend (noon, 2 and 6pm), plus retro snowpeople, teddy bears, a train, candy canes and such appear on the giant Lite Brite display in the Grant Court. Sundays, the giant organ accompanies the spectacle. While you’re there, you might as well explore Dickens’ village.
The 15-minute LED Holiday Spectacular in the lobby of the original Comcast Center draws a crowd from November 23 through January 1, at the top of each hour from 10am to 8pm. Sensory friendly show daily at 2:30pm.
FISHTOWN FREEZE. Get in on the ice sculpting act on December 9 from 11am to 8pm, and just walk among them on December 10 from 11am to 6pm during this fifth annual holiday event that spotlights 20 independent retailers in Fishtown and Kensington – and serves photos with Santa at Frankford Hall . Drink specials all over the neighborhood too.
HAVE SOME HOLIDAY HOOPLA IN WEST PHILLY. December 9 brings pop-up makers markets plus specials at shops and eateries throughout University City, along Baltimore Avenue and into West Philly.
The free event formerly known as Being _____ at Christmas is now simply an all-day family party with live music and dance, lots of activities, classic winter movies, and a site-wide scavenger hunt. Time TBA.
hrough February 25, from 5 to 9pm,Winter in Franklin Square sets off a fountain-based Electrical Spectacle light-and-music show (free), and offers street curling ($40/hour; also available in daytime), mini golf ($12-$15), carousel rides ($4), and holiday treats.
and EVENTS (ADMISSION REQUIRED):
Locals, don’t be fooled by the name or URL. This new Christmas attraction that lets ticket holders take 45-minute strolls through 12 rooms, including one where it’s snowing, one dedicated to Buddy the Elf, and, of course, the North Pole, is not at all in King of Prussia. It’s in the Andorra Shopping Center. Open daily through January 2.
A 40-foot-tall penguin (plus 200 little ones), pine tree made of light-up flamingos, plus butterflies, jellyfish, a giant gorilla, huge snake, vines, flowers, coral reef, and more electrified nature take over the Philadelphia Zoo every night during , November 17 through January 6.
November 17 through January 1, on the edge of Pattison Avenue, has transformed white lights into shapes — a giant Liberty Bell, tunnel, reindeer — and, more importantly, opened an ice slide ($10 for 3 rides) and skating trail ($15-$20). Select nights offer select specials. Wednesdays, for example, it’s BYO dog.
Chestnut Hill’s historic Morris Arboretum runs its Holiday Garden Railway of G-scale trains in a lovely and living green corner, November 24 – December 30. Reservations recommended if you’re coming on a weekend after dusk.
Tour group Founding Fathers charters wooden trolleys seven nights a week, from November 25 through December 31 to take riders holiday light sightseeing — accompanied by live music. The two-hour tour starts on N. Delaware Avenue and spends most of its time in South Philly: Dickinson Square Park, Smedley Street, 13th Street, etc. The event is all ages and BYOB, within limits. By reservation.
’S ALLEY. Old City’s extra-old residential seat hosts its annual Deck the Alley festival on December 9 from 2 to 4pm and 4 to 6pm. Ticket holders can pop into the wee historic homes, sample snacks, shop a makers market and search for hidden elves and while donating to tiny street’s upkeep.
OUT-OF-TOWN LIGHTS & DISPLAYS (ADMISSION REQUIRED):
A Longwood Christmas,November 17 to January 7, is a road trip worth making, what with the indoor and outdoor displays, the fabulous fountains, the (sometimes live) music, and the utter greenery and gla
ovember 18 through January 8, Shady Brook Farm has the holiday light thing down to a festive science. Cars drive through two miles of lights. Riders can also take the tour by wagon ($15-$23). There’s Mr. Claus and bonfires and plenty to buy too.
ovember 17 through January 15, the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Montgomery County (not to be confused with the PA Convention Center in Philly) offers 8 or so acres of Christmas decor galore, plus, new this year, festively animatronic dinosaurs — and calls it .
CHECK OUT THE POPS’ HOLIDAY REPLACEMENT. The No Name Pops and conductor Enrico Lopez-Yañez take over where the now-defunct Philly Pops left off. offers a variety of shows and local and national guest performers throughout the month, always with live and lively music at Verizon Hall, December 1–23.
SOLVE SCROOGE’S MURDER. Without a Cue Presents and Red Rum Theater hosts , meets Sherlock Holmes. through December 30.
THE HOLIDAY JAWNFresh from touring with Lauryn Hill, multi-instrumentalist Dan Rouse comes home on December 6 at 8pm to jam on holiday tunes in the lounge of the World Cafe Live. $10.
’S NUTCRACKER. George Balanchine’s , set to the classic Tchaikovsky, returns to make the Academy of Music feel extra magical, growing and glowing tree and all, December 8 through December 30.
put the queen in Christmas, serving boisterous, LOL humor, belted-out songs and plenty of glam from the Miller Theater stage, December 8 at 8pm.
Dorrance Dance’s The Nutcracker Suite puts a tap, jazz, boogie and swing spin on Tchaikovsky’s score, courtesy of the Duke Ellington and tap superstar and MacArthur Fellow Michelle Dorrance at Penn’s Zellerbach Theatre, December 8 at 8pm and December 9 at 2 and 8pm.
GET IN ON THE Pros, apprentices and students from Philly’s own Lady Hoofers take to the Suzanne Roberts stage to present their now-classic take on the Christmas tale, only set in Paris, December 9 at 2 and 7pm and December 10 at 3pm.
A SOULFUL CHRISTMASThe acclaimed Dr. J. Donald Dumpson returns to the Kimmel to lead regional choirs in holiday spirituals and gospel classics in a performance that ends in a finale of lights. Patty Jackson and Craig Hayes host on December 12 at 7:30pm in Verizon Hall.
The talented youth toes of South Philly’s eminent Rock School do up the holiday classic The Nutcracker December 15, 16 and 17 at the Miller Theater.
& STAX HOLIDAY TUNES. Philadelphia’s popular 1960s soul and Motown cover band York Street Hustle comes to the World Cafe Live to play seasonal hits and B-sides by Aretha Franklin, The Supremes, Al Green, Otis Redding and the Jackson Five. The York Street Hustle Holiday Spectacular is on December 16 at 8pm.
The Rev. TJ McGlinchey & Friends put on a Jim Henson Holiday ExtravaganzaDecember 23 at 7pm at the World Cafe Live, an all-ages show inspired by Henson’s most iconic creations: The Muppets and Sesame Street.
Cirque Dreams Holidaze sets astounding feats of acrobatics, dance and more to live performances of holiday songs like . All family-friendly performances take place December 26–31 at the Miller Theater.
The festivities include music, complimentary hot cocoa and treats — and the Figo Igloo grand opening party. November 28, from 6 to 8pm.
The courtyard of the historic Betsy Ross House hosts its neighborhood tree fete on November 29, from 5:30 to 6:30pm.
. Local carolers and, yes, Santa himself will be making a guest appearance at the Singing Fountain on November 29 at 5:30pm.
Join the brewery in ringing in the holiday season at its Twas an Evil Christmas party November 30 from 6 to 9pm, (lighting at 7:30pm) with live music, Christmas carols, decorations, photo stations, and the first tapping of , a 7.2% ABV saison.
The folks who work (for you) inside the municipal seat join DJ Diamond Kuts, Felicia Ponzo and cast members from Disney’s outside on the North Apron on November 30 at 7pm.
TREE LIGHTS ON SOUTH STREET / HEADHOUSE. The only tree lighting we know of that happens during the day (parents of little kids thank you) takes place December 2 from noon to 4:30pm at the Headhouse Shambles. Mr. Claus will be there, along with Mrs. Claus’s holiday market.
TAKES OVER MARKET. This relatively new tradition celebrates all the winter holidays on December 2 at 5pm. Center City drivers beware.
Pocket Park hosts, kicking off a weekend with a holiday pop-up market across the street (6174 Ridge Avenue), starting December 8 at 5:30pm.
In the courtyard of the Betsy Ross House, in partnership with the Old City Jewish Arts Center — and with jelly donuts and latkes — on December 10 from 4 to 5pm.
Communities and clergy from nearby B’nai Abraham, Kesher Israel Congregation and Society Hill Synagogue invite the neighborhood to gather under the Headhouse Shambles for a mid-Hanukkah menorah lighting on December 11 at 4:30pm.
POP-UP HOLIDAY BARS:
CRAFTSMAN ROW SALOON has 50,000 ornaments, hundreds of Santa hats, and nutcrackers everywhere, plus fancy burgers and holiday cocktails,
.Wednesdays from 5 to 7 pm through February 21, you can sip $7 Maker’s Mark cocktails, $6 wine, and $5 Hazy Beer Hug brews outside City Hall, next to the skating rink
McGILLAN’S OLDE ALE HOUSEA literally old standby, hiding the shadow of City Hall, feels like Aunt Pat’s after she’s had one too many eggnog martinis. Bonus: They’ve opened their own holiday pop-up shop a block away at 1314 Juniper.
Over the top barely begins to capture Center City’s, crammed, OG pop-up Christmas bar. Open November 25 through December 31.
U-VILLE (UPTOWN BEER GARDEN)Bundle up. This purposely tacky, Grinch-inspired spread of lighted pergolas, tunnels and decor is all outdoors.
BUTCHER BARRittenhouse’s meat-forward brasserie is getting into the winter act, opening a cozy, ski chalet-theme with serious cocktails — bacon-washed bourbon with maple syrup and black walnut bitters — and cozy, less in-your-face-holidays ambience
is the name of the Philly vendors outside City Hall in Dilworth Park. The market is open daily through January 1, closed December 25.
The hip collectors behind Thunderbird Salvage open a pop-up selling trees, ornaments, and Xmas kitsch galore. On Fridays, Forin Cafe comes over to serve wine by the glass and bottle. Anyday, enjoy the photo booth. Dogs and children are welcome. Open Fridays through Sundays through December 31.
GIVE IN TO THE CHRISTMAS VILLAGE. November 24 through December 24, the German-inspired market is the spot to score extra-fancy ornaments, every single Eagles tchotchke, mulled wine, with Ferris wheel, carousel, mini SEPTA train, plus dozens of vendors and mulled wine.
The peeps behind the Now & Then Marketplace are taking over the Frankford Arsenal on December 1 from 5 to 11pm and December 2 from 11am to 5pm, offering an all-ages environment, welcoming dogs, and selling both essential and wackadoodle gifts.
LIBERTY FLEA AT BOKThe South Philly makers’ space collabs with New York’s Liberty Flea for a very cool vintage-meets-handmade market on December 2, from 10am to 5pm.
takes place December 9 and 10, from 11am to 4pm, at Operator’s Club at the Piazza. This annual shopping event features wares from local makers, snacks, make-and-take crafts and a visit from Krampus.
WEST CRAFT FEST comes indoors to The Rotunda for two days, December 9 and 10 from 10am to 4pm. The vendors — of handmade jewelry, ceramics, ornaments, art prints and originals, home wares, clothing, hand knits, bodycare, candles, stationery, toys — switch up from Saturday to Sunday, so you might want to swing by both days.
RANS ART MARTSome of Philly’s top trans and nonbinary makers set up shops in the West Gym of the Bok Building, selling original art, stuffies, stained glass and more on December 10, 11am to 5pm.
The one we all gotta go to, courtesy of the arts- and craft-makers who started it all, Art Star. December 16 and 17, 11am – 4pm.
South Philadelphia’s Bok building showcases and sells the work of resident crafters and artists, December 16 and 17, from 11am to 5pm. Look for made-there wares like sustainable fashion, hand-blown glass, and all kinds of ceramics and jewelry.
