Looking for a holiday pick-me-up?! Check out these 9 festive holiday experiences to celebrate the season in Philadelphia.
1. Winter at Dilworth Park
Dilworth Park is a hit during the Christmas holiday season. The park is transformed into a bright winter wonderland with many fun pop up attractions that activate the popular public space.
Fun activities include:
- Ice skating at the Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink
- Strolling around the light-filled, rustic decorated Wintergarden on the Greenfield Lawn
- Supporting local brands at the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market. Here you’ll find handmade trinkets, treats and crafts.
- Grabing cocktails and yummy food at the Rothman Orthopedics Cabin.
- Enjoying the free nightly Deck the Hall Holiday Lights on the western façade of City Hall.
Where: Dilworth Park, 1 S. 15th Street
2. Winter at Franklin Square, Presented by Citizens
Winter in Franklin Square, presented by Citizens is a magnificent Holiday Light Show presented by PECO. This free show features over 100,000 lights every night from 5:00 – 9:00 pm for socially distant viewers.
In addition, guests are welcome to play 18 holes of wintery splendor at Chilly Philly Mini Golf during the day and night.
Where: Franklin Square, 200 N. 6th Street
3. Christmas Underwater at Adventure Aquarium
Christmas Underwater at Camden’s Adventure Aquarium is the perfect place for kids to marvel at the decked out holiday decor, including the World’s Tallest Underwater Christmas Tree in the Shark Realm exhibit and the World’s Smallest Underwater Christmas trees in Caribbean Currents.
Where: Adventure Aquarium, 1 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ
4. Village at the LOVE Park
Christmas Village is an authentic open-air German-style Christmas Market in LOVE Park. It features wooden booths of 60 different vendors selling traditional European food, sweets and drinks. They will also offer a great shopping experience with international holiday gifts, ornaments, jewelry and high-quality arts and crafts.
The unique atmosphere with thousands of lights and the delicious smell of waffles, gingerbread, bratwurst and mulled wine will bring you and your family into the perfect Christmas spirit.
Where: LOVE Park, 15th & Arch streets
5. Boathouse Row Festival of Lights
In honor of the multicultural celebrations that are part of Philadelphia’s holiday season, the iconic houses of Boathouse Row will light up for:
- Hanukkah: Dec. 10–Dec. 17
- Christmas: Dec. 19–Dec. 25
- Kwanzaa: Dec. 26–Jan. 1
Where: Boathouse Row
6. Winter on Broad St
Winter on Broad Street: A Holiday Light Spectacular, a brand new holiday light spectacle at the Wells Fargo Center’s parking lot features 193 larger-than-life light sculptures and displays in celebration of the season.
Marquee light sculptures include: a 25-foot reindeer, a 20-foot ornament, twin, dazzling diamond sculptures, an enchanted forest with over 45 illuminated trees, an “under the tree” pop-up of life size lit toys, glowing tunnels and winding icicle paths.
Where:Outside the Wells Fargo Center, 3601 S. Broad Street
7. Holiday Tree at City Hall
The holiday tree at City Hall, sponsored by Visit Philadelphia, features a 50-foot-tall tree with 4,000 lights shining bright throughout the holiday season.
Where: City Hall, 1400 John F. Kennedy Boulevard
8. Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest
Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest has brought the holiday spirit back to the the Delaware River waterfront with skating at the city’s largest outdoor rink, fire pit stations and warm cabins, twinkling lights and a beautifully decked out holiday tree.
Where: Blue Cross RiverRink, 101 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard
9. Miracle on South 13th Street
The Miracle on South 13th Street Holiday Light Display, features a beautiful community holiday display of lights galore and over-the-top decorations curtesy of neighbors – along the 1600 block of South 13th Street – who have come together to decorate their homes.