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All is bright in Philadelphia this holiday season.
Philly lights up for the holidays with a number of dazzling displays, from traditional to cutting edge, professional to DIY and everything in between.
Brilliant shows like the Electrical Spectacle Light Show at Franklin Square and LumiNature at the Philadelphia Zoo illuminate some of Philadelphia’s most iconic sites all season long.
And new for 2023: The Tinseltown Holiday Spectacular touches down in a new spot, taking over South Philly’s FDR Park for a few weeks of bright lights that are best enjoyed from a winding ice trail.
The surrounding counties get in on the illuminated action with a number of huge displays just a short car ride from Center City, including A Longwood Christmas at Longwood Gardens, the Holidays at Peddler’s Village and the LuminoCity Holiday Lights Festival at The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks.
An important note: This list is an accurate reflection, as of publication date, of what’s been officially announced and made publicly available for the 2023 holiday season so far. Holiday attractions and events are announced all season long, so stay tuned for info on more great holiday attractions in Greater Philadelphia (think: the Comcast Holiday Spectacular, etc.), which we’ll add to this list as they’re officially announced.
Use this guide to plan how you’ll bask in the glow of the season — quite literally — at these holiday light displays throughout the Philadelphia region in 2023.
November 3, 2023 – March 17, 2024 (Dates vary by attraction)
Winter at Dilworth Park brings a touch of festive greenery to Center City with the return of the Wintergarden on Greenfield Lawn. Featuring illuminated arbor, reindeer topiaries, rustic woodland décor and an on-site Chaddsford Winery kiosk (offering warm mulled wine!), the picturesque Wintergarden overlooks Dilworth Park’s popular ice skating rink. Winter at Dilworth Park also includes a chalet-style cabin, fire pits, seasonal refreshments, a holiday market and plenty of winter events.
Where: Dilworth Park, 1 S. 15th Street
Franklin Square ups the wattage every year with the Electrical Spectacle Light Show, the centerpiece of its Winter in Franklin Square programming. The free nightly shows — inspired by Benjamin Franklin’s kite and key electricity experiment — illuminate the square every half hour as hundreds of thousands of choreographed lights dance to the tune of familiar holiday favorites. Songs for 2023 include All I Want for Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey, Feliz Navidad by José Feliciano and a version of Carol of the Bells performed by the London Festival Orchestra. Also on offer: mini-golf, street curling, fire pits, and festive food and drink.
Where: Franklin Square, 200 N. 6th Street
Festive decorations and more than 100 gingerbread creations help ring in the season at Peddler’s Village — as do the attraction’s 1 million twinkling lights, which adorn seemingly every building and tree in the charming shopping village for free viewing. The holiday season is also full of family-friendly events, so check the calendar when planning your visit.
Where: Peddler's Village, 2400 Street Road, New Hope
November 18 – December 24, 2023 (select dates)
Senses come alive as you make your way through a maze of 120 vendors offering ornaments, jewelry, handmade toys, and high-quality arts and crafts at Christmas Village in Philadelphia. The open-air, European-inspired Christmas market in the heart of Center City serves up seasonal sounds, smells (raclette, anyone?) and sights in the form of dozens of vendor huts draped in mesmerizing European-style market lights. On the north apron of City Hall, a well-lit Ferris wheel dazzles, while in the courtyard, a double-decker carousel shines. Longer nighttime hours for 2023 make the market a perfect place for an illuminated evening stroll. Christmas Village in Philadelphia is open daily from November 23 to December 24, 2023, with a preview weekend on November 18 and 19, 2023.
Where: LOVE Park, North 15th & Arch streets
The potato chip and snack food creators at Herr’s serve up a different type of treat during the holiday season: a free lighting display on the campus of Herr’s Nottingham-based factory. Guests are welcome to drive through the grounds each night after dusk to see the impressive arrangement, which features more than 600,000 lights. Plan accordingly: This is a BYO snacks situation.
Where: Herr’s Snack Factory, 271 Old Baltimore Pike, Nottingham
The Comcast Center’s annual (and free!) super high-res LED holiday show celebrates the season against one of the world’s largest LED video walls. Combining performances from the Philadelphia Ballet with classic holiday songs, the 15-minute show features a virtual sleigh ride around the world. Also, don’t miss The Universal Sphere located next door at the tallest building in Philly — the Comcast Technology Center. This free cinematic experience uses lights, sounds, and movement to showcase the power of ideas. Both shows run daily (with sensory-friendly shows available), but advanced registration is recommended for The Universal Sphere.
Where: Comcast Center, 1701 John F. Kennedy Boulevard
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Comcast Technology Center, 1800 Arch Street
Opens for the season Friday, November 24, 2023
Experience a waterfront winter wonderland at the Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest on the Delaware River. Lights to see here include thousands on a festively decorated holiday tree and the bright bulbs illuminating a 60-foot-tall Ferris wheel. A star-studded tree lighting ceremony is set for Friday, December 1, 2023. Entry into Winterfest is free, tickets are required to ice skate, and cabins and fire pits must be reserved in advance.
Where: Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest, 101 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard
The Grand Court in the National Historic Landmark Wanamaker Building has hosted the iconic Christmas Light Show since 1956. Macy’s continues this quintessential holiday tradition in 2023 with daily displays featuring thousands of twinkling lights in the shapes of snowflakes, candy canes and dancing snowmen — accompanied by seasonal sounds from the famed Wanamaker Organ. Five free shows take place Mondays through Saturdays at 10:30 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. On Sundays, three shows run at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Note: The 28,750-pipe Wanamaker Organ is played live during the noon and 6 p.m. showings each day (except Sundays). Recorded music accompanies all other shows.
Where: Macy's, 1300 Market Street
The regal campus of the American Heritage Credit Union in Northeast Philadelphia shines brightly each holiday season with two 40-foot Christmas trees, hundreds of wreaths and more than 400,000 twinkling lights. The lights flick on at dusk each night when visitors are invited to stroll the campus for free and take in the lights at their leisure. Free on-site parking is available, and a free kickoff celebration is scheduled for 7 p.m. on November 25, 2023.
Where: American Heritage Credit Union, 2060 Red Lion Road
South Philly neighbors on the 1600 block of South 13th Street work together every year on the elaborate display that adorns their street for the Miracle on South 13th Street. Stroll down the block and take in each home’s decked-out decor, which ranges from traditional twinkle lights to elaborate movie-themed displays. Keep an eye on the official Facebook account for special theme nights that benefit local charities. If you’re driving, expect traffic slowdowns and be on the lookout for pedestrians.
Where: Miracle on South 13th Street, 1600 block of South 13th Street
The city’s magnificent 55-foot-tall holiday tree illuminates the north side of City Hall, just around the corner from all the wintry fun in Dilworth Park and Christmas Village at LOVE Park. Don’t miss seeing the tree sparkle for the first time this season during the tree lighting celebration on Thursday, November 30, 2023, featuring performances by Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Jordin Sparks, DJ Diamond Kuts and more.
Where: City Hall, 1401 Market Street
November 17 – December 30, 2023 (select dates)
Norristown’s Elmwood Park Zoo shines (quite literally) during the holiday season, with millions of LED lights illuminating the Montco attraction’s 16 acres during Wild Lights. The walk-through experience features brilliant light displays, live entertainment, and animal meet-and-greets during the evening hours. Tickets are required.
Where: Elmwood Park Zoo, 1661 Harding Boulevard, Norristown
November 17 – December 31, 2023 (select dates)
Lights, mammals, action. This immersive display transforms the Philadelphia Zoo’s day-scape into a nighttime multimedia spectacle. After the animals are tucked away for the evening, the zoo lights up with more than 1 million holiday lights in 16 distinct zones. New displays for 2023 — including a sparkling waterfall and vine wall along Shimmer River — join returning favorites like the can’t-miss, 25-foot-tall tree made entirely out of 1,500 illuminated lawn flamingos.
Where: Philadelphia Zoo, 3400 W. Girard Avenue
November 17, 2023 – January 1, 2024 (select dates)
Twinkling lights, seasonal sounds and icy activities land in South Philly’s FDR Park for the Tinseltown Holiday Spectacular. Take in the bright lights as you skate along a winding ice trail or glide down a 160-foot-long ice slide. In between “ooohs” and “ahhhs,” pop into the Mistletoe Marketplace to find that perfect gift, or grab a bite to eat and an adult beverage inside the Union Forge Lodge. Timed tickets are required, with optional add-ons available for the Ice Trail and Independence Blue Cross ice slide.
Where: FDR Park, South Broad Street & Pattison Avenue
Turn back the clocks for this retro celebration of holiday seasons gone by at Longwood Gardens. The horticultural haven — located about an hour from Center City — lights up with hundreds of trees trimmed in throwback fashion. Think classic baubles, tons of tinsel and iconic childhood toys. Adding to the festive feel, the botanical garden’s illuminated fountains dance to the sounds of the season. Timed tickets are required.
Where: Longwood Gardens, 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square
Bucks County is home to one of only two Sesame Street-themed parks in the world. And each year, the puppet-friendly park transforms into a winter wonderland with millions of glittering lights, a Christmas parade, festive floats and performances, musical sing-alongs, and coordinated light shows around a 30-foot Christmas tree.
Where: Sesame Place, 100 Sesame Road, Langhorne
November 17, 2023 – January 15, 2024 (select dates)
One of the nation’s top traveling holiday spectaculars comes to the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks, which plays host to the LuminoCity Holiday Lights Festival. Celebrating a new “Golden Holiday” theme for 2023, the sprawling display features dozens of bright, colorful, large-scale displays including an iconic 50-foot, fully-decorated Christmas tree.
Where: The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, 100 Station Avenue, Oaks
November 18, 2023 – January 27, 2024 (select dates)
An eye-popping 3 million lights illuminate the night at this rolling Bucks County farm. Dash through the show from the comfort of your car or in the open air while snuggled up in a tractor-pulled wagon with your loved ones (weather permitting, November 18 through January 8, 2024). Tickets are required.
Where: Shady Brook Farm, 931 Stony Hill Road, Yardley
November 24 – December 30, 2023 (select dates)
What’s better than seeing a model train traverse a track a third-of-a-mile long? Seeing it awash in twinkling holiday lights. The annual Holiday Garden Railway brings a mini-winter wonderland to the historic Morris Arboretum & Gardens, and on select dates, visitors can purchase after-hours tickets for a festive Nighttime Express viewing experience. G-scale model trains chug through tunnels and over bridges, past perfect little replicas of beloved Philadelphia landmarks with lighted trees and other bright features. Advance tickets are required.
Where: Morris Arboretum & Gardens, 100 E. Northwestern Avenue
The Visit Philly Overnight Package — booked more than 190,000 times since 2001 — comes with free hotel parking (worth up to $100 in Center City Philadelphia), overnight hotel accommodations and choose-your-own-adventure perks.