Philadelphia is home to one of the largest Christmas markets in the country, plenty of must-see holiday lights, and dozens of holiday events. If you’re in Philadelphia for the holidays, add these seasonal activities, attractions and experiences to your 2022 holiday itinerary.
Christmas Village in Philadelphia
Christmas Village in Philadelphia – the city’s authentic German Christmas market – more than 100 local artisans and craftsmen sell handmade goods from traditional German wooden stalls. Dine in the food court or sip mulled wine or seasonal craft beers from local breweries in the beer garden. A merry-go-round, a Ferris wheel and a children’s train are just some of the family activities.
dates: November 19 – December 24, 2022
Surroundings: City center
Address: LOVE Park (Arch St) and City Hall North Platform (1400 JFK Boulevard)
Taken at a holiday market in Philadelphia
Do your holiday shopping at Taken at a holiday market in Philadelphia, where more than 40 artisans from around the region sell holiday crafts, gifts and other goods. Enjoy food, pastries and local beer at stands located throughout the market.
dates: November 19, 2022 – January 1, 2023
Surroundings: City center
Address: Dilworth Park (1 S 15th St)
Miracle on South 13th Street
An annual tradition where residents come together to create a stunning holiday display for visitors of all ages. More than 300,000 lights line the street, crossing from house to house overhead, and each building has its own unique holiday theme. Visitors can drive through the village Miracle on South 13th Street or walk along the block to admire each house in more detail.
dates: Thanksgiving to New Years is on view
Surroundings: East Passyunk
Address: 1600 block of S 13th St
Decorate the hall with a light show
A series of holiday projections on a continuous evening loop illuminate the west facade of City Hall for Decorate the hall with a light show. Beautiful digital projections appear to bring the historic building’s columns, windows and sculptures to life in a variety of festive patterns and themes.
dates: November 21, 2022 – January 1, 2023
Surroundings: City center
Address: Dilworth Park (1 S 15th St west side of City Hall)
LumiNature
More than a million lights create dozens of animal-themed light displays scattered throughout the grounds of the nation’s first zoo during LumiNature. Experience the different themed areas, each filled with whimsical and wonderful holiday lights, light shows and festive activities.
dates: November 17, 2022 – January 7, 2023
Surroundings: West Philadelphia
Address: Philadelphia Zoo (3400 W Girard Ave)
Christmas in Longwood
Experience the spectacular seasonal wonderland of Longwood Gardens Christmas in Longwood. Stroll through the more than 1,000 acres of Longwood Gardens to admire the beautifully decorated trees and other holiday lights, or relax and warm up by one of the several fire pits. Visit in the evening to see the entire property aglow with half a million carefully strung holiday lights.
dates: November 18, 2022 – January 8, 2023
Surroundings: Kenneth Square
Address: Longwood Gardens (1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square)
Holiday attractions at Macy’s
A Philadelphia tradition since 1956, Macy’s Christmas Light Show the historic Wanamaker Building features whimsical holiday scenes made of more than 100,000 LED lights—including a tree with 34,500 LEDs—that dance to classic tunes from the Wanamaker Organ (the world’s largest playable instrument).
Macy Dickens Village is a 6,000-square-foot play program that features 26 scenes from Charles Dickens’ holiday classic, A Christmas Carol.
dates: Through December
Surroundings: City center
Address: Macy’s (1300 Market St)
The Philadelphia Christmas tree
every year, Christmas tree of the city of Philadelphia stands tall on the north apron of the historic municipal building, displaying thousands of colorful twinkling lights and an assortment of Philadelphia ornaments and decorations. More than 4,000 lights are arranged around the 50-foot tree.
dates: Through December
Surroundings: City center
Address: City Hall (1400 JFK Boulevard, North Apron)
Christmas under water at Adventure Aquarium
Home to the Northeast’s largest collection of sharks, Adventure Aquarium’s Christmas under water special events include “sea” fun like an appearance by Scuba Santa, the world’s largest underwater Christmas tree, underwater light displays and festive holiday shows.
dates: November 25 – December 24, 2022
Surroundings: Camden, New Jersey
Address: Adventure Aquarium (1 Riverside Drive, Camden, NJ)
WeVenture Holiday Lights Driving Tour
Join WeVenture’s for a look at the holiday light displays around Philadelphia Car tour with holiday lights. This private tour is customizable, allowing your group to choose pick-up and drop-off locations within the city limits (some locations outside the city limits can also be arranged). Depending on your group’s interests, budget and timing, the tour can last from two to three hours.
dates: Continued
Surroundings: All over the city
Holiday light tour in the footsteps of the founders
Join local musicians at Founding Footsteps’ Trolley BYOB Holiday light tour (also available as a private tour). Head to some of the city’s most festive spots as you sing along to holiday music. New for 2022: the tour ends at an unexpected location where a professional photographer is waiting for you and your group to capture the memories of the holiday.
dates: Varies
Surroundings: All over the city
Live holiday shows
Throughout December, Philadelphia’s performing arts organizations will celebrate the season with holiday-inspired performances. Don’t miss a concert by the Philadelphia Orchestra Children’s holiday, The Muppet Christmas Carol Concertand The wonderful sound of Christmas. Keep up the holiday cheer Philly POPS Christmas: The exciting sounds of the season or enjoy the timeless tale that the Philadelphia Ballet brings Nutcracker to life on stage.
Festive pop-up panels
Several downtown Philadelphia bars, restaurants and brasseries are embracing the holidays by sporting seasonal decor and offering holiday-themed experiences and menus. Sip seasonal spirits at one of Philadelphia’s festive pop-up bars, including Tinsel, Craftsmans Row Saloonand Beer garden in the upper part of the city. Each bar will be decorated in festive decor, each with its own theme.
New Year’s fireworks
Ring in 2023 in spectacular fashion by watching one of several fireworks displays in Philadelphia. Fireworks will light up the sky above the Delaware River on New Year’s Eve, and are best viewed from several vantage points along the Delaware River waterfront, such as Penn’s Landing and Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest.
Date: December 31, 2022 (New Year’s Eve)
Surroundings: Old town
Address: Delaware Riverfront, 101 South Columbus Blvd
Parade of cooks
Voted by USA Today’s Top 10 Readers as the nation’s best holiday parade for 2021 and one of Philadelphia’s most unique annual traditions, Parade of cooks a must-see holiday event held every New Year’s Day in downtown Philadelphia. With thousands of costumed Philadelphians representing over 40 clubs in five different divisions, the parade travels from City Hall to South Philadelphia along Broad Street. Along the way, each club stops to perform a short skit — some crews perform Broadway-level song and dance with props and special effects — as they are judged on costumes, musicality, presentation and more. The day will conclude with stunning performances by Fancy Brigades at the ticketed finale at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
Date: January 1, 2023
Surroundings: Throughout the city center
Address: Starts at City Hall (1400 John F Kennedy Blvd), ends in South Philadelphia
For more winter activities, check out The Official Philadelphia Fall/Winter 2022™ Visitor Guide
https://www.discoverphl.com/blog/top-holiday-activities-in-philadelphia/
