Put that Halloween stuff away and take the winter holiday decorations out of the basement....because the Winter Holiday Season begins this month in Philadelphia! I've put together a list of popular Philly Holiday Events that are beginning in November! Don't worry, I didn't forget about December events, that article will be out soon!
Winter in Dilworth Park
11/15/24 - 2/23/25 (Dates vary by Attraction)
Head to Dilworth Park not just for the market but for the Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink, Cabin, and Wintergarden on the Greenfield Lawn. Shop local vendors including artists, jewelers, and designers for one of a kind pieces, take a turn on the Ice Rink, and enjoy some tasty treats and drinks by the fire pits at the Cabin.
The Market dates and hours are:
Hours
Sunday-Thursday: 12 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Friday-Saturday: 12 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Operates seasonally, November 15, 2024-January 1, 2025
Ice Rink Hours are:
Mon-Thurs, 12 -9 p.m.
Friday, 12.-11 p.m.
Saturday, 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m.
Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m.
Cabin Hours are:
Monday-Thursday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Wintergarden Hours:
Monday-Sunday: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
November 15, 2024-March 9, 2025
https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/attractions/the-rothman-ice-rink-at-dilworth-park/
LumiNature at the Philadelphia Zoo
11/21/24 - 1/4/25 (Select Dates), 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
The LumiNature display transforms the Philadelphia Zoo into a million twinkling lights spectacular! There is a Kiddie Train that runs under a canopy of lights, scavenger hunts, a lighted jungle tunnel, and more! Runs from November 21, 2024 - January 4, 2025 on select dates and tickets are required (check on their website for their calendar).
https://www.philadelphiazoo.org/luminature/
Winter in Franklin Square
11/21/24 - 2/23/25, 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Franklin Square transforms into a winter wonderland starting in late November! Featuring the Electrical Spectacle Light Show presented by PECO, Chilly Philly Mini Golf, Street Curling, and plenty of seasonal treats and cocktails! Reservations and pricing for Mini Golf and Curling will be available at the link below.
https://historicphiladelphia.org/events/winter-in-franklin-square/
Holiday Garden Railway at Morris Arboretum & Gardens
11/23/24 - 12/30/25, 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
The Holiday Garden Railway is one of the countries largest outdoor model train displays, located inside the 100 acre Morris Arboretum and Gardens. The daytime light experience is free with general admission, at sunset, the display transforms into the Nighttime Express with sparkling lights along the railway and laser lights in the trees (separate timed tickets required). The daytime experience begins November 23rd from 10 - 4 , the Nighttime Express begins November 30th from 4:30 - 8.
https://www.morrisarboretum.org/see-do/events/holiday-garden-railway-nighttime-express-0
Miracle on South 13th Street Holiday Light Display
11/25/24 - 1/1/25, 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
The neighbors on the 1600 block of South 13th Street (between Tasker and Morris Streets in East Passyunk) have worked together every year to create this elaborate display! Take in each home's decked out decor! There are special theme nights scheduled that are posted on their Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/themiracleonsouth13thstreet?mibextid=ZbWKwL
Christmas Village at LOVE Park and City Hall
11/28/24 - 12/24/24, 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Every year LOVE Park transforms into the open-air Bavarian Holiday marketplace Christmas Village in Philadelphia. There are over 100 vendors set up in wooden stalls offering gifts, ornaments, tasty treats, and more! There is also the Festival of Trees in the Love Park Visitor Center, and across the street at City Hall, more vendors, a carousel, ferris wheel, and kids express train. This event officially begins November 28th, but there is a special preview weekend, November 23rd - 24th.
Hours: Sunday - Thursday 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Friday and Saturday: 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM
https://www.philachristmas.com/
Comcast Holiday Spectacular
11/28/24 - 1/1/25, 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
The Comcast Holiday Spectacular takes place in the Comcast Center's seven story lobby, and is now in its 16th year! This is a free 15 minute show on a huge LED video wall showing a photo-realistic virtual sleigh ride over the city. Runs daily every hour on the hour with a sensory-friendly showing at 2:30 PM daily.
https://comcastcentercampus.com/artists/comcast-experience/
Christmas Light Show and Dickens Village at Macy's Center City
11/29/24 - 12/31/24, 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
A trip to Philadelphia during the holidays isn't complete without a visit to Macy's Center City to see the Light Show and Dickens Village! There are 5 free light shows daily at 10:30, noon, 2:00, 4:00, and 6:00. Upstairs in Dickens Village, you can see the animatronic retelling of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol and get your photo taken with Santa! Reservations are required for Dickens Village and Photos with Santa.
https://www.macys.com/s/holiday-celebrations/philadelphia/
Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest
11/29/24 - 3/2/25
It's time for Winterfest at the Delaware River Waterfront! Enjoy ice skating at the Independence Blue Cross RiverRink, delicious food, hot beverages, firepits, boardwalk rides and games and the signature holiday tree!
Hours of Operation
Mon. - Thurs.: 1 pm - 9:30 pm
Friday: 1 pm - 12:30 am
Saturday: 11 am - 12:30 am
Sunday: 11 am - 9:30 pm
Holiday Hours
November 29: 11 am - 12:30 am
December 21 - January 3 (Holiday Week): 11 am - 12:30 am
Christmas Eve: 1 pm - 8:30 pm
Christmas Day: 1 pm - 8:30 pm
New Year's Eve Day: 10 am - 2 pm
New Year's Day: 11 am - 12:30 am
Martin Luther King Jr. Day: 11 am - 9:30 pm
Valentine's Day: 11 am - 9:30 pm
President's Day: 11 am - 9:30 pm
Not in Philly, but worth the drive:
Holidays at Peddler's Village (Lahaska, PA)
11/15/24 - 1/19/25
Picturesque Peddler's Village is the perfect day trip for some holiday shopping! They also ring in the holiday season with festive events and beautiful decorations. Holiday Kickoff Weekend is November 15th - 17th, and don't miss the Gingerbread Competition and Display that runs November 15th - January 19th.
https://peddlersvillage.com/holiday-events/
A Very Furry Christmas as Sesame Place (Langhorne, PA)
11/16/24 - 1/5/25
The Very Furry Christmas celebration transforms the park into a festive holiday celebration, featuring millions of lights, themed rides, the 1-2-3 Christmas Tree music and lights show, a special Christmas Parade and more!
https://sesameplace.com/philadelphia/events/a-very-furry-christmas/
Wild Lights at the Elmwood Park Zoo (Norristown, PA)
11/22/24 - 12/30/24
The Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown shines bright during the holidays with millions of lights in the walk-through experience Wild Lights. There are light displays, live entertainment, photo ops with Santa, and animal meet-and-greets.
https://www.elmwoodparkzoo.org/wildlights/
Yuletide at Liberty Hill (Lafayette Hill, PA)
11/22/24 - 1/5/25 (Select Dates)
This attraction, held at the grounds of the Union League Liberty Hill Golf Course, represents a winter wonderland with free fair rides, an ice skating rink, live music, treats and drinks, and vendors. You can also enjoy photos with Santa!
https://yuletidelibertyhill.com/
A Longwood Christmas at Longwood Gardens (Kennett Square, PA)
11/22/24 - 1/12/25
A Longwood Christmas transforms Longwood Gardens into an incredible winter wonderland. You can stroll the gardens, marvel at the glowing lights, enjoy seasonal decorated plants and trees, an outdoor railway, cozy firepits and colorful fountains!
https://longwoodgardens.org/gardens/our-seasons/longwood-christmas
Holiday Light Show at Shady Brook Farm (Yardley, PA)
11/23/24 - 1/5/25
This Bucks County farm is transformed for the holidays into a magical light display. You can take in the show from your car, or during a wagon ride. There is also a Santa's Village where you can see Santa and get some festive snacks and drinks while you warm up at the firepits.
https://longwoodgardens.org/gardens/our-seasons/longwood-christmas
