Top Holiday Attractions In And Around Philadelphia
Adventure Aquarium's Holiday Celebration
Adventure Aquarium
1 Riverside Dr
Camden, NJ
www.adventureaquarium.com
Friday, Dec. 4 – Thursday, Dec. 31
What's more fun than twinkling lights, snow, Christmas trees…and Scuba Santa? Nothing! Add more than 8,500 adorable animals to the mix, and you've got a foolproof recipe for inducing that holiday spirit. Bring the whole family and you'll enjoy character meet-and-greets, Gill's Holiday dance party, photo opps with Scuba Santa and much more, as well as visits with all of the aquarium's creatures at this festive time of year.
A Longwood Christmas
Longwood Gardens
1001 Longwood Rd.
Kennett Square, Pa.
www.longwoodgardens.org
Gardens: Thursday, November 26 – Sunday, January 10: Click here for times
While every season is beautiful at Longwood, there's none as beautiful as the Christmas season. Get your fill of candy, gingerbread, lights, decorations, and of course, beautiful and rare flora at Longwood's 40 indoor and outdoor gardens.
A Very Furry Christmas At Sesame Place
100 Sesame Road
Langhorne, Pa. 19047
http://sesameplace.com/
Saturday, Nov. 21 – Thursday, Dec. 31
A Very Furry Christmas at Sesame Place opens on November 21st and runs through December 31st. It offers special Christmas shows, rides, music and holiday lights. Plus, the streets glow at night with an illuminated Neighborhood Street Party Christmas Parade! Afterward, the fun continues with a special Christmas menu, super holiday shopping and of course, a visit with Santa. On New Year's Eve, there is a fireworks show.
The Philly POPS 'Christmas Spectaular'
The Kimmel Center
Philadelphia, PA
http://thephillypops.com/
Friday, Dec. 4 - Tuesday, Dec. 22
The Philly POPS brings the holiday spirit to Philadelphia with 10 Christmas Spectacular shows, December 4-22. Acclaimed conductor David Charles Abell leads the 65-piece POPS orchestra and three full choirs -- for a total of 300 musicians on stage -- in the Christmas Spectacular concerts.
Philadelphia Gingerbread House Display
The Shops at Liberty Place
1625 Chestnut St
Philadelphia, Pa.
www.shopsatliberty.com
Monday, November 9 – Friday, November 20: Mondays – Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Sundays, 12 – 6 p.m.
Created by Philadelphia chefs, the deliciously magnificent Gingerbread Houses are modeled after historic buildings in the City of Brotherly Love. The display will be in the Rotunda from Monday, Nov. 9th through Friday, Nov. 20th. (Please note that the display will be closed off on Nov. 17th.)
Franklin Square's Holiday Light Show
Franklin Square
6th & Race Sts
Philadelphia, Pa.
www.historicphiladelphia.org
Thursday, November 12 – Wednesday, December 31
Daily, starting at 4:30 p.m. and running until 8 p.m. (weather permitting)
Franklin Square is bringing a healthy dose of holiday cheer to the city with its new electrical light show. Starting with a special Grand Illumination on Nov. 12, this dazzling show features more than 50,000 lights. The show is programmed to holiday classics recorded by the Philly POPS and runs every half-hour from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Plus, every evening at 4:30 p.m., one lucky guest will be chosen from the audience to count down and "ignite" the first show! Visitors can warm up in between light shows with comfort food and hot beverages at Ben's Bites & Brews and shop for gifts at the Holiday Market.
Hersheypark Christmas Candylane
27 W. Chocolate Avenue
Hershey, Pa. 17033
www.christmasinhershey.com/
Friday, November 13 - Thursday, December 31 (hours vary)
Feel the magic of the holidays at Hersheypark Christmas Candylane. It features four million lights, rides, festive decorations, and Hershey's Characters dressed in their holiday best. There's something for everyone, including holiday-themed shows, shopping and even Santa's reindeer!
Holiday Light Show at Shady Brook Farm
931 Stony Hill Rd.
Yardley, Pa. 19067
www.shadybrookfarm.com
Saturday, November 21 - Sunday, January 10, 2016
Millions of twinkly lights beckon from Bucks County's Shady Brook Farm, where guests have the opportunity to either ride on an open-air wagon through the display or drive through in their car. After your tour through this holiday paradise, park yourself near a bonfire for hot chocolate and s'mores.
Koziar's Christmas Village
782 Christmas Village Rd
Bernville, Pa.
www.koziarschristmasvillage.com
Saturday, November 7 - Saturday, January 2, 2016; Open Evenings
This fantastic Christmas display has earned heaps of accolades, including being selected one of the Top 100 Events in North America for 2015 and one of the Best Outdoor Christmas Displays in the World by Display Magazine. More than a MILLION lights adorn the festive village, which includes everything from a gift barn, an old-fashioned bakery and a toy shop to a church and a "Christmas in Other Lands" section. Grab the family and make a night of it -- this one is sure to get you looking forward to the season.
Macy's Holiday Light Show & Dickens Village
Macy's Center City
1300 Market St.
Philadelphia, Pa.
www.wanamakerorgan.com
Light Show:Friday, November 27 through Thursday, December 31; 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m., 8 p.m. (Closed Christmas Day)
Dickens Village: Open daily throughout the holiday season
It wouldn't be Christmas in Philly without the Macy's Holiday Light Show, an annual event since 1956. More than 34,500 LED lights bedeck the gigantic tree, and 65,000 more act as a glittering backdrop for the show, which is narrated by Mary Poppins, aka Julie Andrews. And in addition to being a veritable feast for the eyes, the light show is also one for the ears—the sounds of the Wanamaker Organ accompany the journey through classic holiday tales like Frosty the Snowman and The Nutcracker.
Finished watching the light show a couple times? Walk through the other Macy's holiday attraction, the Dickens Village. Located on the 3rd floor, the animated 1840s village is a 6,000-square-foot walk-through tour of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, complete with everyone's fav grump, Scrooge.
Peddler's Village Grand Illumination & Christmas Festival
Routes 202 & 263
Lahaska, Pa.
www.peddlersvillage.com
Grand Illumination Celebration:
Friday, November 20: 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Christmas Festival:
Saturday, December 5 - 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, December 6, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Santa switches on the Christmas lights at 6:15 p.m. sharp at the Grand Illumination Celebration on Nov. 20. Sip on free cider and toast marshmallows as you pay tribute to the start of the most wonderful time of year. Then, stroll through quaint Peddler's Village, which will be decked out in Victorian splendor—complete with old school fruit wreaths and garlands of greenery.
Philadelphia's Christmas Village
JFK Plaza
1500 Arch St.
Philadelphia, Pa.
www.philachristmas.com
Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22 (Preview Weekend)
Closed November 23-25
Thursday, November 26th - Sunday, December 27th
Sunday – Thursday: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Friday – Saturday: 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Thanksgiving Day (11/26/15): 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Christmas Eve (12/24/15): 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Christmas Day (12/25/15): Closed
Pretend you're in Europe at the Philadelphia version of a German Christmas market. The month-long outdoor event includes more than 60 wooden booths selling traditional European food, sweets and drinks; plus artisans and retailers peddling ornaments, jewelry and quality arts and crafts. And if that—plus a hot mulled wine or two—doesn't amp up your holiday cheer, you might as well start practicing your "bah, humbug" now.
Reading Terminal Holiday Railroad
51 N. 12th St.
Philadelphia, Pa.
www.readingterminalmarket.org
Friday, November 27 - Thursday, December 31
Monday – Sunday: Opens daily at 10 a.m.
Closed Christmas
Reading Terminal's Holiday Railroad, a Philly tradition, is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face—no matter your age. Watch as twelve working train lines chug through Center City, a Christmas village and the snow-covered countryside—all in miniature, of course!
Seaport Parade of Lights
Independence Seaport Museum
211 S Columbus Blvd
www.phillyseaport.org
Saturday, Dec. 12; 5:30 p.m.
It's a lovely spectacle on the Delaware during the annual Parade of Lights at the Independence Seaport Museum. The fun starts at 11 a.m. with holiday arts and crafts, carolers, selfies with Santa and more. Then, at 5:30 p.m., a lighted boat parade featuring tugboats, working vessels and pleasure boats all decked out for the holidays will make its way down the Delaware -- something you don't want to miss! The parade will be emceed by KYW Newsradio personality Steve Nikazy.
Storybook Land: Christmas Fantasy With Lights
6415 Black Horse Pike
Egg Harbor Township, NJ.
https://storybookland.com/christmas/
Saturday, November 22st - Wednesday, December 30
Park hours vary
Holiday magic for all ages! At 5 p.m., Santa Claus arrives in his chimney, waves his wand and will light the park's over one million lights! All of the rides, attractions, and snack bars are open through the holiday season, and Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available to meet with children until December 23rd.
Waterfront Winterfest at the Blue Cross RiverRink at Penn's Landing
Columbus Blvd at Market St
Philadelphia, Pa.
www.delawareriverwaterfront.com
Winterfest: Opens for the season Friday, Nov. 27, 2015 (Tree-lighting ceremony on Dec. 4)
Monday - Thursday 1 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Friday 1 p.m. - 1 a.m.
Saturday 11 a.m. - 1 a.m.
Sunday 11 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Special hours on Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day
Ice Skating Hours:
Opening Weekend Hours
November 27: 11AM - 12:30AM
November 28: 11AM - 12:30AM
November 29: 11AM – 10:30PM
Regular Operating Hours
Monday - Thursday: 1PM – 10:30PM
Friday: 1PM – 12:30AM
Saturday: 11AM – 12:30AM
Sunday: 11AM – 10:30PM
Extended Hours, December 19 – January 3
Monday - Sunday: 11AM-1AM
Special Hours
Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Valentine's Day.
Ice skating on the brain? You know where to go! This Philadelphia outdoor ice rink reopens on Black Friday. Slip on a pair of skates and glide around the rink, then head indoors to the heated snack bar for hot chocolate and snacks.
And again this year, the RiverRink is going all-out with a pop-up "Winterfest," which is now a permanent part of the rink. Enjoy fire pits, holiday lights, winter lodges and specialty seasonal cocktails.
Holiday in the Park Festival At Six Flags Great Adventure
1 Six Flags Boulevard
Jackson, NJ 08527
www.sixflags.com/greatadventure
Opens Nov. 21 and runs weekends and select days through January 3, 2016.
Six Flags Entertainment's annual holiday extravaganza Holiday in the Park debuts Nov. 21, transforming the summer thrill destination into a winter wonderland. Holiday in the Park features more than a million glittering lights, dazzling holiday entertainment, delicious seasonal treats, Santa's village and nearly 30 thrilling rides.
13th Annual Latkepalooza
The Gershman Y
401 S Broad Street
Philadelphia, Pa.
www.gershmany.org
Sunday, December 6
The Gershman Y's signature event is back with a lineup of Philadelphia chefs, live music, and a special program made just for kids and their families.
Holiday Spectacular
Comcast Building
1701 JFK Blvd
Philadelphia, Pa.
www.visitphilly.com
Tuesday, November 24 – Sunday, January 3: At the top of the hour 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., (except 5 p.m. on weekdays)
Shown on one of the world's largest highest-resolution LED displays located inside the lobby of the Comcast Center, The Comcast Holiday Spectacular is a sight to behold. This year, the 15-minute Comcast Holiday Spectacular takes visitors on a festive, musical journey featuring classic family favorites, a snippet of The Nutcracker performed by the Philadelphia Ballet, and a performance by actors from Philadelphia's Walnut Street Theater.
2016 Mummers Parade
Parade Begins At City Hall, And Marches South On Broad Street To Washington Avenue
Philadelphia, Pa.
Begins at 9 a.m. on January 1, 2016
A yearly tradition that should not be missed! The Mummers Parade features men and women dressed in colorfully lavish costumes as they perform, dance and twirl up Broad Street. An undeniably wild tradition, but the performances promise fun for the whole family.