As the winter chill sets in, Philadelphia glows with the warmth of the holiday season. The city’s holiday traditions, festivities that occur mainly outdoors with plenty of opportunities for social distancing and ventilation, are now more appreciated than ever. This year expect to see a few city favorites returning after a year off, while many other long-standing holiday traditions of the city continue to spread the joy of the season.
Dickens’ Village, the city’s favorite holiday hamlet since 1985
Based on ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens, the 6000-square-foot Dickens’ Village has been attracting holiday visitors since 1985. Located on the 3rd floor of The Wanamaker Building, patrons can walk through the holiday hamlet and view animated scenes depicting various parts of the story. A figure of Dickens himself welcomes visitors before they stroll through Christmas past, present, and future until they finally see Scrooge come to his senses and spread holiday cheer. The village is open to guests from Black Friday through New Year’s Eve from 10 am-7 pm and has no entry fee.
The Comcast Holiday Spectacular returns this year and moves outside
Viewers are treated to a 15-minute visual presentation projected onto the Comcast Experience video wall outside of the Comcast Center. Classic music such as ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ and ‘Carol of the Bells’ plays as onlookers observe a cheerful holiday-centric spectacle. The free presentation is capped off by a small segment of ‘The Nutcracker’ performed by the Pennsylvania Ballet. Shows run daily from Thanksgiving through New Year’s at the top of each hour from 10 am-8 pm, except for weekdays at 5 pm.
Macy’s Christmas Light Show narrated by Julie Andrews
The festivities at Macy’s have been a tradition since 1956. Located in The Wanamaker Building, the Christmas Light Show takes place in the multi-story atrium. Generations gather around to see the 100,000 LED light show depicting holiday fables such as ‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,’ ‘The Nutcracker,’ and ‘Frosty the Snowman.’ Narrated by Julie Andrews and accompanied by music from the Wanamaker Grand Court Organ – the world’s largest playable instrument – the complimentary show runs once daily at 10:30 am through December 24, 2021, then at 11:30 am from December 25 through New Year’s Eve.
The best gifts can be found at Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market
Right outside of City Hall at Dilworth Park is the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market where a curated selection of local vendors sells their crafted wares. Popular items include earrings made from vintage candy tins and handmade knit scarves. Those searching for adorably decorated sugar cookies for coworkers or looking for urban-style T-shirts for that hard-to-buy-for nephew will find that this market is brimming with unique items to give. The market is open from the Saturday before Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day.
Ice Skating in the heart of the city, Dilworth Park
Near the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market, visitors can test their ice skating skills at the Rothman Institute Ice Rink in Dilworth Park. Skating occurs from early November through late February. This family-friendly activity is perfect for breaking up holiday festivities, allowing some to shop while others enjoy the ice, all under the watchful eye of William Penn, who overlooks Christmas in Philadelphia from the pinnacle of City Hall.
Savoring hot mulled wine at The Christmas Village in LOVE Park
Placed to celebrate the bicentennial of the United States in 1976, the LOVE statue in JFK Plaza is a Philadelphia icon. During the holiday season, the park fills up with 80 wooden booths laden with merchants from all over the world. From Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve, visitors can carry around a mug of hot mulled wine to stay warm while shopping for gifts, exploring Philadelphia souvenirs, and entering a heated tent to browse German-made holiday items.
Reading Terminal Market’s the place for the best variety of local food
The Reading Terminal Market serves as an exceptional lunch stop where patrons can enjoy a genuine Philly cheesesteak at George’s or purchase freshly baked, home-style cookies at The Famous 4th Street Cookie Company. The market is also home to the Reading Terminal Holiday Railroad, featuring 25 individual trains set within five different scenes that depict local sights such as the PA Dutch countryside and holiday vignettes like The North Pole. The best part is that the display is free and interactive, allowing visitors to control the lights and trains as they move around the track.
The festive lights of Franklin Square Holiday Festival
It’s difficult to acknowledge Philadelphia’s history without mentioning Benjamin Franklin. After all, he established Philadelphia’s first fire company and founded the University of Pennsylvania while making many other contributions to the city. The Franklin Square Holiday Festival pays tribute to him via 50,000 lights set to holiday music. From mid-November through New Year’s Eve, the square boasts fire pits and seasonal treats for those who want to stay awhile. One highlight is an illuminated 12-foot tall kite, which pays homage to Franklin’s famed kite experiment.
Where to stay in Philadelphia
Located in a refurbished historic church, The Deacon is a boutique hotel featuring eight bedrooms with arched ceilings and original stained glass. For those wishing to stay in the heart of the city, Penn’s View Hotel Philadelphia is on the National Register of Historic Places and is located nearby the Liberty Bell. Another inner-city option is Philadelphia 201, just a few blocks from LOVE Park—ideal for those wishing to experience Christmas in Philadelphia.
This article was first published on October 28, 2019, and was last updated on December 23, 2021.
