Tis the season to be jolly, yes, but also, to go out and do all the holiday things. This time of year, many things to do in Philly are sorta must-do: Shop for secret Santas. Show up at end-of-year celebrations. Cram into the old Wanamaker’s to see the light show and Dickens’ Village. Shop some more.
But there are also so many ways to feel incredible doing all the holiday things: Take an evening stroll through neighborhood lights. Surprise a neighbor with a little gift from one of those makers markets. Treat an old friend a seasonal cocktail at a pop-up bar. Do things you gotta do, for sure. But also: Do things you want to do.
LIGHTS, DISPLAYS AND EVENTS in PHILLY (FREE)
LIGHTS, DISPLAYS AND EVENTS in PHILLY (ADMISSION REQUIRED)
OUT-OF-TOWN LIGHTS and DISPLAYS (ADMISSION REQUIRED)
LIVE HOLIDAY MUSIC, DANCE and THEATER
TREE AND MENORAH LIGHTINGS
POP-UP HOLIDAY BARS
HOLIDAY MAKERS MARKETS and POP-UP SHOPS
FREE LIGHTS, DISPLAYS & FAMILY EVENTS IN PHILADELPHIA:
EXPERIENCE A MIRACLE ON 13TH STREET. Every December, the 1600 block of South 13th Street — a couple blocks from East Passyunk Avenue — transforms into residential holiday display that delights the whole family (but not lots of drivers). Look out for festive trolleys full of tipsy revelers (see below).
GO FARTHER SOUTH INTO SOUTH PHILLY. Girard Estates does the season right. The residents of South Smedley Street up a winter wonderland park complete with a nativity scene in the center of a quaint circle of tidy rowhomes. 2700 S. Smedley Street
STROLL THROUGH A WINTERGARDEN. All the way through March, Dilworth Park’s display of topiary and lights features 100 varieties of native plants, a willow branch pergola, and space for families and friends to mingle and snap festive photos. Free. 1 S.15th Street
SHOP ON WEDNESDAY EVENINGS IN CHESTNUT HILL. Every Wednesday evening through Christmas, pretty Germantown Avenue lights up and gets festive — an event formerly known as “Stag and Doe,” now “Holidays on the Hill.” Shops stay open late, bars get crowded, a brass quartet roams, and Santa stops by. On November 18, 25 and December 4, 11 and 18 from 6:30 to 8:30pm.
CROWD IN FOR THE WANAMAKER’S MACY’S CHRISTMAS LIGHT SHOW. November 29 through December 31, five times daily (10:30am, noon, 2pm, 4pm and 6pm), you can crowd into the courtyard by the bronze eagle to view a giant Lite Brite display of retro snowpeople, teddy bears, sugarplum fairies, trains and more, with Julie Andrews narrating. Monday through Saturday at noon and 4pm, the giant organ accompanies the spectacle. If you want to visit Santa and the Dickens’ Village, make a reservation. Free. 1300 Market Street
CATCH A COMCAST CHRISTMAS. The 15-minute LED Holiday Spectacular in the lobby of the original Comcast Center draws a crowd from November 28 through January 3, at the top of each hour from 10am to 8pm. Sensory friendly show daily at 2:30pm. 1701 JFK Boulevard
SEE ICE SCULPTURES AND SHOP DURING FISHTOWN FREEZE. Walk among ice sculptures on December 14 from noon to 8pm during the sixth annual holiday event that spotlights independent retailers in Fishtown and Kensington. Santa will be hanging at Frankford Hall from noon to 4pm. Rain date: December 15. Frankford Avenue north of Girard Avenue
MAKE A NIGHT OF IT IN FRANKLIN SQUARE. Through February 23, from 5 to 9pm, Winter in Franklin Square sets off a fountain-based Electrical Spectacle light-and-music show (free), and offers street curling ($40/hour; also available in daytime), mini golf ($12-$15), carousel rides ($4), and holiday treats. 200 N. 6th Street
PHILLY LIGHTS, DISPLAYS and EVENTS (ADMISSION REQUIRED):
TRY OUT CHRISTMAS HOUSE. Locals, don’t be fooled by the name — officially “King of Prussia.” This Christmas attraction in Andorra lets ticket holders take 45-minute strolls through 12 rooms, including one where it’s snowing, others dedicated to Harry Potter, the Nightmare Before Christmas, Blockbuster and, of course, the North Pole. Open daily through January 2. $25-$30 and up. 701 Cathedral Road
EXPERIENCE NATURE IN NEON AT THE ZOO. A 40-foot-tall penguin (plus 200 little ones), pine tree made of light-up flamingos, plus butterflies, jellyfish, a giant gorilla, huge snake, vines, flowers, coral reef, and more electrified nature take over the Philadelphia Zoo every night during LumiNature, through January 4. $24-$29. 3400 W. Girard Avenue
OGLE TOY TRAINS IN GREENERY. Chestnut Hill’s historic Morris Arboretum runs its Holiday Garden Railway of G-scale trains in a lovely, living green corner, through December 30. Reservations recommended if you’re coming on a weekend after dusk. $12-$22. 100 E. Northwestern Avenue
RIDE JOLLY ON A HOLIDAY TROLLEY. Tour group Founding Fathers charters wooden trolleys seven nights a week through December 29 to take riders holiday light sightseeing — accompanied by live music. The rollicking two-hour tour starts on N. Delaware Avenue and spends most of its time in South Philly: Dickinson Square Park, Smedley Street, 13th Street, etc. The event is all ages and BYOB within limits. By reservation only $58-$65. Start at 901 N. Delaware Avenue
GET INTO THE SPIRIT ELFRETH’S ALLEY. Old City’s extra-old residential seat hosts its annual Deck the Alley festival on December 7 from 2 to 4pm and 4 to 6pm. Ticket holders can pop into the wee historic homes, sample snacks, shop a makers market and search for hidden elves and while donating to tiny street’s upkeep. By reservation. $26.50 adult, $11 child. Elfreth’s Alley
OUT-OF-TOWN LIGHTS & DISPLAYS (ADMISSION REQUIRED):
SPLURGE ON A VISIT TO LONGWOOD GARDENS. A Longwood Christmas, open through January 12, is a road trip worth making, what with the indoor and outdoor displays, the fabulous fountains, the (sometimes live) music, and the utter greenery and glamor. $23-$42. 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square
DRIVE-THROUGH LIGHTS ON A BUCKS CO. FARM. Through January 5, Shady Brook Farm has the holiday light thing down to a festive science. Cars drive through two miles of lights. Riders can also take the tour by wagon ($15-$20). There’s Mr. Claus and bonfires and plenty to buy too. $30-$50 per car, $75 mini bus or limo. 931 Stony Hill Road, Yardley
LIVE MUSIC, DANCE, THEATER, ETC.:
GET GRINCHED. The Broadway production of Dr. Seuss’s classic Christmas tale shares the hilarious magic of the season at the Miller Theater, November 26 through December 1. $45-$125. 250 S. Broad Street
SEE THE NUTCRACKER, STARRING KIDS FROM THE ROCK SCHOOL. The talented youth toes of South Philly’s eminent ballet school do up the holiday classic The Nutcracker on December 6, 7 and 8 at the Miller Theater. $10-$96. 250 S. Broad Street
SEE THE CLASSIC: PHILADELPHIA BALLET’S NUTCRACKER. George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, set to the classic Tchaikovsky, returns to make the Academy of Music feel extra magical, growing and glowing tree and all, December 6 through December 29. $27-$252. 240 S. Broad Street
LET THE KIDS COME TO A CONCERT. December 7 at 11:30am, Philadelphia Orchestra plays some of the season’s greatest hits for the family crowd, with help from the Commonwealth Youth and Philadelphia Boys and Girls Choirs, narrator Charlotte Blake Alston and the Rock School of Dance at the Children’s Holiday Spectacular. $29-$59. 300 S. Broad Street
EXPERIENCE A HOLIDAY JAZZ DISRUPTOR. Acclaimed singer and trumpeter Bria Skonberg comes to the Annenberg Center with her quintet jazz out on All I Want for Christmas and other classics, December 8 at 7pm. $46-$89. 3680 Walnut Street
TELL YOUR BEST HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS STORY when World Cafe Live opens the mic for First Person Arts’ Story Slam, holiday edition, December 10 at 7:30pm. $10, 3025 Walnut Street
LISTEN TO YANNICK’S HOLIDAY MIXTAPE. It’s not everyday the Orchestra’s principal conductor actually … conducts, let alone conducts an approachable, jazz-infused (but also Tormé-infused) holiday medley featuring a jazz trio and singers. But Nézet-Séguin does just that on December 12 and 13 at 7pm. $51-$152. 300 S. Broad Street
RELATE IN THE BIGGEST WAY. Amanda Schoonover stars in the one-woman show The Complete Works of Christmas: Abridged from writer-director Brenna Geffers about coming home for Christmas without a romantic partner, but with plenty of eggnog, at The Drake December 12 through 29 for 7pm and 2pm shows. $20, 302 S. Hicks Street
GET IN ON THE TAPCRACKER. Pros, apprentices and students from Philly’s own Lady Hoofers take to the Suzanne Roberts stage to present their now-classic take on the Christmas tale, only set in Paris, December 14 at 11am, 3 and 7:30pm and December 15 at 3pm. $30-$55. 480 S. Broad Street
HEAR A MUSICAL “SPECTACULAR.” December 14 from 2 to 4pm, the No Name Pops performs for the people at the Kimmel Center. Philadelphian Na’Zir McFadden conducts the pop orchestra, plus Broadway vocalists Nikki Renee Daniels and Jeff Kready, the No Name Pops Chorus and the St. Thomas Gospel Choir. $51-$121. 300 S. Broad Street
DO THE YORK STREET HUSTLE. World Cafe Live hosts York Street Hustle Holiday Spectacular for time number 12 on December 14 at 8pm. Expect dance-able Motown and Stax with a jingly edge. $15-40. 3025 Walnut Street
EXPERIENCE TUBACHRISTMAS. Philly’s version of this nationwide phenomenon takes place at Cherry Street Pier, with more than 100 novice to professional players blowing out traditional Christmas tunes on December 15 at 2pm. Free. 121 N. Columbus Boulevard
SEE THE MUPPETS; EAT TACOS. Rosy’s Taco Bar East hosts Liberty City Radio Theatre for a live-action rendition of the Muppet Christmas Carol on December 15 at 7pm. $20. 624 S. 6th Street
TAKE IN A CHRISTMAS CAROL, MUPPET STYLE. The Philadelphia Orchestra plays the score while the big screen plays the circa 1992 Disney movie starring Michael Caine as Scrooge and Kermit the Frog as Bob Cratchit on December 18 and 19 at 7pm. $46-$123. 300 S. Broad Street
HEAR THE VOICES OF MOTOWN CHRISTMAS. More old-school faves come wrapped in a holiday package on December 19 at 8pm, when this tribute band hits the World Cafe Live. $40-$45. 3025 Walnut Street
TAKE PART IN AN UNSILENT NIGHT. Composer Phil Kline’s annual interactive holiday concert experiences asks its audience to download one of four digital electronica tracks to play while strolling around Rittenhouse. Local organizer Relâche asks participants to meet up at the Guard House in Rittenhouse Square on December 22 at 6pm. Free. 18th and Locust streets
GET IN THE SPIRIT WITH SAMARA JOY. The jazz singing ingenue joins the McLendon family for a sparkling holiday feast for the ears. December 23 at 7pm. $45-$109. 300 S. Broad Street
CELEBRATE DECEMBER 25 WITH FAMILY AT THE WEITZMAN. Being _____ at Christmas is an all-day family party on December 25 from 10am to 3pm, with live music and dance, lots of activities, classic winter movies, and a site-wide scavenger hunt. Free. 5th and Market streets
TREE AND MENORAH LIGHTINGS (all free):
NORTHERN LIBERTIES TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY AND PARTY. The festivities include music, complimentary hot cocoa and treats outside Figo restaurant. December 3, from 5:30 to 6:30pm. 1033 N. 2nd Street
OLD CITY TREE LIGHTING. The courtyard of the historic Betsy Ross House hosts its neighborhood tree fete on December 4, from 6 to 6:30pm. 239 Arch Street
EAST PASSYUNK AVENUE TREE LIGHTING. Local carolers and, yes, Santa himself will be making a guest appearance at the Singing Fountain on December 5 from 5 to 7pm. (The man in red is available for photos from 6 to 7pm.) Tasker Street and E. Passyunk Avenue
FISHTOWN TREE LIGHTING AT EVIL GENIUS. Join the brewery in ringing in the holiday season on December 5 from 5 to 9pm, (lighting at 7:30pm) with live music, Christmas carols, decorations, photo stations, and the tapping of Santa!! I Know Him! saison. 1727 N. Front Street
CITY HALL LIGHTS ITS TREE. The folks who work (for you) inside the municipal seat join a whole bunch of entertainers — STOMP cast members, Keyshia Cole, Rick Williams — on the North Apron on December 5 from 6 to 8pm for the city’s official tree lighting. Expect giveaways too. Broad Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard
ROXBOROUGH LIGHTS ITS TREE. Pocket Park hosts singers from the Academy of Vocal Arts for its tree lighting on December 6 from 5 to 8pm. 6174 Ridge Avenue
RITTENHOUSE SQUARE GETS LIT. On December 9 from 5 to 6:30pm, Center City’s chi-chi-est park flips the switch on its 30-foot tree and adds family-friendly fun to the occasion. Between 18th and 19th and Walnut and Locust streets
OLD CITY LIGHTS THE MENORAH In the courtyard of the Betsy Ross House, in partnership with the Old City Jewish Arts Center — and with jelly donuts and latkes — on December 30 from 4 to 4:30pm. 239 Arch Street
POP-UP HOLIDAY BARS:
BLACK GIRL MAGIC HOLIDAY POP-UP brings chic vibes from West Philadelphia’s Wine Garden to the Divine Lorraine annex. Mother-daughter owners Nazaret Teclesambet and Favian Sutton turned out the prettiest pinks and twinkling lights for this November 30 through December 29 prix fixe venue, where admission includes a holiday cocktail and curated hors d’oeuvres. $45-200. 699 N. Broad Street
CRAFTSMAN ROW SALOON on Jewelers Row is decked out with 60,000 ornaments, thousands of garlands and lights, plus over-the-top holiday cocktails (and indulgent bar food), seven days and nights a week. 112 S. 8th Street
DOCK THE HALLS is the name of Dock Street Fishtown’s pop-up, open through December 31, and serving up the cocktails, the decor and the holiday films. 1229 N. Front Street
ELEPHANT RESTAURANT & BAR becomes the White Elephant November 29 through December 31, giving disco girl vibes with sequins, white faux fur, hot pink accents and neon decor. 1500 Locust Street
McGILLAN’S OLDE ALE HOUSE: A literally old standby that’s packed all year round now feels like Aunt Pat’s after one too many eggnog martinis. Bonus: They’ve opened their own holiday pop-up shop a block away at 1314 Juniper. 1310 Drury Street
TINSEL: Over the top barely begins to capture Center City’s, crammed, OG pop-up Christmas bar. Open November 29 through December 31. Cover charge on Fridays & Saturdays. 116 S. 12th Street
UPTOWN HOLIDAY EXPRESS: Bundle up. This intentionally tacky spread of lighted pergolas, tunnels and decor has the Heat and Cold Miser brothers, Grinch-y touches — all outdoors — and right across the street from the Christmas Village in LOVE Park. 1500 JFK Boulevard
WALK (AND DRINK) THROUGH A WALNUT WONDERLAND. Rittenhouse Square’s biggest and closest and family-friendliest outdoor bar has 10 decorated Christmas trees, reindeer hitched to its play-Jeep, DIY S’mores, raclette cheese fries, loads of seasonal cocktails — and even live trees for sale. Open through December 31. 1708 Walnut Street
YULE WHISKEY LODGE AT BUTCHER BAR. Rittenhouse’s meat- and brown liquor-forward brasserie gets into the winter act, opening a cozy, ski chalet-theme with over-the-top and classic drinks — like a nutmeg-infused tropical concoction served in a glass that looks like a moose — and cozy, slightly less in-your-face-holiday ambience. 2034 Chestnut Street
HOLIDAY MAKERS MARKETS AND POP-UP SHOPS:
MADE IN PHILADELPHIA HOLIDAY MARKET is the name of the Philly vendors outside City Hall in Dilworth Park. The market is open daily through January 1, closed December 25. 1 S. 15th Street
GIVE IN TO THE CHRISTMAS VILLAGE. Through December 24, the German-inspired market is the spot to score every single Eagles tchotchke, handknits, jewelry, birdhouses, mulled wine, overpriced ornaments and more gifts for Philadelphians. Cross the street to City Hall for the Ferris wheel, carousel, mini SEPTA train, ice skating and more vendors. Free entry. 1600 JFK Boulevard and 1 S. 15th Street
NOW + THEN SUNDAY HOLIDAY MARKET. The peeps behind the Now & Then Marketplace host indoor-outdoor markets December 1, 8, 15 and 22 from noon to 5pm offering an all-ages environment, welcoming dogs, and selling both essential and wackadoodle gifts and cocktails. 2418 Martha Street
SHOP ON SATURDAYS AT CHERRY STREET PIER. December 7, 14 and 21 from noon to 5pm, local makers show up to sell their handmade wares atop the Delaware River at Cherry Street. December 6 through 9, resident artists also offer works for sale in the pier’s onsite gallery. 121 N. Columbus Boulevard
TRANS ART MART. Some of Philly’s top trans and nonbinary makers set up shops in the West Gym of the Bok Building, selling original art, stuffies, stained glass and more on December 8, 11am to 5pm. 821 Dudley Street
LIBERTY FLEA. Pennsport’s Sheet Metal Banquet Hall hosts New York’s Liberty Flea for a very cool vintage-meets-handmade market on December 14 from 10am to 5pm. Admission required: $5-$7. 1301 S. Columbus Boulevard
WEST CRAFT FEST comes indoors to The Rotunda for two days, December 14 and 15 from 10am to 4pm. The vendors — of handmade jewelry, ceramics, ornaments, art prints and originals, home wares, clothing, hand knits, bodycare, candles, stationery, toys — switch up from Saturday to Sunday, so you might want to swing by both days. 4014 Walnut Street
NORTHERN LIBERTIES HOLIDAY SHOPPING STROLL takes place December 14 and 15 from 11am to 4pm throughout the greater Piazza shopping area. Shoppers can pick up punch cards to use during purchases and potentially win a raffle prize. 914 N. 2nd Street
FESTIVELY FLY HOLIDAY MARKET.This all-Black market returns December 15 from noon to 8pm to Location 215 with more than 20 Black-owned brands, artists, designers and creators representing All Black Everything. Live DJs and food and drink too. $15 or two for $20. 990 Spring Garden Street
MADE@BOK. South Philadelphia’s Bok building showcases and sells the work of resident crafters and artists, December 16 and 17, from 11am to 5pm. Look for made-there wares like sustainable fashion, hand-blown glass, and all kinds of ceramics and jewelry. 821 Dudley Street
HOLIDAY PUNK ROCK FLEA MARKET. Center City’s Armory hosts 200 vendors of clothing, records, crafts, art and old punk junk. Festivities with a night market, December 20 from 4 to 10pm and December 21 and 22 from 10am to 5pm. $10 admission is good for all three dates. 22 S. 23rd Street
ART STAR PROCRASTINATOR MARKET. The two-day last chance to get your shopping done, from the folks who started it all, Northern Liberties’ Art Star — located in the Philadelphia Visitor Center. December 21 and 22 from 11am to 4pm. 599 Market Street
MORE GOOD THINGS TO DO OVER THE HOLIDAYS
