The Holiday Season in Philadelphia: Christmas Lights, Markets & More
Philadelphia knows how to dress for the holidays.
Come December, Rittenhouse Square has traded its autumn canopy for bare branches threaded with light. Along Walnut Street, shop windows glow against the early evening, and the first notes of a familiar carol seem to drift out whenever a door opens.
This season, discover the markets, performances, and illuminated landmarks that make the holidays in Philadelphia worth bundling up for, all within reach of The Rittenhouse.
A Taste of Christmas in Europe
Christmas Village in Philadelphia | November 21–December 27
Follow the scent of gingerbread and roasting bratwurst to LOVE Park, where rows of wooden stalls lend Christmas in Philadelphia a distinctly European charm.
More than 100 vendors fill the market with handcrafted ornaments, jewelry, artisan gifts, and seasonal treats. There’s strudel to share, mulled wine to warm your hands, and the pleasant possibility of finding something you hadn’t known you were looking for.
Overhead, a 30-foot German Christmas Pyramid turns, illuminated by 3,000 lights. Nearby, the Ferris wheel offers a different perspective on City Hall and the market below. And with so much to catch the eye, one turn among the stalls rarely feels like enough.
Gifts With a Philadelphia Address
Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market | November 13–January 1
Just across from Christmas Village, Philadelphia’s makers take center stage at the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market in Dilworth Park.
Browse crafted jewelry, local artwork, and handmade goods beneath the imposing silhouette of City Hall. It’s the sort of shopping that rewards a closer look, where a conversation with the person behind a piece can make the gift feel that much more personal.
Winter at Dilworth Park | November 13–March 28
Once the shopping bags are full, there’s more to discover around the park. Through February 21, watch skaters trace circles across the ice rink beneath City Hall’s grand stone façade, then retreat to the Rothman Cabin for a warm drink and a fireside seat.
For a little winter enchantment, wander through the Wintergarden on the Greenfield Lawn, open through March, where illuminated greenery and overhead sculptures cast a soft glow against the winter sky.
A Season of Standing Ovations
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker | December 4–31
Beneath the chandeliers of the historic Academy of Music, Philadelphia Ballet brings Tchaikovsky’s beloved score to life. Watch Clara’s Christmas Eve adventure unfold through a battle with the Mouse King, swirling snowfall, and the delicate steps of the Sugar Plum Fairy.
The Glorious Sound of Christmas | December 17–20
At the Kimmel Center, the Philadelphia Orchestra fills Marian Anderson Hall with sweeping orchestral arrangements, soaring choral performances, and familiar melodies from Home Alone. A Philadelphia tradition since 1962, the concert offers the joy of hearing seasonal favorites performed with the richness and precision of a world-class orchestra.
The City Aglow
LumiNature at the Philadelphia Zoo | November 19–January 9
After dark, the Philadelphia Zoo trades its familiar landscape for something altogether more theatrical. This year brings imaginative new installations, interactive displays, and live performances inspired by the animals’ holiday wishes, alongside the return of the towering pink flamingo tree. For a bird’s-eye view, climb aboard the 110-foot Philly Zoo Pherris Wheel, where the grounds below glimmer like a scene from a storybook.
Electrical Spectacle Light Show at Franklin Square | November 19–January 3
At historic Franklin Square, colorful displays dance in time with seasonal music every half hour. It’s a fitting spectacle for a park named after Benjamin Franklin, whose famous kite-and-key experiment helped illuminate our understanding of electricity.
Miracle on South 13th Street | November 28–January 1
For something wonderfully local, take an evening stroll through East Passyunk, where neighbors have spent more than three decades turning an ordinary stretch of rowhouses into a dazzling display of Christmas magic. Elaborate lights spill across porches, windows, and doorways, each home adding its own personality to the block, with no shortage of holiday spirit.
The Pleasure of Coming Back
The loveliest part of exploring Philadelphia Christmas events might just be what happens afterward.
Beyond the last string of lights, there’s the comfort of returning to a beautifully appointed room overlooking Rittenhouse Square. A cocktail at Library Bar, a quiet morning above the treetops, perhaps dinner at Lacroix. If your stay coincides with Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, or New Year’s Eve, festive brunches and dinners offer an especially elegant way to celebrate.
Plan a holiday stay at The Rittenhouse, with all of Philadelphia just beyond your door.