Holidays in Philly
Merry South Philly window boxes to restore and revive your holiday cheer
A photo tour of rowhomes decked out for the season.

Bouvier Street near Oregon Avenue
Kimberly Paynter / WHYYIf you’re suffering from quarantine boredom syndrome, of which one symptom is a significant dearth in holiday cheer, consider traipsing through any neighborhood south of Washington Avenue.
South Philadelphia window boxes from Pennsport to Point Breeze are swirling with fake snow, tiny elves and tinsel.
Plastic icicles drip from porch awnings, and some houses have turned into entire scenes from seasonal classics like “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” You don’t even have to fret about the early darkness, since so many houses are decked out with twinkle lights and reflective tinsel.
Philly residents treat their rowhome windows almost like personal billboards. They get crafty and creative, using them as canvases to spread all kinds of messaging.
Early in the pandemic, scavenger hunt rainbows and essential worker thank-yous proliferated around town. During the election, windows boasted “lawn” signs for political candidates. And as soon as Thanksgiving ended, they became people’s own private snow globes.
Peep our journey through South Philly’s holiday window boxes. If you decide to take a stroll yourself, let us know how it goes.
South Philly’s holiday window boxes
Fitzgerald Street
Kimberly Paynter / WHYYWhere to go if you want to do a live-action TikTok remake of The Grinch.
West Oregon Avenue
Kimberly Paynter / WHYYIt’s like Franklin Square and the Delaware Waterfront and the Zoo Balloon all in one.
Wolf Street
Kimberly Paynter / WHYYWhy let any section of the window be without decor?
South 8th Street
Kimberly Paynter / WHYYSome classy reindeer gathering at a pine tree, as they do.
Fitzgerald Street
Kimberly Paynter / WHYYCandyland, meet Christmastime.
Wolf Street
Kimberly Paynter / WHYYGot elves watching the whole block for naughty/nice behavior.
South 17th Street
Kimberly Paynter / WHYYIcicles dripping from just about every surface.
South Camac Street
Kimberly Paynter / WHYYHouse, snowman and Santa not to scale.
South 8th Street
Kimberly Paynter / WHYYPolar bear sleigh? Why not.
South 13th Street
Kimberly Paynter / WHYYJoy for a good cause! The Flying Dutchman Foundation is a Mummers group that marches for autism awareness.
South 11th Street
Kimberly Paynter / WHYYA tree trimmed with lights and presents.
South 11th Street
Kimberly Paynter / WHYYReindeer stretching before their global commute.
South 10th Street
Kimberly Paynter / WHYYAre the elves trapped in there? If so, they probably get plenty of treats.
Maria Mantelone on West Oregon Avenue said her holiday window is a work in progress
Kimberly Paynter / WHYYA work in progress, per its creator.
South 17th Street
Kimberly Paynter / WHYYSome representation for the traditional decor lovers.
West Oregon Avenue
Kimberly Paynter / WHYYWhere to go if you forget how many days left till Christmas.
South 18th Street
Kimberly Paynter / WHYYA holiday arch perfect for the ‘gram.
South 22nd Street
Kimberly Paynter / WHYYFenced-in porch, Decorating 101.
South Chadwick Street
Kimberly Paynter / WHYYSleek, very sleek.
South 17th Street
Kimberly Paynter / WHYYSanta HQ! Check out that North Pole igloo.
South 17th Street
Kimberly Paynter / WHYYNever enough wreaths or boughs.
Wolf Street
Kimberly Paynter / WHYYGreen bulb porch light is obligatory.
South 11th Street
Kimberly Paynter / WHYYA 3D Merry Christmas sign and presents falling from the window, 10/10.