‘Tis the season for holiday lightings and festivities. With tall trees and holiday decor popping up across the city, we’ve rounded up several light shows and ceremonies for you to consider for your own calendars!
Tree Lightings
Wednesday, Dec. 4: Deck the Ave Tree Lighting
Join East Passyunk neighbors from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Singing Fountain for the annual tree lighting and free photo-op with Santa (6 p.m.)! Holiday tunes will be sung live from the Central High School Concert Choir, City Rhythm Trio, and HOME: The Fanny Coppin Rockin’ Band. Food and drink specials will also be on hand.
Wednesday, Dec. 4: 8th annual Historic Holidays Tree Lighting
Head to the Betsy Ross House at 6 p.m. for this tree lighting in Old City, complete with musical and dance performances from local schools and performance groups, plus an appearance from Santa Claus.
Thursday, Dec. 5: Philly Holiday Tree Lighting + Pre-Show
City Hall hosts the official lighting of the Philly Holiday Tree from 6 to 8 p.m., with a pre-show from 3 to 6 p.m. Performances throughout include students; community leaders; the cast of Broadway’s STOMP; Liamani, star of Disney’s “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series;” and Grammy-nominated actress Keyshia Cole. Food trucks and other vendors will also be on hand.
Thursday, Dec. 5: Evil Genius Beer Tree Lighting
Live music, a special holiday beer tapping, and the tree-lighting ceremony (7:30pm) await at this free, family-friendly event. (6 to 9 p.m.)
Friday, Dec. 6: uCity Square Holiday Fest
West Philly’s only tree-lighting ceremony returns with local vendors, and ornament-making workshop, photos with Santa, a beer garden, live music, and more. FREE. (4 to 7 p.m.)
Friday, Dec. 6: Holiday Tree Lighting at Penn’s Landing
Head to the Philly waterfront’s ice skating rink to kick off the holiday season with a tree lighting, fireworks finale, and performances from America’s Got Talent alum Christina Wells and social media performer Tyler Kingsley. (6 to 9 p.m.)
Friday-Saturday, Dec. 6-7: Happy Holidays from ROX
The festivities kick off at 5:30 p.m. Friday with a tree lighting, live music, and hot beverages in the Roxborough Pocket Park (6170 Ridge Avenue). Then return to Ridge Ave. on Saturday from 12 to 6 p.m. for pop-up holiday market shopping, warm snacks, and a 3 p.m. visit from Santa on a fire truck.
Monday, Dec. 9: Rittenhouse Park Tree Lighting
Join the Friends of Rittenhouse to the park for its annual lighting ceremony, from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Monday, Dec. 30: Holidays on South: Menorah Lighting
Join South Street for a night of togetherness with light refreshments. Three local rabbis will be leading the community in prayer and song under the Shambles at 5 p.m., with the Menorah lighting occurring at 5:30 p.m.
Menorah Lightings
Sunday, Dec. 29: Rittenhouse Square Menorah Lighting (5 to 6:30 p.m.)
Sunday, Dec. 29: Chanukah on the Avenue, at the Singing Fountain (5:30 to 7 p.m.)
Monday, Dec. 30: Betsy Ross House
The historic site hosts its 7th annual lighting at 4 p.m. with live music and homemade holiday treats.
Monday, Dec. 30: Holidays on South
Join a celebratory night of togetherness with light refreshments under the Shambles. Three local rabbis will be leading the community in prayer and song. We are gathering under the Shambles at 5pm with the Menorah Lighting occurring at 5:30pm.
Other holiday displays
Northern Liberties Holiday Tree
Outside Figo Ristorante
1033 N. 2nd Street
Miracle on South 13th Holiday Light Display
1600 block of South 13th Street
5 to 11 p.m. daily through Dec. 31
What started as just a few neighbors putting up lights has become a South Philly tradition lasting decades. Each weekend, neighbors raise money for various charities. Details are on the neighborhood Facebook and Instagram pages.
You can drive through for a quick tour, or walk the block for more leisurely viewing. A note from the neighborhood: “If visiting, please do so respectfully and remember that these are our homes. Keep your voices down, take any trash with you, and try not to touch the displays.”
Smedley Street, aka the “Christmas Block”
2700 block of Smedley Street
Nightly through Jan. 1
2700 Smedley Street in South Philly goes all-out with lights, decorations, displays, and community events, including a letter box for Santa.
Christmas on Kimball
800 Block of Kimball Street
Nightly through Jan. 1
Macy’s Christmas Light Show
Macy’s Center City, 1300 Market St
Daily through Dec. 31.
Visitors to Macy’s during the holiday season can look up from their shopping several times a day to see a festive light show. The performance also features the massive, 28,575-pipe Wanamaker Organ for the noon and 6 p.m. showings on Friday and Saturday, and the 6 p.m. showings on Monday through Thursday.
Dickens Village
While you’re at Macy’s, check out the Dickens Village animatronic show and Santa meet and greet running through the end of the year, Tuesday, Dec. 31.
Deck the Hall Light Show
West facade of City Hall
On the hour, 5 to 9 p.m. through Jan. 1
This show is projected onto the side of City Hall, transforming the historic building into a sparkling winter landscape or colorful psychedelic design. Between performances, Dilworth Park offers plenty of festive activities, including ice skating and sipping hot cider, hot chocolate, cocktails, and mulled wine.
Through Dec. 21 (trolley) and Dec. 31 (lights): Manayunk Gets Lit & Jolly Trolley
Main Street, Manayunk
5 to 9 p.m. nightly
More than 50 Main Street businesses decorate their storefronts with holiday lights, thanks to the Manayunk Development Corp.
The festively decorated Jolly Trolley will run up and down Main Street making several stops at local businesses while holiday movies/music plays. Secret Santa will give away swag bags and prizes during select weekends.
Electrical Spectacle Light Show
Franklin Square, 200 N 6th St
Every 30 minutes from 5 p.m. to park close (9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday)
This musical light show features 200,000 lights and features classic holiday tunes.
