The Must-See Holiday Attractions in Greater Philadelphia for 2022

November 1, 2022 – March 26, 2023 (dates vary by attraction)

Holiday pop ups abound in Center City’s Dilworth Park all season long (and beyond). For 2022, folks can:

November 15, 2022 – January 1, 2023

The city’s magnificent holiday tree arrives on November 15, 2022 on the north side of City Hall, around the corner from all the wintry fun in Dilworth Park and LOVE Park. A tree-lighting celebration on Thursday, December 1, 2022 invites residents and visitors to see the tree sparkle for the first time this season.

Franklin Square celebrates the winter season with free nightly light shows inspired by Benjamin Franklin’s legendary kite and key experiment. Free light shows — set to a soundtrack of seasonal tunes —  illuminate the square every 30 minutes from 5 p.m. until close. Before or after the show, grab a burger or beverage fireside from the on-site Square Burger, play a round of festive Chilly Philly Mini Golf or hop aboard the classic Parx Liberty Carousel.

This immersive display transforms the Philadelphia Zoo’s day-scape into a nighttime multimedia spectacle. After the animals are tucked away for the evening, the zoo lights up with more than 1 million holiday lights in 14 distinct zones. New displays for 2022 — including a 15-foot tall glowing blue gorilla and an under-the-sea-inspired holiday tree — join familiar favorites like a 100-foot-long aquarium tunnel (complete with enormous jellyfish) and a 21-foot-tall brilliantly bright snake. Seasonal fare, live performers, hot chocolate and adult beverages round out the feelings of winter spirit. Timed tickets are required.

November 18 – December 30, 2022 (select dates)

Norristown’s Elmwood Park Zoo shines (quite literally) during the holiday season, with millions of LED lights illuminating the Montco attraction’s 16 acres during Wild Lights. The walk-through experience features brilliant light displays and live entertainment during the evening hours. Tickets are required.

Each holiday season, Kennett Square’s world-renowned Longwood Gardens transforms into a winter wonderland during the hugely popular A Longwood Christmas. This year’s theme, The Art of Christmas, features floating floral displays, dozens of holiday trees draped in gilded garland, enchanting treehouses and luminous outdoor light displays. Tickets are required.

Through Saturday, January 28, 2023 (select dates)

This Bucks County farm kicks off its three-million-light Holiday Light Show with Dashin’ Thru the … Lights (November 18, 2022), a family-friendly two-miler (timed tickets required) through the attraction. The main display opens to the public on November 19, 2022, when visitors drive or, if weather permits, ride in wagons past after-dark displays: illuminated tunnels and just about every imaginable Christmas icon rendered in tiny bulbs. (Timed tickets required.) Included with admission: the walk-through Candy Cane Lane light show.

With more than 60 specialty shops perfect for holiday shopping, Peddler’s Village’s charm and beautiful, festive decorations help ring in the season — as do the attraction’s 1 million twinkling lights, set to cover its buildings and trees beginning on November 18, 2022. Also at Peddler’s this year: The free Gingerbread Competition & Display returns with more than 75 creative entries (November 18, 2022 – January 8, 2023), and families watch Santa parade through the Village during Holly Jolly Weekend (December 3-4, 2022).

November 19-20 & November 24 – December 24, 2022

The open-air European wonderland that is Christmas Village in LOVE Park returns for 2022 with more than 110 different vendors set up in brand-new wooden huts. On offer: local and international gifts such as Käthe Wohlfahrt ornaments, accessories and wintry apparel, along with raclette sandwiches, spiced wine, apple cider, strudels and more seasonal treats. Across the street on the north apron of City Hall and in the City Hall courtyard, a double-decker Christmas Village Carousel, Ferris Wheel and Kids Train await for those in between shopping and eating stints.

Where else but the official, Bucks County-based theme park of Sesame Street would kids get to enjoy A Very Furry Christmas, transforming the park with millions of lights? Guests can take in the festive Christmas Parade, sing along during the 1-2-3 Christmas Tree music and light show, visit Santa in the Furry Workshop and more. Sesame Place also celebrates Hanukkah (December 18 and 22-25, 2022) with a Menorah-lighting ceremony and Kwanzaa (December 26, 2022 – January 1, 2023) with a Kinara-lighting ceremony.

The nation’s oldest Thanksgiving Day parade — originally founded in 1920 — brings larger-than-life floats, spectacular marching bands, dazzling dancers, A-listers and, of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. This year’s eclectic mix of performers and celebs includes everyone from The Spinners and C+C Music Factory to Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, Philadanco, Carson Kressley, Blue Man Group and more.

The Comcast Center’s annual (and free!) super high-res LED holiday show returns this year, back in the lobby of the city’s second-tallest building on one of the world’s largest LED continuous video walls. Combining performances from the Philadelphia Ballet with classic holiday songs, the 15-minute show features a magical sleigh ride over the city. Shows run daily at the top of every hour from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with sensory-friendly shows on offer every Thursday and Friday at 2:30 p.m. (and upon request). Also back from 2022 is The Universal Sphere, a free cinematic experience (advanced reservations encouraged) created by Steven Spielberg, DreamWorks Animation, Universal Parks & Resorts and Comcast Labs, located in the upper lobby of the Comcast Technology Center. Shows run daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the last daily show starting at 7:45 p.m.

Through Friday, December 30, 2022 (select dates)

The annual Holiday Garden Railway brings a mini-winter wonderland to the historic Morris Arboretum, with a quarter-mile track where model trains chug along loops, through tunnels and over bridges, past perfect little replicas of beloved Philadelphia landmarks. In short, it’s adorable. On select Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings throughout the display’s run, guests enjoy the railway amid thousands of twinkling lights as part of the after-hours Holiday Garden Railway: Nighttime Express programming. Lighted trees and other colored lights make the garden even more magical. Tickets are required.

The Grand Court in the National Historic Landmark Wanamaker Building has hosted the Christmas Light Show since 1956. Macy’s continues the holiday tradition in 2022 with a 100,000-light show featuring twinkling snowflakes and dancing snowmen, and accompanied by seasonal sounds from the famed Wanamaker Organ. Free performances take place:

• Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays: 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
• Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays: 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
• Christmas Eve: 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m.

Visitors can also register to visit Macy’s Dickens Village, where intricate animated dolls and sets retell Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

Returning for a second year to the Fairground at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center at Oaks, this holiday experience is powered by an astounding 1.2 million twinkling lights. Intricate displays include a 60-foot, walk-through light tunnel, illuminated recreations of Philly landmarks, and tributes to Philly’s thriving sports teams. After you walk through the winter wonderland, find the perfect gift in the artisan Mistletoe Marketplace, then glide around Rudolph’s ice rink, or grab a mat and speed down a 160-foot ice slide — both brand-new for 2022. Oh, and, it him: The one and only Gritty Claus will be making appearances on select dates.

Opens for the season on Friday, November 25, 2022

Experience a riverfront winter wonderland at the Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest. Glide around an enormous ice skating rink, snap a photo next to the festive holiday tree and warm up with a hot beverage next to a fire pit or inside a cozy cabin. Entry into Winterfest is free. Ice skating, cabins and fire pits can be reserved in advance. The tree lighting ceremony is set for Friday, December 2, 2022.

Lights turn on Saturday, November 26, 2022

Neighbors on the 1600 block of South 13th Street work together on the elaborate display that adorns their street for the Miracle on South 13th Street. Stroll down the block and take in each home’s decked-out decor. If you’re driving, expect traffic slowdowns.

Visit Philadelphia (hey, that’s us!) gets in on the holiday action with a can’t-miss winter parade in Center City. The Visit Philadelphia Holiday Parade — returning for its second year — celebrates all of winter’s holidays, including Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and the Chinese New Year. The event features cold-air balloons, marching bands, floats, dancers and more.

This two-day event — now at the King of Prussia Mall for 2022 — features hundreds of holiday trees brilliantly decorated for the season by local florists, designers, artists and more. Skip the line by buying timed tickets ahead of time ($10 for adults, $5 for children ages 5-18). Bonus: Proceeds benefit local animal shelters and rescues.

It’s just not the holidays in Philly without The Nutcracker. The Sugar Plum Fairy, the Mouse King and other magical inhabitants of The Land of Sweets twirl across the stage at the Academy of Music during the Philadelphia Ballet’s annual holiday production of George Balanchine’s classic ballet. While dancers delight on stage, audiences of all ages will find themselves humming along to the whimsical melodies in Tchaikovsky’s score.

Saturday, December 31, 2022 | 6 p.m. and midnight

Philadelphia ends every year with a bang thanks to two big New Year’s Eve fireworks shows: one at 6 p.m. and one at midnight. Stay tuned for more info on this year’s shows and the best places to catch the displays.

Mum’s the word! Start the year off with one of Philly’s most famous traditions, when more than 10,000 costumed marchers — many of whom practice all year for this one-day celebration — strut their stuff down Broad Street from City Hall to Washington Avenue in South Philly. The closest comparison to the festive, often-rowdy, more than 120-year-old tradition is Mardi Gras in New Orleans. The parade is free to watch, but the best seats in the house — bleacher seating near City Hall — are $25 each. Tickets can be purchased online or at the Philadelphia Visitors Center. Also up on New Year’s Day: The Fancy Brigades head inside the Pennsylvania Convention Center for intricately choreographed Broadway-style performances that are judged in a number of categories.