The Holidays in Philadelphia: A Perfect Three-Day Itinerary

Start your morning with a coffee at Philly’s own La Colombe Coffee Roasters on Penn Square, just south of City Hall. Then head a few blocks west to the Comcast Center (the second-tallest building in the city) to catch the 11 a.m. showing of The Comcast Holiday Spectacular, a free 15-minute holiday show screened on one of the world’s largest LED screens. (See showtimes here.)

Cross back to City Hall around noon to explore the rides: a 65-foot-tall Ferris wheel with epic city views, a train and double-decker carousel. Afterward, lace up at the Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink for a skate session (reserve ahead), then warm up with lunch and refreshments in the Rothman Orthopaedics Cabin.

Afterwards, stroll through Dilworth Park’s topiary in the Wintergarden on the Greenfield Lawn, then browse the stalls that make up the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market, with local vendors selling candles, books, glass, Philly sports art, and all manner of Gritty and Phanatic jawns. Cross over to LOVE Park for more open-air shopping from international vendors at the European-style Christmas Village in Philadelphia, and warm up with mulled wine and raclette or sausage.

As daylight fades, hop in a rideshare for the 15-minute ride to the Philadelphia Zoo for LumiNature, where more than 1 million lights transform the walkways and habitats of the country’s first zoo in an immersive display of sight and sound, along with live performances, a 15-foot tall glowing blue gorilla and a 100-foot-long aquarium tunnel (complete with enormous jellyfish). Entry begins at 5 p.m. and tickets are required, so book in advance.

Head back to Center City for a late dinner at the Uptown Beer Garden’s U-Ville pop-up, a Grinch-themed wonderland with pub grub and crafty cocktails in view of City Hall. Then, pop back over to Dilworth Park to see the Deck the Hall Light Show, where stunning technicolor projections — synchronized to sound effects — animate the western façade of City Hall, and where the Visit Philadelphia Holiday Tree is all aglow. Up for drinks? Stroll a few blocks east to Tinsel on 12th Street for a beloved and bedazzled seasonal pop up that’s easy on the (Instagram) eyes.

Bonus Activity: Enjoy a nightcap by the firepit at Alpine Heights at the Assembly Rooftop Lounge.

Take an early-morning spin through the always festive Reading Terminal Market to score breakfast (doughnuts at Beiler’s and coffee at Old City Coffee) and edible gifts before the crowds arrive. Then head south across Market Street to Macy’s for its iconic Christmas Light Show. Voiced by the legendary Julie Andrews, the free show (see show times here) features classic songs and stories like The Nutcracker and Frosty the Snowman illuminated by 100,000 lights and backed by the sounds of the famous Wanamaker Organ, one of the largest in the world. Families can also book a visit to see Philly’s vintage retelling of A Christmas Carol, and get pics with Santa.

Head south on 13th Street into the heart of Midtown Village for some shopping at independent boutiques (Open House for home goods, Duross & Langel for bath and body). Enjoy lunch and holiday decor at McGillin’s Olde Ale House, the city’s oldest operating pub (founded in 1860), or reserve ahead for brunch at Aqimero (weekends only) on the Avenue of the Arts, offering Latin-inflected fine dining in a festive setting. Then indulge your inner wizard with holiday potionmaking or Christmas Wizards’ Tea at The Cauldron (reserve ahead), making for a memorable holiday tipple.

As dusk settles, make your way to Winter in Franklin Square, where you can play Chilly Philly Mini Golf, ride a carousel and enjoy the Electrical Spectacle Light Show every 30 minutes starting at 5 p.m. There are periodic events and cameos by Santa too — as well as food and drinks aplenty. Then walk a short 15 minutes east to the Delaware River waterfront for an evening of rides (another Ferris wheel!), ice skating and more food at the Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest, where you can also cozy up with hot and cold drinks in quaint cabins (reservations required) or in The Lodge.

Bonus Activity: On the ride back to your hotel, take a detour to see how South Philly does lights with a drive through Miracle on 13th Street (between Morris and Tasker), one of the brightest residential blocks in the city.

Bucks County’s rich history dazzles during the holidays. Fonthill Castle (about a 50-minute drive from Center City), tile magnate Henry Mercer’s historic home, is even more cozy in December, when its arts and crafts interior is decked for the holidays (tickets required). With 18 chimneys, how can Santa choose his entry point? Grab lunch at Hattery Stove & Still in historic Doylestown, then head to Perkasie to visit the historic Pearl S. Buck House and its Festival of Trees. After all that history, you deserve a drink! Sip and swirl at your choice of seven vineyards along the Bucks County Wine Trail, where you can pair local vino with lovely lights during Light Up the Vines evenings.

Have young kids? Skip the historic homes and do A Very Furry Christmas at Sesame Place, where Big Bird and crew lead parades, entertainers work the crowd, and holiday performers add to the cheer. Later, grab a bite and buy some gifts during Holidays at Peddler’s Village, home to 65 shops, a historic carousel and an impressive gingerbread house exhibit. Don’t you dare leave before dark, when the grounds are lit with 1 million bulbs!

Visit the Brandywine Valley in Chester County for some of the region’s most treasured holiday traditions. Start at the Brandywine Museum of Art (about a 45-minute drive from Center City), where the Brandywine Railroad display joins the Wyeths’ art with 2,000 feet of model train track and an enchanted world in miniature. Further down the pike, massive Longwood Gardens draws crowds for its comprehensive array of seasonal botanical displays, artistic Christmas trees, and holiday events and concerts. A Longwood Christmas includes massive light displays that combine fountains, color and music into high art. Be sure to reserve ahead and arrive in daylight to enjoy the gardens as they transition into twilight.

A pop-up beer garden and restaurant offer festive sustenance. If you haven’t had your fill of lights, head home by way of Nottingham to see the Christmas Lights Display at Herr’s, a free drive-thru experience at the snack factory grounds that goes back 30 years.

Head out to Delco for festive shopping and country charm. Enjoy Christmas Around the Farm at Linvilla Orchards (about a 40-minute drive from City Hall), where you can cut your own tree, shop the garden center and browse the farmers market for local gourmet gifts. Plan ahead to visit Santa or join a wreath-making class, and grab a pint by the fire at the Ship Bottom Beer Garden (weekends only). Then head to Jingle on State, a festive holiday shopping opp along State Street in downtown Media, the first Fair Trade Town in the U.S., offering charming independent shops like Earth & State and dining at locally owned gems like Brick & Brew or La Belle Epoche Wine Bistro for crepes.

After dark, check out Rose Tree Park’s Annual Festival of Lights for a dazzling show of color. On select weekends, you can enjoy a market of artisan vendors and local wines at the Delco Holiday Village. Or move on to Edgmont for Flight on Ice, a charming ice skating rink in Newtown Square, with seasonal decor and music to match.

Start your day aboard the Santa’s Polar Bear Express on the Colebrookdale Railroad (about a 60-minute drive from City Hall), leaving at 10 a.m. (weekends only). This historic train takes visitors into the Hidden Valley while guests enjoy a visit from Santa, plus complimentary hot cocoa and cookies. (Another option: Come back at night for the ’Twas the Night Before Christmas Train or the Magical Yuletide Express.) Next up: outdoor fun at Spring Mountain, one of the closest slopes to Philadelphia. FIll up at the Powder Pig Pub on-site, then hit the slopes for tubing or skiing.

After dusk, head to the Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown for Wild Lights, where you can explore festively lit footpaths and take in illuminated animals and live entertainment. Or head to Oaks for the Tinseltown Holiday Spectacular, a sprawling outdoor winter experience that includes Mistletoe Marketplace, over 350 light sculptures, and burgers and booze (hot and cold) at the Tinsel Lodge.