Lights, a Parade & Free Museum Days: A Guide to the 2023 Philly Holiday Experience

Tree Lighting Celebration at City Hall

Thursday, November 30, 2023 | 7 p.m.

The 2023 Philly Holiday Experience begins with the 6ABC Presents: City of Philadelphia Tree Lighting Celebration.

  — Photo by D. Knoll for Visit Philadelphia

On the north side of City Hall, this beloved Philly tradition lights up the night by powering on the dazzling Visit Philadelphia Holiday Tree. The glowing white fir stands 55 feet tall, atop a brilliantly illuminated pedestal depicting Philly’s neighborhoods and iconic landmarks.

The event also features a performance by Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Jordin Sparks, along with live music from DJ Diamond Kuts, Felicia Ponzo and Disney’s Frozen. The tree is lit at the beginning of the celebration this year — so get there early! (Can’t make it? The lighting will be livestreamed on 6abc.com.)

Holiday Parade on Market Street

Saturday, December 2, 2023 | 5 p.m.

The Holiday Parade returns for its third year bigger and brighter than ever, with marching bands, festive floats, musical groups and more.

As one of the nation’s only parades celebrating Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas and Lunar New Year all at once, the multicultural extravaganza kicks off at 2nd and Market Streets and makes its way up to Philadelphia’s City Hall.

Spectators can view the parade anywhere up and down Market Street, with bleachers at designated cheer zones on 5th Street, 11th Street and City Hall. At the cheer zones, you can also look forward to free giveaways, free light up bracelets, and free hot chocolate and coffee.

Want to keep the party going? This year, East Market hosts the official Philly Holiday Parade Watch and After Party at Chestnut Walk — the pedestrians-only throughway between 11th and 12th streets — from 5 to 9 p.m. The party features live music, holiday performers and some sweet and savory treats.

Busy again? No worries: The parade will also be livestreamed on 6abc.com.

Free Museum Days

December 1-28, 2023

Brand new for 2023, some of Philly’s top museums, attractions and cultural institutions open their doors for free (or pay-what-you-wish) museum days all throughout December.

The Philly Holiday Experience Free Museum Day series includes:

• Historic Rittenhouse Town (December 1, 2023)
• Faith and Liberty Discovery Center (December 2, 2023)
• The Barnes Foundation, American Swedish Historical Museum and Masonic Temple (December 3, 2023)
• Woodmere Art Museum (December 6)
• Wyck Historic House, Garden, and Farm (December 7)
• Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History (December 8)
• Lemon Hill Mansion (December 10)
• Carpenter’s Hall (December 13)
• Stenton (December 14)
• Arch Street Meeting House and Smith Memorial Playground (December 15)
• Strawberry Mansion, Woodford Mansion, Ormiston Mansion and Laurel Hill Mansion (December 16)
• Elfreth’s Alley Museum (December 17)
• Fairmount Water Works Interpretive Center (December 20)
• Wagner Free Institute of Science (December 21)
• Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum (December 23)
• Science History Institute (December 28)

Holiday Attractions, Shopping Strolls & More

In addition, the 2023 Philly Holiday Experience includes some of Philly’s most cherished holiday attractions, from Christmas Village in Philadelphia to the attractions at Winter at Dilworth Park at City Hall.

Christmas Village in Philadelphia   — Photo courtesy Christmas Village in Philadelphia

Also on the docket: a veritable cornucopia of festive events like the Thanksgiving Day Parade on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway (November 23, 2023), the Old City Menorah Lighting Ceremony (December 10, 2023) and the Historic Holidays in Old City Shopping Stroll (December 13, 2023).

Check the official Philly Holiday Experience website for the full list of more than 35 attractions and events for 2023.

The 2023 Philly Holiday Experience is produced in partnership with Welcome America, Inc., the Office of the City Representative and more.

For more information on the 2023 Philly Holiday Experience, click the button below.

More Things to Do for the Holidays in Philly

The 2023 Philly Holiday Experience offers dozens of fun holiday experiences — but in Philly, there’s always more awesome things to do.

Winter in Franklin Square   — Photo by J. Fusco for Historic Philadelphia, Inc.

For our complete guide to the holidays in Philly, including must-see holiday attractions, can’t-miss lights and light shows, and more, click the button below.