Expériences de vacances traditionnelles Philly à ne pas manquer en 2019

Les dates varient selon les attractions

The season shines bright in Philadelphia as attractions with glowing traditions, both new and old, light up for the holidays every year. Families flock to the City of Brotherly Love to enjoy the top holiday light displays including the Macy’s Christmas Light Show, a holiday tradition since 1956. (More on that below.) The city’s outdoor displays have expanded over the years as well to include the Miracle sur la 13e rue sud, le Spectacle lumineux « Deck the Hall » at City Hall, the Franklin Square Festival des vacances and more. For more brilliant displays, peruse our guide on top light displays in Greater Philadelphia.

Les dates varient selon les représentations.

Philadelphia’s performing-arts venues celebrate the holidays every year with a season of can’t-miss and delightful programming. The grand Avenue of the Arts hosts traditional seasonal shows, including the quintessential Philly holiday performance of Casse-Noisette that the Pennsylvania Ballet has been staging since 1968. Also up this season: holiday songs from The Philadelphia Orchestra, multiple programs from The Philly POPS, special holiday performances at the Kimmel Center and more.

November 8, 2019 – February 23, 2020 (dates vary by attraction)

Philadelphie City Hall and Dilworth Park have become a signature holiday destination over the years, featuring some of the city’s most beloved winter attractions. The bustling winter wonderland includes the shimmering Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink, the cozy Rothman Orthopaedics Cabin, the Deck The Hall Light Show (projected on to the side of City Hall!) and the evergreen-filled Wintergarden. The Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market delights holiday shoppers searching for original and creative gifts. Guests can take a spin on the fanciful carousel in the courtyard and marvel at the Visit Philly Holiday Tree, 65-foot-tall Ferris Wheel and a children’s holiday tree on the North Apron — all part of the extended Christmas Village.

Note: Due to a forecast of high winds, organizers have grounded the 15 giant balloons scheduled to fly in the parade for 2019. The rest of the parade will go on as scheduled. If winds die down, the balloons may return. Proudly marking its 100th year, the nation’s oldest Thanksgiving parade opens the curtains on the holiday season. Spectators line the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for the annual celebration that features marching bands, Disney characters, fantastical floats, loads of clowns and, at the end of it all, the Clauses, accompanied by postal workers collecting wish lists.

It’s not Christmas in Philly until the German-style Village de Noël arrives in LOVE Park. The attraction features more than 80 wooden booths of local and international merchants selling Käthe Wohlfahrt trimmings, wintry apparel, handmade toys and all manner of edible and drinkable treats. Meanwhile, inside The Present — a 27-foot-tall walk-through gift box covered in 100,000 red and white lights — guests can make donations to charitable causes, with Bank of America matching the donation. Appropriately, The Present also features its own gift shop. The fun continues around City Hall, where — new for 2019 — the 65-foot tall Christmas Village Ferris Wheel and Christmas Village Holiday Train pop up to activate the North Apron next to the Visit Philly Holiday Tree.

No holiday season is complete without the Comcast Center’s annual super high-res LED holiday show. It combines the Pennsylvania Ballet’s Casse-Noisette, a magical sleigh ride over the city (with a bird’s-eye view of the new Comcast Technology Center) and a sing-along in 15 minutes of free fun. More than 2 million people have seen the show since its debut in 2008. New for 2019, a holiday pop-up market in the Comcast Technology Center concourse invites shoppers to browse for the perfect gift (December 3-31).

La Grande Cour, située dans le bâtiment Wanamaker, classé monument historique national, a accueilli son Spectacle lumineux de Noël since 1956. The department store revives the tradition of sugarplum fairies, dancing snowmen and more with a 100,000-light show narrated by Julie Andrews and accompanied by the famed Wanamaker Organ. Free performances take place every two hours during store hours at 10 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Between shows, visitors often tour the second floor’s vintage Dickens Village, a setup of animated dolls retelling A Chant de Noël; each free walkthrough ends in a chance to meet and get photos with Santa.

Depuis plus de 25 ans, Fête de l'hiver à la patinoire de la Croix Bleue has been the Delaware Waterfront’s biggest holiday attraction. The can’t-miss destination returns with new cabin decor; fire pits; a Kids Lodge arcade; a cozy, chalet-style Lodge Restaurant and Bar; sweets from Franklin Fountain Confectionery Cabin; and hearty fare from Garces Group and Chickie’s & Pete’s — all centered around a regulation skating rink with a spectacular view of the Ben Franklin Bridge.

December 31, 2019 | 6 p.m. and midnight

On the last night of the year, pyrotechnics blast over the Delaware River during two shows: one at 6 p.m. and another at midnight. Spectacular views can be enjoyed from multiple spots throughout the city, including at Fête de l'hiver à la patinoire de la Croix Bleue, which offers indoor and outdoor celebrations.

The New Year’s Day, only-in-Philadelphia procession along Broad Street features feathers and sequins, music and merriment from City Hall to Washington Avenue. Indoors, the Fancy Brigade Finale consists of fantastical routines in the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Tickets for seats at City Hall and for the Fancy Brigades Finale are available the Centre des visiteurs d'Independence.