The Holidays in Philly: Your Guide for 2026

The Holidays in Philadelphia

Where better to spend the most wonderful time of the year than in the City of Brotherly Love? 

As temperatures drop and the year nears its end, Philadelphia’s holiday season comes to life with stunning light shows and attractions, spectacular parades and performances, festive pop-up markets and restaurants, and more.

Each year, the season kicks off with the 6abc Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade — the oldest Thanksgiving parade in the country — traveling through Center City and up the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. 

The festive tone continues with glittering light shows at family-friendly attractions including Winter in Franklin Square and LumiNature at Philadelphia Zoo. 

Holiday performances take center stage with annual productions like George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker at the Academy of Music and the beloved Philly Holiday Spectacular at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. 

Stop and smell the gingerbread during the Holidays at Peddler’s Village, or immerse yourself in a spectacular wonderland at A Longwood Christmas. 

And check names off your holiday shopping lists at Christmas Village in Philadelphia, or glide across ice rinks at seasonal oases like Winter at Dilworth Park and Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest.

Plus, Philly knows how to wrap things up with a bang: The free New Year’s Eve fireworks on the Delaware River waterfront typically cap off the holiday season on December 31. Then, on New Year’s Day, more than 10,000 costumed marchers strut their stuff through the streets of Philadelphia during the only-in-Philly Mummers Parade.

Stay the night with the Visit Philly Overnight Package and score free hotel parking (valued up to $100) and a cozy bed you don’t have to make.

Find Greater Philadelphia’s best wintry attractions and holiday events below — and check back often! This page is updated frequently throughout the 2026 holiday season.