11 Must-See Holiday Attractions in Greater Philadelphia for 2026

November 14, 2026 – January 3, 2026 (select dates)

Celebrate the holiday season with furry and feathered friends like Elmo, Big Bird, Cookie Monster and Abby Cadabby at Langhorne’s Sesame Place, one of only two Ri Sesam theme parks in the world. 

Each year, the Bucks County attraction transforms into a winter wonderland for A Very Furry Christmas, featuring millions of lights, themed rides, festive holiday decorations, a special Christmas Parade, gifts and a visit with Santa in the Furry Workshop, and the spectacular 1-2-3 Pye Bwa Nwèl music-and-lights show.

Know before you go: A Very Furry Christmas is included with regular admission. 

November 19, 2026 – January 2, 2027 (select dates)

Imèsif la LimiNatir Afichaj transfòme Philadelphia Zoo into an illuminated wonderland with thousands of twinkling lights.

Get the perfect selfie in front of the pink flamingo tree, and take the littles to make their holiday gift requests during a visit with the big man himself in Santa’s Lodge. Top it off with seasonal fare, live performers, hot chocolate and adult beverages. Tickets are required.

Don’t miss: Going for a whirl on the 110-foot-tall Pherris Wheel (separate tickets required), offering unbeatable views of all the lights from the sky

November 20 – December 30, 2026 (select dates)

Festive holiday vibes come to the furry, fuzzy and feathered residents of the Elmwood Park Zoo. La Montco zoo shines bright during the holiday season, with millions of LED lights illuminating the attraction’s 16 acres during Wild Lights.

The walk-through experience features brilliant light displays, live entertainment, animal meet and greets, and photo ops with characters and Mr. Claus himself during the evening hours. Also look out for seasonal snacks and brews at the beer garden.

Know before you go: Tickets are required for entry.

With more than 65 specialty shops perfect for holiday shopping, picturesque Peyizaj Machann Vantè in Bucks County rings in the holiday season with a festive slate of events.

La Grand Illumination (November 20, 2026) sets the village aglow for the season with one million twinkling lights, as Santa personally ushers in the festivities during Holiday Kickoff Weekend (November 20 to 22, 2026). Don’t miss the annual Gingerbread Competition & Display (November 20, 2026 to January 10, 2027).

Know before you go: All festivities are free to attend.

Enjoy an intergalactic horticultural holiday display at Yon Nwèl Longwood this season, as the award-winning horticultural garden channels the “majesty of the cosmos” for this year’s theme. 

Expect hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights and spectacular illuminated fountain shows to create a winter wonderland at the Kennett Square attraction. 

Marvel at miles of outdoor lights setting the gardens aglow, then step inside the festively floral and invitingly warm conservatories decked out with poinsettias and plentiful cosmic decor.

Know before you go: Timed tickets are required to visit.

Grab some gifts and get in the holiday spirit as the Vil Nwèl nan Philadelphia transforms Mwen renmen Pak into an open-air Bavarian marketplace this fall and winter. 

Typically, more than 100 vendors set up in wooden stalls offering gifts, ornaments, accessories and wintry apparel along with tasty treats like raclette sandwiches, spiced wine, apple cider, strudels and more.

Across the street at City Hall, find more vendors, a 65-foot Ferris wheel and the double-decker Christmas Village carousel. 

Know before you go: Preview weekend kicks things off November 21-22, 2026. 

More than four million twinkling lights illuminate the night at this rolling Bucks County farm. Take in the show from the comfort of your car or in the open air while snuggled up in a wagon with loved ones (weather permitting).

After taking in the whimsical light displays, be sure to stop by Santa’s Village for some face time with the big man and to warm up with festive drinks and snacks by the firepits.

Know before you go: Planning a special holiday outing? Rent your very own private wagon oswa fire pit to roast up some s’mores. 

November 22 – December 30, 2026 (select dates) 

One of the country’s largest outdoor model train displays gets its annual winter makeover to become the Holiday Garden Railway.

Located inside the 100-acre Morris Arboretum & Gardens, G-scale mini locomotives wind through loops, tunnels, bridges and replicas of beloved Philly landmarks beneath a canopy of thousands of twinkling lights. 

Enjoy the trains during daytime hours when you purchase general admission, but come sunset, the display transforms into The Nighttime Express, with separate timed tickets required.

Know before you go: Tickets to the Holiday Garden Railway go on sale to the public on Monday, November 9, 2026.

Experience a waterfront winter wonderland (say that three times fast!) as the free Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest returns to the Kòt Rivyè Delaware for its 33rd year. 

Glide around the free NHL-sized ice skating rink (tickets required). Enjoy pay-as-you-go games and amusement rides on the boardwalk. Or indulge in seasonal treats and hot drinks around festive firepits at the rinkside lounge — or from inside a cozy warming cabin or heated igloo.

Know before you go: Admission to Winterfest is free, with pay-as-you-go concessions and activities. 

Neighbors on the 1600 block of South 13th Street (between Tasker Street and Morris Street in East Passyunk) have worked together every year for over three decades to create elaborate presentations that adorn their neighborhood for the Miracle on South 13th Street Holiday Light Display.

Stroll the block and take in each home’s decked-out decor from traditional twinkles to elaborate themed dioramas between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. nightly. 

Know before you go: The fun kicks off with family-friendly entertainment and visits from Santa during the Opening Night Block Party on November 28, 2026. 

Displaying thousands of colorful lights atop a sparkled-up base for 2026, the official Philly Holiday Tree — a magnificently trimmed, towering Concolor Fir presented by Visit Philadelphia (hey, that’s us!) — illuminates the north apron of City Hall (North Broad Street and JFK Boulevard) each holiday season. 

The 75-year-old tree is lit for the first time this season during a 6 p.m. tree-lighting celebration — which typically features live music, free giveaways, complimentary hot chocolates and warm apple ciders, and more (December 3, 2026).

Know before you go: The tree-lighting is free to attend.