November 2026 in Philly: The Biggest Events, Fests & Exhibitions

Through Saturday, November 7, 2026 (select dates)

Looking to stretch out spooky season? These haunted sites still have a few more days of scares in November:

• Pennhurst Asylum: For a terrifying near-real-life attraction, don’t miss Pennhurst Asylum in Chester County. Described as the “scariest place I’ve ever seen, period” by HauntWorld, the experience operates in the same facility that housed a psychiatric hospital for 80 years.

• Lincoln Mill Haunted House: The ghastly history of Lincoln Mill Haunted House tells the spine-chilling myth of bodies “discovered” in a secret basement chamber after flooding from Hurricane Ida in 2021, uncovering the mill’s dark and gruesome past. Expect scare actors, high-quality sets, special effects and animatronics.

• Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary: There’s still time for a few more scares at the annual Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary. During the annual fall festival, the legendary facility transforms into one of America’s largest haunted houses with nearly a dozen different attractions, including multiple haunted houses, tours and VIP experiences.

Through Saturday, November 7, 2026

The Philadelphia Union soar into their final regular season game after an action-packed October, including the wrap-up of the U.S. men’s national team tour where 16-year-old record-breaking midfielder Cavan Sullivan and defenders Neil Pierre and Frankie Westfield repped the nation.  

See the dramatic wrap to the Union’s whirlwind 17th season with the final game of regular-season play on Saturday, November 7, 2026, as the team takes on Toronto.

Vibe: DOOP! 

Through Sunday, November 8, 2026

There’s still time to head to Pumpkinland at Delaware County’s Linvilla Orchards.

The gourd gala features a slew of daytime ticketed activities like harvest hayrides, corn and hay-bale mazes, apple blaster target shooting, pick-your-own crops, fishing in Orchard Lake, and pony and train rides.

Savor the flavors of fall with apple cider doughnuts baked fresh all day long and grab a brew in the barn at the on-site Ship Bottom Beer Garden. 

Know before you go: Access to Pumpkinland is free with pay-as-you-go concessions and activities. 

Through Sunday, November 15, 2026

See fall flowers in full bloom as the master horticulturists at one of the greatest places in the world — Kennett Square’s Longwood Gardens — transform the attraction’s conservatories into colorful chrysanthemum-filled wonders for the annual fall festival.

Organizers promise “supersized surprises” at this year’s Chrysanthemum Festival, including a double chrysanthemum arch visitors can walk under in the East Conservatory. Expect Longwood’s fanciful floral artistry to shine with flower-filled walls, columns and even a pagoda.

Know before you go: Festival access comes with regular admission. Timed tickets are required. 

Through Thursday, November 19, 2026 

Follow in the footsteps of Latino changemakers across Philly — literally — with this brand-new self-guided (and 100% free) audio trail brought to you by yours truly. Las Huellas (meaning “the footprints” in English) brings to life the stories of Latino changemakers, past and present, whose contributions have helped shape Philadelphia and the nation.

The journeys of award-winning chefs like Cristina Martínez, artists like Diego Rivera, and community advocates and civic leaders like Rev. Luis Cortés Jr. are captured with colorful footprint-shaped art installations at 11 stops — including familiar restaurants, museums and cultural institutions. 

Embedded in the vibrant illustration is a scannable QR code to hear (or read) the trailblazer’s story in Spanish or English — often in their own words. 

Don’t miss: A bonus story exclusively available online, highlighting Luis “Lou” Castro, the first Latino player in Major League Baseball

Through Thursday, December 3, 2026

America’s favorite fictional underdog turns the big 5-0 this year, and Philly’s going all-out to celebrate as only it can — with an eight-week, citywide celebration that includes bus tours and opportunities to train and compete Rocky-style, plus movie screenings, a concert and much more. Highlights include: 

• Rocky Bus Tours: Hop on board the Rocky bus to explore the Italian Stallion’s famed runs through Philadelphia, including stops at iconic sites like the South 9th Street Italian Market, Pat’s King of Steaks and Laurel Hill Cemetery, as well as some parts of The Boxers’ Trail (Saturdays and Sundays through November 29, 2026).
• Train Rocky Style: See if you can beat Rocky’s 12-second run up the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s steps at The Rocky Steps Challenge (Saturday, November 7, 2026).
• Rocky at 50: The OG Rocky film gets re-released across the country (November 7-11, 2026). Check the official site to find out where to catch the film in Greater Philly on the big screen. Then, the Philly Pops celebrate Rocky with a concert featuring everyone’s favorite anthems from the series of films (Friday, November 13, 2026).
• The Rocky Run: Watch tens of thousands of runners pound the pavement at the sold-out, annual Rocky Run (Saturday, November 14, 2026).

Through Saturday, December 26, 2026 (Saturdays only)

52 Weeks of Firsts honors 250 years of Philly’s historic achievements — every Saturday, all throughout 2026. The free Firstivals take place at the original location of each first (or in spaces that represent where these significant milestones occurred).

This November, celebrate the first: Thanksgiving Day Parade (November 7, 2026); university (November 14, 2026); children’s hospital (November 21, 2026); and pencil with attached eraser (November 28, 2026).

Good for: Celebrating Philly’s rich history of firsts

Through Sunday, January 3, 2027

A document that needs no introduction, the Declaration of Independence has shaped not only America’s history but also the trajectory of nations across the globe.

For America’s 250th birthday, the Museum of the American Revolution presents a special exhibition dedicated to the near and far-reaching impacts of the Declaration, which, of course, was written and signed right here in Philadelphia. The exhibit showcases other rare documents, works of art and artifacts to tell the document’s complex history.

Know before you go: Access to the exhibit comes with museum admission.

Through Sunday, January 10, 2027

Part of the Barnes Foundation’s America 250 programming is a groundbreaking exhibition highlighting Asian American artists affected by forced relocation and incarceration during World War II — and their subsequent art that helped establish American aesthetic trends.

Noguchi to Asawa: Designing Postwar America showcases the works of six artists: designer and sculptor Isamu Noguchi, world-renowned furniture designer George Nakashima, sculptor Leo Amino, graphic designer S. Neil Fujita, weaver and fiber artist Kay Sekimachi and sculptor Ruth Asawa.

Know before you go: Access to the exhibition comes with regular museum admission.

Through January 2027

There might be a chill in the air, but the action in Lincoln Financial Field continues to heat up as the Philadelphia Eagles keep pushing their way toward victory.

Catch the Birds on home turf for two games this November as they square off against the New York Giants (Sunday, November 8, 2026) and intrastate rival the Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday, November  22, 2026).

Don’t miss: Watching or listening to the Birds’ Thanksgiving-Day showdown in Dallas against the team everyone loves to hate

Through Sunday, January 31, 2027

The Philadelphia Museum of Art showcases its vast Marcel Duchamp collection — the largest in the world — in this retrospective exhibit of the artist’s work. After a stop at New York’s MoMA, the exhibition comes home to Philly before heading to Paris. 

Arranged chronologically to see Duchamp’s evolution through cubism, dada and surrealism, the exhibit features 300 works, including Nude Descending a Staircase (No. 2), The Bride Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors, Even, Fountain, L.H.O.O.Q. and many more. 

Know before you go: Timed tickets to the exhibition include general museum admission.

Through Saturday, April 10, 2027 (select dates)

The orange-and-black head into the heart of the NHL season’s first half as the Philadelphia Flyers hit the ice at Xfinity Mobile Arena for six home faceoffs in November.

See the Flyers at home against:

• Utah Mammoth (Sunday, November 1, 2026);
• Minnesota Wild (Tuesday, November 3, 2026);
• Edmonton Oilers (Sunday, November 15, 2026);
• Buffalo Sabres (Tuesday, November 17, 2026);
• Vancouver Canucks (Friday, November 27, 2026); and
• New York Islanders (Saturday, November 28, 2026).

Vibe: Score!!!

Through Sunday, April 11, 2027 (select dates)

Play the song … 1-2-3-4-5-76ers! November offers seven opportunities to see LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers  play at their Xfinity Mobile Arena home during their epic 78th year.

This November, see the Sixers battle:

• Chicago Bulls (Monday, November 2, 2026);
• Boston Celtics (Tuesday, November 10, 2026);
• Toronto Raptors (Thursday, November 12, 2026);
• Indiana Pacers (Sunday, November 15, 2026);
• Milwaukee Bucks (Saturday, November 21, 2026);
• Portland Trail Blazers (Monday, November 23, 2026); and
• Miami Heat (Wednesday, November 25, 2026). 

Vibe: All hail King James.

Through Sunday, September 5, 2027

With storied histories of their own, the Philadelphia Museum of Art ak Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts delve into the richness and diversity of American art history for this blockbuster exhibition, timed to coincide with the Semiquincentennial.

Threading together 300 years of American art, the collection features over 1,000 portraits, sculptures, furniture, photographs and more across both museums. Viewers find some of art’s biggest names exhibited side-by-side with oft-overlooked Black, Indigenous, immigrant and historically underrepresented artists.

Know before you go: A Nation of Artists is included with general admission at both museums. Tickets for either museum can be purchased in person or online. Buy a full-price ticket to one museum and get a ticket to the second museum for 50% off (for use within seven days).

November is National Native American Heritage Month, and each year Philadelphia honors Indigenous peoples with a number of events. Want to learn more about the region’s Indigenous art, history and legends? Comb through our guide on Where to Explore Indigenous Culture in Greater Philly.

• Native American Heritage Month at Museum of the American Revolution: Learn about the role Indigenous peoples had during the American Revolution this Native American Heritage Month at the Museum of the American Revolution. Expect daily talks, a discovery cart with replica artifacts and a 3:30 p.m. daily screening of the film The People of the Standing Stone, plus gallery installations and digital resources.

• Native American Heritage Month at the National Constitution Center: La National Constitution Center hosts a series of programs and activities exploring the history of Indigenous peoples in pre- and post-colonial America. Highlights include artifacts like a wampum belt and hand-crafted moccasins, plus programming like the themed Family Night on Saturday, November 28, 2026.

• Sky Hopinka’s Red Metal Dust exhibit at the Barnes Foundation: The Barnes Foundation commissioned Indigenous artist Sky Hopinka (Ho-Chunk Nation/Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians) to create 11 immersive panels for the museum’s Walter and Leonore Annenberg Court — all to coincide with the Semiquincentennial. Hopinka’s immersive panels layer emotion-laden landscape photographs on copper sheets and ask viewers to ponder America’s complex history with Indigenous peoples (through Monday, January 18, 2027).

One thing that has continued to ring true for 250 years and counting: The people who call Philly home are what make the city so vibrant, innovative and historic.

This November, celebrate Día de los Muertos — the Mexican tradition of honoring ancestors with music, food, art and community — with a supersized South Philadelphia street party spanning four blocks. 

The event is part of the ongoing Ring It On!, a citywide series featuring street fests and cultural celebrations.

Know before you go: The free-to-attend event also offers pay-as-you-go concessions.

Among the largest festivals of its type, the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival marks its 19th anniversary this year.

The festival celebrates and showcases stories from the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community in film, performance art, music and other creative expressions throughout its multi-day run and during special events throughout the year.

The fest represents the best in AAPI diaspora filmmaking and storytelling, with this year’s lineup featuring 44 world, East Coast and Philadelphia premieres. 

Don’t miss: The world premiere of the feature-length documentary about Philly activist Kiyoshi Kuromiya on the festival’s opening night, shown at Moore College of Art & Design.

Celebrate a half-century of hand-crafted art and singular talent at the Philadelphia Museum of Art Contemporary Craft Show.

Museum-quality handmade jewelry, textiles and mixed media are on display and for sale during this juried show at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. The highly anticipated annual event commemorates its milestone anniversary year by exhibiting 195 artists across 13 different categories of craft and design.

Know before you go: Tickets are required to attend.

Fall’s premier fruit takes center stage during this super popular annual fall festival at Bucks County’s Peddler’s Village. The rain-or-shine event features an abundance of apple-infused treats, from fresh-pressed cider to apple fritters, donuts, candied apples and more. 

Enjoy live music while you stroll the charming countryside attraction’s brick-lined pathways surrounded by 65 specialty shops and boutiques. Pro tip: Bring cash — some vendors do not accept cards. 

Know before you go: Admission and parking are free, with pay-as-you-go food and drink.

November 6 – December 6, 2026 (select dates)

The annual Big 5 basketball showdown gets underway this November.

The competition pits the city’s six NCAA Division I schools and programs — the Villanova Wildcats, Temple Owls, Penn Quakers, La Salle Explorers, St. Joseph’s Hawks and Drexel Dragons — in a battle for regional champ.

All six men’s and women’s basketball programs split into two pods of three teams that play each other in a round-robin format to determine the finalists. 

Know before you go: The men’s Toyota Big 5 Classic — a tripleheader at the Xfinity Mobile Arena — happens on Saturday, December 5, 2026, while the women’s Big 5 Classic happens the next day at the Palestra.

Salute the 70,000 vets who live in the Philadelphia region with this annual Veterans Day celebration.

The parade typically kicks off along the Pakwèy Benjamin Franklin — featuring marching bands, honor guard brigades, law enforcement and emergency vehicles, local celebrities, and motorcyclists — before culminating with an all-ages festival at Eakins Oval.

Gunnery Sergeant Roosevelt Franklin — who helped integrate the U.S. Marines during WWII — serves as Grand Marshall.

Know before you go: The festivities happen rain or shine.

The best in Jewish cinema comes to Philadelphia in November.

Returning for the 46th year, the Philadelphia Jewish Film + Media (PJFM) hosts 10 days of programming for this year’s Fall Fest — a film and cultural festival featuring award-winning international films alongside workshops and community events.

Film venues include the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History. 

Know before you go: Keep an eye on the official site for the release of the festival’s full schedule. 

November 13, 2026 – February 21, 2027 (dates vary by event)

Located mere steps away from Christmas Village in Philadelphia (see below), Winter at Dilworth Park adds to the seasonal fun around City Hall, arguably one of the most festive square miles in the city, with these wintertime attractions:

• Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market: Shop local at this holiday market exclusively featuring the talents of homegrown Philadelphia artisans, designers, crafters and jewelers (through Friday, January 1, 2027).
• Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink: Strap on your skates and hit the ice at Dilworth Park’s popular outdoor skating rink. Note that tickets are required (through Sunday, February 21, 2027).
• Rothman Orthopaedics Cabin: Laps around the rink not your thing? Swing by the Rothman Orthopaedics Cabin right next door for a bite and drink indoors or by a toasty fire pit (through Sunday, February 21, 2027).
• Wintergarden on the Greenfield Lawn: Step into a whimsical winter wonderland and explore this outdoor topiary garden decked in shimmering lights and playful seasonal sculptures (through Sunday, March 28, 2027).

Sink your teeth into exclusive dishes, delicious craft cocktails, one-day-only chef collabs, live entertainment, hands-on culinary workshops and interesting discussions with the folks who know Philly’s food scene best at the Inquirer Food Fest, returning for a second year.

Sample a taste of Philly’s piping-hot food scene — including Michelin-recognized and James Beard award-winning restaurants and chefs. Fest participants can enjoy one of two half-day tastings or purchase an all-day pass to savor it all. 

Good for: A taste of Philadelphia’s finest food

The 2026 version of the annual Siege Weekend at historic Fort Mifflin commemorates the 249th anniversary of the British bombardment of the site during the Revolutionary War. 

Watch history come alive as reenactors recreate historic battles at one of the oldest active military bases on the continent, view musket and cannon demonstrations (bring noise-canceling headphones for the wee ones), play with 18th-century toys and enjoy guided tours at the site’s annual signature event. 

Know before you go: Check the official site for updates on battle times and tours. Tickets are required.  

Approximately 32% of households across Greater Philadelphia have a pet dog, so it makes sense that the region hosts The National Dog Show each year. 

Head to the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center to see thousands of pampered pooches strut their stuff, hoping to nab Best in Show. The event spans two days and offers attendees a chance to get close-up views of the furry contestants. 

Know before you go: Relive the experience while watching the beloved annual broadcast on Thanksgiving Day. 

November 14, 2026 – January 3, 2027 (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 Sesame Street 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, plus the spectacular 1-2-3 Christmas Tree music-and-lights show.

Know before you go: Access to A Very Furry Christmas comes with regular admission. 

An iconic and much-beloved cartoon character comes to life in BOOP! The Musical, an imaginative, fresh-from-Broadway production. 

Betty’s tired and wishes for a day off when Grampy builds a time machine to transport her to modern-day New York City, a world filled with color, new friends and a love interest. But duty calls, forcing her to make a tough choice: Will she stay in her colorful new life, or return home to her cartoon world? Find out the answer this November. 

Know before you go: BOOP! The Musical is part of Ensemble Arts’ Broadway series, where you can save with a six-show subscription. 

Gather all your Disney princes and princesses to see the Walnut Street Theatre transform into the magical kingdom of Arendelle for Disney’s FROZEN: The Broadway Musical, as you follow beloved characters Anna, Kristoff, Sven and Olaf on their search to find Queen Elsa and bring her home.  

Expect to hear favorite tunes like Do You Want to Build a Snowman? and Let It Go, plus 12 (!) new songs written specifically for the musical production. 

Know before you go: Check the official website for tickets and showtimes. 

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

The immersive LumiNature display transforms the 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 (tickets required), offering unbeatable views of all the lights from the sky

November 19, 2026 – January 31, 2027 (dates vary by attraction)

Historic Franklin Square welcomes the season with family-friendly winter attractions, festive activities and holiday celebrations, including:

• Electrical Spectacle Light Show presented by PECO: The centerpiece of the park’s holiday festivities, Franklin Square’s free light show — inspired by Benjamin Franklin’s kite-and-key electricity experiment — illuminates the square with hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights choreographed to a soundtrack of seasonal tunes (select dates through Sunday, January 3, 2027).
• Jingle & Mingle with Santa: Grab your wish list and get ready to mingle with the big guy himself for Jingle and Mingle with Santa (November 27-28 & December 5, 12 and 19, 2026).
• Chilly Philly Mini Golf: Grab a club and don a coat: Center City’s only outdoor mini-golf course showcases 18 holes of festive lights, holiday music, winter characters and iconic Philly landmarks (through Sunday, January 31, 2027).
• Street Curling: Gather a team, channel your inner Olympian and push your stones to glory with Street Curling! Curling rinks must be rented in advance, and tickets are required.

Plus, don’t miss cocktails and seasonal treats at Frosty’s Fireside Winter Pop-Up Bar.

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 Peddler’s Village in Bucks County rings in the holiday season with a festive slate of events.

Santa personally ushers in the festivities during Holiday Kickoff Weekend (November 20 to 22, 2026), with the Grand Illumination (November 20, 2026) setting the village aglow for the season with one million twinkling lights. 

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.

One of the country’s top — and most scenic — running events, the Philadelphia Marathon sends thousands of athletes through the city.

Racers traverse Center City, Fairmount Park, University City and Manayunk past iconic landmarks like Penn’s Landing and Boathouse Row before ending at the Rocky Steps — all while hordes of spectators (and their memorable signs) cheer them on.

The marathon is only one part of a full weekend that also includes an 8K, a half-marathon, a children’s run and more.

Know before you go: Check out the course map to find the best spots to cheer.

It’s a merry fish-mas during Christmas Underwater at the Camden riverfront’s Adventure Aquarium.

Grab a photo op with Scuba Santa as he dives deep to swim with his el-fish friends. Take a winter stroll through the Snowtunda (with snow-like flurries and brilliant holiday lights) and visit the world’s tallest underwater Christmas tree — 18 feet tall and decorated with hundreds of colorful custom-sculpted corals — in Shark Realm.

General admission gets you access to this underwater winter wonderland.

Don’t miss: Seasonal programs like Christmas Underwater story time, Fish-mas sing-alongs, puppet shows and more 

Enjoy an intergalactic horticultural holiday display at A Longwood Christmas 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 before slipping 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.

Opens Friday, November 20, 2026

It’s gonna be, gonna be golden. Immerse yourself in Netflix’s most-watched movie ever as you join Rumi, Mira and Zoey to battle demons and save the soul of the Honmoon at Netflix House Philadelphia’s new KPop Demon Hunters adventure.  

The ticketed, one-hour experience features interactive battles with the likes of the Saja Boys, sing-at-the-top-of-your-lungs moments like the 3D Golden finale, flying over Seoul scenes like Myeongdong Plaza and snagging a selfie with Derpy.  

Know before you go: Timed tickets are required, with VIP upgrades available.

Grab some gifts and get in the holiday spirit as the Christmas Village in Philadelphia transforms LOVE Park 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, the 30-foot German Christmas pyramid 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 or firepit 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.

Before Wicked launched the Land of Oz into the stratosphere, the story of a little girl from Kansas who finds herself transported to a magical and mysterious land filled with witches, talking trees and Munchkins captivated hearts for decades. 

Arden Children’s Theatre presents a new adaptation of the timeless classic following Dorothy, Toto, the Tin Man, Scarecrow and Lion on their journey down the yellow brick road. 

Know before you go: The family-friendly production is perfect for kids 5 and up.

The oldest Thanksgiving Day parade in the nation kicks off the holiday season during the 6abc Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade, now in its 107th year.

Grab an extra sweater to ensure you enjoy all of the massive floats, grand balloon characters, celebrities, choirs, dance groups, clowns, cheerleaders, marching bands and, of course, Santa himself.

Know before you go: The parade typically starts at North 20th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard, snakes around City Hall, and flows down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, with special viewing areas at Logan Square, LOVE Park and Eakins Oval.

Experience a waterfront winter wonderland (say that three times fast!) as the free Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest returns to the waterfront 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. 

Dates vary by event

Even though there’s a chill in the air, the concerts continue to heat up stages across the Greater Philadelphia area. Check out November’s hottest concerts:

• Young Miko at Xfinity Mobile Arena (Wednesday, November 4, 2026)
• Olivia Rodrigo at Xfinity Mobile Arena (November 7-8, 2026)
• SOMBR at Xfinity Mobile Arena (Wednesday, November 11, 2026)
• Orville Peck at The Met (Wednesday, November 11, 2026)
• Victoria Monét at The Met (Thursday, November 12, 2026)
• Disney’s Worlds Collide Concert Tour at Xfinity Mobile Arena (Friday, November 13, 2026)
• Meek Mill at Xfinity Mobile Arena (Tuesday, November 24, 2026)
• John Summit at The Liacouras Center (Friday, November 27, 2026)
• Doja Cat at Xfinity Mobile Arena (Sunday, November 29, 2026)

Just because holiday celebrations are getting underway doesn’t mean the last haunted and fall festivals should escape your family calendar. 

Catch the final vestiges of fall foliage, harvest hayrides and farm markets at spots like Pumpkinland at Linvilla Orchards ak corn maze at Chester County’s Lytle’s Farm, plus Adventure Farm at Doylestown’s Hellerick’s Family Farm.

Or keep spooky season going with the last scares at area haunted houses like Chester County’s Pennhurst Asylum and Philly’s Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary and Lincoln Mill Haunted House in Manayunk.

You don’t have to wait for December to get into the holiday spirit, as scores of winter events get underway in November.

Philly’s two favorite holiday markets — Christmas Village in Philadelphia at LOVE Park and City Hall and Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market, part of Winter at Dilworth Park — open the season for early gift-list shoppers. 

Plenty more festive fun kicks off in November like A Very Furry Christmas at Sesame Place, the twinkling lights of LumiNature at the Philadelphia Zoo and A Longwood Christmas’ spectacular fountain shows at Longwood Gardens.

We’re full of gratitude in Philly come Thanksgiving. 

The annual 6abc Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade, the oldest in the country, dating back to 1920, features massive floats, towering balloons, marching bands and more (plus Santa!) promenading down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. 

Fall menus at local restaurants are more than turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce.

Across Philadelphia, many of the city’s top restaurants switch to cozy, seasonal menus during November, sprinkling cartes du jour with warm, hearty selections crafted from autumnal ingredients like root vegetables and squashes. 

Check out the freshest of fall farm dishes at city restaurants including Northern Liberties’ Pietramala, Miles Table on South Street, Forsythia in Old City and Fishtown’s Suraya, or in the countryside at New Hope’s Sprig & Vine, The Perk in Perkasie, and Pipersville’s historic Piper Tavern.

If you enjoy partaking in the vino and love autumn, what better way to spend the remaining days of fall than a weekend excursion to a local winery or vineyard? 

Slip on that flannel jacket and enjoy incredible atmospheres, crisp fall air, final foliage views and seasonal flavors as the region’s wineries transition to winter. 

Experience seasonal tastings, mulled wine selections, firepits and heat lamps at fantastic fall-tasting retreats like Chaddsford Winery, Newtown’s Crossing Vineyards & Winery, Penns Woods Winery in Delaware County, or Blue Bell’s Karamoor Estate Vineyard & Winery.

If caffeine is more your speed, grab yourself a pumpkin spice latte, maple macchiato or just a good ol’ cup of joe as iced coffee season transitions into warm-mug fall.

During November, sit and sip bundled up on an outdoor café patio or huddle inside a cozy indoor nook at coffeehouses like Old City staple Menagerie Coffee, Cafe Square One’s three locations in Center City, Old City and University City, Vernick Coffee Bar in the Comcast Technology Center, a foursome of Elixr Coffee Roasters spots or one of O.G. La Colombe’s five area locations.

The leaves may have fallen and a chill may permeate the air, but those are actually great reasons to hit up parks and green spaces across Philly for hiking and biking before winter’s chill arrives. 

Some perfect locales include: Forbidden Drive and other creekside trails in Wissahickon Valley Park; the uncrowded offseason paths throughout Pennypack Park; and the brisk views from up on Fairmount Park’s Belmont Plateau.

The first half of the season is where mettle is tested, new stars emerge and schedules harden. That’s the intense action of November at the South Philadelphia Sports Complex. 

The grind is just starting for 76ers basketball and Flyers hockey, with players performing under the echoes of hardcourt legends Julius Erving and Joel Embiid and icemen like Bobby Clarke and Claude Giroux during key fall matchups at Xfinity Mobile Arena. 

Meanwhile, across the street at Lincoln Financial Field, Eagles football is hitting the season’s midpoint and the playoff (tush) push kicks into high gear.

Fall chill comes to Philly in November, but winter’s cold remains weeks away. 

Daytime high temperatures average a brisk 56 degrees Fahrenheit, with overnight lows at 39 degrees. In the first month of Standard Time, the sun shines just over five hours per day, with around 11 days experiencing some rain. 

November accumulated snow is rare, averaging under a quarter-inch for the month, though the city did receive almost nine inches from a 2012 storm. The November high temperature record is 84 degrees, set in 1950, with a lowest high temperature of 8 degrees set way back in 1875. In short: Wear layers.

Warm, rustic, rich, nutty, golden, delicious. These are the flavors of fall and there’s nowhere like Philly to grab a bite. 

Hit up harvest fresh, farm-to-table restaurants across the region to experience the taste of autumn with Thanksgiving-inspired menus from five-course extravaganzas to the famous Wawa Gobbler, roasted chestnuts from street vendors in spots like Rittenhouse Square and, of course, pumpkin-flavored everything like pies at bakeries like Termini Brothers and beers at local breweries. 

Whether your holiday shopping list is long or you’re picking up fun stuff for yourself, there’s no time like the present to find the perfect … present. 

Head to dual City Hall-area gift markets Christmas Village in Philadelphia and Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market, both popping back up in November. 

Up in Bucks County, Peddler’s Village gets festive for the holiday season and offers extended store hours. 

Or just stroll some of Philly’s best seasonally decorated shopping districts like Chestnut Hill, Manayunk, Rittenhouse Row, East Passyunk Avenue and Suburban Square.

The word for the November sports scene in Philly is anticipation. At Xfinity Mobile Arena, the 76ers and Flyers are into their season’s first halves, with eyes on hopeful postseason runs. 

Over at Lincoln Financial Field, the Eagles kick off the second half as every game becomes crucial for playoff positioning. 

Meanwhile, collegiate athletics shine during that wonderful overlap of college football and basketball seasons. But the winner is you, the fan, who gets to take in the action with friends and family, yummy stadium food, cheers and boos and, of course, Gritty.

Yes, November is a key month for international and multicultural celebrations around Philadelphia, highlighted by dual film festivals. 

La Philadelphia Jewish Film + Media Fall Fest showcases productions from diverse creators at multiple venues including the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History. 

And don’t miss the Día de los Muertos celebrations on 9th Street and at Fleisher Art Memorial, as well as events around the city honoring National Native American Heritage Month and Transgender Awareness Week.

If everything here hasn’t convinced you just how jam-packed Philly is for fun, exciting and belly-filling events in November, come experience for yourself. 

Tucked neatly in between the end of haunted house and harvest festival season and the rush of the holiday season, November is a great (and busy) time to visit Philly before wintry weather sets in.

Enjoy a myriad of things to do from massive parades for veterans and for Thanksgiving to the opening of holiday markets and winter carnivals to a plethora of family-friendly events indoors and out.