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Winter in Franklin Square
Decked in stunning holiday lights, Winter in Franklin Square sparks festive wonder and cheer all season long.
By day, the sun shines on the year-round park’s playgrounds and family-friendly features.
And by night, the all-ages attraction hits a switch and shimmers with hundreds of thousands of dazzling LED lights.
The free Electrical Spectacle Light Show captivates guests with a twinkling light display inspired by the square’s namesake Founding Father and set to holiday classics by global superstars (Mariah Carey) and local icons (The Philly POPS and Philly fave Jason Kelce).
Under that technicolor glow, you can explore the park’s other wintery activities. Take a spin around the Parx Liberty Carousel, putt a few rounds on the Chilly Philly Mini Golf course or try your hand at street curling (no ice or experience required!).
The season also promises a ton of special events, including elfie-selfies with Santa, a Hanukkah celebration and Kwanzaa festivities, plus your fill of pay-as-you-go bites and sips around the fire pits.
Winter in Franklin Square runs from November 20, 2025 to February 28, 2026, with the holiday festivities wrapping up on January 4, 2026.
Every year, Franklin Square — one of William Penn’s original five city squares — gets a festive makeover with thousands of sparkling lights, special events and more.
If you love Elphaba and Glinda, you’re gonna love Wicked Night in Franklin Square. Dress up in your favorite pink and/or green holiday best and get your photo taken with the wickedest witches in Philly (Saturday, November 22, 2025, 5 to 7 p.m.).
Also new this year: Frosty’s Fireside Lodge keeps you cozy and warm as you sip a cuppa seasonal bliss.
Winter in Franklin Square’s signature attraction is the free Electrical Spectacle Light Show presented by PECO, illuminating the historic park nightly with hundreds of thousands of colorful lights.
An ode to Benjamin Franklin’s famous kite-and-key lightning experiment, an enormous illuminated kite hovers above the square’s centerpiece fountain, surrounded by dancing LED lights, illuminating the park.
This year’s light show soundtrack features seven seasonal standards, including Feliz Navidad by José Feliciano, All I Want for Christmas as You by Mariah Carey and an extra-special, extra-Philly rendition of Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) by The Philly Specials, the multi-talented trio of Philadelphia Eagles Lane Johnson, Jordan Mailata and, of course, Jason Kelce.
— Photo by J. Fusco for Historic Philadelphia, Inc.
Other songs include: Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a – Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies by Tchaikovsky with NutcrackerSuite, Op. 71a – Russian Dance performed by L’Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal; Sleigh Ride performed by Peter Nero and The Philly POPS® featuring Ann Hampton Callaway; A Christmas Festival, performed byPeter Nero and The Philly POPS® featuring Ann Hampton Callaway; and Carol of the Bells (StarchildExcalibur Drumadelic Remix) performed by the London Festival Orchestra.
The show runs every 30 minutes from 5 to 9 p.m. from November 20, 2025 to January 4, 2026. Each performance features two of the above songs on a rotating schedule.
Parx Liberty Carousel
Take a spin on the Parx Liberty Carousel and enjoy the colorful lights and classic holiday tunes as you go round (and round and round). Tickets are required (open daily).
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 (November 20, 2025 through February 28, 2026). Curling is open nightly through Sunday, January 4, 2026, and then Thursdays through Sundays throughout February 2026.
Chilly Philly Mini-Golf
Center City’s only outdoor mini-golf course showcases 18 holes of festive lights, holiday music, winter characters and iconic Philly landmarks during Chilly Philly Mini Golf (November 20, 2025 through February 28, 2026). Putt all you’d like nightly through Sunday, January 4, 2026, and then Thursdays through Sundays through February 2026.
Unwind next to a toasty fire pit or inside the heated tent with a festive cocktail in hand at the new Frosty’s Fireside Lodge.
The pop-up bar’s wintry menu includes the all-ages Holiday Hot Chocolate with whipped cream, candy canes and cocoa sprinkles, as well as a variety of spiked drinks for the grown-ups.
SquareBurger operated by Cescaphe opens during day and evening hours, offering comfort food to fuel your holiday Franklin Square adventures.
— Photo courtesy Historic Philadelphia, Inc.
As part of Winter in Franklin Square, the park celebrates the season with an exciting lineup of family-friendly events, including:
Keep an eye on Franklin Square’s official site for more details and other happenings.
Winter in Franklin Square is free to attend. Refreshments, mini-golf, street curling and carousel rides are all pay as you go, and select seasonal events have a small cost.
Franklin Square is in Philadelphia’s Historic District near the northeast edge of Chinatown (and is conveniently located near many of the city’s other top holiday attractions).
This holiday season, Franklin Square is open daily except for Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Franklin Square is super accessible via public transportation, including SEPTA’s Route No. 47 bus and the Chinatown station on the Market-Frankford subway line. Folks looking to drive can also find several nearby parking garages and surface lots.
For more info about Winter in Franklin Square, including hours and attraction pricing, click the button below.
Think Philadelphia’s holiday happenings end here? Ho ho no! The City of Brotherly Love, Sisterly Affection and Holiday Cheer has a jam-packed lineup of festivals, light shows and more planned across the region.
Holiday Garden Railway at Morris Arboretum & Gardens — Photo by Visit Philadelphia
Check out our guide to all of the ways Greater Philadelphia celebrates the most wonderful time of year.
The only way to fully experience Philly? Stay over.
Book the Visit Philly Overnight Package and get free hotel parking and priceless peace of mind.
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