Holiday Events in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Winter Holiday Celebrations and Events in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is a great city to visit during the winter months and the holiday season. Between Thanksgiving and the New Year, the city comes alive with parades, concerts, light shows, special shopping events, craft fairs and much more. This guide is your one place to go to find out all about this year's Christmas and Winter holiday celebrations and festivities. Browse by event type and learn more about all the many activities you can enjoy this winter in Philly.
Photo credit: kconnors at morguefile
Photo credit: kconnors at morguefile
Macy's Christmas Light Show
A Philadelphia Tradition Since 1956
The Macy's Christmas Light Show is a light-and-music spectacular that has been delighting the young and old alike in the city for decades every holiday season. Beginning the day after Thanksgiving and continuing until New Year's, this dazzling display runs every hour on the hour in the historic Wanamaker Building (now a Macy's), the country's first department store. Check the video linked here for a small taste of the display.
The Comcast Holiday Spectacular
A Christmas Light Show for the 21st Century
In a show unlike any other, every holiday season the state-of-the-art video wall at the Comcast Center in Philadelphia comes alive with a special holiday presentation. The 2,000 square-foot LED screen presents HD-quality video unlike any you'll see anywhere else. Open to the public, the show runs from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. (except 5 p.m. on weekdays) every hour on the hour, for approximately 15 minutes. Learn more about the experience and what went into creating this unique event in the video below:
Longwood Gardens Christmas Display
November 24, 2011 to January 8, 2012
Longwood Gardens Christmas Display is an annual event looked forward to by many. The lush grounds and greenhouses of Longwood, just a short trip from Center City in Kennett Square, come to life in the wintertime with lights, ice skating, fantastical displays and special holiday performances. It's a delight for young and old alike, combining nature with the wonder of the winter season.
Concerts and Special Holiday Performances in Philadelphia
Music, Song and the Theatre Arts
- The Philadelphia Orchestra Holiday Concerts
- Every holiday season, the Philadelphia Orchestra celebrates the season with a series of special concerts and performances. For 2011-2012, this includes "The Glorious Sound of Christmas" on December 15, 16 and 17; "Messiah" on December 18 and a New Year's Eve concert on December 31. Tickets are on-sale now.
- Trans-Siberian Winter Tour 2011
- Progressive rock band TSO will return to Philadelphia on November 19, 2011 with two shows, one at 3pm and one at 8pm. Their annual Christmas show is a spectacular of music, lights, video and complete multi-media experience. See it for yourself this November at the Wells Fargo Center.
- "A Chrstimas Carol" at the Walnut Street Theatre
- The Charles Dickens' classic comes to the stage in this Walnut Street Theatre production, running December 3-20. Tickets are only $10-15, great for young and old alike!
- Christmas with the Philadelphia Singers
- This annual holiday tradition will take place December 10, 11 and 17, 2011. Wanamaker organist Peter Conte performs William Mathias' "Ave Rex," framed by a candlelight processional and an audience-participation caroling.
- The Keswick Theatre Holiday Concerts and Performances
- This historic theater in Glenside, just outside of Philadelphia, will have numerous holiday performances this year, including Adam Corrolla....Hates the Holidays!", Jingle Bell Rock with Eddie Money, Lou Gramm and Mickey Thomas, A Rockin' Holiday Celebration and the Elvis Christmas Bash. Visit their website for a full calendar and ticket information.
- Disney On Ice at the Wells Fargo Center
- A perfect Christmas gift for the young ones - take them to the latest Disney On Ice show, just in time for the holidays! The show will run from December 22, 2011 through January 1, 2012.
- "An Elegant Night-Out": A Pre-Christmas Gospel/Jazz Dinner and Concert
- St. Paul's Baptist Church's E. Luther Cunningham Center, 1018 Wallace Street, Philadelphia. Saturday, December 10, 2011, 5pm-8pm. A celebration of the Christmas season and spirit with fine dining and live music by Christian/Jazz band "JazSpir".
- The Moo Shu Jew Show
- An annual event held December 24, 2011 at Joy Tsin Lau Restaurant, 1026 Race Street in Chinatown. Whether you are Jewish or not, enjoy Christmas Eve dining on delicious Chinese food and enjoying some of the best comedians from across the country.
- Hedgreow Theatre in Media, PA Holiday Concerts and Special Events
- "Holiday Music from around the World" - Saturday, November 26 and Sunday, November 27 at 7:30 p.m. The Main Line Opera Guild will present holiday favorites along with classic opera selections from such titles as La Boheme, White Christmas, Die Fledermaus, The Messiah - and also a special selection from The Muppet Christmas Carol.
"12 Carols Concert" - Saturday December 3, 7:30pm. Traditional lyrics set to original music written by Lesley Hopwood Meyer will be performed by the St. Luke Chamber Singers.
"New Year's Eve at Hedgerow Theatre" - Saturday December 31, 2011. Performance of Sister Robert Anne's Cabaret Class, featuring Micki Sharpe, with a champagne intermission to celebrate the new year. - West Chester Dance Works: The 12 Days of Christmas
- Saturday December 3, 2011 at the West Chester United Methodist Church, 1:30 and 4:00pm. A dance version of the traditional Christmas song will be performed.
- Annual Christmas Concert at Chestnut Hill College
- December 4, 2011 featuring the Chestnut Hill College Community Chorus. Medleys of traditional Christmas favorites and classics will be performed such as Johann Sebastian Bach's Cantata 140, excerpts of George Bizet's Carmen, and the Hallelujah chorus.
- Crossing @ Christmas
- Friday, December 16 at 8:00pm, St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia. A holiday concert in a lovely old world setting, featuring musical selections such as Alpha and Omega by James MacMillan, and the complete Three Carols for Wintertide by Benjamin C.S. Boyle.
- Holiday Events at the Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion
- Visit Philadelphia's only Victorian mansion during the holiday season to see it decorated in holiday splendor. On December 10, 2011 at 6 p.m, Philadelphia actor Josh Hitchens will recreate Charles Dickens' reading of a "Ghost Story for Christmas", followed by dinner in the mansion.
- Sherlock Holmes: Voices of the Celts - A Christmas Mystery
- December 2-December 11, 2011, performed by the Midsummer Night Players at Walnut Street Theatre - Studio 5. Classic duo Holmes and Watson will solve a mystery involving the Celtic Sacred Book of Kells, just in time for the Winter Solstice and Christmas.
- Un Viaje--A Christmas Journey
- December 7-December 30, 2011, performed by B. Someday Productions at the Walking Fish Theatre. A family-friendly performance bringing to life both Santa Claus and The Three Kings holiday tradition.
Craft Fairs and Holiday Bazaars in Philadelphia
Shop For Unique, Handmade Gifts at These Events
- Christmas Village in Philadelphia
- Christmas Village is a German-style holiday market, set up annually in Love Park from Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve (November 24 - December 24, 2011). Vendors at 50 wooden booths sell sweets, treats, unique gift items and handmade crafts. Concerts and performances take place throughout the season and special events include the Santa Claus Convention, German Day and International Day.
- Holiday Craft Show and Bazaar at St Teresa of Avila in Norristown, PA
- Friday, November 11th from 5-10pm. Crafts and vendors of various items for the holidays.
- Art Star Craft Bazaar
- 23rd Street Armory, 22 S. 23rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Saturday, November 19th, 11-6pm & Sunday, November 20th, 11-6pm. VIP Preview Party: Friday, November 18th, 6-9pm. This annual holiday craft bazaar is organized and juried by Philadelphia's Art Star Gallery & Boutique. Features over 50 local vendors of unique and quality hand-crafted items. A "Best of Philly" event in 2010!
- Holy Martyrs Christmas Bazaar and Craft Fair
- Craft show in Oreland, PA. December 3, 2011 10am to 3pm. December 4, 2011 10 am to 2 pm.
- The Punk Rock Flea Market Holiday Edition
- December 11, 2011, 10:00 am (event ends at 5:00 pm). THE PUNK ROCK FLEA MARKET-DOME, Philadelphia, PA, 461 N. 9th St. Looking for cheap Christmas gifts, or just some fun and cool stuff for yourself? This combination flea market and craft show will feature everything from used records and skateboards to handmade gifts, old clothing to musical instruments, tools to computers. It's an annual extravaganza that's not to be missed.
Holiday Parades in Philadelphia
Marching Bands, Music, Floats and of course, Santa Claus!
- Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade
- An annual Philadelphia event since 1920, it is actually the oldest Thanksgiving Day parade in the United States. Marching bands of all kinds are welcome and 19 are welcomed annually for the 1.4-mile parade route, going from 20th Street and JFK Boulevard, onto 16th Street and then left onto Ben Franklin Parkway. Scheduled for November 24, 2011, the parade of course also features floats, balloons, celebrities and other performance groups.
- Mummers Parade
- No holiday event is perhaps more uniquely Philadelphia than the annual Mummers Parade. Held on New Year's Day, this tradition dates back to the 17th century with evolved in the 1870s as a city-wide celebration of music, comics, costume and celebration. Over 10,000 marchers take part in one of the Comic, Fancy, Fancy Brigade and String Band divisions, which often begin preparations for the event a full year in advance. Different clubs compete against each other for best in show in each of these divisions, and fans camp out early for the best viewing locations for this all-day event.
Philadelphia Mummers Parade: Highlights
Get a Taste for the Mummers Through the Years
If you've never seen the Mummers in action before, this video will give you a great introduction to the music, dance, and elaborate costuming that makes the Mummers such a unique Philadelphia experience.
Other Special Holiday Events in the Philadelphia Area
Festivals, Lighting Ceremonies and More
- Yuletide at Winterthur
- While many know of Longwood Gardens' holiday displays, nearby Winterthur Museum and Gardens also does the holidays in grand style. Visit from November 19, 2011 to January 8, 2012 to see H. F. du Pont's house decorated for the season with historical displays, magnificent Christmas trees, and also enjoy special performances and workshops for the season. Winterthur is open on Mondays only during this season and tour reservations are recommended.
- Christmas Festival at Peddler's Village, New Hope
- Saturday, December 3 & Sunday, December 4, 2011, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Peddler's Village in nearby New Hope, PA is a great place to shop during the winter season. No weekend is better for it during this annual Christmas Festival. Of course Santa Claus will be in attendance, and there will be a parade, seasonal treats like hot mulled cider and roasted chestnuts, and beautiful Victorian decorations throughout the Village.
- World Culture Day 16th Annual Peace around the World
- At the Penn Museum, Dec 04 2011 01:00PM - 04:00PM. This annual event for families rewards visitors with a "Passport to Cultures". Learn about holiday traditions from around the world while enjoying face painting, music and dance, crafts and treats for children.
- Narbeth Dickens Festival
- Saturday, December 10, 2011 12:00 PM-4:00 PM in Downtown Narberth. This fast-growing holiday event brings 1840's London to Narberth for one magical afternoon. Enjoy food and live music, a scavenger hunt, carriage rides, activities for children and more. A great way to welcome in the Christmas season.
- 8th Annual Latkepalooza
- Sunday, December 11th , 2:00-4:00 pm and the University of the Arts, Hamilton Hall, 320 S. Broad Street. An annual foodie spectacular, featuring gourmet latkes from some of Philly's top restaurants. Live music, a holiday bazaar and live music from The West Philly Orchestra.
- Kwanzaa Celebration at the African American Museum in Philadelphia
- December 31, 2011, 12:00pm - 3:00pm. Visit the AAMP on New Year's Eve for a family-friendly afternoon of events and special Kwanzaa activities. Free with museum admission.
- First Night Haddonfield
- Cross over into New Jersey for First Night, a celebration of music, comedy and dance performances starting 6pm on December 31, 2011. Besides scheduled performances there will be strolling street musicians, food vendors, and plenty of other activities to ring in the New Year.
- Christmas in the Colonial Capital
- November 26-December 17, 2011, presented by the Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks at Powel House. Celebrate Christmas as the early colonists did, enjoying traditional holiday treats in the Powel House ballroom and then take a guided walking tour through the local 18th century neighborhood.
More Events Added Soon!
This listing will be expanded as more events are scheduled and announced.
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Final Thoughts and Comments Welcome
Got any other events to add to this guide? Have you been to Philly during the Christmas season? Your comments and additions are welcome here!
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lorindaleigh
Jan 16, 2012 @ 2:45 pm | delete
- Philadelphia is my favorite city! My husband and I lived there the first 3 years of our marriage. Very special times all due to being in such a wonderful city. Love your lens!
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