The Holidays in Philadelphia: A Perfect Three-Day Itinerary

Start your day with a Gingerbread Latte or Winterland seasonal at Philly’s own La Colombe Coffee Roasters on Penn Square, just south of City Hall. Then head a few blocks west to the Comcast Center to catch the 11 a.m. showing of the Comcast Holiday Spectacular, a free 15-minute video show presented on one of the world’s largest LED screens. (See daily on-the-hour showtimes here.)

Wander back toward City Hall around noon to experience all the seasonal magic of Winter at Dilworth Park. Lace up your skates (rentals available) for an up-to-90-minute skating session at the Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink (best to make reservations in advance), then warm up with light lunch and refreshments in the ski chalet-style Rothman Orthopaedics Cabin or outdoors around cozy firepits.

Afterward, stroll through the gorgeous topiary display in the Wintergarden on the Greenfield Lawn, then browse the stalls of the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market with local vendors selling candles, books, glass, jewelry, handmade crafts, treats to eat, and all manner of Gritty and Phanatic jawns. Finish up your afternoon across the street at LOVE Park for even more open-air shopping from local and international vendors at the European-style Christmas Village in Philadelphia featuring over 120 vendors peddling seasonal items like rustic gifts, delicate ornaments and wintry apparel. Warm up while you shop with raclette sandwiches, spiced wine, apple cider strudels and more.

As daylight wanes, hop in a rideshare for a short 15-minute trip to the Philadelphia Zoo for the immersive LumiNature display where over 1 million lights transform the walkways and habitats of the nation’s first zoo into a stunning display of sight and sound, along with light performers in glowing animal-themed costumes, a 22-foot-tall butterfly tree, 100-foot-long jungle tunnel, shimmering vine wall, 40-foot-tall penguin glowing with 40,000 lights and more. Entry begins at 5 p.m. and tickets are required, so book in advance.

Head back to Center City for a late dinner of pub grub and crafty cocktails at Uptown Beer Garden’s holiday pop-up Uptown Express, a classic Christmas special-themed wonderland of lights, decorations and interactive displays featuring favorites like Rudolph, The Snow Miser and Santa.

Then cross back over to City Hall to take in the nighttime wonder (and snap a few pics) of the Visit Philadelphia Holiday Tree, Philly’s official tree — a 70-year-old, 55-foot-tall white fir from Upstate New York — shimmering with over 5,000 lights, on display at Wawa Holiday Plaza on the building’s north apron.

Still up for drinks? Stroll a few blocks east to Tinsel Christmas Bar at 12th & Sansom streets for a beloved and bedazzled Christmas comedy-themed seasonal pop-up that’s easy on the (Instagram) eyes.

Bonus Activity: Enjoy a last-call nightcap inside the lounge or out by the firepit at Assembly Rooftop Lounge’s modern ski-lodge-inspired pop-up Alpine Heights at Assembly (open till midnight during the week, to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday).

Take an early-morning spin through the always festive Reading Terminal Market to score breakfast (like doughnuts at Beiler’s and coffee at Old City Coffee) and edible gifts (grab a Whoopie Pie from Flying Monkey Bakery to take home) before the crowds arrive. Don’t miss the new-for-2023 Gingerbread Lane, featuring 600 gingerbread houses in the Arch Court seating area.

Then head south across Market Street to Macy’s Center City for its iconic Holiday Light Show. Voiced by the legendary Julie Andrews, the free show (see performance times here) features classic songs and stories like The Nutcracker and Frosty the Snowman illuminated by 100,000 lights and backed by the sounds of the famous Wanamaker Organ, one of the largest in the world. Families can also book a visit to Dickens Village to enjoy Philly’s vintage retelling of A Christmas Carol and get pics with Santa.

Wander south on 13th Street into the heart of Midtown Village for some afternoon shopping at trendy independent boutiques (like Open House for home goods or Duross & Langel for bath and body). Enjoy lunch among the holiday decor at McGillin’s Olde Ale House, the city’s oldest operating pub (and third-oldest in the country, founded 1860), or reserve ahead for brunch at Aqimero (weekends only) at the Ritz-Carlton Philadelphia on the Avenue of the Arts, offering Latin-inflected fine dining in a festive setting.

Then indulge your inner witch or warlock with holiday potion-making or a Magical Hot Chocolate at The Cauldron Philly for a memorable holiday tipple (advance booking required).

As dusk settles, make your way to Winter in Franklin Square, where you can putt a round of Chilly Philly Mini Golf, ride the Parx Liberty Carousel, play street curling and enjoy the Electrical Spectacle Light Show (every 30 minutes starting at 5 p.m.). Keep an eye out for special events and cameos by Santa — as well as food and drink aplenty.

Then take a short 15-minute walk east to the Delaware River waterfront for an evening of rides on the illuminated Ferris wheel, free ice skating (book times in advance) and more festive food at Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest, where you can relax and cozy up with hot and cold drinks in quaint cabins or in The Lodge (reservations required).

Bonus Activity: On the ride back to your hotel, take a detour to see how South Philly does lights with a drive through the neighborhood-run Miracle on 13th Street holiday light display (between Morris and Tasker streets), one of the brightest decorated residential blocks in the city.

Beautiful Bucks County’s rich history dazzles during the holidays. Fonthill Castle (about a 50-minute drive from Center City), tile magnate Henry Chapman Mercer’s historic home, is even more cozy in December when its arts and crafts interior is decked out for Holidays at Fonthill Castle (multiple ticketed options available). With eighteen chimneys, how ever will Santa choose his entry point?

Grab lunch at Hattery Stove & Still in historic Doylestown, then head to Perkasie to visit historic Pearl S. Buck House, former home of the Nobel-prize-winning author, and its Festival of Trees (tickets required). After all that history, you deserve a drink! Sip and swirl at your choice of six vineyards along the Bucks County Wine Trail, where you can pair local vino with lovely lights during Light Up the Vines evenings.

Have young kids? Skip the historic homes and hit up A Very Furry Christmas at Langhorne’s Sesame Place, where Big Bird, Elmo and crew lead holiday parades, entertainers work the crowd and costumed performers add to the cheer. Later, grab a bite and stock up on gifts during the Holidays at Peddler’s Village at Lahaska’s popular boutique shopping haven, home to 65 stores, a historic carousel and an impressive Gingerbread Competition & Display. Stick around after dark when the grounds are illuminated with 1 million bulbs!

Visit the gorgeous Brandywine Valley in Chester County for some of the region’s most treasured holiday traditions. Start at the Brandywine Museum of Art (about a 45-minute drive from City Hall), where the Brandywine Railroad Holiday Train Display travels through the Wyeth family collection with 2,000 feet of model train track and an enchanted world in miniature.

A short ride down Route 1, massive Longwood Gardens draws crowds for its comprehensive array of seasonal botanical displays, artistic Christmas trees and holiday events and concerts. A Longwood Christmas also includes massive light displays that combine fountains, color and music into high art. Be sure to reserve ahead, and arrive before sunset to enjoy the gardens as they transition into twilight. A pop-up beer garden — with pizza and sandwiches, as well — offers festive sustenance.

If you haven’t yet had your fill of twinkling, head home by way of Nottingham to see the Christmas Lights Display at Herr’s, a free drive-thru experience on the beloved snack factory’s grounds that dates back thirty years.

Head out to Delaware County (Delco, to locals) for festive shopping and country charm. Enjoy Christmas Around the Farm at 300-acre Linvilla Orchards (about a 40-minute drive from Center City), where you can cut your own tree, shop the Garden Center, and browse the holiday farmers market for local gourmet gifts. Plan ahead to visit Santa, join a wreath-making class or grab a warm treat like wood-fired pizza or Holly Jolly donuts (available in apple pie, maple bacon and cookie jar flavors!).

Then head to Jingle on State, a festive holiday shopping opp along State Street in downtown Media — the first Fair Trade Town in the nation — offering charming indie shops like Earth & State and dining at locally owned gems like Brick & Brew gastropub or La Belle Epoque Wine Bistro for five choices of savory crepes.

After dark, check out Rose Tree County Park’s Festival of Lights for a dazzling show of color and (on select weekends) enjoy a market filled with artisan vendors and local wines at the park’s Delco Holiday Village. Or move on to nearby Newtown Square for Flight on Ice skating at charming Veterans Memorial Rink, with seasonal decor and music to match (tickets required).

Start your day in Montgomery County aboard the Santa’s Polar Bear Express on the Colebrookdale Railroad in Boyertown (about a 60-minute drive from Center City), with first departure at 10 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays. This historic train takes visitors on an hour-long excursion into the Hidden Valley while enjoying a visit from Santa, plus complimentary hot chocolate and cookies. Another option: Come back at night in comfy pajamas for the ’Twas the Night Before Christmas train ride.

Next, bundle up for outdoor fun at Schwenksville’s Spring Mountain Ski Area, the closest slopes to Philadelphia. Lunch up at the on-site Powder Pig Pub, then hit up the resort’s eight runs for skiing, boarding or tubing.

After dusk, visit the century-old Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown for Wild Lights, where you can explore festively lit footpaths and take in illuminated animal displays and live entertainment. Or head to the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks for the LuminoCity Holiday Lights Festival, a sprawling new-for-2023 wonderland of immersive illuminated installations plus a full holiday market and a 50-foot-tall fully decorated Christmas tree.