Christmas in Philadelphia
If you want to experience a German-style Christmas Market in the U.S., then plan a visit to Philadelphia for their annual Christmas in Philadelphia event. Christmas in Philly is so much fun, and there are so many festivities going on in the city.
On the blog, I will share the top things to do during Christmas in Philadelphia. You can easily spend one day in Philadelphia exploring all the fun Christmas events, but I recommend a weekend to explore the city as well.
READ NEXT: How to spend the weekend in Philadelphia
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Top things to do at Christmas in Philadelphia
Christmas Village at Love Park
One of the top things to do at Christmas in Philadelphia is a visit to the Christmas Village at Love Park. This authentic European-style holiday market sells all sorts of unique and one of a kind items perfect for those on your list!
There are over 100 vendors including the Käthe Wohlfahrt store selling amazing Christmas ornaments from Germany.
You can also expect to find some handmade crafts, jewelry, ornaments, and of course some treats!
There will also be live music and entertainment to keep you in the holiday mood, a double-decker carousel, a Ferris Wheel and Kids Train by City Hall. It’s a fun day out for the whole family!
- When: Nov 18th – Dec 24th, 2023 from 12pm – 8pm daily
- Location: Love Park and City Hall 1500 Arch Street, Philadelphia PA 19102.
Enjoy the yummy foods and drinks
The best part about a German-style Christmas market is the food and the Biergarten of course! There are all sorts of foods to enjoy such as Bratwursts, Pretzels, Strudels, and more.
You can’t miss the famous Raclette, which is Swiss cheese melted onto some crusty bread and tastes amazing! Just try to get here early to avoid the long lines, lines can be up to an hour’s wait at times especially on weekends!
You can also sip on some hot mulled wine or hot cocoa to keep you warm as you stroll along the market. You can even purchase your very own keepsake mug just like the ones in Europe!
Christmas events at Dilworth Park
- Wintergarden at Dilworth Park: Take a stroll along the beautiful garden and lights inside the Wintergarden at Dilworth Park.
- There are lots of festive touches and holiday lights for you to enjoy. There will also be a Wine kiosk selling warm mulled wine to keep you warm while you enjoy the ambience!
- Other family activities to enjoy is a carousel, an ice-skating rink, and the indoor Rothman Orthopaedics Cabin, where you can warm up, and have some snacks, cocktails, beer, and hot drinks.
- Rothmans Orthopaedics Ice Rink: Glide along the outdoor Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink from November 10, 2023, through February 25, 2024. The rink offers 90-minute skate sessions. Advanced ticket purchase online is recommended.
- Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market: The Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market at Dilworth Park is the perfect place for some unique holiday gift ideas. There are more than 40 vendors in festive tents selling handmade crafts, jewelry, artwork, home décor, and treats scattered throughout the park
- When: November 10, 2023 through January 1, 2024.
- Sun-Thurs: 11am – 7pm
- Fri-Sat: 11am – 8pm
- Thanksgiving: 9am – 5pm
- Christmas Eve: 9am – 5pm
- Location: Dilworth Park at the West Side of City Hall Philadelphia
Macy’s Tree Light Show
Another fun holiday experience in Philly is the Macy’s Christmas Light Show at the Grand Court of the historic department store.
The FREE light show takes place around the larger-than-life Christmas Tree accompanied by the famed Wanamaker Organ.
Our little one was dazzled by this light show, and it’s the perfect place to warm up from the cold!
- When: Daily Nov. 24 – Dec. 31, 2023
- Mon-Sat. | 10:30am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm & 6pm
- Sum. | 12pm, 2pm & 4pm
- Location: 1300 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Dickens Christmas Village
On the third floor of Macy’s is the Dickens Christmas Village, a vintage animatronic “A Christmas Carol” display that ends with a visit with Santa at Macy’s Santaland.
This was a pretty cool experience, but the lines to the Dickens Christmas Village were very long!
Even with ticket reservations there was still a wait. Bring snacks and have water handy, and make sure to have a potty break beforehand.
- When: Nov. 24 through Friday, Dec. 31.
- Admission is FREE, but tickets must be reserved five days in advance here.
- Tickets will go on sale for opening day on Nov. 19, and will be open at 6:30 a.m each morning
- Option to reserve tickets to visit Santa only, or a Santa visit and the Dickens Village
- Santa photo packages start at $39.99
- Print out reservations or display them on your mobile device
- Note: Ticket reservations are to join the lines to either visit Santa or Dickens Village. Wait times can go for 30-90 minutes with weekends being even busier!
- Location: 1300 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
More ideas for Christmas in Philadelphia
- INDEPENDENCE BLUE CROSS RIVERRINK WINTERFEST: Enjoy a winter wonderland with thousands of sparkling lights, Cozy cabins, fire pit stations, boardwalk rides and games, food and hot beverages, the holiday tree, and ice skating on pro hockey sized rink.
- Light Show at Franklin Square: The light show at Franklin Square is inspired by Benjamin Franklin’s kite and key electricity experiment and illuminates the square every half hour with seasonal tunes and choreographed light shows
- Holiday Garden Railway at Morris Arboretum: Enjoy a holiday train display at Morris Arboretum from Nov. 24-Dec. 30, 2023 with over 20 different model trains circulating on over a quarter mile of track throughout this festive garden display.
More Christmas Day trip ideas from Philadelphia:
Guide to Christmas in New York with kids
Top things to do during the holidays in Washington DC
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