December is a busy and exciting time. Beyond the hustle and bustle and long holiday to-do lists, it can also be a time to relax, bundle up and indulge in unique holiday and winter-themed activities. With festivals, light shows, local shopping, holiday events, and more รขโฌโ Philadelphia is arguably one of the best cities to enjoy the winter holiday season. Below is a list of a few holiday-inspired activities in Philadelphia this December.
Catch a Festival or Light Show
1) Franklin Square Holiday Festival
Where: 6th and Race Streets, Philadelphia, PA.
With over 50,000 lights and holiday classic music playing, enjoy the show during the evenings until December 31.
2) Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest
Where: 101 South Columbus Blvd. Philadelphia, PA. 215-925-7465
Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest features a large skating rink, food, drink, and special events throughout the winter season.
3) Macyรขโฌโขs Christmas Light Show
Where: 1300 Market Street, Philadelphia PA. 215-241-9000
Macyรขโฌโขs Christmas Light show, a 50-year plus tradition, is one of the top light shows in Philadelphia.
4) Please Touch Museum: Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Hanukkah
Where: Memorial Hall Fairmount Park 4231 Avenue of the Republic (formerly North Concourse Drive) Philadelphia, PA. 215-581-3181
Oreos4everyone, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A famous childrenรขโฌโขs museum in Philadelphia, founded in 1976, Please Touch Museum offers special events to celebrate the holidays: December 11 (Christmas), December 27 (Kwanzaa), and December 29 (Hanukkah).
Where: 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, PA. 610-388-1000
Longwood Gardens turns on the holiday spirit with A Longwood Christmas รขโฌโ performances, a half-million lights through the garden, fire pits, holiday music, and more. Check out their website for tickets and tips on how to avoid crowds.
Browse Holiday Shopping Markets
Where: Routes 202 & 263 Lahaska, Bucks County, PA. 215-794-4000
A quaint shopping and restaurant area in Bucks County, check out Peddlerรขโฌโขs Village for great shopping, special events, and a great light display.
7) Christmas Village in Philadelphia
Where: City Hall Philadelphia 1400 JFK Blvd. Philadelphia, PA.
With over 80 vendors and modeled after traditional Christmas markets in Germany, Christmas Village in Philadelphia offers a unique array of ornaments, arts and crafts, gifts, jewelry, European food, drinks, and more.
8) Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market
Where: Dilworth Park 1 S 15th St, Philadelphia, PA.
A few minutes away from Christmas Village in Philadelphia, and designed to complement as such, The Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market features local artisans and crafts with pottery, photo art, jewelry, fashion, food and more.
Relax at Home:
9) Holiday Treats:
Cozy up with some homemade holiday deserts. Check out these ideas for: pie and dessert recipes, gingerbread house cake, and more winter desserts.
10) Watch a Holiday Movie:
Whether your favorite holiday movie is It’s a Wonderful Life, Home Alone, The Grinch, or Miracle on 34th Street, the holidays are a great time to get some hot chocolate and indulge in a holiday movie classic.
