Where to See Impressive Holiday Lights in Philadelphia (and Nearby)

Christmas Village

Between November 23, 2024, and Christmas Eve (closed November 25-27), LOVE Park transforms into Christmas Village, a traditional German Christmas market complete with bratwurst, mulled wine, Nutcrackers, and other German-inspired elements.

Over 120 vendors light up their chalets for the season—both with regular lights and with glowing Moravian stars. There is also a giant illuminated Christmas tree beside City Hall and the smaller Festival of Trees area at the LOVE Park Welcome Center where Santa often makes an appearance. Between the sights, music, and tastes of the market, the whole experience is pretty magical. It’s one of the most fun ways to spend Christmas in Philadelphia.

Macy’s

For over 60 years, the Macy’s Christmas Light Show has been a tradition in Center City. The show takes place in the Grand Court, the main area of the Market Street department store. Thanks to the size of the display, the lights are visible from every floor, so you don’t have to crowd the main floor to see it. (Pro tip: if you watch from one of the higher floors, you don’t have to strain your neck by looking up.)

During the show, over 100,000 multicolored LED lights dance to the music in the form of holiday characters. The Wanamaker organ—the largest pipe organ in the world—offers the soundtrack with songs like Frosty the Snowman, The Nutcracker, and Deck the Halls. Even better: it’s all free.

Shows run November 29 through December 31, 2024. Monday through Saturday, the lights are on at 10:30am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, and 6pm. Sunday shows are at 12pm, 2pm, and 4pm.

Peddler’s Village

Peddler’s Village takes on a special glow during the holidays. As soon as the sun goes down, its 1 million lights come on. Across the shopping center, the trees, gazebo, and buildings are lit along with special displays for the season. One of the best lights displays in Bucks County, they turn on November 15, 2024.

If you’re coming for the lights, don’t miss the entrants to the gingerbread house competition. Every year, they go way beyond the expected with multi-story creations and elaborate decor. We love what the contestants put together, and they seem to get more creative every year.

Franklin Square

Every night from November 21, 2024 through January 5, 2025, the Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show lights up Franklin Square on the hour and half-hour from 5:00 to 9:00pm. The more than 100,000 lights are set to seasonal music, which makes the show even more engaging.

During the 15-minute show, the lights dance and weave their way across the square. In the center is a 12-foot-tall, illuminated kite, a tribute to the square’s namesake Ben Franklin and his famous kite electricity experiment. The scene never disappoints. (The show continues with limited hours and music January 9 through February 23, 2025.)

While you’re there, check out the other activities in the square, including Chilly Philly Mini Golf and the carousel. There is a tent with warm drinks and snacks that is a great place to escape the cold.

Independence Blue Cross RiverRink

At Independence Blue Cross RiverRink’s Winterfest, you can be as active as you want to be. Lace up your skates and take a spin around the rink or hang out by the fire with a snack underneath thousands of sparkling lights. Either option is a great way to enjoy the winter activities.

Guests can see the Christmas tree decked out in lights plus light-strewn cozy cabins and fire pits that are available by reservation. Winterfest begins November 29, 2024.

Shady Brook Farm

There’s nowhere quite like Shady Brook Farm at Christmas. This 100-year-old farm has over 3 million lights in its drive-thru Holiday Light Show. With tunnels and every Christmas character imaginable from dancing reindeer to The Grinch and the partridge in a pear tree, a visit here is a highlight of the season in Bucks County. Tune to 90.7FM to enjoy holiday music along with the lights.

Visitors can drive their own vehicle or join a wagon ride to see the light trail. Visits with Santa, s’mores kits, snacks, and adult beverages are also available. The festivities start November 23, 2024. We highly recommend visiting on a weeknight to avoid some of the crowds at this popular display. (I used to work across the street and am very familiar with the traffic that backs up.)

Rittenhouse Square Park

Take a break from shopping to enjoy the lights of Rittenhouse Square Park. The trees are filled with white lights and floating orbs that give everything a magical glow. Don’t miss the beautiful Christmas tree at the center of it all. This year’s tree lighting is set for December 9 at 6pm.

Longwood Gardens

Longwood Gardens is one of the most popular places in the area to see Christmas lights for good reason—it’s gorgeous. With thousands of poinsettias, flowers transformed into sculptures, and trees that look like they’re made of light, Longwood Gardens at Christmas has acres and acres of things to see.

Outside, 500,000 lights drip from branches and encircle tree trunks while sculptures light up along walkways. The frequent fountain shows with water and lights moving in time with the music are also a highlight. Visitors can make their way through a shimmering tunnel, warm up over a fire pit, and lose themselves in the elegant trees and creations of the newly-renovated Conservatory.

Timed tickets are required. The event runs November 22, 2024, through January 12, 2025.

Christmas on Kimball

Christmas on Kimball enters its seventh year as a neighborhood favorite, and the display seems to grow every year. With lights, projections, and lots of inflatables, it’s a great addition to any night looking at lights.

Miracle on South 13th Street

Miracle on South 13^th Street is pure joy. For years, this group of neighbors has coordinated to light up their block in epic style. With displays, decorations, and all things holiday kitsch, it’s one of the most fun places to see at Christmas. The lights come on November 30, 2024 and are on nightly 5-11pm. It is truly one worth visiting every year.

LumiNature

Hundreds of creative creatures and more lights than you can count create a dazzling environment at the Philadelphia Zoo. The nighttime exhibit known as LumiNature combines larger-than-life illuminated animals with light shows, projections, and numerous other features. From giant jellyfish in an underwater seascape to a Christmas tree made entirely of bright flamingos, the 14 different zones of Philadelphia Zoo lights are packed with things to see.

Lots of food and warm beverages are available. We loved making our own s’mores at the fire pits while surrounded by the gorgeous lights. The event runs November 21, 2024, through January 4, 2025.

Comcast Center

The Comcast Holiday Spectacular, a 15-minute show that runs in the lobby of the Comcast Center, has a little bit of everything. There are lots of dancing Santas and snowmen, ice skating penguins, and Clara and the Mouse King from The Nutcracker. The free show runs on a larger-than-life LED wall that’s 25 feet high and 85 feet wide. It plays at the top of every hour from 10am to 8pm (excluding 5pm) from Thanksgiving Day to New Year’s Day. A sensory-friendly showing happens at 2:30pm.

American Heritage Credit Union

One of the largest free light displays in the area, American Heritage Credit Union includes over 400,000 lights around its campus in Northeast Philadelphia. There are wreaths, 40-foot-tall trees, and more scattered around the property. From November 30, 2024 until New Year’s Day, guests can see the buildings and decorations.

This is a great place to come if you want to take photos or have small kids because it is less crowded than most other light displays, and it’s located off the street. There is ample free parking.

Chestnut Hill

Holidays on The Hill is Chestnut Hill’s oldest tradition. Events begin on November 23 when Santa arrives by firetruck to turn on the lights at Woodmere Art Museum. Then on Small Business Saturday (November 30) and all the Wednesdays leading to Christmas, stores run special promotions and stay open late to welcome shoppers with extended hours.

The historic neighborhood is filled with holiday spirit and decorations. A brass quartet performs, and you may even see Santa. Just strolling up and down Germantown Avenue is beautiful thanks to all the lit storefronts, trees, and light poles.

Holiday Garden Railway at Morris Arboretum

The Holiday Garden Railway is a highlight of the season at Morris Arboretum. For one-quarter mile, the G-scale model train passes through tunnels and over bridges in a winter garden. Along the way, it snakes by miniature Philadelphia landmarks and town scenes lit with twinkling lights for Christmas.

See it during the day and select nights from November 23 though December 30, 2024. Night reservations book up well ahead of time.

Wild Lights at Elmwood Zoo

Over one million lights decorate Elmwood Park Zoo in Norristown. The family-oriented display–Wild Lights–includes everything from animal sculptures to light tunnels. In addition to all the illuminations, you’ll find live music, carousel rides, and character meet-and-greets with Anna and Elsa from Frozen on weekends.

Have your photo taken with Santa, make some s’mores, and keep an eye out for a few animals to see at night. Wild Lights is on select nights from November 22 through December 30, 2024. Save on tickets by booking in advance online.

West Chester Griswolds

Reindeer, snowmen, Snoopy, Mickey, and more grace the yard of the Plummer family in Chester County. The “West Chester Griswolds,” as the family calls itself, take a page from the National Lampoon movies with their elaborate display.

More than 135,000 lights cover their front yard, and the display even extends into their backyard. If you tune your radio to 87.9FM, you can see the lights moving in time with the music approximately every 15 minutes from 4:45pm-9:45pm Monday through Thursday and until 10:15pm Friday through Sunday. On Monday through Thursday nights, you can walk around the property to get an up-close look at their displays (weekends are drive-by only). As a bonus, kids can leave their letters for Santa in a mailbox by the driveway.

Consider making a donation to the charity they support each year. The lights turn on November 28, 2024.

Chrostowskis’ in Hatboro

A yard full of light sculptures is complemented by animated figures and music at the Chrostowski home in Hatboro. From an ice fishing penguin to elves decorating a tree, there is lots to see at this Montgomery County light display.

Koziar’s Christmas Village

A bit further away, Koziar’s Christmas Village is a major holiday light display in Berks County. For over 75 years, this lovely attraction has brought joy to the thousands of people who come to see over 1 million lights on the grounds. As you follow the path that snakes through the village, you’ll see light sculptures, trees, and buildings covered in Christmas lights.

Among the lights and inflatables, there are numerous winter and holiday scenes in miniature buildings. You can peer through the windows to see dolls ice skating, eating Christmas dinner, or attending Christmas Eve church service, among other activities.

This display is particularly well-suited for smaller kids and for adults who love vintage decorations. The path is great for strollers or wagons, and little ones can’t wander too far away. While beautiful, the village scenes and lights are mostly low-tech, suited for a family night out rather than taking sleek photos that will go viral on social media.