Brave the winter cold for Philadelphia’s unbeatable lineup of events, from luminous light shows to parades, jazz performances and more.
Take in the city’s holiday decor from the top of Christmas Village’s ferris wheel.
11/17/23-1/1/24
Tinseltown Holiday Spectacular
Experience a seasonal extravaganza like no other as FDR Park is transformed into the Tinseltown Holiday Spectacular. While on the grounds, viewers can gaze at over two million holiday lights or even glide down the ice slide for a 160-foot thrill. 1900 Pattison Ave., tinseltownholiday.com
11/18-12/25
Chestnut Hill Holidays on the Hill
Dive into the holiday season headfirst at Chestnut Hill’s Holidays on the Hill. On Dec. 2, the Chestnut Hill Community Holiday Parade welcomes locals to ring in good tidings and cheer as marching bands, choirs and Santa Claus make their way down Germantown Avenue. Germantown Avenue, chestnuthillpa.com
11/23-12/24
Christmas Village in LOVE Park and City Hall
Your dream of strolling through Nurenberg, Germany’s famous Christkindlesmarkt is within reach. Situated in LOVE Park and City Hall, the authentic German Christmas market features vendors selling handmade ornaments, jewelry and other treasures. While finishing up your holiday shopping, indulge in sweet sips like glühwein, a spiced mulled wine, and Austrian strudel. 1500 Arch St., philachristmas.com
12/2-12/27
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol at The Drake Theatre
Back for its sixth year, the Lantern Theater Company will take the stage and perform what’s become a Philadelphia holiday tradition. The one-man show, performed by acclaimed playwright and actor Anthony Lawton, tells the traditional story where Ebenezer Scrooge reaches redemption after being visited by ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. 302 S. Hicks St., lanterntheater.org
12/8-12/30
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker by Philadelphia Ballet
Drift into a holiday dream as Philadelphia Ballet presents The Nutcracker at The Academy of Music. Attendees will follow characters young Marie and her Prince as they move through a dream world with prize-fighting mice, toy soldiers, dancing candy canes and others. 240 S. Broad St., philadelphiaballet.org
12/25
Philadelphia Eagles v. New York Giants
If your Christmas wish is an Eagles win, spend the holiday at Lincoln Financial Field as they take on the New York Giants. Fans can watch kick-off with confidence, knowing that in the last 10 years, the Eagles have gone 16-4 against the Giants—prepare for a heated match-up. 1 Lincoln Financial Field Way, ticketmaster.com
1/1/24
The Mummers Parade
No one celebrates the new year like Philadelphia. Usher in 2024 at the oldest continuous folk parade in America. The 122nd Mummers Parade will start promptly at 9 a.m. from City Hall, complete with 10,000 dancers and musicians dressed up in colorful, lavish costumes as they march and dance through the streets. S. Broad St. & S. Penn Square, visitphilly.com
1/13/24
Feminist Focus: Fifty Years of Women’s Art in Philadelphia at the Woodmere Art Museum
This January, distinguished Elizabethtown College professor Patricia Likos Ricci is taking over Woodmere’s Barbara Bullock: Fearless Vision exhibition for an insightful experience—the perfect chance to learn more about women’s art in the city. Works like Bullock’s sculpted heavy-weight paper pieces explore the Black identity through African art, music and dance. 9201 Germantown Ave., woodmereartmuseum.org
1/21/24
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (JLCO) with Wynton Marsalis
Get jazzed up at Kimmel Cultural Campus’ annual Jazz Series performances. The Jan. 21 show at Verizon Hall will celebrate Max Roach—one of the greatest jazz drummers of all time and a pioneer in harnessing music to address social issues. Led by Wynton Marsalis, the JLCO ensemble comprises 15 skilled jazz soloists who perform a wide range of beloved compositions by Duke Ellington and others. 300 S. Broad St., kimmelculturalcampus.org
1/27/24
Philadelphia Flyers v. Boston Bruins
Hockey season is kicking off with one of the Flyers’ most heated match-ups— the Boston Bruins versus the Philadelphia Flyers. Cheer them on to victory from the Shift4 Club membership private lounge and seats at center ice. 3601 S. Broad St., nhl.com
Photography by: COURTESY OF BRAND
