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The Night before Christmas Train Coach on the Stausburg Rail Road recreates the excitement and anticipation of Christmas Eve. Photo courtesy of the Rail Road
The Night before Christmas Train Coach on the Stausburg Rail Road recreates the excitement and anticipation of Christmas Eve. Photo courtesy of the Rail Road
12/2/22 - By Victoria Fox

Christmas lights and holiday activities are back this December, and that's just the beginning of things to do in Philadelphia as the holiday season kicks into high gear. Don't miss our favorite kid-friendly events and activities in Philly this month.

Philadelphia is not just a city of delicious cuisine and crushing culture; it's also home to some truly spectacular holiday light displays! Take your family out for an evening stroll through the neighborhoods this month, from the The Miracle on South 13th Street to the Smedley Street Christmas Lights Spectacular, to the delightfully over-the-top West Chester Griswolds in the 'burbs. Head down to the nearest holiday parade, like the Visit Philadelphia Holiday Parade where you can watch balloons and bands marching to City Hall. Glide on over to Flight on Ice, Delco's pop-up ice rink, or stop by for a skate at Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest. Don't miss the epic Frozen-Encanto mash-up when Disney on Ice descends on Philly at the end of the month, and before we say goodbye to 2022 forever, grab the kids and enjoy fireworks at Sesame Place to send the year off with a bang.

For more ways to keep the season merry and bright, check out our Holiday Bucket List, Christmas lights, ice skating, volunteering opportunities, and more, which can all be found in our Guide to Holiday Events and Christmas Activities.

We’re adding more events to our family activity calendar daily, so don’t forget to check it frequently. Get our picks for every weekend in your inbox—sign up for our newsletters.

 

 

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Bluey and Bingo take the stage at the Kimmel. Photo courtesy of the venue
Bluey and Bingo take the stage at the Kimmel. Photo courtesy of the venue

Top Things to Do in Philly with Kids this December

Bluey's Big Play Presented by the Kimmel Cultural Campus

December 2 & 3, 2022
Philadelphia
Kids will love this brand-new theatrical adaptation of the Emmy® Award-winning children’s television series, Bluey, featuring puppets that bring the show to the stage. READ MORE

Visit Philadelphia Holiday Parade

December 3, 2022
Philadelphia
The Visit Philadelphia Holiday Parade will send floats representing Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and the Chinese New Year marching down Market Street en route to City Hall, for a seasonal spectacular families won't want to miss. READ MORE

Deck the Alley

December 3, 2022
Philadephia
Guests can meander down Philadelphia’s most historic residential street for a glimpse of 21st-century life in historic houses from the 1700s and 1800s. Vistors can peek inside these historic homes for a glimpse into the past. READ MORE

Winter Wonderland at Smith Playground

December 10, 2022
Philadelphia
Visit Smith's annual Winter Wonderland celebration sponsored and get into the holiday spirit. Children and their caregivers can enjoy winter crafts, s'more making, and live music. READ MORE

SantaFest

December 10, 2022
West Chester
Santa lets the reindeer rest for the upcoming big day and instead arrives via helicopter! He flies in at 11 a.m., ready to hear children's wish lists in the colorful Santa’s Workshop. Kids can make crafts, listen to live music and watch holiday movies in the theater. Bring your cameras for pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus. READ MORE

Snow Queen Brunch

December 10 & 17, 2022
Philadelphia
Ice Queen brunches are back! This popular event will be held at Figo Italian Restaurant in NoLibs this year. Book a heated outdoor igloo, indoor table, or heated outdoor table for a 90-minute meal, and be entertained by the Snow Queen. Each table receives a private visit, an activity sheet, and a souvenir. Costumes are encouraged. READ MORE

Christmas Caroling in Clark Park

December 11, 2022
Philadelphia
Clark Park's annual carol sing draws neighbors from all over to lift their voices and spread holiday cheer with classic songs. Enjoy cookies and hot-cider refreshments courtesy of the Friends of Clark Park. READ MORE

Betsy Ross House - Old City Menorah Lighting

December 18, 2022
Philadelphia
The Old City Jewish Arts Center and Betsy Ross House will join together to host a community menorah lighting. Celebrate the first night of Hanukkah with traditional foods like latke and doughnuts! READ MORE

Disney on Ice Presents Frozen and Encanto

December 25 -31, 2022
Philadelphia
Get ready, because Elsa, Anna, and Mirabel bring their magic to Broad Street just in time for the holidays. Disney on Ice hits a home run with this epic mash-up, as Arendelle and the Madrigal Casita come to life on the rink at Wells Fargo, where you'll definitely be talking about Bruno. READ MORE

Sesame Place New Year's Eve Fireworks

December 31, 2022
Langhorne
Celebrate the new year with fireworks set to Sesame Street music. Elmo, Abby Cadabby, The Count and the rest of the gang are ready to join in the fun. This impressive display occurs after the Neighborhood Street Party Christmas Parade. READ MORE

Holidays at Johnson's Corner Farm

Now through December 23, 2022
Medford, NJ
Johnson’s Corner Farm has it all for the holidays–take a hayride to view thousands of lights, watch a light show on the lake, visit Santa, decorate Christmas cookies, roast marshmallows, and visit the Discovery Barn and Animal Farm. READ MORE

Night Before Christmas Train

Now through December 23, 2022
Ronks
Experience the excitement of Christmas Eve even when it's not December 24 on this very special one-hour train ride. Listen to the classic poem 'Twas the Night Before Christmas on this journey aboard a decorated holiday train, where drinks and treats are available for purchase. READ MORE

Christmas Village in Philadelphia

Now through December 24, 2022
Philadelphia
Held at LOVE Park, this outdoor holiday market reflects the feel of traditional Christmas markets found in Germany. Visitors can expect booths featuring conventional European food, sweets, drinks, and shopping. Kids can visit Santa and ride the carousel, Ferris wheel, and train. READ MORE

Philadelphia Ballet: George Balanchine's The Nutcracker

December 13-28, 2022
Center City
For years, families have been enjoying George Balanchine's Nutcracker at the Academy of Music. Make this a tradition in your family this season by attending one of the many performances available. READ MORE

Morris Arboretum Holiday Garden Railway

Now through December 30, 2022
Philadelphia
Morris Arboretum’s popular Garden Railway returns. Visitors can enjoy a quarter-mile of track featuring seven loops and tunnels with 15 rail lines, two cable cars, nine bridges, and bustling model trains, all set in a lovely winter garden. READ MORE

American Heritage's Grand Illumination

Now through January 1, 2023
Philadelphia
American Heritage Credit Union welcomes visitors to its annual Grand Illumination celebration featuring the lighting of two 40-foot Christmas trees, hundreds of wreaths, and over 400,000 lights. This month-long display always gets families into the spirit of the season. READ MORE

The Miracle on South 13th Street

Now through January 2, 2023
Philadelphia
The 1600 block of South 13th Street (between Tasker and Morris) morphs into the Miracle on South 13th Street. Residents in this neighborhood join together to put on one of the best residential community light displays in the area. Park nearby and walk, or roll down the block in your vehicle, taking it slow as you take in the sights. READ MORE

Smedley Street Christmas Light Spectacular

Now through January 2, 2023
Philadelphia
For over 50 years, South Philly residents on the 2700 block of Smedley Street have been wowing spectators with an impressive community display of blow-up decorations, beautifully lit trees, and sparkling string lights.  READ MORE

West Chester Griswolds Light Display

Now through January 2, 2023
West Chester
If the name sounds familiar, that's because this West Chester family takes after Clark Griswold and company from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Trust us when we say this home does not disappoint, and this year's display features over 133,000 lights, 800 smart pixels, and a newly-added Cosmic Color Ribbon Tree set to music. Kids can also drop off letters for Santa at the home's special mailbox. READ MORE

A Longwood Christmas

Now through January 8, 2023
Kennett Square, PA
Walk through the gardens to see the lights, flowers, and trees, and stop into the conservatory to view the seasonal poinsettias. Don't miss the fountain show set to music. READ MORE

Shady Brook Farm Holiday Light Show

Now through January 8, 2023
Yardley
Experience the magic of more than 3 million bulbs illuminating acres of farmland at Shady Brook Farm's holiday light show. Drive through in the comfort of your car or enjoy the show on an open-air wagon ride. Then, set off on foot through Candy Cane Lane, where dancing lights are set to music. You can keep the holiday cheer going and warm up with a cozy fire. Buy a s'mores kit and some hot cocoa, and make holiday memories together!   READ MORE

Flight On Ice - Delco

Now through February 28, 2023
Newtown Square
A brand new outdoor ice skating rink and winter village comes to Newtown Square this December. Flight on Ice is bringing festive lights, holiday shopping, a heated tent to enjoy food and drinks, and a 6000 square foot rink to Delco. Special programming is planned throughout the winter season for Christmas, the Super Bowl, and Valentine's Day. READ MORE

Christmas Around the Farm

Now Through December 23, 2022
Media
Linvilla Orchards celebrates the season with wagon rides to cut your own Christmas tree, visits with the Linvilla barn animals, caroling hayrides, and photos with Santa on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

American Helicopter Museum & Education Center
Strasburg Rail Road
American Heritage Credit Union Campus
Miracle on South 13th Street
Smedley Street Christmas Light Spectacular