Holiday Events in Philly
Though the weather outside may be “frightful,” it doesn’t stop local residents from getting out to enjoy all the delightful festivities of the holiday season.
Whether your idea of fun consists of hot cocoa and ice skating or shopping at Macy’s and high-tech light shows, the best of Philadelphia at Christmastime is less than 30 minutes from the Delaware townhomes of Darley Green.
Christmas Village at Love Park
Philadelphia’s annual transformation of Love Park into “Christmas Village” has been called “the Best Outdoor Event” by Philly Happening Magazine. Open from Thanksgiving through the last Sunday of December, the outdoor holiday market is modeled after traditional Christmas markets in Germany with vendors at more than 60 wooden booths, traditional European sweets, international gifts, arts and crafts, thousands of lights and a festive holiday tree.
Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest at Penn’s Landing
The centerpiece of Winterfest is the Olympic-size skating rink overlooking the Delaware River lined with holiday trees. You’ll also find a ski-chalet style lodge, a winter garden, heated tents, fire pits, food vendors, themed parties, and holiday flea market.
Macy’s Holiday Light Show & Dickens Village
Starting the Friday after Thanksgiving and running through the end of December, Macy’s shoppers will be treated to over 34,500 LED lights on a towering pine, with another 65,000 lights decorating the scene. The voice of Julie Andrews and a Wanamaker Organ accompany your journey through classic holiday tales like The Nutcracker and Frosty The Snowman. The third floor of Macy’s flagship Philadelphia store is transformed into a 6,000-square-foot 1840s village with more than 100 animated characters telling the story of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
Franklin Square Holiday Festival & Light Show
No matter how many times you’ve been to Franklin Square, you don’t want to miss the Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show that runs every 30 minutes from 4:30 to 8 p.m. from November 12 through December 31. More than 50,000 lights flash in accordance with holiday music played by the Philly Pops – but that’s not all! Revelers can also ride a holiday train and carousel, nosh at Ben’s Bites & Brews food truck, play a round of mini-golf while staying cozy with warming stations, shop for unique gifts at the holiday market, visit with Santa, or participate in one of the many fun themed events like Star Wars Night, Frozen Night or Nutcracker Night.
Not sure what you’d like to see?
Hop aboard the Philadelphia PHLASH, which departs from the Independence Visitor Center every 15 minutes and makes 22 stops in Center City Philadelphia. For just $2, you can take the Holiday Evening Loop from 6-10 p.m. to experience Franklin Square’s Holiday Festival, Macy’s Christmas Light Show, Christmas Village at LOVE Park and more.
All the best is just a half hour drive from the master-planned community of Darley Green. To learn more about Montchanin Builders’ walkable, family-friendly community located in Delaware’s Claymont Renaissance District, please call 302-655-2600.
