Holiday Light Shows for All! - Achieve College Education

Journey through this list of free things to do with family and friends when gathered during this holiday season.

Macy’s Christmas Light Show — in the Grand Court of the historic Wanamaker Building, The seven-decade-running event features thousands of twinkling snowflake-, candy cane- and snowman-shaped lights accompanied by music from the 110-plus-year-old Wanamaker Organ. Finish your day with an animatronic retelling of A Christmas Carol and photos with Santa in Dickens Village, browsing the store’s famous animated holiday windows. Shows take place daily at 10:30 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Macy’s Center City, 1300 Market Street

Comcast Holiday Spectacular in the Comcast Center’s seven-story lobby. Now in its 16th year, the free 15-minute, super hi-res show depicts a photo-realistic virtual sleigh ride over the city, interspersed with a performance by the Philadelphia Ballet, holiday sing-alongs and more. Shows run at the top of the hour every hour from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Across the street, the Comcast Technology Center debuts an immersive short film called DreamWorks Shrek’s Festive Flight — starring everyone’s favorite ogre and his friends Donkey and Gingy — in The Universal Sphere. Also on deck: visits with Santa, holiday crafting workshops with local nonprofit MANNA and giveaways. Comcast Center, 1701 John F. Kennedy Boulevard

Manayunk Gets Lit along the bustling neighborhood’s Main Street, the entire corridor illuminated by over 80,000 holiday lights adorning more than 50 storefronts. The coolest way to take it in is from Manayunk’s free Jolly Trolley which runs the length of Main Street and often features on-board carolers, performers and musicians.

Winter at Dilworth Park on the west apron of City Hall find the Wintergarden display. The picturesque whimsical outdoor sanctuary features rustic woodland décor, an on-site winery kiosk offering mulled wine, reindeer topiaries and illuminated arbor lit with hundreds of twinkling lights for visitors to stroll through or relax by on one of a number of benches. Dilworth Park, 1 S. 15th Street

Franklin Square welcomes the season with a bevy of family winter attractions, festive activities and holiday celebrations in addition to relaxing firepits and a warming tent with hand-crafted cocktails and seasonal treats. See the free nightly Electrical Spectacle Light Show which illuminates the square every half hour with hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights choreographed to a soundtrack of seasonal tunes. 200 North 6th St.

Smedley Street Christmas Light Spectacular Residents of the 2700 block dazzle visitors with a blocklong display of blow-up decorations, sparkling trees and colorful string lights in front of houses and throughout the block’s park-like central promenade.

Christmas Village in Philadelphia Bavarian-style holiday marketplace, with 120 vendors lining LOVE Park, At LOVE Park Visitor Center (the “flying saucer”), the event’s Festival of Trees offers an indoor lineup of nearly 20 stunning Christmas conifers on display, decorated by local designers and artists. Love Park, 1500 Arch Street,

Independence Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest sets up on the Delaware River waterfront for its 31st season. Glide around the free ice skating rink, enjoy games and amusement rides on the boardwalk or indulge in seasonal treats and hot drinks around firepits, in warming cabins or at the rinkside lounge. Penn’s Landing, 101 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard

All Aboard for Holiday Lights Tours – tickets required

For more events and January fun visit: The Best Things to Do in Philadelphia in January 2025 | Visit Philadelphia