Christmas in Philadelphia 2026: The Best Holiday Events & Where to Stay
Your local guide to Philly's holiday markets, light shows and festive traditions.
From Thanksgiving week through New Year's, Philadelphia turns into one of the most festive cities on the East Coast. A German-style Christmas market fills LOVE Park, a light show glows over a historic square, and one of America's most famous holiday garden displays is less than an hour away.
Here's what's happening in Philly this holiday season, when to go, and where to stay if you're bringing the whole family.
Philly holiday season at a glance
Nov 20 – Jan 10: A Longwood Christmas at Longwood Gardens
Nov 21 – Dec 27: Christmas Village at LOVE Park and City Hall
Nov 26: Thanksgiving Day Parade
Mid-November – late February: Ice skating at Dilworth Park
Late November – early January: Holiday light show at Franklin Square
Dec 24: Eagles vs. Texans, Christmas Eve night game at Lincoln Financial Field
1. Christmas Village at LOVE Park and City Hall
Dates: November 21 – December 27, 2026
Where: LOVE Park and City Hall, 1500 Arch Street
Cost: Free entry
Hours: Sun–Thu 12–8 p.m., Fri–Sat 12–9 p.m. (closed Nov 23–25 and Christmas Day)
Philly's biggest holiday market is modeled on the German Christkindlmarkts. Wander more than 100 wooden stalls selling handmade gifts and ornaments, warm up with mulled wine and bratwurst, and take the kids for a spin on the vintage two-level carousel in the City Hall courtyard.
Ramblei Local Tip: Weeknight evenings are far less crowded than weekends. Go after dark, when City Hall and the market lights are at their best.
Christmas Village hours and details →
2. Thanksgiving Day Parade
Date: Thursday, November 26, 2026
Where: Along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to the Philadelphia Museum of Art
The nation's oldest Thanksgiving parade kicks off Philly's holiday season with giant balloons, marching bands and Santa's arrival. Christmas Village opens Thanksgiving morning too, so you can do both in one day.
Ramblei Local Tip: Stake out a spot on the Parkway early. The closer you are to the Art Museum, the more performances you'll see.
3. Ice skating and holiday lights in Center City
Dilworth Park: The Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink opens on the plaza at City Hall from mid-November to late February. It's right next to Christmas Village, so it's easy to pair the two.
Franklin Square: Each holiday season this Old City park hosts a free light show set to music, plus a carousel and holiday mini-golf. Check Historic Philadelphia for this year's dates.
Ramblei Local Tip: Franklin Square is a short walk from Old City and Chinatown. Catch an early light show, then head to Chinatown for dinner.
4. A Longwood Christmas
Dates: November 20, 2026 – January 10, 2027
Where: Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA (about an hour's drive from Center City)
Tickets: Timed tickets required — book ahead
Longwood's holiday display is one of the most famous in the country. This year's theme, A Cosmic Christmas, fills the conservatory with star-covered trees and turns the halls into a galaxy, with outdoor lights across the gardens.
Ramblei Local Tip: Holiday weekends sell out early. Book a weekday evening and you'll get the lights with smaller crowds.
5. Christmas Eve with the Eagles
Date: Thursday, December 24, 2026, 8:15 p.m.
Where: Lincoln Financial Field
The Eagles host the Houston Texans in a primetime game on Christmas Eve. December also brings home games against the Colts (Dec 13) and the Seahawks (Dec 19).
Ramblei Local Tip: If you're coming in for a game, a South Philly stay puts you a short ride from the stadium.
A simple Philly Christmas weekend
Friday: Check in, then skate at Dilworth Park and browse Christmas Village after dark.
Saturday: Breakfast at Reading Terminal Market, an afternoon in Old City, then the Franklin Square light show.
Sunday: Drive out to Longwood Gardens for the holiday display before heading home.
Where to stay in Philadelphia for Christmas
Coming home for the holidays, or bringing the whole family to see the lights? A whole home gives everyone their own room, a full kitchen for holiday meals, and space to relax after a day out — something a hotel room can't match.
Center City — walk to Christmas Village and the ice rink
The Camac Hideaway 2BR — A few blocks from City Hall and Reading Terminal Market.
A Cozy Boho Oasis 1BR — A cozy base for couples doing the markets.
Upscale 3BR Retreat near Rittenhouse — Near the Parkway, steps from the Thanksgiving parade route.
Designer 3BR Home in Rittenhouse Square — Rittenhouse Square's holiday lights are right outside.
Old City and Chinatown — near Franklin Square's light show
Luxury 3BR/3BA with Air Hockey Lounge — Room for the whole family, with game-night built in.
Old City 2BR with Shuffleboard — Walk to Franklin Square and the historic district.
Ramblei near Chinatown 2BR – Unit C — Chinatown dining at your doorstep.
South Philly and Queen Village — for big family gatherings
Luxury Queen Village 4BR/4.5BA with Rooftop — Space for a holiday dinner for the whole family.
Queen Village Grand 3BR with Rooftop & Garage — Rare private parking for holiday road trips.
Spacious 3BR/3BA, 10 Min to the Stadium — Sleeps 7; easy trip to Christmas Eve's Eagles game.