Santa Express
Friday, November 29, 2013
The tradition continues! SEPTA partners with the Gallery at Market East for the SANTA EXPRESS! Climb aboard for a fun-filled train ride and parade, helping Santa to arrive at the Gallery Mall at Market East for the holiday season. For schedules and info visit the Gallery website.
Rittenhouse Square Tree Lighting
Tuesday, December 3rd at 5:00 pm
The Tree Lighting Ceremony features holiday entertainment, character visits, complimentary roasted chestnuts, Santa Claus and plenty of holiday surprises. The Christmas Tree itself is more than 30 feet tall.
Once Santa flips the switch, Rittenhouse Square will be illuminated by 5,000 brilliant, multi-colored globes. These holiday lights will join Philadelphia’s largest Christmas Tree — located in the center of the Square — to make Rittenhouse Square one of Center City’s most festive public spaces for the holidays.
Manayunk Tree Lighting
Saturday, December 7th
Kick off Holidays in Manayunk with the Manayunk Christmas Tree lighting, a visit from Santa and tons of other fun, festive activities! It’s a perfect chance to get some holiday shopping done as well!
Winterfest Tree Lighting at Penn’s Landing
Friday. December 6th at 7:00 pm
Come down to the waterfront for skating, Waterfront Winterfest, and a celebratory tree lighting. We’ll have Santa and Rinky on the ice for the perfect photo ops, and we’ll have special guests flipping the switch on the tree. Immediately after, enjoy the waterfront’s new Bright Lights, Big Santa holiday light show, playing every day from 5PM – 11PM on the hour. 
Philadelphia Light Show at Macy’s
November 29th – December 31st
Monday – Sunday 10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, 8pm
The holiday spectacle, titled “Christmas Pageant of Lights,” features narration by the legendary Julie Andrews and the glorious sounds of the famous Wanamaker Organ. The Light Show takes the audience on a journey through popular Christmas stories including The Nutcracker, Frosty the Snowman, and a magical Christmas Tree. It will flicker into the hearts of visitors every two hours.
Electrical Spectacle at Franklin Square
Franklin Square’s Electrical Spectacle: A Holiday Light Show
Now through December 31, 2013
The Electrical Spectacle is a free light show that illuminates the Square through December 31 nightly. Designed specifically for the Franklin Square space, Franklin Square’s Electrical Spectacle incorporates an electric 12-foot tall kite and key, highlighting Benjamin Franklin’s famous electricity discovery in his namesake Square. The Square’s nighttime magic begins at 4 pm, with the first showing of Franklin Square’s Electrical Spectacle igniting at 4:30 pm. The light show creates holiday charm in the Square every half hour every evening (weather permitting) through December 31, 2013 (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas). Eight shows run each night, with the first one at 4:30 pm and final show at 8 pm. Each night at 4:30 pm, a young guest will be chosen from the crowd to “ignite” the first show.
South Street Winter Wonderland
Sunday, December 8, 2013 4PM– 7PM
SSHD’S Annual Winter Extravaganze is back! Join hundred’s of locals in celebration at this year’s event which promised great entertainment and activities for the whole family. SSHD welcomes you for the annual tree lighting, and a festive market underneath at the Shambles.
Friday Night Lights
December 13th, 20th, and 27th 4:00 – 7:30pm
Tickets required. Come and enjoy the Holiday Garden Rail at Morris Arboretum all lit up and decorated for the season. White lights sparkle along the rail and miniature greens adorn the buildings. Kids, for more fun, bring your flashlight and help lead the way through the garden as night falls.
Manayunk Solstice Fire
Saturday, December 21st, 2013
Join Manayunk-er’s on the eve of the Winter Solstice as they carry on the tradition at Canal View Park for a bonfire, birds of prey show, and drum circle- welcoming the return of light and the gradual increase of daylight.
At our Birds of Prey Show, beginning at 3:00 pm, you will learn about our local birds of prey and how they adapt to the winter cold. Get up close and personal with a Red-Tailed Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Great Horned Owl, Eastern Screech Owl, and Barn Owl.
Salon Blush Christmas Party
Friday, December 13, 2013
Join the Blush girls for a holiday party that will be fun, festive, and benefiting the community. Sample products, desserts, get custom cosmetics made, complimentary consultations, and more! Blush is located in Fishtown on E. York Street.
Penn Glee Club Holiday Concert
December 7th 2:00 – 3:00pm
A winter tradition, the Penn Glee Club will return to Morris Arboretum on Saturday, December 7th for their 4th Annual Holiday Concert. Come and enjoy the Glee Club’s fun and diverse holiday repertoire, while enjoying hot cocoa and cookies in the garden. Free with admission.
Chestnut Hill Holiday Parade
Saturday, December 14th 9:00-10:00 am
Come one, Come all to the Chestnut Hill Community Association Holiday Parade! Beginning at Rex & Germantown Ave come to celebrate the season. If interested in marching contact CHCA
Christmas Village-Love Park
November 28, 2013 -January 1, 2014
Love Park will be transformed into a full on German inspired Christmas shopping Village this season! Stop and visit the numerous vendors showcasing a variety of great gift ideas. Delicious German foods and more! To see everything Christmas Village has to over click here.
Holiday Drop N Shop
The Nest, Select Dates
Wouldn’t it be easier to finish your holiday shopping without the kids in tow? Bring your kids to NEST so they can have some much needed playtime. And you can finally shop in peace. Parents can drop off and pick up their little ones anytime during the hours of December 10th | 2-5pm, December 13th |1-4pm, December 17th | 2-5pm, December 20th | 1-4pm.
Holiday Windows at Macy’s
All month long
Since the early 1870’s, Macy’s has been stunning spectators with its famed holiday window displays and celebratory events. As the first store to ever feature holiday windows created for the pure fun and joy of the season, Macy’s began a tradition that still lives on today. Be dazzled by Macy’s displays while you finish your holiday shopping!
Parents’ Holiday Shopping Event
Sunday, December 15th
Need time away from your children to get your last minute holiday shopping done? Merge Dance Studio in Manayunk is having a “Parents’ Holiday Shopping Day” to help you out! Bring your children to the studio on Sun., Dec. 15th from 1:00-4:00pm and they will be entertained with dancing, crafts, snacks, and games while you get your shopping done. This event is open to children ages 2 and up. Children do not need to be registered in a class at Merge Dance Studio to participate. Cost = $30.00 for first child, $15.00 for additional children. Contact Merge Dance Studio to register your children for this event today!
Toy Drive for Boys & Girls Club
Franklin Mill’s Mall
Franklin Mills wants to ensure that all of our local children have a happy holiday! We hope that you will help by participating in our Toy Drive for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Philadelphia.
Beginning Friday, November 29 there will be 2 Holiday Trees at Franklin Mills: one located near Toy Zam in Neighborhood 1 and one located outside of Five Below in Neighborhood 4. Trees will have ornaments that list what items the children of the Boys & Girls club, aged 6 weeks to 18 years old, are hoping to receive from Santa this holiday.
Once you have chosen an ornament and purchased the requested item, please place it unwrapped in one of the donation bins, which are located in Toy Zam, Five Below and the Mall Management Office.
ONGOING HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS
ELF the Musical
Walnut Street Theatre
November 5th through January 5th the Walnut Street Theatre brings you Elf, the musical. A broadway production of the popular Will Ferrell movie about Buddy the elf. Find show times and ticket prices online or call 215-574-3550.
*Look for our upcoming review of ELF!
Dickens Village at Macy’s
November 29th – December 31st
Monday – Sunday 10am – 7pm
A beloved Philadelphia tradition for 20 years, “Dickens Village” is alive and well in its home at Macy’s Center City. Housed in the Egyptian Room of the famed Wanamaker Building, the 6,000-square-foot walk-through experience is now a holiday mainstay at Macy’s. The Village is recently restored, re-built and re-animated so that Philadelphians will be able to take a trip back in time to 1840s London. With 26 heart-warming scenes, the stage is set for the story of “Scrooge.” Visitors can capture the magic of the exhibit and spirit of the season, as well as, visit and take photos with Father Christmas.
The Philly POPS at the Kimmel Center
Select Dates December 6th – December 21, 2013
Ring in the Holidays with Philadelphia’s treasured Holiday tradition, Holiday POPS! With a merry sing-along, spectacular choirs and a rousing program that will have you tapping your toes ’til New Years, this is a festive favorite for the whole family. So roast the chestnuts, hang the stockings, and jingle down Broad Street, because it’s the most wonderful time of the year!
Winter Wellness Walks
Saturdays through March at 10:30 – 11:30am
Free with admission. Meet in front of the Widener Visitor Center. Led by an experienced Volunteer Guide, these brisk walks will stick to the paved paths and get your heart rate up.Walks are weather-permitting; in the even of heavy rain or snow, walks may be cancelled.
Holiday Garden Railway
On display November 22, 2013 – January 5, 2014
Thousands of sparkling lights adorn a miniature village surrounded by a quarter mile track with model trains zipping in and out of tunnels, over bridges, and through the woods… all outdoors in the winter garden. Free with admission.
Chestnut Hill Holiday Festival
November 22nd – December 23rd, 2013
Join the folks of Chestnut Hill for an enchanted holiday on the hill, now thru December 23rd. Free parking every Wednesday evening and every weekend. Come enjoy the great shopping & dining of the hill while you stroll through this charming town this holiday.
Waterfront Winterfest
Now through January 5th
Explore all that Waterfront Winterfest has to offer during this Holiday Season with Philadelphia’s only outdoor Olympic sized skating rink. A great selection of local, craft beers and food concessions catered by George Sabatino. A holiday light show extravaganza by award winning Ricardo Rivera of Klip Collective. A holiday craft market curated by Art Star Craft Bazaar & winter landscaping by David Fierabend of Groundswell Design Group. Open daily from 11am to 1am.
Comcast Holiday Spectacular
November 28th – End of December
Stop by the Comcast Building for a 15-minute state-of-the-art show that takes visitors on a magical holiday journey in stunning clarity and has become a must-see attraction for people of all ages during the holidays. New scenes this year include performers from Philadelphia’s renowned Walnut Street Theatre, animated penguins and world-class ice skaters, while favorite scenes from The Nutcracker, beautifully performed by Pennsylvania Ballet will captivate viewers.
Comcast Holiday Spectacular Show . (Comcast Photo/ Joseph Kaczmarek)
Gallery Mall at Market East
November 22, 2013- December 24, 2013
Santa will be available for photos at the Gallery Mall beginning November 22nd through December 24th. Santa will be available from 10:00 am to mall closing each day.
Santaland® at Macy’s Center City
November 29th – December 24th
Monday – Sunday 10am – 7pm (Dec. 24th 10am – 5pm)
Take a magical journey through Macy’s Santaland® to meet the big man who has been a holiday tradition for generations of families. An amazing fantasy world of snow-capped mountains, twinkling lights, cuddly bears and candy canes, this Christmas Village is overflowing with holiday treasures.
Milk & Cookies with Santa
December 11, 2013 10:00 AM
Visit Santa for milk and cookies at the Franklin Mill’s Mall Grand Court. Call Mall for details.
Photos with Santa
All Season long at Franklin Mill’s Mall
Children of all ages are invited to visit Santa Claus in his special home in Grand Court at Franklin Mills from November 15 through December 24. This family-friendly holiday tradition is the perfect opportunity to share your wish list with the man in red and get your picture taken for a special Christmas keepsake. Prices will vary based on photo package.
Pet Photos with Santa
Monday, December 9, 2013
Bring the ENTIRE family to meet Santa! On Monday, December 9, Santa will be taking photos with pets from 6:00-8:00pm at the Santa set in Grand Court of Franklin Mills Mall. This is the purr-fect chance to create a memorable holiday keepsake with the big man in red.
During this 2 hour time period Santa welcomes friendly and trained furry friends of all shapes and sizes to take photos with him. All we ask is that these furry friends are on a leash, well trained, comfortable around people, and accompanied by their owners at all times.
Prices will vary based on photo package.
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