Some of the most festive happenings and events taking place this December!
Luminature
Now through January 5th
4:30 – 10:30pm
Philadelphia Zoo
3400 West Girard Ave
Cost: $19 – $24. Kids under two enter for Free. Timed-tickets available every half hour.
This holiday season enjoy a new winter light experience that transforms the Zoo! Go on a magical journey of illuminations, music, sound and surprises. Enjoy 12 different entertainment zones with fantastical lighting experiences. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.
Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest
Opening November 29th
101 South Columbus Blvd
Hours vary. Open on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve
Cost: Pay as you go. Ice skating tickets and rental: $4-$10.
Filled with all of Philadelphia’s favorite winter traditions, including skating under the stars amidst the majestic Ben Franklin Bridge, sipping hot chocolate and eating comfort foods in the chalet-inspired Lodge with food and beverages from Garces Group, Chickie’s and Pete’s, and Franklin Fountain, the fun lasts all season long with arcade games, storytelling adventures, late night dancing, character skating, and more at this picture-perfect winter wonderland.
Christmas Village in Philadelphia
December 1st – 24th
11am – 7pm
Love Park
1500 Arch St
Cost: Pay as you go
Get ready to enjoy Christmas Village in Philadelphia as it returns to LOVE Park and puts Center City in the mood for the winter holidays. LOVE Park transforms into an authentic open-air German Christmas market with holiday sights and sounds featuring festive Christmas decorations, live music, children’s activities and plenty of delicious European food and drinks.
Made In Philadelphia Holiday Market
December 1st – January 1st (Closed December 25th)
11am – 7pm
Dilworth Park
1400 JFK Blvd
Cost: Pay as you go
The Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market turns Dilworth Park into a holiday shopping wonderland. Browse holiday goods and foods from over 50 artisans, designers, crafters and confectionaries from the greater Philadelphia region.
Breakfast with Santa
December 1st, 8th, 15th, & 22nd
9am – 12pm
Popi’s Italian Restaurant
3120 S. 20th St
Cost: $9.99 – $19.99
Enjoy breakfast with your family and get your photo taken with Santa at Popi’s annual Breakfast with Santa! Reservations required.
NextFab Made Holiday Pop-Up
December 1st
11am – 2pm
Dock Street Brewery
2118 Washington Ave
Cost: Free
NextFab has partnered with local handmade goods store Good Measure and Dock Street Brewery South for a one day only Holiday Pop-Up Market. Browse a selection of NextFab made products, and sip on Dock Street’s specialty cocktails or signature drafts while shopping for those one-of-a-kind gifts for the holidays. Support local businesses while checking everyone off your list, with retail store Good Measure, whose mission is to drive and promote the talent of local makers.
City of Philadelphia Holiday Tree Lighting
December 4th
5 – 7pm
City Hall
1515 Arch St
Cost: Free
Kickoff the winter holiday season at the City of Philadelphia’s Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration. Enjoy a festive evening as City Hall is transformed into a winter wonderland, featuring exciting entertainment, family-friendly activities, and the grand finale – the lighting of more than 4,000 lights on the spectacular 50-foot White Fir (Abies Concolor).
The Lunch Club Holiday Party
December 4th
6 – 8pm
Kismet Spring Arts
448 N. 10th St
6th Floor
Cost: $20
Not all of us have holiday office parties and not all of us enjoy the ones we must attend, and even if we do, why not have a fancier party with those you love to hang out with every day, all the while supporting a great cause? Join The Lunch Club Community at Kismet Cowork in Spring Arts. There will be food by Front Street Cafe, brews by Roy Pitz & Triple Bottom Brewing, Itz Spritz, and Bravazzi Hard Seltzer! All profits benefit Philabundance.
East Passyunk Tree Lighting 2019
December 5th
5 – 7pm
1904 East Passyunk Ave
Cost: Free
East Passyunk Avenue BID and Passyunk Avenue Revitalization Corporation invite you to kick off the holidays at the Annual East Passyunk Christmas Tree Lighting. Come out with neighbors and friends for an evening filled with holiday music from Alphabet Academy Child Care, Andrew Jackson School HOME rock band, and more! Santa Claus will help spread holiday cheer and be on hand to take photos with the children.
Winter Wonderland
December 7th
10am – 12pm
Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse
3500 Reservoir Dr
Cost: $10 – $100
Smith Memorial Playground & Playhouse will host its annual Winter Wonderland celebration, families are invited for wintery and family-friendly festivities that include a s’mores roasting, a hot cocoa bar, a petting zoo, theater games, obstacle course challenges, a water table, book giveaway, and more!
Dashin’ Through The Bars
December 7th + December 14th
2 – 10pm
Various Locations
Cost: $22.99
Find your favorite holiday ugly sweaters, Santa suits, elf costumes or onesies and get ready to go Dashin’ Through The Bars this year at the top venues in Philadelphia!
Dr. Mütter’s Merry Emporium
December 8th
11am – 4pm
Mütter Museum of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia
19 S. 22nd St
Cost: Free
Experience Dr. Mütter’s Merry Emporium, a unique holiday market experience at The Mütter Museum. The historic Mitchell Hall will be transformed into a winter wonderland where you can find Mütter-esque items for your curious loved ones, enjoy plague doctor cookies from Dottie’s Donuts, and take a festive photo with the plague doctor himself for your holiday card!
Polar Express Day
December 14th
10am – 3pm
The Franklin Institute
222 N. 20th St
Cost: Included with general admission price of $23
Relive the magic and wonder of the timeless classic holiday tale “The Polar Express” with activities inspired by the award-winning book and beloved film. Let your imagination soar and settle in for a unique guided experience aboard the authentic Baldwin 60,000 locomotive. Understand steam vs. diesel and how trains move, the harmonics of sleigh bells, and why no two snowflakes are alike — plus more holiday-related science happenings and screenings of “The Polar Express.”
Holiday Flea Market & Craft Fair
December 20th
5 – 11pm
Boot & Saddle
1131 S. Broad St
Cost: $3
Boot & Saddle Presents the Holiday Flea Market + Craft Fair 2019, benefiting Planned Parenthood. This event will feature performances by Wynona, The Polka Dots, Yuckmouf, A Death By The Seaside, and The Truth Hertz.