-
Exploring Philadelphia's Holiday Delights: Lights, Music, and Festive Attractions
- 2024/12/18
- 再生時間: 5 分
- ポッドキャスト
-
サマリー
あらすじ・解説
Philadelphia, a city rich in history, culture, and entertainment, offers a plethora of activities that cater to a wide range of interests, making it an ideal destination for tourists and locals alike.
For those looking to immerse themselves in the holiday spirit, the city has several festive attractions. The Grand Court of the historic Wanamaker Building is a must-visit, especially during the holiday season. Here, you can witness a dazzling light show featuring thousands of lights synchronized to the music of the legendary Wanamaker Organ, with shows running five times daily. Upstairs, Dickens Village brings Charles Dickens’ *A Christmas Carol* to life through intricate animatronics, offering a 6,000-square-foot walkthrough that captures the essence of a Victorian Christmas.
Another holiday highlight is the Miracle on South 13th Street, a neighborhood light display that has been captivating visitors for over 30 years. This display, running from November 30, 2024, to January 1, 2025, features over-the-top decorations and is complemented by a carousel and a 65-foot Ferris wheel at City Hall, offering stunning views of the holiday lights.
The Philly Holiday Tree at City Hall, standing at 50 feet and adorned with over 6,000 LED lights and 100 meteor lights, is a centerpiece of the city’s holiday celebrations. This year’s lighting celebration, taking place from December 5-7, 2024, includes live music, food vendors, and family-friendly entertainment.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Dilworth Park transforms into a winter wonderland from November 15, 2024, to February 23, 2025. Here, you can enjoy ice skating at the Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink, warm up with seasonal bites and beverages at the Rothman Orthopaedics Cabin, and explore the Wintergarden on the Greenfield Lawn, featuring whimsical topiary reindeer and sparkling lights. The Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market is also a great spot for holiday shopping, offering handmade gifts, jewelry, and seasonal decorations from local artisans.
Longwood Gardens is another must-visit, especially during the holiday season. A Longwood Christmas, running from November 22, 2024, to January 12, 2025, features over 500,000 lights, mesmerizing fountain shows, and seasonal plants. You can walk through whimsical exhibits like Santa’s Post Office, an Old-Fashioned Bakery, and a Toymaker’s Workshop, and enjoy a miniature train display and a Nativity scene.
For those interested in art, the Morris Arboretum’s Holiday Garden Railway is a unique attraction. Running from November 23 to December 30, 2024, this outdoor model train display features intricately crafted G-scale trains winding through loops, tunnels, and bridges surrounded by sparkling lights. The display includes detailed replicas of local landmarks and transforms into the Nighttime Express after sunset with additional laser lights.
Music lovers can enjoy the festive atmosphere at Franklin Square, where the Electrical Light Show presented by PECO runs nightly from 5 pm to closing, every 30 minutes, from November 21, 2024, to February 23, 2025. This light show is themed around Ben Franklin’s electric discovery and is completely free.
In terms of sports, Philadelphia is a powerhouse with several major teams. If you are in town this week, you can catch the Philadelphia Flyers playing against the Los Angeles Kings on December 19, 2024, or the Columbus Blue Jackets on December 21, 2024, at the Wells Fargo Center. For football fans, the Philadelphia Eagles Tailgate Week 17 against the Dallas Cowboys on December 29, 2024, at 700 Pattison Avenue offers an all-you-can-eat menu, an open bar, and live music.
For a unique cultural experience, visit the Woodmere Art Museum, home to a collection of 3,000 works of art by Philadelphia artists. The museum offers art classes for children and adults, including beginner classes in oil painting, drawing, watercolor, sculpting, and still life. Every Sunday, admission is free, making it an excellent spot for a family outing.
Food enthusiasts will love exploring Chestnut Hill, a charming neighborhood with a lively retail corridor and numerous dining options. From longtime favorites to new establishments, Chestnut Hill offers a wide array of local eating and drinking spots across every budget. The Chestnut Hill Hotel, conveniently located on Germantown Avenue, is also a great place to stay, with its dog-friendly policy and unique themed rooms.
Finally, for a serene outdoor adventure, the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania is a 92-acre public garden featuring an impressive collection of plants and trees from around the world. With its rose gardens, swan ponds, and endless terrain, it’s a rewarding place to walk through and discover the beauty of nature.
Whether you're interested
For those looking to immerse themselves in the holiday spirit, the city has several festive attractions. The Grand Court of the historic Wanamaker Building is a must-visit, especially during the holiday season. Here, you can witness a dazzling light show featuring thousands of lights synchronized to the music of the legendary Wanamaker Organ, with shows running five times daily. Upstairs, Dickens Village brings Charles Dickens’ *A Christmas Carol* to life through intricate animatronics, offering a 6,000-square-foot walkthrough that captures the essence of a Victorian Christmas.
Another holiday highlight is the Miracle on South 13th Street, a neighborhood light display that has been captivating visitors for over 30 years. This display, running from November 30, 2024, to January 1, 2025, features over-the-top decorations and is complemented by a carousel and a 65-foot Ferris wheel at City Hall, offering stunning views of the holiday lights.
The Philly Holiday Tree at City Hall, standing at 50 feet and adorned with over 6,000 LED lights and 100 meteor lights, is a centerpiece of the city’s holiday celebrations. This year’s lighting celebration, taking place from December 5-7, 2024, includes live music, food vendors, and family-friendly entertainment.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Dilworth Park transforms into a winter wonderland from November 15, 2024, to February 23, 2025. Here, you can enjoy ice skating at the Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink, warm up with seasonal bites and beverages at the Rothman Orthopaedics Cabin, and explore the Wintergarden on the Greenfield Lawn, featuring whimsical topiary reindeer and sparkling lights. The Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market is also a great spot for holiday shopping, offering handmade gifts, jewelry, and seasonal decorations from local artisans.
Longwood Gardens is another must-visit, especially during the holiday season. A Longwood Christmas, running from November 22, 2024, to January 12, 2025, features over 500,000 lights, mesmerizing fountain shows, and seasonal plants. You can walk through whimsical exhibits like Santa’s Post Office, an Old-Fashioned Bakery, and a Toymaker’s Workshop, and enjoy a miniature train display and a Nativity scene.
For those interested in art, the Morris Arboretum’s Holiday Garden Railway is a unique attraction. Running from November 23 to December 30, 2024, this outdoor model train display features intricately crafted G-scale trains winding through loops, tunnels, and bridges surrounded by sparkling lights. The display includes detailed replicas of local landmarks and transforms into the Nighttime Express after sunset with additional laser lights.
Music lovers can enjoy the festive atmosphere at Franklin Square, where the Electrical Light Show presented by PECO runs nightly from 5 pm to closing, every 30 minutes, from November 21, 2024, to February 23, 2025. This light show is themed around Ben Franklin’s electric discovery and is completely free.
In terms of sports, Philadelphia is a powerhouse with several major teams. If you are in town this week, you can catch the Philadelphia Flyers playing against the Los Angeles Kings on December 19, 2024, or the Columbus Blue Jackets on December 21, 2024, at the Wells Fargo Center. For football fans, the Philadelphia Eagles Tailgate Week 17 against the Dallas Cowboys on December 29, 2024, at 700 Pattison Avenue offers an all-you-can-eat menu, an open bar, and live music.
For a unique cultural experience, visit the Woodmere Art Museum, home to a collection of 3,000 works of art by Philadelphia artists. The museum offers art classes for children and adults, including beginner classes in oil painting, drawing, watercolor, sculpting, and still life. Every Sunday, admission is free, making it an excellent spot for a family outing.
Food enthusiasts will love exploring Chestnut Hill, a charming neighborhood with a lively retail corridor and numerous dining options. From longtime favorites to new establishments, Chestnut Hill offers a wide array of local eating and drinking spots across every budget. The Chestnut Hill Hotel, conveniently located on Germantown Avenue, is also a great place to stay, with its dog-friendly policy and unique themed rooms.
Finally, for a serene outdoor adventure, the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania is a 92-acre public garden featuring an impressive collection of plants and trees from around the world. With its rose gardens, swan ponds, and endless terrain, it’s a rewarding place to walk through and discover the beauty of nature.
Whether you're interested