Get ready to feel festive and holly jolly because the winter holidays are upon us! From Hanukkah to Christmas in Philadelphia and everywhere in between, it’s time to deck the halls and countdown to the New Year! But before that happens, there are plenty of winter festivals and Christmas events in Philadelphia and across the region to enjoy!
Here are more than 75 of the best, most unique, and fun holiday and Christmas events in Philadelphia and across the region plus New Year’s Eve events, too!
As always, be sure to confirm the details before attending.
Holiday & Christmas Events in Philadelphia
Christmas Village
Philadelphia’s Christmas Village continues to be a popular holiday attraction each year. For 2022, the German-inspired Christmas market returns to Love Park and City Hall for its 15th season starting November 24th and running through Christmas Eve. (There’s a preview weekend on November 19th and 20th.) In addition to the local and international shops and food, there will be a Ferris wheel, a two-story(!) carousel, and more family-friendly entertainment.
Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market
Dilworth Park will host the annual Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market from November 19th through January 1st. The market is full of local craftsmen, designers, small businesses, and more.
Philadelphia Ballet’s George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker
It wouldn’t be the holidays without The Nutcracker! From December 9th through the 28th, the Philadelphia Ballet will be performing the classic ballet by George Balanchine. The performance on December 26th will be a special sensory-friendly performance designed for children who are on the autism spectrum or have sensory sensitivities.
Miracle on American Street Gift Market
Shop and eat local at the second annual Miracle on American Street Gift Market at NextFab North on November 19th. Over 60 local artisans and food vendors will be there in addition to live music, food, and drinks.
Old City Holiday Events
The sixth annual Historic Holidays in Old City Tree Lighting at the Besty Ross House courtyard will take place on November 30th.
Old City will kick off their holiday events on December 14th with a shopping stroll. Running from 5-7 pm, participating stores will have a free Old City tote bag to giveaway. Be sure to sign up for the Old City Holiday Pass for special offers and deals.
Nearby, the Farmers Market at Christ Church’s Holiday Makers Market will be from 3-7 pm. Families can also have brunch with Santa at the Olde Bar on December 19th. Olde Bar will also be hosting a Christmas Eve Feast of the Seven Fishes.
Comcast Holiday Spectacular
The annual holiday show at the Comcast Center — on one of the world’s largest LED continuous video walls — returns November 24th. The free 15-minute long show runs at the top of each hour from 10 am to 8 pm.
Northern Liberties Holiday Events
On November 29th, the 2nd annual Northern Liberties Holiday Tree Lighting will take place at Figo Ristorante. The restaurant will also be hosting brunches with Princess Igloo and Santa in December. They’ll also be hosting a countdown to noon on New Year’s Eve with Cinderella.
The 3rd Annual Northern Liberties Holiday Pop-Up Market will take place on December 10th from 11 am to 4 pm at North Bowl. The event will feature more than 35 vendors selling crafts and handmade goods.
Philadelphia Zoo Presents LumiNature
From November 17th through January 7th, more than a million holiday lights will twinkle and sparkle at the Philadelphia Zoo for their annual winter light show experience LumiNature. The nighttime illuminations will show the zoo in a whole new light.
Holiday Diva Drag Tea
Brittany Lynn and her Philly Drag Mafia will host the Holiday Diva Drag Tea on November 19th at the Sofitel Philadelphia at Rittenhouse Square.
Evil Genius Beer Company Tree Lighting
Evil Genius Beer Company is starting a new tradition for 2022 with a Christmas tree lighting party on December 1st from 5-9 pm. They’ll also be hosting a holiday drag brunch on December 4th and 11th.
Winter in Franklin Square
Franklin Square will unleash its annual Electrial Spectacle Light Show presented by PECO from November 16th through February 26th. The special event features outdoor fire pits and a festive nightly light show. Then on November 25th and 26th, Santa will arrive. Franklin Square will also be hosting Hannukah celebrations with the Old City Jewish Arts Center and Kwanzaa celebrations with the African American Museum of Philadelphia.
Then on New Year’s Eve, a kids’ countdown will be held from 5-6 pm with a Square Drop.
Morris Arboretum Holiday Garden Railway
The Holiday Garden Railway kicks off at the Morris Arboretum on November 25th and runs through December 30th. The exhibit features a quarter mile of tracks featuring G-scale trains set in the arboretum’s winter garden. There’s also a Nighttime Express event with special illuminations.
Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest
The annual Winterfest continues to spread festive feelings all winter long at the Delaware River Waterfront. Opening November 25th, the festival along the Delaware River includes ice skating on an NHL-sized rink, warming cabins, fire pits, and more.
Macy’s Christmas Light Show
Since 1956, the Christmas Light Show in Macy’s, once Wanamaker’s, has been a holiday tradition for many families. For 2022, the light show will run daily from November 25th through the 24th at scheduled times. To visit Dickens Village, reservations are required. To hear the famous and historically recognized pipe organ, head to Macy’s on December 11th at 6:30 PM for a free concert.
The department store will also have its holiday window displays up from November 25th through January 1st.
Rivers Casino New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront
Kick-off 2023 and enjoy the New Year’s Eve fireworks on the Delaware River from any of these locations Cherry Street Pier, The Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest, Spruce Street Harbor Park, Race Street Pier, Pier 68, and Washington Avenue Pier, as well as the Moshulu, Keating’s Rope & Anchor, the Spirit of Philadelphia, Liberty Point, Fringe Arts, and Rivers Casino.
Holiday & Christmas Events in Philadelphia Suburbs
Winter Wonderland Teas
A Taste of Britain will host their annual Winter Wonderland Teas on select dates in November and December between Thanksgiving and the end of the year. The holiday event includes an elaborate and special menu with tastes of the season.
A Longwood Christmas
It wouldn’t be the holiday season without A Longwood Christmas. The Kennett Square garden is spectacular any time of the year, but for the end of the year, they pull out all the stops. Every year they offer something different and part of the excitement is wondering what it will be. This year’s theme is The Art of Christmas but you can always count on beautiful plants and plenty of twinkling lights. The show runs from November 18th through January 8th.
Tinseltown Holiday Spectacular
This year’s Tinseltown Holiday Spectacular in Oaks aims to be bigger and better than last year. The event runs from November 25th to December 31st. In addition to the light displays, there will be an ice skating rink, an ice slide, and a holiday vendor village. There will also be special events, like sensory-friendly entry times and waggin’ Wednesdays when pooches are welcome.
Santa’s Steam Train Ride
All aboard! Through Christmas Eve, the New Hope Railroad will have a special guest onboard their steam train: Santa Claus! The rail company will be hosting several different Santa’s North Pole train experiences.
Peddler’s Village Holiday Events
There is no shortage of holiday events at Peddler’s Village in Bucks County starting November 18th. And there is something for everyone. Kids can visit with Santa and enjoy Holly Jolly Weekend (December 3rd and 4th) with afternoon parades. There will be a gingerbread competition as well as a decorating workshop.
Elmwood Park Zoo’s Wild Lights
Wild Lights returns to the Elmwood Park Zoo with more lights and decorations than ever before. The event runs from November 18th through December 30th.
Holiday Luminaire Hike
On Friday, December 2nd, the Holiday Luminaire Hike will take place at Coatesville’s Hibernia County Park. In addition to appearances by Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, there will be a campfire, hot chocolate, gift basket raffle, and ornaments for sale.
Christmas at Aldie
Aldie Mansion in Doylestown will be hosting a special holiday event on Sunday, December 4th. The mansion will sparkle with holiday decorations, festive music, and food.
Pearl S. Buck House Holiday Events
The Pearl S. Buck House in Bucks County has a few different events scheduled for the holiday season. Through early 2023, a Festival of Trees event will see the author’s stone farmhouse dressed in its holiday best. On December 15th, there will be a Holiday Community Night and from November 25th through December 4th there will be a holiday craft show.
Holidays at Fonthill Castle
Celebrate the holidays at Fonthill Castle with three different events. First up there are daily hour-long tours of the castle that will allow you to get a peek at Fonthill Castle in its holiday finest. Then on weekends in December, you can enjoy an “on your own” Holiday Lights Meander. And on select days in December, the castle will offer evening tours so that you can really appreciate those illuminated holiday decorations.
Shady Brook Farm Holiday Light Show
Forget those cold holiday light shows! Shady Brook Farm is hosting a drive-through holiday light show starting November 19th. The special holiday light show includes more than three million lights! If you don’t mind being outdoors, you can also enjoy the holiday light show with their special open-air tractor-drawn wagon ride.
The Crossing Reenactment
The annual reenactment of Washington crossing the Delaware River takes to the water this year on December 11th and then again on Christmas Day. The event recalls that historic day on Christmas night in 1776 when General George Washington lead the Continental military to New Jersey. Tickets are required for the first crossing event.
Sesame Place Holiday Events
Families with children will want to check out Sesame Place in Langhorne. They have holiday events no matter what your family celebrates — or wants to celebrate! A Very Furry Christmas celebration kicks off with a special tree lighting on November 19th. The special seasonal event will include light displays and Christmas musicals. The park will celebrate Hanukkah on December 18th and 22nd-25th as well as Kwanzaa from December 26th through January 1st. Then on December 31st, ring in the New Year with a firework display with your favorite Sesame Street neighbors.
Herr’s Christmas Lights Display
Enjoy more than a half-million lights at Herr’s corporate campus in Nottingham, Pennsylvania. The free holiday lights display runs from November 23rd through January 2nd from 5 until 7 pm.
Holiday Weekends in West Chester
The weekends will indeed be festive in West Chester for the Chester County Hospital Lights Up Holiday Weekends event. From November 26th through the first of January, the Chester County seat will be a winter wonderland. You can expect to see Santa on a borough fire truck, a gingerbread house competition, hot chocolate, and more while supporting small businesses.
Kennett Square Holiday Village Market
On December 3rd & 4th and 10th & 11th, Historic Kennett Square will be hosting a holiday village market at the Creamery of Kennett Square. The free event will include vendors selling handmade items, vintage collectibles, and more.
Winter Luminary Nights
Head to Devon’s Jenkins Arboretum & Gardens for a truly special Winter Luminary Nights event with luminary-lined paths, trees decorated in lights, and, of course, some hot beverages. The lights will be lit from December 9th through the 11th.
Santafest
Word is Santa and his missus will be heading to Santafest at the American Helicopter Museum in West Chester on Saturday, December 10th.
PHestivaL of Trees
Head to the King of Prussia Mall on December 3rd and 4th for the PHestivaL of Trees. Hundreds of trees will be decorated in their holiday best. Tickets are required and the event benefits local animal shelters and rescues.
Holidays & Christmas Events in Lancaster County & Lehigh Valley
Lancaster City for the Holidays
Lancaster City is kicking off holiday celebrations on November 25th with the Mayor’s Tree Lighting. On December 2nd, the brass bands will be playing at Tuba Christmas while on December 3rd is Light Up Southeast, a neighborhood lights show.
From December 18th-26th there will be nightly menorah lightings in Penn Square. Then on New Year’s Eve in Binns Park, the Red Rose drops at midnight.
Dutch Winter Wonderland
Enjoy Dutch Wonderland’s Dutch Winter Wonderland on select dates throughout November and December. In addition to enjoying favorite rides and attractions with a special seasonal twist, colorful lights will cover the amusement park. There will also be special events for Cookies with Santa.
Kitchen Kettle Winter Events
Kitchen Kettle Village in Intercourse, PA, will be hosting a variety of events throughout the holiday season. It all kicks off on November 25th with a Christmas tree lighting, live music, and a holiday tasting tour including a gingerbread house decorating event. There are also opportunities for dinner with Mrs. Claus and other holiday events like caroling and visits with Santa.
Annual Christmas Candlelight Tour
Lititz Historical Foundation will hold its annual Christmas carol sing at the Lititz Moravian Church on December 8th. Then the following night, the annual Christmas candlelight tour will take place in Lititz.
Christkindlmarkt
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, transforms itself into the Christmas City again for 2022. The Christkindlmarkt runs on weekends from November 18th through December 18th.
Historica Downtown Bethlehem Holiday Events
Historic Downtown Bethlehem turns itself into Christmas City each year. A tree lighting ceremony will take place on November 17th. A window decorating competition will turn the historic downtown extra festive and starting on December 1st, there will be a live advent calendar.
Candlelight Open House
Experience a candlelight open house at the Ephrata Cloister on November 26th. Explore the grounds, see craftsmen in action, and enjoy a performance by the Ephrata Cloister Chorus. Then on December 12th and 13th, there will be Christmas at the Cloister with services. The cloister closes out the year with lantern tours from December 27th through the 30th.
Koziar’s Christmas Village
Koziar’s Christmas Village celebrates its 75th season this year! The popular attraction lets visitors experience a Christmas village with unique indoor and outdoor displays. The event runs through January 1st.
Christmas Cookie Tour
Fridays and Saturdays from November 18th through December 23rd, you can have a unique culinary experience with the Christmas Cookie Tour. Three Amish families welcome visitors into their homes to sample some homemade Christmas cookies and learn about their culture and heritage.
Train Rides with Santa
Since 1959, the Strasburg Rail Road has held special Christmas rides. And 2022 will be no different! From November through December, they offer different Christmas train experiences from brunch to readings of The Night Before Christmas.
Holidays at the Homestead
Experience an 18th-century Christmas at the Daniel Boone Homestead in Birdsboro. On December 10th, the museum will give viewers a taste — both literally and figuratively — of how the holidays were celebrated nearly three centuries ago.
Holidays & Christmas Events in Harrisburg (& the Greater Region)
Harrisburg Holiday Parade
The City of Harrisburg‘s annual Holiday Parade will take place on November 19th. The theme is “A Very Vibrant Holiday” and the parade will feature floats, balloons, and musical performances.
Then on New Year’s Eve, the city will host a strawberry drop and fireworks as well as a countdown to kid-night.
Christmas Tree Showcase at Hershey Gardens
Head to the conservatory at Hershey Gardens for their Christmas Tree Showcase from November 19th through January 1st. The trees, decorated by different local florists, include their signature 14-foot poinsettia tree!
Hersheypark Christmas Candylane
Bundle up and head to Hersheypark this holiday season for the amusement park’s annual Christmas Candylane attraction. More than five million lights will decorate the park and light your way as you enjoy select rides. There are also holiday performances scheduled and TREEville At the Boardwalk, a display of Christmas trees. The event runs on select dates through January 1st.
Holiday Trolleys
Visitors to Hershey can enjoy two different holiday trolley rides. The Holly Jolly Trolley puts a Christmas spin on the Hershey Trolley Works’ standard tours while the Sweet Lights Trolley takes you on an approximately hour-long ride through the Hershey Sweet Lights display.
Christmas at the Capitol
The Christmas tree for the 2022 holiday season will be lit in the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building in early December. The always impressive building will also be decorated for the holidays.
Fort Hunter Annual Festival of Trees
Fort Hunter Mansion and Park will hold its annual festival of trees on weekends from November 26th through December 18th. The free event features handmade ornaments and trees trimmed by the local garden clubs. A toy train exhibit will also be running on the same dates.
On December 4th, the mansion will also host a Victorian tea.
Santa Claus Special
The Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, will be holding Santa Claus Special train rides throughout November and December.
Joy Through the Grove
Enjoy a drive-through Christmas light display called Joy Through the Grove at Knoebels. The event runs nightly from November 25th through December 31st.
Historic Harrisburg Association’s Candlelight House Tour
The oldest and largest house tour in the mid-Atlantic region returns in 2022 from Historic Harrisburg Association. Set for December 11th, the house tour will welcome visitors into some of the area’s most notable historic homes.
Langston Highes’ Black Nativity
On December 9th-11th, West Shore Theatre in New Cumberland will host performances of Black Nativity by Langston Hughes.
Pennsylvania Christmas + Gift Show
The Pennsylvania Christmas + Gift Show will return to the PA Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg from November 30th to December 4th. One of the largest Christmas shopping experiences in the country, the event includes over 500 vendors.
Christkindlmarkt at Dill’s Tavern
Historic Dill’s Tavern in Dillsburg will host a traditional German Christkindlmarkt on December 9th and 10th. The rain or shine (or snow!) event will include more than 40 vendors as well as live music and holiday events.
Market of Curiosities
You’re certain to find something for that person who has everything at the Market of Curiosities at the Carlisle Expo Center on December 3rd.
Holidays & Christmas Events in Northern Delaware
Capital Holiday Celebration
On December 1st, head to Dover, Delaware, to celebrate with the annual tree lighting in front of City Hall.
Holidays at Hagley
The Hagley Museum in Wilmington has a packed schedule for their annual Holidays at Hagley. Starting November 25th and running through January 1st, the museum will be adopting a theme of “Holidays at Hagley: All Creatures Great and Small.” Among the events planned are a du Pont family home exhibition, a gingerbread house contest, and twilight tours.
Holiday Lights Express
Enjoy a one-hour-long ride through the Red Clay Valley on Wilmington & Western Railroad’s Holiday Lights Express. The evening event takes place on the rail’s 100-year-old heated coaches and one of their historic first-generation diesel locomotives. The Express runs from December 9th through the 30th.
Christmas in Odessa
Christmas in Odessa returns for, remarkably, its 58th year on December 3rd. The self-guided walking tour lets visitors explore the town’s historic 18th- and 19th-century buildings decorated in their best for the holidays.
Yuletide at Winterthur
The one-time home of Henry Francis du Pont puts on its holiday finest for Yuletide at Winterthur from November 19th through January 8th. The special event includes decorations inspired by the family’s own holiday traditions. Winterthur will also be hosting additional holiday events including Wonderful Wednesdays and a one-man performance of A Christmas Carol by the great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens. While you’re there, be sure to enjoy the museum’s Jacqueline Kennedy and H. F. du Pont: From Winterthur to the White House exhibit, too.
Santa at the Zoo & Noon Year’s Eve
The Brandywine Zoo will be hosting a pair of family-friendly events this holiday season. First, on December 3rd and 4th there’s Santa at the Zoo. Then at 11 am on December 31st, there’s Noon Year’s Eve to let kids of all ages celebrate 2022.
Holidays at Nemours Estate
From November 15th through December 30th, Nemours Estate will celebrate the holidays with its annual holiday event. The former home of Alfred I. du Pont in Wilmington will sparkle in holiday decorations for visitors to appreciate. On select Sundays during that time, there will be special performances from the Delaware Symphony Orchestra, too!
Annual Christmas Parade in Marydel
On December 4th, the annual Christmas parade will take place in Marydel. Hosted by the Marydel Volunteer Fire Company, head to the firehouse after the parade to meet Santa!
17th Annual Holiday Stroll & Christmas Market
Downtown Milford hosts its 17th Annual Holiday Stroll through the historic downtown of the town on December 3rd. The outdoor rain-or-shine (or snow!) event lets visitors enjoy live music, and wagon rides, as well as the shops and restaurants decorated in their holiday finest! Also, at the same time, the 3rd Annual Christmas Market will take place, too.
Gift of Lights Dover Motor Speedway
Dover Motor Speedway transforms into the Gift of Lights, a drive-thru holiday illumination experience starting on November 24th and running through January 1st.
Harrington Christmas Parade
Harrington will again host their annual Christmas parade this year on December 2nd. The parade has a theme of “Hometown Christmas.”
The Nutcracker
The Delaware Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker will be performed December 10th and 11th at Dover’s Schwartz Center for the Arts.
Camden-Wyoming Christmas Parade and Holiday Lights Contest
Camden-Wyoming will host its annual Christmas parade on December 10th. After the parade, Santa will be greeting visitors at the Railroad Tracks train platform. Camden-Wyoming will also be hosting its 3rd annual holiday light contest.
Christmas in Clayton
Christmas in Clayton kicks off December 4th with breakfast with Santa, hay rides, parade, and Christmas tree lighting.
Holiday & Christmas Events in New Jersey
Winter Wonderland at Renault
Renault Winery and Resort in Egg Harbor City is rolling out an entire Winter Wonderland for visitors. Among the offerings are an outdoor ice skating rink, drinks and dinner in their Champagne Patio Garden, fire pits, and live music. There will also be a tree lighting, stories and breakfast with Santa, and a festival of trees.
Holiday Trolley Tours
An open-air trolley tour through the streets of Cape May, with its many beautiful Victorian buildings, is a delight. For the holidays, there are several different holiday trolley tours available. Visitors can take a holiday lights trolley tour, ride with Santa, or experience the Ghosts of Christmas Past. And new for this year, there’s an All That Glitters trolley tour for New Year’s.
West Cape May Community Christmas Parade
The community of West Cape May will come together on December 3rd for their annual Christmas parade. Spectators can expect to see special floats, string bands, high school bands, and more!
Christmas in Cape May
There are so many holiday events planned for Cape May that you could spend the whole holiday season from mid-November to early January celebrating. The events range from candlelight tours of historic homes and tree-lightings to special holiday-related exhibits.
Holiday Tea at the Mathis House
In collaboration with the Ocean County Historical Society, the Mathis House Tearoom in Toms River will be hosting a special holiday tea on December 6th. The event will also include door prizes. Weekend Wonderland from December 2nd through the 4th. The celebrations kick off on Friday with the annual tree lighting and the arrival of Santa. Then on Saturday and Sunday, the courtyard between Town Hall and the library transforms itself into a Winter Wonderland Village.
Victorian Holiday One House
Embrace the past as the Ocean County Historical Society hosts a Victorian-era holiday celebration on December 3rd. The event will have a Victorian-style Santa in attendance, as well as a tour of a Victorian home decorated for the holidays and a model train show.
All photos are my own.
Wow, great post, will share with others
Great post! I can really feel the season of Christmas! Happy Holidays!