12 Places to See Holiday Lights in NE Philly Area

Published by Dr. Charles Gemmi

A Board Certified Orthodontist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, Dr. Charles Gemmi has been a practicing orthodontist with Orthodontics Limited since 2000 and is a member of the teaching staff at Einstein Medical Center. Orthodontics Limited is a Diamond+ Provider of Invisalign in Philadelphia and Hatboro, PA.

We know that nothing gets you into the holiday spirit quite like holiday lights. There is just something about the twinkling lights and creative holiday tableaus that warm your heart and bring back memories of Christmases past, right?

Luckily for you there are plenty of places to see holiday lights in the Northeast Philadelphia area. When you need to take a break from your shopping or need to escape from your relatives, there are plenty of light shows to get you in the spirit. Here are your top places to check out this holiday season:

Comcast Holiday Spectacular

Running from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day, the Comcast Holiday Spectacular is a 15-minute show on the lobby’s LED display in the Comcast building in Center City. Bring the children down and they will love seeing dancers from the Pennsylvania Ballet as well as Santa’s sleigh all in the lights. Get more information here.

Longwood Christmas

Longwood Gardens in Delaware County brings in the holidays with their large Christmas trees and over 500,000 twinkling lights. Inside their heated Conservatory they also offer wreaths, poinsettias, Christmas fruit as well as holiday music and performances. The year round foliage and gardens are worth the trip too. The holiday displays will run until January 7, 2018 so make sure you don’t miss it. There will be breakfasts with Santa in the Terrace Restaurant. Get more information here.

Christmas Light Show at Macy’s

Delighting families for generations, Macy’s downtown still holds its Christmas Light show in National Historic Landmark Wanamaker Building on Market Street in Philadelphia. Narrated by Julie Andrews, the show included dancing sugarplum fairies and snowmen and even Rudolph and Santa make an appearance. Performances are free and run every two hours during the hours of the store. It is a family tradition for many families and a great experience to share with those you love.

On the second floor, you can also stop by the Dickens Village where you can revisit a time of old. Opening November 25, it runs until December 31, 2017. Make this a tradition for your own family. Get more information here.

Franklin Square’s Annual Holiday Festival & Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show

From November 9 through December 31, 2017, Franklin Square on North 6th St. in Center City is home to the Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show with its festive display of holiday lights and music. There will be free shows between 4 and 8 p.m. during the week and 4 to 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. There will also be Saturdays with Santa and rides on the holiday train and carousel. Get more information here.

A Very Furry Christmas at Sesame Place

If you have little ones, you won’t want to miss the Very Furry Christmas at Sesame Place in Bucks County. You and your family will get to tour the Twiddlebugs’ Gingerbread Cookie Factory and meet Lightning, the reindeer from Elmo Saves Christmas as well as see some holiday shows and stay for the Neighborhood Street Party Christmas Parade. Get more information here.

South Philly Neighborhood Lights

If you love to just drive around in different neighborhoods looking for the best Christmas lights, then don’t forget to stop by South Philadelphia which is always known for lighting up the night sky with festive spirit. One particular block, the 1600 block of 13th Street has received national attention for the way each rowhome is decorated with such detail.

The 2700 Block of Smedley Street between 16th and 17th streets and Moyamensing and Oregon avenues in South Philly is another great spot for lights. You will get to enjoy everything from trees covered in glowing color-shifting lights to gigantic blow-up Santas.

Holiday Garden Railway at Morris Arboretum

Until December 31, 2017, the Morris Arboretum will showcase the Holiday Garden Railway with its mini winter wonderland with 15 rail lines and model trains traveling across Philadelphia landmarks decked out in holiday lights. On certain nights there are special showings. Find out more information here.

Holiday Light Show at Shady Brook Farm

Not far away in Bucks County, you can get into the holiday spirit at Shady Brook farm. They are holding their annual Holiday Light Show where you can drive through a veritable wonderland of holiday displays. You can also take the kids to visit with Santa, enjoy some cocoa by the bonfire and some holiday shopping. Find out more information here.

Deck the Hall Light Show at City Hall

The Center City District in partnership with 6abc is hosting its Deck the Hall Light Show which is presented by Independence Blue Cross. This is a free nightly light show designed by the firm KLIP Collective will be projected on City Hall every hour on the hour on weekday nights and more frequently on weekend nights through January 1st.

Holiday Lights at Boat Row

Philadelphia’s Boathouse Row along the Schuylkill River will also be lit up for the holidays. Bundle up and enjoy a winter walk along Martine Luther King Jr. Drive or near around the Philadelphia Museum of Art. It can be a fun night to go for a warm, snug drive and soak in some beautiful displays.

Lights on Jewelers Row

It is not just the jewelry that twinkles on Jewlers Row this time of year. When you take a night stroll along Sansom Street between 7th and 8th streets and on 8th Street between Chestnut and Walnut Streets this time of year you will be greeted with festive holiday displays and lights.

Montgomery County Neighborhood Lights

Plenty of neighborhoods in Montgomery County are also getting in the holiday spirits. Here are some neighborhoods to watch out for:

In Bucks County, check out Stags Leap Circle and Cherokee Road. In Fairless Hills, Dunbury Road and in Feasterville-Trevose Autumn Drive. In Ambler on Butler Pike, in Collegeville on Ithan Lane and Glen Farms Drive. In Hatboro on Reiniger Road and on Springdale Avenue. And in Hatfield on Kimberly Way and on Brendan Circle in Huntingdon Valley.

Don’t let the holidays slip by without enjoying some spectacular lights and sipping hot cocoa with your family and friends. For more information click on visitphilly. 

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