Beloved traditions and festive new experiences anchor the 2021 Holiday Season in Greater Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA, November 16, 2021 – During the holidays, Greater Philadelphia lights up and a festive spirit spills from shops, restaurants, theaters and parks, where halls are decked, trees are trimmed and tables are set to celebrate the season — with time-honored traditions and brand-new festive offerings.
New this year: the Visit Philadelphia Holiday Parade, celebrating all of winter’s holidays; the Visit Philadelphia New Year’s Day Fireworks Spectacular, adding first-ever booms to the New Year; and the walk-through Tinseltown Holiday Spectacular at The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center.
2021 promises heaps of traditional holiday offerings as well. Every must-do holiday list includes a visit to Macy’s for the iconic Christmas Light Show, a seat at the Pennsylvania Ballet’s The Nutcracker, the perfect gift purchase from Christmas Village in Philadelphia; a walk through the splendid horticultural display that is A Longwood Christmas; and a prime view of the Rivers Casino New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront.
Here are some highlights of the 2021 winter holidays in the Philadelphia region:
Parade Fun:
6abc/Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Celebration – Back on the Parkway after a virtual 2020 celebration, the oldest parade of its kind in the country marks the official start to the holiday season. Paradegoers marvel at floats, bands, dancers, balloons, and, of course, a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. November 25, 2021.
Visit Philadelphia Holiday Parade – This all-new parade is the city’s first to celebrate all of winter’s holidays, including Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and the Chinese New Year. The hour-long event features cold-air balloons, marching bands, floats, dancers and more. The parade kicks off at 5 p.m. and runs along Market Street from 2nd Street to City Hall. Prime viewing locations include Primark and Terrace on Tap at the Independence Visitor Center. Plus, reps from Wawa will be handing out free hot chocolate and coffee between 2nd and 3rd Streets. December 4, 2021.
Mummers Parade – This only-in-Philadelphia New Year’s Day tradition dates back to 1901 and includes 10,000 adults and children wearing feathers and sequins while dancing to music and parading along Broad Street from Philadelphia City Hall, site of a judged competition among the Comic, Comic Wench and String Band divisions, to Washington Avenue. The indoor Fancy Brigade Finale at the Pennsylvania Convention Center focuses on Broadway-inspired music-and-dance routines. Tickets for bleacher seating at City Hall and for the Fancy Brigades are available at the Independence Visitor Center. January 1, 2022.
Light Displays:
LumiNature, Philadelphia Zoo – After last year’s hiatus, LumiNature returns to transform the zoo into a nighttime winter wonderland for a second year. Occupying the zoo’s entire footprint, the display features over a dozen illuminating and interactive experiences, including a menagerie of 500 colorful flamingos, a 25-foot-tall flamingo holiday tree, over 200 glowing penguins and a 21-foot-tall colored snake. Timed tickets required. November 18, 2021-January 9, 2022.
Winter in Franklin Square Presented by Citizens – The Electrical Spectacle Light Show presented by PECO makes this historic square twinkle, with free shows featuring more than 100,000 lights (more than ever!) that dazzle viewers through most of winter. No holiday show would be complete without comfort food, local beers and hot beverages, all available in the Franklin’s Winter View (plus, outdoor fire pits and an indoor heated tent). During the day, visitors can play mini-golf on the Chilly Philly Mini Golf course and take a spin on the Parx Liberty Carousel, featuring a holiday soundtrack. November 18, 2021-February 27, 2022.
Wild Lights, Elmwood Park Zoo – Norristown’s zoo adds even more to the millions of LED lights that illuminate its 16 acres over the holidays during Wild Lights. Each night of the festival features live entertainment, animal encounters, holiday music and Santa appearances. November 19-December 30, 2021.
A Longwood Gardens Christmas, Longwood Gardens – This year’s display highlights the contrast between fire and ice with a clear blue alpine stream with flocked trees, a waterfall and suspended icicles in the Exhibition Hall, as well as a 22-foot-tall Fraser fir outfitted with flame lanterns and red, gold and amber ornaments in the East Conservatory. Outdoors, expect 500,000 lights glittering in trees, a 200-foot tunnel of light and spectacular fountains and fire pit flames dancing to seasonal music. Timed tickets required. November 19, 2021-January 9, 2022.
Holiday Light Show, Shady Brook Farm – This Bucks County farm kicks off its three-million-light Holiday Light Show with Dashin’ Through the … Lights, a family-friendly two-miler through the attraction. November 19, 2021. The main display opens to the public on November 20, 2021, when visitors drive or, if weather permits, ride in wagons past after-dark displays: illuminated tunnels and just about every imaginable Christmas icon rendered in tiny bulbs. Timed tickets required. Guests can also visit with Santa and cozy up around a campfire. November 19, 2021-January 30, 2022.
Holiday Lights Display, Herr’s Snack Factory – Responsible for some of the region’s most celebrated snack foods, Herr’s lights up its factory exterior in Nottingham during its annual (and free) light display. Guests drive through the grounds to see the impressive arrangement, which features more than 600,000 lights (90% of which are LED lights). November 24, 2021-January 2, 2022.
West Chester Griswolds – The Plummer family of West Chester takes cues from the hilarious Griswold family of the popular National Lampoon movies with this massive annual holiday light display at their home. It features more than 100,000 lights controlled via computer. Bonus: Kids can drop off their letters to Santa here. November 25, 2021-January 2, 2022.
NEW: Tinseltown Holiday Spectacular Presented by Dietz & Watson, Greater Philadelphia Expo Center – This brand-new event in Oaks invites guests to walk through a winter wonderland of light sculptures and displays, including illuminated recreations of local landmarks like the Liberty Bell, boasting over a million bulbs. Also on the docket: ice skating on a synthetic rink, photos with Santa, shopping, and seasonal treats and drinks. November 26, 2021- January 2, 2022.
American Heritage Credit Union Drive Through Grand Illumination – During the holiday season, this Bustleton credit union serves as way more than a place to do banking, doubling as a must-see holiday attraction featuring two 40-foot-tall trees and over 400,000 lights. The festivities begin with a kickoff event on November 27, 2021, complete with a fireworks show and a holiday concert featuring the Philadelphia Boys Choir and the Fifes and Drums of the Old Barracks. November 27, 2021-January 1, 2022.
Miracle on South 13th Street – A homegrown South Philly tradition with national traction, this festive light display brings neighbors along the 1600 block of South 13th Street together to decorate their homes with holiday lights and over-the-top decorations, which turn on each evening, beginning the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Drivers should know to expect traffic, especially on weekend nights. November 27, 2021-January 1, 2022.
Smedley Street Christmas Light Spectacular – The Smedley Street Christmas Light Spectacular has illuminated the 2700 block of Smedley Street for over half a century. From blow-up decorations to trees covered in string lights, this South Philadelphia street does festive right. November 27, 2021-January 10, 2022
Boathouse Row Lights – In honor of multicultural holiday celebrations, Philadelphia lights up Boathouse Row with festive colors for Hanukkah, November 28-December 6, 2021; Christmas, December 20-25, 2021; and Kwanza, December 26, 2021-January 1, 2022.