The Holiday Light Tour is a self-guided walking tour visiting all the free Center City Holiday Displays/Shows (though you will have to pay if you go ice skating) which run (mostly) from the day after Thanksgiving until New Year’s Eve. This is not affiliated with any official visitor’s organization – it’s just ordered so that you can experience all the events in one evening. Walking is minimal, maybe a mile at most.
If you want to visit everything after work, I recommend following the b...
The Holiday Light Tour is a self-guided walking tour visiting all the free Center City Holiday Displays/Shows (though you will have to pay if you go ice skating) which run (mostly) from the day after Thanksgiving until New Year’s Eve. This is not affiliated with any official visitor’s organization – it’s just ordered so that you can experience all the events in one evening. Walking is minimal, maybe a mile at most.
If you want to visit everything after work, I recommend following the below schedule; if you come during the day, you can do them in any order (though the Dicken’s Village – it’s a walk-through experience - will be much more crowded on weekends). Also be sure to walk by the Macy’s windows on Market Street – they are always well decorated.
Most years there are special events (like tree lighting ceremonies and free concerts), so check out Philadelphia visitor websites to see if any special events (or new displays!) are happening the day you’re doing the tour.
Thanks and enjoy the fun!
Recommended After-work Tour:
5:30 – tour Reading Terminal Market and see the Holiday Railway
6:00 – walk through Macy’s Dickens Village
6:30 – visit Christmas Village and stock up on stocking stuffers
7:00 – see the Comcast Holiday Show
7:30 – stroll through Suburban Station (several displays set up)
8:00 – see Macy’s Christmas Light Show
8:30 – ice skate at Dilworth Ice Rink if you have the time and money
Details on Center City Holiday Events:
Macy’s Christmas Light Show - http://www.visitphilly.com/events/philadelphia/holiday-light-show-at-macys-center-city/
Thanksgiving – New Year’s Eve
10am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm, 6pm, 8pm
Macy’s Dicken’s Village - http://www.visitphilly.com/events/philadelphia/holiday-light-show-at-macys-center-city/
Thanksgiving – New Year’s Eve
While store is open (should be until 8pm – but check!)
Christmas Village - http://www.visitphilly.com/shopping/philadelphia/christmas-village-in-philadelphia/
Thanksgiving – December 24th
Open till 7pm weekdays; 8pm weekends
Comcast Holiday Show - http://www.visitphilly.com/museums-attractions/philadelphia/the-comcast-holiday-spectacular/
Thanksgiving – New Year’s Day
10am – 8pm (excluding 5pm on weekdays)
Holiday Railway at Reading Terminal Market - http://www.readingterminalmarket.org/market-events/g-71-6hr2urkcku7nbpls7p3e9t3e2c_20151127
Thanksgiving – New Year’s Eve
10am – 6pm daily
Ice Rink at Dilworth Plaza - http://www.ccdparks.org/dilworth-park/rothmanicerink
November 11 – February 26
M-Th, 12-9; Fri, 12-11; Sat, 11-11; Sun, 11-8