Guides · Philadelphia
Philadelphia Christmas Village 2026: Dates, Hours & Tips
By Viktorija Dvariskyte · Marketing Manager
Marketing Manager
The Philadelphia Christmas Village returns to LOVE Park and City Hall from Saturday 21 November to Sunday 27 December 2026, according to the organisers. Entry is free, and the market opens daily from noon to 8pm Sunday to Thursday and until 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays, with a short break from Monday 23 to Wednesday 25 November. It opens 9am to 5pm on Thanksgiving and noon to 5pm on Christmas Eve.
Modelled on the traditional German Christmas markets, the Christmas Village fills LOVE Park and the City Hall courtyard with wooden huts, a 65-foot Ferris wheel and a double-decker carousel. This guide covers the Village and 4 more festive things to do in Philadelphia, each with the address, the nearest SEPTA stop and a Pro Tip.
The order starts at City Hall, where the Christmas Village, Dilworth Park and the Deck the Hall light show sit side by side. It then heads east along Market Street to the Wanamaker Building, and finishes with a day trip to Longwood Gardens.
Check dates for Philadelphia
See what is available on your dates.
1Christmas Village at LOVE Park and City Hall - Philadelphia's German Market
The Philadelphia Christmas Village spreads across LOVE Park and the courtyard of City Hall, with dozens of wooden huts selling German and international gifts, ornaments, crafts and food. The 2026 season runs from 21 November to 27 December, and entry is free.
Highlights include a giant illuminated German Christmas pyramid in LOVE Park, a 65-foot Ferris wheel and a historic double-decker carousel inside the City Hall courtyard. Food stalls serve bratwurst, pretzels, potato pancakes, raclette and Glühwein, and the Festival of Trees has been held inside the LOVE Park Visitor Center in recent years.
The famous LOVE sculpture stands in the middle of the market, making it one of the most photographed spots in the city in December.
2Winter at Dilworth Park - Ice Rink and Made in Philadelphia Market
Dilworth Park, on the west side of City Hall, becomes a winter wonderland during the holiday season. The Rothman Orthopaedics Ice Rink is the centrepiece, with skating in the shadow of City Hall's tower, surrounded by a lit-up Wintergarden and a cosy cabin bar.
The Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market sets up alongside the rink, with stalls selling handmade gifts from local artists, designers and food producers. In 2026 it runs from 13 November to 1 January 2027, opening a week before the Philadelphia Christmas Village.
Skating is ticketed, with skate rental on site, while entry to the park and market is free.
3Deck the Hall Light Show and City Hall Tree - Free Nightly Show
During the holiday season, the west facade of Philadelphia City Hall becomes the canvas for the Deck the Hall Light Show, a free projection show set to music that runs several times each evening. It is a short walk from both the Philadelphia Christmas Village and Dilworth Park.
The city's official holiday tree stands at City Hall, and its lighting ceremony in late November is one of the big events that kicks off the season in Philadelphia, with music and performances.
City Hall itself, topped by a statue of William Penn, is one of the largest municipal buildings in the United States, and it looks especially striking when lit up for the holidays.
Check dates for Philadelphia
See what is available on your dates.
4Holiday Light Show in the Wanamaker Building - A Philadelphia Tradition
The holiday light show in the Grand Court of the Wanamaker Building has been a Philadelphia Christmas tradition for generations. Set beneath the building's soaring atrium, the show combines lights, music and the sound of the famous Wanamaker Organ, one of the largest pipe organs in the world.
The building's former Macy's store closed in 2025, but the light show continued that season under the building's new owners, alongside a Vendor Village from the Christmas Village team. Arrangements for 2026 had not been confirmed at the time of writing.
If the show returns, it is free to watch and runs several times a day during the holiday season.
5A Longwood Christmas at Longwood Gardens - A Day Trip
A Longwood Christmas at Longwood Gardens is one of the most celebrated holiday displays in the United States. The vast gardens are decorated with hundreds of thousands of lights, and the conservatory fills with elaborately decorated trees, flowers and seasonal displays.
The outdoor gardens feature illuminated trees, fountains and walking routes, while the indoor conservatory stays warm and colourful whatever the weather. Organ concerts and carol singalongs are often part of the programme.
Entry is by timed ticket, and the most popular evening slots in December sell out weeks ahead. The event usually runs from late November into early January.
Take this guide with you
Get every place in this guide, with addresses and map links, in your inbox — easy to open on your phone during the trip.
One email to the address on your account. No newsletter.
Philadelphia Christmas Village 2026: Dates, Hours & Tips - FAQ
The Philadelphia Christmas Village runs from 21 November to 27 December 2026 at LOVE Park and City Hall, according to the organisers. It is closed from Monday 23 to Wednesday 25 November, open 9am to 5pm on Thanksgiving and noon to 5pm on Christmas Eve.
The Philadelphia Christmas Village is open from noon to 8pm Sunday to Thursday and noon to 9pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Special hours apply on Thanksgiving (9am to 5pm) and Christmas Eve (noon to 5pm). Check the official website for any changes during the season.
Yes, entry to the Philadelphia Christmas Village is free. You pay for food, drinks, gifts and rides such as the Ferris wheel and carousel. The nearby Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market at Dilworth Park is also free to enter.
The LOVE Park Garage at 1501 John F. Kennedy Boulevard is the official parking partner, with discounted rates for Christmas Village visitors. SEPTA is often easier: take the B, L or T lines to 15th St/City Hall station or Regional Rail to Suburban Station.
Most of them. The Christmas Village, Dilworth Park, the Deck the Hall light show and the Wanamaker Building are all within a few blocks of City Hall. Longwood Gardens needs a separate half-day trip by car.
Try German favourites such as bratwurst, pretzels, potato pancakes, raclette and roasted nuts, along with Glühwein served in a collectible mug. For a local twist, grab a Philly cheesesteak or soft pretzel from a nearby food spot.
Take SEPTA to 15th St/City Hall station, which is right next to LOVE Park and City Hall, or Regional Rail to Suburban Station, a two-minute walk away. From Philadelphia International Airport, the SEPTA Airport Line reaches Center City in about 25 minutes.
No, the Christmas Village is closed on 25 December and closes at 5pm on Christmas Eve. New for 2026, it reopens after Christmas, from noon to 9pm on 26 December and noon to 8pm on 27 December, its final day.
The ice rink at Dilworth Park sits on the west side of City Hall, just steps from the Christmas Village, alongside the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market. For a bigger winter park, head to RiverRink Winterfest on the Delaware River waterfront.
Weekday afternoons are the least crowded, while Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest. Arrive around opening time at noon to browse in comfort, then stay until dark for the Deck the Hall light show on City Hall.
