For the second year in a row, my roommates and I celebrated the holiday season by going into Center City Philly and watching the various light shows. It’s a great way to celebrate Christmas and we always have a great time. Here are the must-see (free!) holiday attractions going on in Philadelphia this month.
Electrical Spectacle in Franklin Square
The centerpiece of this light show is the kite and key paying tribute to Ben Franklin. The lights twinkle in tune with holiday music. Also, throughout the month are a holiday gift shop, beer garden, food and hot chocolate stands. The light show runs every half hour starting at 4:30 until December 31st.
The Macy’s Christmas Light Show
The Center City location housed inside the Wanamaker building is beautiful at any time of year, but especially during Christmas. It is decorated extravagantly and in the center is the Christmas tree shown above. Every two hours, starting at 10am and ending at 8pm, a light show begins behind the tree, with musical stories such as Frosty the Snowman and the Nutcracker narrated by Julie Andrews.
The Comcast Holiday Spectacular
The Comcast building’s lobby is the home to a very unique holiday show. On the Comcast Experience wall, there are snowmen, musical instruments, ice skaters, dancers, and even Santa Claus’s trip to Philadelphia on Christmas Eve. It is all coordinated to holiday favorites such as Jingle Bell Rock and the Twelve Days of Christmas. At the very end, snowmen rise from the floor and shoot faux snow out of their trumpets. It’s truly a magical experience.
PHOTOS BY ASHBY STEEN