Family and Dog-Friendly Winter / Holiday Events in Philadelphia 2024
Here is a collection of family and dog-friend Winter and Holiday events happening throughout Philadelphia and its surrounding areas! I’ve gathered events for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and New Year’s! Some events are dog friendly, and you will know because it will be marked with a paw print! If you have any questions regarding the events, please contact the events coordinators using the links below.
Operation Santa Claus
Now through December 15th, 2024
106 Grape Street
Manayunk Development Corporation is partnering with North Light Community Center to host Operation Santa Claus!! Operation Santa Claus is a program to support local families in need during the holiday season. Starting now, you can stop by 106 Grape Street to pick a tag off of the tree to choose a family to donate a gift to. Once you choose your North Light family, you have until December 15th to drop off your donations.
Manayunk Gets Lit 🐾
Now through December 17th, 2024
Main Street in Manayunk
Manayunk’s Main Street will officially light up on November 14th, with over 80,000 holiday lights, displays, decorations, and more! Now through December 17th, you can vote for your favorite business display in three different categories: Best Overall, Most Lit, and Most Creative. Plus, once you vote you will be entered into a raffle to win a $200 Manayunk shopping spree!
Design Your Own Mrs. Claus at Byers’ Choice
Now through December 18th, 2024
Byers’ Choice
Byers’ Choice is a year-long Christmas shop featuring various doll displays. This year they are offering a Design Your Own Mrs. Claus figurine event! Check out Byers’ Choice to create your own Christmas decor and check out their Christmas museum and gift shop!
Christmas Village in Philadelphia 🐾
Now through December 24th, 2024
Dilworth Park & Love Park
Dilworth and Love Park will be transformed into the most iconic Christmas Village in Philadelphia. Visit over 100 vendors selling great holiday gifts, food, and drinks, the illuminated Ferris wheel, the double-decker carousel, the grand holiday tree, and their holiday light show that is projected onto Philadelphia’s City Hall! This event is sort of dog-friendly – they allow dogs throughout Dilworth Park, but your pup may not be allowed in the Love Park portion.
Santa’s North Pole Express
Now through December 30th, 2024
New Hope Railroad
Adventure through Bucks County with Santa and Mrs. Claus on Santa’s North Pole Express while listening to Christmas carols and enjoying hot cocoa and cookies and each child will be gifted a sleighbell from Santa! Create a new, magical holiday tradition with your family while you travel on Santa’s train!
Macy’s Light Show & Dickens Village
Now through December 31st
Macy’s 1300 Market Street
Every year, Macy’s in Center City hosts a beautiful Christmas light show with over 100,000 colored lights, with music from a Wanamaker organ. If you venture upstairs, you will also experience an immersive retelling of Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol”, holiday window displays and of course, Santa Claus is there if you want to tell him your Christmas wishes!
LumiNature
Now through January 4th, 2025
Philadelphia Zoo
The Philadelphia Zoo will be decorated with over a million twinkling lights throughout 16 areas of the zoo! Some of the attractions featured are the path with performers dressed in glowing, animal-themed costumes, various photo opportunities (including the 22-foot butterfly tree!), the Septa PZ Express train beneath a canopy of 200,000 lights, a 100-foot-long jungle canopy, a 20-foot coral reef with a giant sea turtle, and a beautiful sparkling waterfall!
Yuletide Festival at Liberty Hill
Now through January 5th, 2025
800 Ridge Pike
Enjoy the Christmas village at Liberty Hill, where you can meet Santa, go ice skating, enjoy free amusement rides, shop through the various storefronts, and enjoy the beautifully decorated trees! This is the first year the festival will be at Liberty Hill, so make sure to check it out!
Franklin Fountain & Shane’s Confectionery
Now through January 6th, 2025
116 Market Street and 110 Market Street
This year Franklin Fountain is doing something special for the holiday season! They’re selling Yule Log Ice Cream Cakes this December! The cake feeds 8-10 people and is available in five different ice cream flavors (plus it is gluten-free!) Orders are available now online and you can pick up your cake from December 13th through January 6th. Franklin Fountain’s sister store – Shane’s Confectionery – has also launched its holiday menu, with sweets ranging from chocolate Santas, peppermint marshmallows, and even chocolate-hazelnut ‘salami’. Make sure to check both stores out for all of your sweet treat cravings!
A Longwood Christmas
Now through January 12th, 2025
Longwood Gardens
Longwood Gardens’ iconic Christmas display has expanded this year! This year will feature new outdoor landscapes in addition to their usual thousands of marvelous lights and decor.
Winter in Franklin Square
Now through February 23rd, 2025
Franklin Square
Starting November 21st, Franklin Square transforms into a magical Winter wonderland as they host a spectacular free Light Show, featuring “Baby Please Come Home” by The Philly Specials, featuring Lane Johnson, Jordan Mailata, and Jason Kelce from the Philadelphia Eagles. This Winter Wonderland will also have Chilly Philly Mini Golf, street curling, various delicious seasonal treats, and holiday carousel rides!
Independence Blue Cross WinterFest
Now through March 2nd, 2025
Penn’s Landing
Delaware River Waterfront is hosting its annual WinterFest, opening on Thanksgiving weekend. Experience the winter wonderland filled with beautiful lights, heated cabins, firepits, boardwalk rides and games, a holiday tree, seasonal beverages, a rinkside lounge, and ice skating. Make sure to reserve your ice skating tickets and your heated cabin or your spot at the rinkside lounge ahead of time to ensure the best experience!
Stag + Doe in Chestnut Hill 🐾
Wednesdays in December
Chestnut Hill
Visit Chesnut Hill to get right into the holiday spirit and shop for last-minute gifts and decor from local small businesses! Stores will have extended business hours, holiday specials, and even complimentary refreshments. Santa may even make an appearance throughout the night!
Bustards Christmas Tree Farm 🐾
2210 Bustard Road, Lansdale, PA
Bustards Christmas Tree Farm is a great dog-friendly farm that is filled with pre-cut Christmas trees. Bring your family, friends, and dogs to Bustards for a cute, holiday tradition to start! What better way to get in the Christmas spirit than to do it with your dog by your side?
Clark’s Christmas Tree Farm & Gift Shop 🐾
351 Pusey Mill Rd, Cochranville, PA
Clark’s Christmas Tree Farm is a dog-friendly Christmas tree farm that also has a great gift shop filled with various traditional Christmas decorations and seasonal beverages! Clark’s allows you and your family to pick out the tree you want and cut it down yourself, allowing for a fun-filled family tradition to start with the inclusion of your pup!
Santa Skate
Friday, November 29th, 2024
Dilworth Park
From 11 am-12 pm, your family will have the opportunity to skate with Santa on the Rothman Orthopedics Ice Rink at Dilworth Park. While you’re at Dilworth Park, you can also visit the various vendors from the Holiday market present there!
PAWS Donations
Any PAWS’ clinic locations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m (2900 Grays Ferry Avenue, seven days a week, 1810 Grant Avenue, Tuesday through Saturday)
Help animals in need this holiday season by donating to the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)! They are always looking for dry, unopened dog and cat food, pate-style canned dog, cat, and kitten food, kitten formula and bottles, litter, cat toys, soft unopened dog training treats, kong dog toys, paper towels, laundry detergent, and trash bags.
Miracle on South 13th Street 🐾
December 1st through January 1st
1600 block of S 13th Street
South 13th Street becomes a magical place during the holidays when houses within three blocks decorate their homes and streets in elaborate lighting displays. While you can drive down the streets to view the display, the magic of the decorations is even more breathtaking on foot!
Nosh & Shop: Hanukkah Market
Sunday, December 1st, 2024
Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History
The Weitzman is hosting a Hanukkah market, where you can enjoy food vendors, and great small and local businesses for unique gift ideas! The market offers a range of price points and styles for everyone to enjoy!
Storytime at Christmas Village
Tuesdays in December
Love Park
The Free Library of Philadelphia will be hosting festive storytimes on Tuesdays in December at Love Park. Stop by for a variety of seasonal stories and songs!
Giving Tuesday Yappy Hour 🐾
Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024
901 N Delaware Ave
Visit Craft Hall in Northern Liberties to join Young Friends of Paws for their yappy hour event! There will be ornament crafts, raffles, pet-themed holiday vendors, and of course a special appearance from Santa Paws!
Historic Holiday Tree Lighting at Betsy Ross House
Wednesday, December 4th, 2024
Betsy Ross House
Attend the Betsy Ross House for their holiday tree lighting, where you can also enjoy seasonal food and drinks, performances from musical and dance groups, special guest speakers, and of course special appearances from Santa and Betsy Ross!
Christmas Tree Lighting Party at Evil Genius 🐾
Thursday, December 5th, 2024
Evil Genius Beer Co.
Enjoy Evil Genius’ free tree lighting party featuring live music, and a special holiday beer tapping. Evil Genius also has a dog-friendly beer garden available for your furry friend to enjoy the festivities too!
Manayunk’s Jolly Trolley
December 5th through the 21st
Manayunk Main Street
The Jolly Trolley in Manayunk is a free trolley throughout Manayunk’s Main Street, where you can make stops at various small businesses to take in all of their beautiful light displays, and visit the various holiday events and entertainment taking place throughout Main Street! They also have a great selection of entertainment throughout December from 5-8 pm. On opening night, December 5th, Santa will be present, and there will be an ornament-making event at the Manayunk Welcome Center. December 6th, Buddy the Elf and Jolie will make special appearances, meanwhile the next day, December 7th, an official North Pole elf will arrive! December 12th, the Welcome Center will host a cookie decorating event, and the Philadelphia Freedom Band will play a few songs. On December 13th, the iconic Grinch will make an appearance in Manayunk, while Philly Accents will go caroling the next day on December 14th. December 19th, Santa will make another visit as a cookie-cutter art event takes place at the Welcome Center. The next night, December 20th, Rudolph will officially visit the streets of Manayunk! Santa will make his last Manayunk appearance on December 21st, from 1-3 pm.
Happy Holidays from Rox
December 6th and 7th, 2024
6170 Ridge Avenue
Roxborough’s holiday festivities will start December 6th with their annual tree lighting, their holiday market, and live music from the Academy of Vocal Arts. The following day, Saturday, December 7th, the celebrations will continue with the holiday market and special appearances from Elsa and Santa Claus. Enjoy the seasonal food and drink vendors that will be selling delicious treats like smores, chai and butter tea, fresh funnel cakes, and more!
Jingle & Mingle with Santa 🐾
Saturdays in December
Franklin Square
Santa will be making his appearance in Franklin Square on Saturdays throughout December! December 14th, Santa Paws will appear to take photos with dogs in attendance, so make sure the favorite puppy in life gets to visit Santa!
Deck the Alley
Saturday, December 7th, 2024
Elfreth’s Alley
Elfreth’s Alley is hosting tours throughout the historic homes while you are fully immersed in seasonal decor, sounds, and smells. Make sure to keep an eye out for the alley’s Christmas elves that may be lingering throughout the homes!
Winter Kick-Off at Please Touch Museum
Saturday, December 7th, 2024
Please Touch Museum
The Please Touch Museum will be hosting a day filled with Winter events and activities, such as interactive play areas, festive decorations, snow painting, The Nutcracker, and so much more!
Holly Jolly Weekend 🐾
December 7th and 8th
Peddler’s Village
Peddler’s Village will be hosting a weekend filled with various holiday festivities! Experience the Village’s Santa Parade, live entertainment, family activities, holiday food and drink specials, and of course, make sure you stop by the Gingerbread display! Once the sun sets, the village becomes beautifully illuminated by the holiday lights scattered throughout.
Holiday Market at Cherry Street Pier 🐾
December 7th, 14th, and 21st
Cherry Street Pier
Shop from small and local businesses at Cherry Street Pier’s holiday market and find the perfect thoughtful gift for the loved ones in your life!
Rittenhouse Square Holiday Tree Lighting 🐾
Monday, December 9th, 2024
Rittenhouse Square
On December 9th, Rittenhouse Square will host their annual tree lighting event, starting at 6 pm. There will be refreshments, music, giveaways, and an appearance from Santa throughout the holiday event.
Christmas Celebration at the Please Touch Museum
Saturday, December 14th, 2024
Please Touch Museum
Experience a day filled with Christmas fun at the Please Touch Museum, where kids can meet Santa, make their own ornaments, experience a story read by Santa, decorate cookies, and so much more!
Hanukkah Celebration at the Please Touch Museum
Sunday, December 15th, 2024
Please Touch Museum
Visit the Please Touch Museum to enjoy a day of Hanukkah festivities, such as designing a dreidel, drawing snowman portraits, interactive performances, and more!
DRWC Presents Tubachristmas
Sunday, December 15th, 2024
Cherry Street Pier
The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation will present Tubachristmas at Cherry Street Pier this year on December 15th, 2024. Over 100 tuba players will be performing the most iconic holiday tunes to really get you in the holiday spirit! While Cherry Street Pier is dog-friendly, I wouldn’t necessarily encourage you to bring them to Tubachristmas (unless of course, your dog is a tuba enthusiast).
Manayunk Hanukkah Candle Lighting 🐾
Thursday, December 26th, 2024
Canal View Park
On Thursday, December 26th, Mt Airy Chabad will host a Hanukkah Candle Lighting at Canal View Park, in which they will also have candles, latkes, and more available!
Kwanzaa Celebration
Saturday, December 28th, 2024
Please Touch Museum
Enjoy a day at Please Touch Museum celebrating Kwanzaa, filled with activities such as storytimes, cupcake decorating, Kwanzaa paintings, and so much more!
Kwanzaa Celebration in Franklin Square
Sunday, December 29th, 2024
Franklin Square
Franklin Square will host a free-to-enter family-friendly market that has been thoughtfully curated by AAMP, featuring various black-owned businesses throughout the region. There will also be celebrations such as a Kwanzaa-themed quizzo, food trucks, music, and more!
Historic Holiday Menorah Lighting & Hanukkah Celebration at Betsy Ross House
Monday, December 30th, 2024
Betsy Ross House
The Betsy Ross House will be hosting a sunset lighting of their giant electric menorah, in addition to exciting events like musical performances, activities and gelt for children, and of course latkes and doughnuts, and take-home menorahs.
PRO TIP!!! If your dog gets upset by fireworks and is sensitive to sound, play action movies VERY loudly for them! It may sound a bit silly but it has worked wonders for my dogs. (We love Jurassic Park and anything with Gerard Butler!)
Countdown to New Year’s
Tuesday, December 31st, 2024
Please Touch Museum
Please Touch Museum will be hosting a countdown to Noon on New Year’s Eve, so your kids can enjoy and feel the energy of the New Year’s celebrations! Kids will experience a DJ dance party, interactive activities, and a special ball drop!
New Year’s Eve Kid’s Countdown
Tuesday, December 31st, 2024
Cherry Street Pier
PopUpPlay will host arts-and-crafts activities, games, a New Year’s Eve Countdown, and more at Cherry Street Pier. Cherry Street Pier is a perfect spot for the kids to view Fireworks on the Waterfront display at 6 pm!
Ice Princess Weekend
January 25th and 26th
Franklin Square
In late January, Franklin Square will host a free Ice Princess Weekend where kids can meet their favorite Disney princesses and enjoy various fun-filled activities such as games, giant bubbles, sing-alongs, and ice-sculpting.
