At this festive time of year, I can hear Bing Crosby crooning the lyrics from Silver Bells, "City Sidewalks, Busy Sidewalks, Dressed in Holiday Style". Cities really do get dressed up for the holidays and Philadelphia is no exception. The twinkling street lights and the festive shop windows are visible around every corner, but there are so many special events and activities around town, that everyone should plan a day or more to fully experience Philadelphia's Holiday Style. We recommend you come to our wonderful City of Brotherly Love for a night or two and immerse yourself in the holiday festivities. Following is a list of some special holiday events happening this season in Philadelphia that you won't want to miss; because, after all, Christmas only comes around once per year! |
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Special Holiday Events
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Franklin Square Light Show:
November 12-December 31, 2015
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Credit: G. Widman for GPTMC
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More than 50,000 lights dance and shimmer and create a truly magical holiday experience at Franklin Square everyday through December 31. The Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show will dazzle young and old alike. There are two alternating shows every 30 minutes (4:30-8:00). In addition to the Light Show, you can grab some food, local beers and hot beverages at Ben's Bites and Brews and shop for gifts at the Holiday Market. Philly Mini Golf (with warming stations), the Parx Liberty Carousel, and the Lightening Bolt Holiday Express are in operation throughout the holiday season.
The Rothman Ice Rink:
November 13, 2015-February 28, 2016
The Rothman Institute Ice Rink, located at Dilworth Park on the  west side of City Hall, is back for its second season. Wildly popular due to its unique urban setting, the Rothman Rink has added a hospitality cabin this year, the Rothman Cabin, featuring burgers, fries, hot drinks and more. Skaters can leave the ice to warm up and grab food or drink without removing their skates! Classes and rentals are available. The rink is open seven days a week until February 28, 2016, including Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Christmas Village at Love Park:
November 21-December 27, 2015
Christmas Village returns to LOVE Park, on the west side of City Hall, this holiday season. Modeled after traditional German Christmas Markets, vendors set up in more than 60 wooden booths selling international gifts, ornaments, jewelry, and high-quality arts and crafts. You will surely catch some holiday spirit in this festive atmosphere where you will be surrounded by thousands of twinkling lights, a big holiday tree, and the wonderful smells of bratwurst and waffles, gingerbread and mulled wine.
Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market:
November 21-December 27, 2015
This season, on the southern end of Dilworth Park, a Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market will complement the Christmas Village at Love Park. Look for the white tents topped with Original Herrnhut Stars where you will find unique gifts and edible treats created by local artists, crafters, confectionaries and designers.
Comcast Holiday Spectacular:
November 24, 2015-January 3, 2016
Showtimes at the top of the hour from 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. (excluding 5:00 p.m. on weekdays)
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Credit: Photo Courtesy Comcast
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Every visitor to Philadelphia during the holiday season must stop by the Comcast Center and view the 15-minute Comcast Holiday Spectacular on the Comcast Experience Video Wall located in the central lobby. This state of the art visual experience, now an annual tradition, takes visitors on a magical and musical journey. Look for a scene from The Nutcracker performed by the Pennsylvania Ballet and the fantastical sleigh ride from the Philadelphia countryside to high above the city skyline.
Blue Cross RiverRink WinterFest
November 27, 2015-March 6, 2016
The Blue Cross River Rink is a winter attraction on the Delaware River that features an Olympic-size ice skating rink with on-site skate rentals, a ski-chalet style lodge with a bar and food and drink  options from the Garces Group, a winter garden with firepits and, new this year, cozy, winter warming huts. For your holiday shopping pleasure, a Holiday Flea Market will set up at RiverRink on December 19-20. With the Delaware River to the East and the Benjamin Franklin Bridge to the North, you are sure to enjoy this spectacular winter scene at the RiverRink complete with thousands of twinkling lights and holiday trees. This is also a great location to view the New Year's Eve fireworks on the Waterfront.
Macy's Light Show and Dickens Christmas Village:
November 27-December 31, 2015 Daily at 10 a.m., noon, 2, 4, 6, and 8 p.m.
 Head to the Grand Court of Macy's to experience yuletide magic by viewing the Christmas Light Show, a Philadelphia Holiday Tradition since 1956. Here you can watch the stories of the Sugarplum Fairy and Frosty the Snowman play out in this wonderful light show topped off by a 40' tall magic Christmas Tree. Be sure to head to the 3rd floor Market Street side of Macy's to walk through the Dickens Christmas Village, and get your photo with Santa, too!
Christmas in Fairmount- Historic House Tour:
Thursdays-Sundays, December 3-20, 2015
Every holiday season the Historic Houses of Fairmount Park are dressed up in holiday finery by local interior designers and garden clubs. This year's stunning interiors are inspired by the Christmas Carol, The Twelve Days of Christmas. Tour the homes on your own, or take a festive trolley tour, or the Christmas Carol Trolley Tour with characters from A Christmas Carol. Phlash service is also available this year to the Historic Homes over the holidays. There is a dedicated Historic Holiday House Phlash Loop and a special Park Charms and Phlash combo pass offered.
Reading Terminal Market Holiday Railroad:
November 27-December 31, 2015
The Reading Terminal Market, one of the greatest public markets in the country, is a place you must visit whenever you are in  Philadelphia; however, this wonderful market is even more special during the holidays. There are more than 80 unique merchants and you will find not only fresh produce, meats, cheeses, prepared foods and flowers, but also a plethora of gift items from cookbooks to handmade quilts and craft items. During the holiday season, the Market sets up an impressive 500 square foot holiday railroad in its piano court with fourteen working train lines and miniature scenery of Center City and the surrounding countryside. It's a delight for young and old alike.
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Don't spend this holiday season rushing around from place to place without taking time to enjoy yourself, your family and friends and this wonderful time of year. Making memories is a priceless gift to yourself and to others. In a few years, your spouse, best friend, or other significant person in your life probably won't remember the gift you gave them for the holidays in 2015, but they will remember spending the day with you in Philadelphia, viewing the Light Shows, ice skating in the Park, or shopping at the festive, outdoor markets. Spend the night at a local B&B and then head to Reading Terminal Market in the morning. It's a wonderful, memory-making plan.
Best wishes for a wonderful holiday season,
Bridget Cowell
A Bed and Breakfast Connection
800-448-3619
610-644-8790
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Holiday Gift Certificates
15% OFF
SPECIAL OFFER!
Now through December 2015, get 15% Bed and Breakfast Connection Gift Certificates!!
A B&B Connection of Philadelphia gift certificate makes a great gift that the recipient will surely appreciate. It's giving a gift of an experience which is perfect for anyone. We make it easy to purchase a beautiful holiday gift certificate for family, friends, employees or anyone on your list. You can select a specific B&B or simply give a dollar amount, and we will help your recipients find the perfect spot for their getaway. The gift certificate can be used at any of the Philadelphia area B&Bs on our website. We will mail a lovely gift certificate to either the purchaser or the recipient. Order a Gift Certificate and we will mail it the same day!
Mention our 15% OFF SPECIAL to get your discount.
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Now Open!
One Liberty Observation Deck
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See Philadelphia as it's never been seen before. Residents and visitors can get a spectacular, view of Philadelphia and its surrounding countryside from the newly opened Observation Deck at One Liberty Place
located at 1650 Market Street. Take the state-of-the-art elevator and in just 75 seconds you will be greeted with breathtaking, 360 degree views from the 57th floor. From the enclosed deck, 883 feet in the air, you will get a top-down look at City Hall, the stadium complex, the Ben Franklin Bridge, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, University City, the rest of Philadelphia and beyond. The observation deck is open 365 days a year from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. See the city by daylight or starlight. It's beautiful at any time of day or night!
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Longwood Gardens Christmas
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Longwood Gardens is just a short drive from Philadelphia, and it is always a favorite destination during the holidays. With more than a half-million twinkling lights, you will be mesmerized as you walk through this winter wonderland. The fountains dance, the trees sparkle, and holiday magic awaits around every bend.
This year, the Conservatory Display is inspired by the fountains at Longwood, with blue and white twinkling lights, trees with icicles, fountain-inspired glass ornaments and thousands of seasonal plants.
New this holiday season is a fire pit at the Hourglass Lake Pavilion. You can enjoy the warmth and glow of the firepit, weather permitting, on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings.
Daily performances by local musicians and other special guests enhance the festive atmosphere found at Longwood Gardens this time of year.
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