Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Philly in December

As Philadelphia gears up for the holidays, December brings plenty of things to do, from the The Miracle on South 13th Street to the Smedley Street Christmas Lights Spectacular, to the delightful West Chester Griswolds.

Fun Things to Do with Kids in and near Philly, December 2024

American Heritage's Grand Illumination
Saturday, November 30, 2024 to Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Philadelphia
American Heritage Credit Union welcomes visitors to its annual Grand Illumination celebration featuring the lighting of two 40-foot Christmas trees, hundreds of wreaths, and over 400,000 lights. This month-long display always gets families into the spirit of the season. Visit the website here.

The Miracle on South 13th Street
FREE
Sunday, December 1, 2024 to Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Philadelphia
The 1600 block of South 13th Street (between Tasker and Morris) morphs into the Miracle on South 13th Street. Residents in this neighborhood join together to put on one of the best residential community light displays in the area. Park nearby and walk, or roll down the block in your vehicle, taking it slow as you take in the sights. Visit the website here.

Night Before Christmas Train (Strasburg Rail Road)
Friday, December 6, 2024 to Monday, December 23, 2024
Ronks
Experience the excitement of Christmas Eve even when it's not December 24 on this very special one-hour train ride. Listen to the classic poem 'Twas the Night Before Christmas on this journey aboard a decorated holiday train, where drinks and treats are available for purchase. Visit the website here.

Philadelphia Ballet: George Balanchine's The Nutcracker
Friday, December 6, 2024 to Sunday, December 29, 2024
Philadelphia
For years, families have been enjoying George Balanchine's Nutcracker at the Academy of Music. Make this a tradition in your family this season by attending one of the many performances available. Visit the website here.

Deck the Alley
Saturday, December 7, 2024
Philadelphia
Guests can meander down Philadelphia’s most historic residential street for a glimpse of 21st-century life in historic houses from the 1700s and 1800s. Visitors can peek inside these historic homes for a glimpse into the past. Visit the website here.

SantaFest at the American Helicopter Museum & Education Center
Saturday, December 7, 2024
West Chester
Santa lets the reindeer rest for the upcoming big day and instead arrives via helicopter! He flies in at 11 am, ready to hear children's wish lists in the colorful Santa’s Workshop. Kids can make crafts, listen to live music and watch holiday movies in the theater. Bring your cameras for pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Visit the website here.

Christmas Village in Philadelphia
FREE
Now through Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Philadelphia
Held at LOVE Park, this outdoor holiday market reflects the feel of traditional Christmas markets found in Germany. Visitors can expect booths featuring conventional European food, sweets, drinks, and shopping. Kids can visit Santa and ride the carousel, ferris wheel, and train. Visit the website here.

Christmas Around the Farm
FREE
Now Through December 23, 2024
Media
Linvilla Orchards celebrates the season with wagon rides to cut your own Christmas tree, visits with the Linvilla barn animals, caroling hayrides, and photos with Santa on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Visit the website here.

Morris Arboretum Holiday Garden Railway
Now through Friday, December 20, 2024
Philadelphia
Morris Arboretum’s popular Garden Railway returns. Visitors can enjoy a quarter-mile of track featuring seven loops and tunnels with 15 rail lines, two cable cars, nine bridges, and bustling model trains, all set in a lovely winter garden. Visit the website here.

Smedley Street Christmas Light Spectacular
FREE
Friday, November 29, 2024 to Wednesday, January 1, 2025
2700 S Smedley St, Philadelphia
For over 50 years, South Philly residents on the 2700 block of Smedley Street have been wowing spectators with an impressive community display of blow-up decorations, beautifully lit trees, and sparkling string lights. Visit the website here.

Holidays at Johnson's Corner Farm
Now through Monday, December 23, 2024
Medford, NJ
Johnson’s Corner Farm has it all for the holidays–take a hayride to view thousands of lights, watch a light show on the lake, visit Santa, decorate Christmas cookies, roast marshmallows, and visit the Discovery Barn and Animal Farm. Visit the website here.

Christmas Underwater at Adventure Aquarium
Now through Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Camden, NJ
One of New Jersey's most unique holiday traditions, Christmas Underwater, is set to return to Adventure Aquarium. Guests can surf the yuletide and explore a winter waterland filled with holiday d-eel-ights like Scuba Santa, indoor snow flurries, the world’s tallest underwater Christmas tree, and many more. Visit the website here.

Disney on Ice: Let's Dance
Thursday, December 26, 2024 to Saturday, January 4, 2025
Philadelphia
Mickey and his pals are rocking the DJ table and you’re on the guest list! Feel the electric atmosphere as they remix favorite Disney tunes into colorful worlds. Visit the website here.

Betsy Ross House - Old City Menorah Lighting
FREE
Tuesday, December 30, 2024
Philadelphia
The Old City Jewish Arts Center and Betsy Ross House will join together to host a community menorah lighting. Celebrate the first night of Hanukkah with traditional foods like latke and doughnuts! Visit the website here.

Sesame Place New Year's Eve Fireworks
Tuesday, December 31, 2024
Langhorne
Celebrate the new year with fireworks set to Sesame Street music. Elmo, Abby Cadabby, The Count and the rest of the gang are ready to join in the fun. This impressive display occurs after the Neighborhood Street Party Christmas Parade. Visit the website here.

West Chester Griswolds Light Display
Now through January 1, 2025
FREE
West Chester
If the name sounds familiar, that's because this West Chester family takes after Clark Griswold and company from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Trust us when we say this home does not disappoint, and this year's display features over 133,000 lights, 800 smart pixels, and a newly-added Cosmic Color Ribbon Tree set to music. Kids can also drop off letters for Santa at the home's special mailbox. Visit the website here.

Shady Brook Farm Holiday Light Show
Now through January 5, 2025
Yardley
Experience the magic of more than 3 million bulbs illuminating acres of farmland at Shady Brook Farm's holiday light show. Drive through in the comfort of your car or enjoy the show on an open-air wagon ride. Then, set off on foot through Candy Cane Lane, where dancing lights are set to music. Visit Santa and tell him about your wishes before or after enjoying the Holiday Light Show. Visit the website here.

A Longwood Christmas
Now through January 12, 2025
Kennett Square, PA
Walk through the gardens to see the lights, flowers, and trees, and stop into the conservatory to view the seasonal poinsettias. Don't miss the fountain show set to music. Visit the website here.

The Comcast Holiday Spectacular
FREE
Now through January 5, 2025
Philadelphia
Philadelphia’s beloved holiday tradition returns. The free, 15-minute family-friendly show, presented on The Comcast Experience video wall in the Comcast Center lobby, features holiday songs, performances by the Philadelphia Ballet, and a sleigh ride around the world and into Philadelphia. Visit the website here.

Colorful Christmas at Crayola Experience
Now through January 5, 2025
Easton
Deck the halls with tons of COLOR and enjoy holiday fun the Crayola way! Craft handmade gifts from the heart, complete a seasonal scavenger hunt, pose in holiday photo-ops, and more! All this in addition to our 20+ hands-on attractions! Whether you're visiting the Lehigh Valley area or a local looking for holiday fun close to home, Crayola Experience Easton is the #1 family destination for colorful, hands-on fun! All activities included with general admission. Visit the website here.

Christmas Village in Philadelphia
Now through Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Philadelphia
Running for its 17th season, Christmas Village in Philadelphia will transform LOVE Park and City Hall’s Courtyard and North Broad section into an authentic German Christmas Market. The event is free to attend and will run from November 23rd through Christmas Eve, December 24th, 2024. Visit the website here.

Flight On Ice - Newtown Square
Now through Monday, February 17, 2025
Newtown Square
Bring the whole family to the popular 60×100 outdoor “real” ice skating rink. Enjoy a winter wonderland filled with fun for the whole family including convenient on-site parking, festive music, lighting, video & decor, delicious food & beverages, heated hospitality tents perfect for private parties, next-level entertainment, and a robust calendar of family-friendly themed events. Visit the website here.

Electrical Spectacle Light Show in Franklin Square
FREE
Now through Sunday, February 23, 2024
Philadelphia
Inspired by Benjamin Franklin's experiments with electricity, the Electrical Spectacle makes Franklin Square sparkle with its musical light show, recurring every 30 minutes. Enjoy 200,000 lights dancing to five festive songs that fill the square. Nightly through January 5th and Thursdays-Sundays January 9 - February 23. Visit the website here.

Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest
Friday, November 29, 2024 to Sunday, February 25, 2024
Philadelphia
Cozy up in comforting warming cabins, warm up at a fire pit station, enjoy boardwalk rides and games for the young and young-at-heart, delicious food and hot beverages, see the signature holiday tree, and, of course, go ice skating on the NHL-sized rink. Winterfest is a top destination for anyone looking to rekindle family traditions. Visit the website here.

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