By Molly Given
The winter season brings some of the brightest events to the city. Here is where to check out holiday light shows in and around Philly.
Electrical Spectacle at Franklin Square Park
The Electrical Spectacle Light Show in Franklin Square has become a staple in Philly every winter season. Once open, the free showcase runs every 30 minutes (from 5 p.m. to close) and boasts over 1,000 twinkling lights choreographed to seasonal music throughout the Square. This year, the synchronized performance features seven songs total (two songs for each show) on a rotating basis. Opening day is set for Thursday, Nov. 20, and locals can stop by through Jan. 4, 2026.
While at Franklin Square Park this season, Philadelphians can also try out Chilly Philly Mini Golf, play a round of street curling, visit a pop-up winter bar (Frosty’s Fireside Tavern) and more.
200 N 6th St., historicphiladelphia.org
LumiNature at the Philadelphia Zoo
The Philadelphia Zoo’s annual light show is back in 2025, with an opening date set for Thursday, Nov. 20. This dazzling showcase features over a million holiday lights sprinkled throughout the venue, with different themed activations, food and drink options, plus new additions taking over the line-up for this year.
Fresh updates include a spot to snap pics with Kris Kringle (dubbed Santa’s Lodge), a massive, 110 foot “Pherris Wheel”, and individual igloos available to rent for your family. As for the light fixtures, highlights include the “The Penguin Prismatic Show”, which features a 40 ft. tall penguin glimmering to different winter tunes ; “Beary Sweet”, where you can walk through a world of gummy bears and candy; and “Flutter Flair”, which envelopes guests into the world of thousands of illuminated butterflies.
LumiNature will be on-site at the venue through Jan. 3, 2026. Timed entrance tickets are available every half hour from 5 to 8 p.m. with the experience closing at 9 or 10 p.m. depending on the visit date.
3400 W Girard Ave., philadelphiazoo.org
The Original BYOB Holiday Lights Trolley
If you ever wanted to tour the city to see charming neighborhood lights while sipping on some spirits, this trolley tour is the pick for you. While on the Jolly Trolley, the roving vehicle will be decked out with holiday decorations while making stops at the city’s most popular holiday light displays including Christmas Village, Miracle on South 13th Street, the Franklin Square Electrical Spectacle, Winter at Dilworth Park and Winterfest along the Delaware River Waterfront. Plus, the Lights Tour will once again feature live local musicians performing festive sets on board (the schedule will rotate.)
This year, guests are also invited to bring a holiday ornament marked with their Instagram handle. Each week, one ornament will be selected, and its creator will win special prizes throughout the season, a release notes. The light tour will kick off Nov. 28 and run on select dates through Dec. 30. Tickets cost $60+ and are available online.
Astra Lumina
Astra Lumina is returning to Philly to curate another family-friendly, multisensory night walk experience this holiday season. Created by the award-winning studio Moment Factory (known for its collaborations with Billie Eilish, U2, and the Las Vegas Sphere), the one-mile pathway features cosmic light, sound, and projection, and puts on a show where “nature and technology merge to tell the story of visiting stars descending to Earth before rising again to the night sky.”
Housed at the Abington Art Center, Astra Lumina will be open through March of next year. Tickets start at $27 (there are also discounts for large groups) and can be bought online.
515 Meetinghouse Rd, Jenkintown, feverup.com
Morris Arboretum & Gardens
There’s a few ways to see some sparkly showcases at Morris, especially with their annual family favorite, the Holiday Garden Railway. Set to run from Nov. 22 to Dec. 30, the miniature world of model trains, historic buildings, bridges, and more will be decorated with thousands of twinkling lights, and is free with admission from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The venue also had added a 60-foot-long Holiday Tunnel of Lights this year, and the HGR: Nighttime Express. Philadelphians can reserve their spots on the Express ($10-$22, kids younger than 3 get in for free) on select nights this winter.
More information on times, schedules and tickets can be found online.
100 E Northwestern Ave., morrisarboretum.org
Wild Lights at Elmwood Park Zoo
The Elmwood Park Zoo is offering a wild way to enjoy some holiday lights. While there, visitors can peruse through millions of lights and themed pathways, animal-shaped displays and five sparkling lights tunnels.
While at the pop-up attraction at the Zoo, Philadelphians can also have cookies with Mrs. Claus, partake in animal meet and greets, jump in on carousel rides or try seasonal cocktails at the Zoobrew. The activation opens Nov. 21 and will run select nights through Dec. 30. Ticket prices vary (start around $12, kids younger than 3 get in for free), and more information can be found online.
1661 Harding Blvd, Norristown, elmwoodparkzoo.org