-Courtesy of Aversa PR & Events
Philadelphia’s top neighborhoods, main streets and business districts are back with the biggest and best Christmas and holiday tree lightings in the region. Santa, Betsy Ross, Cinderella and a cast of holiday characters are about to wave their wand, descend from firetrucks and meet all the families as they help light trees around the city. Each celebration will feature family fun, photo opportunities, special dignitaries and tons of holiday cheer. Manayunk kicks off the season with their tree lighting on Main Street on Thursday, November 16th – and festivities continue into December with Roxborough on Friday, December 8, 2023. Please check local times and websites for any changes to programs and final lighting times.
1) Manayunk Tree Lighting Ceremony + Debut of Manayunk Gets Lit
Thursday, November 16, 2023
By Manayunk Development Corporation
Canal View Park, 4418 Main Street
Festivities start 5:30pm and runs to 7:15pm
Manayunk lights up for the holidays with their annual tree-lighting ceremony! Head to Canal View Park (4418 Main Street) from 5:30pm to 7:15pm where Manayunk Development Corporation will host special guests and live performances by The City Belles, Maggie Mae, Koser, and Santa. The night will bring tons of festive family fun as guests will be able to write letters to Santa and meet/ greet the big man himself! Santa will arrive on a Fire Truck from Engine 12. There are rumors its going to be a white Christmas with some snow…so get ready for a Manayunk winter wonderland! November 16 also marks the official launch of the 4th annual Manayunk Gets LIT decorating competition between 50+ businesses in the district. After the celebration and the tree lighting, guests, neighbors and visitors are invited to walk up and down Main Street to take in the lights. Make sure to stop by Taqueria Amor for the Senor Grinch Christmas Pop-up – that also opens the same night.
Tree Lighting Schedule
5:30pm SJU City Belles (live music)
5:30pm Family Fun and REAL Snow (New this year!)
5:45pm Sankta arrives on fire truck from Engine 12
6:00pm Maggie Mae (live music)
6:30pm Koser (live music)
7:00pm Tree Lighting Ceremony
7:15pm Get Lit shines down Main Street, Santa heads to North Pole
2) Northern Liberties Tree Lighting Ceremony and Party
Tuesday, November 28, 2023, 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Presented by Glu Hospitality, Northern Liberties Business Improvement District and Aversa PR
Figo Ristorante, 1033 N. 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA
https://www.explorenorthernliberties.org/events/
Glu Hospitality, Northern Liberties Business Improvement District and Aversa PR present the lighting of the Northern Liberties Christmas Tree. The giant live Christmas tree will arrive on N. 2nd Street and light up the Northern Liberties Restaurant Row on Tuesday, November 28th, with a lighting ceremony, celebration and igloo grand opening party from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. The family-friendly ceremony and program will include the Beauty and the Beast Princess by A Dash of Magic Events, a special music performance, invited guests and more. Representatives from North Liberties Neighborhood Association will be on hand collecting toys, items and donations for Operation Santa. Glu Hospitality will have complimentary hot cocoa, coffee and cookies from Bagels and Co., and offer complimentary pizza samples from Figo Pizzeria. Glu will also offer a special thank you take-away for those that donate to Operation Santa and the NLNA. Other merchants will be on hand with surprises and giveaways.
3) Historic Holidays Tree Lighting Presented by The Ryland
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
By Old City District and Betsy Ross House
Betsy Ross House Courtyard, 239 Arch Street
Festivities 5:30pm to 6:30pm
The seventh annual Historic Holidays in Old City Tree Lighting presented by The Ryland will take place on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, with festivities starting at 5:30pm and Santa arriving by fire truck at 6:00pm at the Betsy Ross House courtyard (239 Arch Street). The celebration will feature musical and dance performances, special guests including Santa and Betsy Ross, and a holiday tree designed by Old City’s Petit Jardin en Ville, a Parisian Florist and Garden Designer! Live performances will include Philadelphia Dance Academy and experts from the The Nutcracker and holiday songs from Upper Darby High School Encore Singers. Dignitaries will include Philadelphia City Representative Sheila Hess, District 1 Councilman Mark Squilla, Betsy Ross House Director Lisa Acker, State Senator Nikil Saval and others to be announced.
4) East Passyunk Annual Tree Lighting
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
By East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District
Located at the Singing Fountain – Tasker and EPA
Festivities start at 5:30pm
East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District and Passyunk Avenue Revitalization Corporation invite you to kick off the holidays at the Annual East Passyunk Christmas Tree Lighting on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 with festivities starting at 5:30pm. The lighting of the Christmas Tree is the kick-off to the Deck the Ave month-long holiday campaign on East Passyunk. Head to South Philadelphia to one of the largest neighborhood celebrations in the city as East Passyunk closes the streets around the famous Singing Fountain. Santa will arrive and help light the tree and take photos with children of all ages. Come ready to sing along with live carolers, and watch for special guests and dignitaries on the stage. Music performances will include Coppin Home Band, Quaker City String Band and more. After look for other events to Deck the Avenue that night and all month long. Plus, make reservations to dine at the Avenue’s award-winning restaurants and shop the amazing array of diverse retail options.
5) Evil Genius Beer Company Fishtown Tree Lighting
Thursday, November 30, 2023, from 6:00pm to 9:00pm, lighting 7:30pm
Evil Genius Beer Company
1727 N Front St, Philadelphia, PA 19122
Philadelphia’s most festive brewery Evil Genius Beer Company is back with all its festive glory at The Lab in Fishtown, at 1727 N Front St, Philadelphia, PA 19122. Celebrate the start of the official season on Thursday, November 30th with a Evil Genius Beer Company Tree Lighting Party titled Twas an Evil Christmas, which is open to the public, from 6:00pm to 9:00pm, with the tree lighting at 7:30pm. Evil Genius will light up the nearly 20 foot tree inside, and feature decorations across the The Lab for the holidays. While Santa may be making an appearance earlier in the month, this day is the official celebration for the return of Evil Genius Beer Company’s famous holiday beer, Santa!! I Know Him! which is a festive Saison, 7.2% ABV, now in cans everywhere Evil Genius is sold. Look for live music, Christmas carols, over-the-top decorations, photo stations and other surprises – and of course the tapping of America’s #1 Santa beer!
6) Roxborough Tree Lighting Ceremony and Happy Holidays from Rox Kick-Off
Friday, December 8, 2023 – Tree Lighting at 5:30pm
Friday to Sunday – Holidays from Rox – All three days
Presented by Roxborough Development Corporation
Roxborough Pocket Park (6170 and 6174 Ridge Avenue)
Happy Holidays from Rox expanded this year to a 3-day holiday event with a NEW indoor pop-up market beginning Friday, December 8 -10th 2023 at the Roxborough Pocket Park (6170 and 6174 Ridge Avenue). Over 20 unique crafters, artists, treats, and beverages will fill the space next to the park (previously the Royal Bargain Dollar Store). A tree lighting ceremony will kick off the weekend at 5:30pm with five brilliantly lit Douglas fir trees matching the muralled walls of the park on Friday night. Two of these trees will serve as wishing trees, inviting children to decorate wooden ornaments and inscribe their heartfelt wishes. Look for live music provided by Watershed Church. Thank you to sponsors for helping make this event possible, MGMT Residential, Independence Blue Cross, Baker Street Partners, Acme, Renewal by Andersen, and Power Home Remodeling.
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