PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — This week on FYI Philly, we’re spreading holiday cheer with festive, fun things to do and celebrating a tradition that dates back generations.
The Wanamaker Light Show and Dickens Village have been a Philadelphia tradition since 1956 and are open this holiday season.
The free show, held at the former Macy’s, was in jeopardy after the department store closed. Thanks to the leadership of Kathryn Ott Lovell and the generous support from donors, it’s back this year.
Along with the classic display, guests can stroll through Dickens Village to take a picture with Santa and enjoy a bite to eat and a drink from the pop-up, Holly and Humbug.
New this year is a partnership with Christmas Village, where you can shop at over 40 vendors in the grand court while watching the show.
You can hear the Organ live up until December 24, 2025.
Wanamaker Light Show | Facebook | Instagram
100 East Penn Square, Philadelphia, Pa. 19107
LumiNature at the Philadelphia Zoo is a nature-inspired holiday light show, celebrating the holidays with wildlife for its sixth year.
There are over a million twinkling lights and a dozen light zones to experience.
You can interact with strolling animal characters, roast marshmallows by a fire pit, and say hello to Santa in The Lodge.
There are many new attractions this year, like the Enchanted Fairy Forest Zone and a 110-foot-tall Philly Zoo Ferris Wheel.
You can enjoy Luminature’s offerings until January 3rd.
The Philadelphia Zoo| Facebook | Instagram
3400 W. Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. 19104
Holly jolly holiday bars across the area are serving up the spirit of the season.
Taqueria Amor on Main Street in Manayunk has transformed into Señor Christmas, with a theme described as nostalgic kitschiness.
Nearly every inch of space is a celebration of holiday classics like “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas,” and “A Christmas Story.”
If the decor doesn’t get you into the holiday spirt, the spirits will, with options like The Jack Frost with vodka, yoo-hoo, heavy cream, and kailua.
Taqueria Amor | Facebook | Instagram
4410 Main Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19127
Looking for elevated luxury? The mom and daughter team behind The Wine Garden have created a pop-up experience at Suburban Station they call Diamonds and Pearls.
There’s a wall of gilded mirrors, many of them vintage, evoking the building’s iconic facade along with a selfie moment. The first thing you see when you walk in is you.
There’s a menu of light bites and a holiday bar serving curated wines, wine-based cocktails and spiked hot chocolate with toasted marshmallows.
The Wine Garden | Instagram | Diamonds & Pearls Pop-up Reservations
Located inside Suburban Station (street level at the corner of 16th & JFK)
For a truly classic Christmas, head to McGillin’s Old Ale House.
Philadelphia’s oldest bar has a decidedly traditional vibe with red bows and balls and white lights.
The decorations go up right after Halloween and stay through mid-January and there are festive cocktails like the Partridge in a Pear Tree, the holiday version of a vodka cranberry.
The eggnog martini is a perennial favorite, and there’s a build your own poinsettia punch with champagne and cranberry juice.
Holiday food specials include Santa’s Mussels, the Christmas Cobb, and Chicken Pot Pie, which is an old school favorite at McGillin’s that is rarely on the menu.
McGillin’s Old Ale House | Facebook | Instagram
1310 Drury Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19107
For the 11th year, the Rothman Orthopaedics Rink & Cabin are both open, with skate rentals and lockers available.
Located in Dilworth Park, the cabin has been fully re-designed with more TVs, extended seating, and a full-service bar.
There’s also a new menu, with comfort food specialties from turkey pot pie to a giant pretzel charcuterie that’s perfect for sharing.
Just steps away, the Wintergarden offers a touch of nature, perfect for relaxing and taking in the holiday vibes.
The rink and cabin are open 7 days a week, now through February 22nd, 2026. The Wintergarden will stay open through March 15th, 2026.
Dilworth Park | Facebook | Instagram
1 South 15th Street Philadelphia, Pa. 19102
From ice skating to boozy hot chocolates, Vintner Wonderland at Renault Winery is a fun outdoor holiday experience for families to check out this winter.
Now through January 19th, the grounds are filled with activities for all ages.
The ice rink is surrounded by chalets, firepits and igloos are available as well. Louie’s Lounge is like a lodge, with a bar, selfie spots, and Santa’s Workshop.
Vintner Wonderland’s food truck specialties are just the start, with a full-service restaurant, Taste 1864, just steps away.
Guests can also browse vendor huts, a Festival of Trees, and at the center of it all is a holiday tree made of wine barrels.
Renault Winery & Resort | Facebook | Instagram
72 North Bremen Avenue Egg Harbor City, N.J. 08215
Montgomery County is home to one of the country’s largest malls with King of Prussia, but it also boasts a collection of walkable main streets and shopping business districts like the Philadelphia Premium Outlets and Suburban Square. There is an assortment of shopping options for the holiday season.
Valley Forge Tourism | Facebook | Instagram
The King of Prussia Mall has nearly 450 shops, 50 eateries and some of the best brands in the world.
Eataly just opened its first location in the area at the mall providing everything authentic Italian from wine to cheese and guests can find gifts or grab a bite to eat on the go or at the sit down restaurant inside.
King of Prussia Mall | Facebook | Instagram
160 North Gulph Road, King of Prussia, Pa. 19406
Eataly | Facebook | Instagram
160 North Gulph Road, King of Prussia, Pa. 19406
The King of Prussia Mall is also home to Netflix House, the first in the world with immersive entertainment that takes you inside some of the streamers top shows.
You can play miniature golf with obstacles from favorite titles, there is a shop to find swag and you can walk through the world of Wednesday in a killer carnival setting.
Netflix House | Facebook | Instagram
180 North Gulph Road, King of Prussia, Pa. 19406
Glencairn Museum is a step back in time. A castle that was once a family home is now a museum.
Christmas at Glencairn features many of the family’s traditions, artwork and antiquities from the historic site.
The museum also hosts the World Nativities exhibition with a collection of nativities that depicts the birth of Jesus in different scenes from different cultures.
Glencairn Museum | Facebook | Instagram
1001 Cathedral Road #0757, Bryn Athyn, Pa. 19009
The Philadelphia Auto Show Black Tie Tailgate Gala has been a fundraiser for Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for 40 years.
It has raised more than $10 million for the hospital. Over the last 7 years the event has donated more than $3 million dollars to the nursing department at CHOP. The relationship has offered learning and growth for nurses at the hospital and opportunities for growth.
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the partnership, the Auto Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia provided two tickets to the exclusive event on January 30, 2026 for seven nurses who have worked at the hospital for more than 40 years.
The nurses will attend the event and get free parking and a hotel room compliments of the Auto Dealers Caring for kids Foundation.
Philadelphia Auto Show | Facebook | Instagram
Runs January 31 – February 8, 2026
Tickets for the Black Tie Tailgate Gala | January 30, 2026
Be part of the magic as the Philadelphia Orchestra presents Disney’s “Fantasia in Concert.”
“We’re going to show the film live and the orchestra will play along to the score,” says Ryan Fleur, CEO of the Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts.
It features excerpts from both the original movie and the 2000 sequel. Musical highlights include Beethoven and Tchaikovsky.
The orchestra is going to recreate the experience of the films to celebrate their 125th anniversary.
The Philadelphia Orchestra presents Disney’s “Fantasia in Concert” January 2 – 4 at the Kimmel’s Marian Anderson Hall.
Philadelphia Orchestra – Disney’s “Fantasia in Concert” | Link to Tickets at Marian Anderson Hall
300 S. Broad Street Philadelphia, Pa. 19102
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