The best holiday light shows in the Philly region

The holiday season is in full swing, with town halls across the region lighting their Christmas trees, prepping for Hanukkah, and kicking off Kwanzaa events this week.

One simple way to get in the spirit? Visit one of the many holiday light shows, from neighborly displays to events steeped in decades of history and nostalgia.

Philadelphia and its suburbs offer plenty of options. Here are some of the best.

A decades-old holiday tradition, the Macy’s holiday light show is a nostalgic symphony of more than 100,000 LED lights free to the public daily. What makes Center City Macy’s so magic is the melodies booming throughout the cathedral-like department store from the century-old Wanamaker pipe organ, one of the largest in the world. Enjoy the massive light show Monday through Saturday at 10:30 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m. 6 p.m., and on Sunday at noon, 2 p.m., and 4 p.m.

🕒 Through Dec. 31, Daily, various times, 💵 Free,📍1300 Market St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19107, 🌐 macys.com

Nothing spreads holiday spirit more than neighbors coming together to remind us what it’s all about. Since the ‘90s, residents of the 1600 block of S. 13th Street in East Passyunk transform their street into a Christmas light show spectacular, so impressive it’s a miracle anyone gets sleep with the LED light strung on every home (just kidding, lights go off at 10 p.m.). The attraction is available daily to stroll or drive through but Santa, the Grinch, and friends will be on the block every Dec. 14 and Dec. 21 from 6-8 p.m.

🕒 Through Jan. 1, Daily, 5-10 p.m., 💵 Free,📍 1700 S. 13th St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19148, 📷 @themiracleonsouth13thstreet

Celebrate the holidays with a Winter in Franklin Square, a park older than the Declaration of Independence, where each year The Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show illuminates the plaza alongside classic Christmas songs. New this year is the addition of The Philly Specials' Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) to the light show soundtrack which features Eagles players Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata and former Eagle Jason Kelce.

🕒 Through Feb 23., various times, 💵 Free,📍200 N. 6th St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 historicphiladelphia.org

Philly’s telecommunications giant is bringing two immersive attractions this year. Each day The Comcast Holiday Spectacular at the Comcast Center wows visitors with light shows at the top of every hour. Inside the Comcast Technology Center right around the corner is a newly released cinematic experience, “DreamWorks' Shrek’s Festive Flight‚” which tells the story of Shrek, Donkey, and Gingy’s journey from Philadelphia to the North Pole Bakery.

🕒 Through Jan. 3, Daily, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., 💵 Free,📍1701 JFK Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19103, 🌐 comcastcentercampus.com

This regional credit union gives back during the holidays with a 400,000 light display accompanied by 40-foot Christmas trees, hundreds of wreaths, and more. Stroll through American Heritage’s campus where you can take family photos, enjoy the displays, and take in the winter night air.

🕒 Through Jan. 1, Daily at dusk, 💵 Free,📍2060 Red Lion Rd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19115, 🌐 americanheritagecu.org

Bucks County’s all-in-one holiday shopping experience and attraction is back to bring smiles to all who visit. Peddlers Village is adorned with thousands of lights throughout the colonial-style village with dozens of shops and restaurants connected by brick walkways. The annual Gingerbread displays will feature 125 gingerbread creations and the tunnel of lights is the Instagrammable photo of the season.

🕒 Through Jan. 18, Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.-7 p.m., 💵 Free,📍100 Peddlers Village, Lahaska, Pa. 18931, 🌐 peddlersvillage.com

Clark Griswold would be proud of his estranged West Chester relatives’ over-the-top holiday display. Known as the West Chester Griswolds, this family leaves no square inch undecorated, covering their home and property with thousands of LED lights, glowing figurines, nativity scenes, and, if you’re lucky, a glimpse of Santa Claus peeking from the window. Each year, they turn their dazzling display into a charitable effort, raising $400 for the Hearing Loss Association of America in 2023. Don’t forget to tune your car radio to 87.9 FM to enjoy the synchronized light-and-music show.

🕒 Through Jan. 1, Mon.-Thurs. 4:45 p.m.-9:45 p.m., Fri.-Sun. 4:45 p.m.-10:15 p.m., 💵 Free,📍304 Dutton Mill Rd., West Chester, Pa. 19380, 🌐 westchestergriswolds.com

The Harnishfegers on Colonial Drive transform their Bucks County home into Danny DeVito’s from Deck the Halls, equipped with Pixel technology to sync holiday music to the thousands of LED lights and a projector that displays animations across the entire house. So bright, you could swear satellites see it from space. Donations will be go to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s toy drive.

🕒 Through Jan. 1, Daily, 5 p.m.-10 p.m., 💵 Free,📍155 Colonial Dr., Langhorne, Pa. 19047, 🌐 facebook.com/ColonialLights

Herr’s, the nationwide snack brand headquartered in Philly’s backyard of Chester County, invites families and friends to enjoy the free drive-through holiday lights show. More than 600,000 lights are on display throughout Herr’s corporate campus. Visitors should stay in their cars at all time while driving through the show.

🕒 Through Jan. 5, Daily, 5 p.m.-7 a.m., 💵 Free,📍20 Herr Drive Nottingham, PA 19362, 🌐 herrs.com/visit-us/community-events

Visit Rose Tree Park anytime during the holiday season for a serene stroll through brightly-colored illuminated trees at night. But, on Dec. 5, Dec. 7-8, and Dec. 14-15, enjoy food trucks, vendor markets, and live entertainment with Delco Fare and Flair Nights. Friendly, leashed dogs are welcome.

🕒 Through Jan. 4, Daily, 5 p.m.-10 p.m., 💵 Free,📍1671 N. Providence Rd., Media, Pa. 19063, 🌐 delcopa.gov

Manayunk businesses are bringing the holiday cheer with more than 80,000 lights lining Main Street—and some friendly rivalry in the annual Manayunk Gets Lit Competition. Stroll through the hillside neighborhood to enjoy festive eats, drinks, and shopping while casting your vote for the “Best Overall,” “Most Lit,” and “Most Creative” light displays. Voting runs through Dec. 17, with winners announced Dec. 18. Participants will also be entered for a chance to win a $200 Manayunk shopping spree. The lights shine daily, but for an extra festive experience, hop aboard the free Jolly Trolley for tours of the displays Thursday through Saturday, now through Dec. 21.

🕒 Through Dec. 31, Daily, 💵 Free,📍Main Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19127, 🌐 manayunk.com

In Philadelphia’s historic district, December is a nonstop holiday celebration with street events, holiday shopping, menorah lighting, light shows, and more. On the Old City District’s website at oldcitydistrict.org is a full schedule of events to attend. Don’t miss the Historic Holiday Tree at the Betsy Ross House.

🕒 Through Jan. 1, Various dates and times, 💵 Free-$100+ depending on event,📍239 Arch St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 oldcitydistrict.org

The 30-minute trek to Sicklerville, N.J. is worth it for this award-winning mile-long drive-through holiday light show, marketplace, and Ferris wheel. Glow at Washington Township is one of the largest light displays in the region with 8 million animated lights synced to music playing through the car radio, and it’s the most costly starting at $40 per car.

🕒 Through Jan. 5, Daily, Sun.-Thurs. 5 p.m.-9 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 5 p.m.-10 p.m., 💵 $40-$75 per vehicle,📍217 Berlin - Cross Keys Rd., Sicklerville, N.J. 08081, 🌐 visitglow.com

Bring the family to West Chester where live music, markets, Santa Claus, and professional gingerbread competitions are happening every weekend. Free to the public and perfect for families, each weekend will feature different events that will bring revelers across the region to the illuminated streets and businesses of West Chester. Find a full schedule of events and promotions at greaterwestchester.com.

🕒 Through Jan. 1, Various times, 💵 Free,📍137 N. High St., West Chester, Pa. 19380, 🌐 greaterwestchester.com