It's Christmas Time in the City!

Ahh, there is nothing like Christmas in the city. Something about the hustle and bustle, the decorated store windows, and numerous festivals and events that to make the holidays feel extra special. A favorite family tradition of ours is to visit Philadelphia to get into holiday mood! The magic of Christmas is always around and will leave everyone smiling and feeling festive.

The Macy's Grand Court Light Show 
13th and Market Street
Show is every hour on the hour
FREE 
http://www.wanamakerorgan.com/xmas.php 
Friday, Nov. 25 - Friday, Dec. 23: 10am-8pm
Saturday, December 24th: 10am-5pm Christmas Day: Closed
Monday, Dec. 26-Friday, Dec. 30: 10am-7pm
Saturday, December 31: 10am-5pm.
Crowds are thinner Mon.-Thurs. and after 4pm Fri. thru. Sun. 

A perfect family outing, the Christmas Light Show and Wanamaker Organ Concert at Macy’s is a Philadelphia tradition that dates back half a century. Come to the famous Center City store — housed in the historic Wanamaker Building — to watch snowflakes, ballerinas and reindeer float beyond the four-story-high velvet curtain of the Grand Court atrium. During the light show, more than 100,000 bright, energy-efficient LED lights combine to create fantastic holiday images. The lighting display is accompanied by festive music from the world-renowned Wanamaker Grand Organ.

Dicken's Village at Macy's
13th and Market St.
3rd Floor (Holiday Lane)
FREE
http://www.wanamakerorgan.com/xmas.php  
Friday, Nov. 25 - Friday, Dec. 23: 10am-7pm
Saturday, December 24: 10am-5pm
Christmas Day, December 25: Closed
Monday, Dec. 26 - Friday, Dec. 30: 10am-7pm
Saturday, December 31: 10am-5pm.

A Philadelphia tradition for more than 20 years, the third floor of Macy’s is transformed into “Dickens Village” for the holiday season. The 6,000-square-foot Village brings Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol to life with more than 100 fully animated figures reenacting 26 of the story’s most memorable moments.

The Comcast Holiday Spectacular 2011
1701 John F Kennedy Blvd
One Comcast Center
10-8pm, on weekdays it is until 5pm
Show runs every hour on the hour, lasting 15 minutes
FREE
http://www.visitphilly.com/museums-attractions/philadelphia/the-comcast-holiday-spectacular/ 

A holiday spectacle unlike any other! It is shown on the state-of-the-art Comcast Experience Video Wall and is filled with sights and sounds of the season. New this year, enjoy scenes from George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker” performed by the renowned Pennsylvania Ballet along with updated scenes of the holiday.
The Holiday Spectacular also features a magical sleigh ride through the snow covered Pennsylvania countryside, the majestic sounds of a 64-piece orchestra, and more.

 
The Reading Terminal Holiday Railroad
12th & Arch Streets
Friday, November 25 – Saturday, December 31
Open Monday-Saturday, 10am-6pm & Sundays 10am-5pm
Closed Christmas Day
Location: Piano Court in the Market
FREE
http://www.readingterminalmarket.org/events/

Kids and adults alike will delight in this 500 sq.f. model railroad display with almost a third of a mile of track! Twelve working train lines rumble through a multitude of miniature scenery including Center City Philly, a Christmas Village, and snow-covered countryside.

Christmas Village
1500 Arch Street, LOVE Park

November 24 – December 24, 2011
Sunday-Thursday  11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Friday-Saturday  11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
FREE
http://www.philachristmas.com/28-0-About.html

Philadelphia will once again transform into European wonderland during the third annual Christmas Village at Love Park. More than 50 vendors from all over the world will occupy over 80 quaint, wooden booths for the month-long Christmas Village at Love Park. Browse for the perfect gift, like Christmas ornaments from Germany; enjoy European food, sweets and drinks, such as Bratwurst and “Lebkuchen (gingerbread); and watch to performances from area bands, dance groups and more.Don’t Miss the massive Kathe Wohlfarhrt tent features popular Christmas gifts from Germany, including glass ornaments, music boxes, nutcrackers and incense smokers.