Take a Festive Weekend Getaway to Philadelphia & Longwood Gardens

Do you ever need a bit of inspiration to get ready for the holidays? A holiday, weekend getaway with dazzling lights, an outdoor holiday market, and gorgeous plants and flowers in all their seasonal glory might be just the inspiration you need! That’s exactly what we found during a December getaway to Philadelphia and Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania. The city sparkles with the scenes of the season during the holidays. The festivities kick off with the arrival of Santa at the end of the oldest Thanksgiving parade in the country, then move into high gear with holiday light displays and seasonal outdoor shopping. Once you’ve taken it all in, leave the city behind for an afternoon/evening stroll at Longwood Gardens, home to the magical A Longwood Christmas. It’s a December weekend getaway sure to put you in the holiday spirit!
*Updated for 2024

So what exactly is there to do in Philadelphia during the holidays? First off, head to LOVE Park and City Hall for an authentic Christmas Village experience. Find rows upon rows of wooden stalls filled with unique gifts, traditional holiday ornaments, handmade items, and much more. Kids can take a ride on the Christmas Village Carousel or the Kids Train. Grab a mug of traditional German glühwein (mulled wine) or spend time at the German Beer Garden. For 2024, the hours are noon to 8 p.m., November 23rd through December 24th.

If you are in the market for local goods, the Made in Philadelphia Market also takes place in nearby Dilworth Park on the west side of City Hall. That market will be open November 15th through January 1st. Once the holiday markets are closed, the Wintergarden on the Greenfield Lawn at Dilworth Park continues to sparkle, typically through March. 

Another way to take in the festivities is to book the Philadelphia Holiday Tour with Tours by Foot. We love the name-your-own-price tour model, and have enjoyed their walking tours in cities around the country. Our Philadelphia Holiday Tour guide certainly impressed us with her skills in getting around the city during the busy holiday season and in the middle of a parade! Reading Terminal Market, the Macy’s window displays, the dazzling light show at City Hall, and the Comcast Holiday Spectacular on a large, outdoor screen were all part of the tour.

If you want something more high-spirited, the Holiday Light Trolley Tour with Founding Footsteps will have you singing along with local musicians as you travel by trolley to see holiday lights around the city. If you don’t take a tour, you still might want to check out South Philly’s Miracle on South 13th Street for the over-the-top light displays. 

While no details have been released yet for 2024, typically the Grand Court at Macy’s Center City is home to the Christmas Light Show at Macy’s Center City. Macy’s is located in the Wanamaker Building, designated a National Historic Landmark, where you can hear the historic Wanamaker Organ; check the website for the latest hours for the Christmas Light Show. In past years, no tickets were necessary, unless you want to visit the Dickens Village on the 3rd floor. 

Other outdoor winter activities can be found throughout Philadelphia, including ice skating at Dilworth Park around City Hall. Plus each winter the Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest sets up along the Delaware River. Kids of all ages will want to bundle up for ice skating, festive lights, firepits, food, and games. Make an advanced reservation specifically for skating or to use a cozy cabin. 

No trip to Philadelphia would be complete without a visit to one of the delicious local bakeries. Use this guide to find 20 Holiday Food Traditions in Philadelphia and plan to pick up one of your favorite holiday treats before you leave!  
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No matter what time of year you visit, it’s always a good time to take a stroll through the historic district. Start at the free, Independence Visitor Center. For a dose of history without a formal tour, download the National Park app and take one of the Independence National Historical Park’s self-guided tours. If you don’t have time to wait in line to see the Liberty Bell, peek in the side window for a glance. 

The Motto By Hilton Philadelphia Rittenhouse Square is an easy walk to City Hall and the outdoor markets. We’ve stayed there twice during recent visits; the rooms are compact and perfect if you are going to be spending most of your time out and about. They offer rooms with bunk beds, and a parking garage just across the street (like other cities, parking is not cheap in Philadelphia).  

When you finish exploring the city, head to beautiful  Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square. A visit  during the holiday season is sure to put you in a festive mood! From downtown Philadelphia, it takes about an hour by car to get there. Plan now for A Longwood Christmas happening between November 22, 2024 and January 12, 2025 (from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.) Timed entry tickets are required. Be sure to make advanced reservations as the evening time slots fill up quickly during the holiday season. 

The Conservatory is full-on festive, with beautiful displays of poinsettias, evergreens, other seasonal plants, flowers, and holiday decorations. It was beautiful during our early afternoon visit and sparkles in the evening light. The grounds are expansive, with gardens spread out among six districts. Don’t miss the illuminated performances at the Main Fountain Garden or the fun Topiary Garden. 
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When darkness falls, the gardens come alive with a half million lights illuminating the way. Carolers and other musicians will perform outdoors select evenings during A Longwood Christmas. Plan to spend at least a few hours roaming the grounds and enjoying the gardens. 

If you don’t have a car, you may be able to book a tour from Philadelphia with transportation through a site like Viator. Plenty of hotels are within 10 miles of the Longwood Gardens including the  Inn at Mendenhall and the Hampton Inn & Suites Chadds Ford.