There’s more than one way to enjoy the winter season with Franklin Square Park.
The popular destination transforms annually at this time of year into a seasonal wonderland of sorts, with the free Electrical Spectacle Light Show presented by PECO acting as its centerpiece. The show will be accompanied by some returning fan favorites, plus some new activations for this year, with opening day on Nov. 16.
“Historic Philadelphia, Inc. is excited to celebrate the holidays and welcome visitors and residents from across the Greater Philadelphia region [to] Franklin Square’s free holiday light show,” said President and CEO of Historic Philadelphia, Inc. Amy Needle in a statement. “As we plan for 2026, HPI will be working on several exciting capital and programming projects to enhance the visitor experience in Franklin Square.”
New this go-around is the addition of Franklin Square Street Curling. As a release states, curling, the Olympic team sport where players slide stones of granite toward a target on a sheet of ice, has been adapted into a format called Street Curling for anyone to play in the Square this winter. The game is played on an elevated platform where two teams take turns sliding “stones” (rocks) across the curling surface toward the target (The House). At Franklin Square, people can book a 30-minute session for up to 8 players at each of two rinks for $40 per session (which are located next to the Ben On the Rocks heated tent.)
Returning this year is another friendly game, Chilly Philly Mini Golf, which will run until Jan. 26, 2024. The experience returns with both daytime and nighttime sessions available decked out with lights, seasonal music and themed decorations. The 18-hole game features reproductions of Philadelphia icons and landmarks, and locals should note that the fun continues for the month of February when Philly Mini Golf with Love (Feb. 1 – 25) takes over the course. Tickets are $15 for adults/$12 for children (3-12); and free for children under 2.
And the Light Show will act as the backdrop to it all with shows every 30 minutes throughout the winter run in Franklin Square Park beginning at 5 p.m. until closing each night until Jan. 7, 2024.
As a release states, the show’s songs feature ‘All I Want for Christmas is You’ by Mariah Carey, ‘Feliz Navidad’ by José Feliciano; ‘Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a – Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies’ by Tchaikovsky with ‘Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a – Russian Dance’ performed by Charles Dutoit & L’Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal; ‘Sleigh Ride’ performed by Peter Nero and The Philly POPS featuring Ann Hampton Callaway; ‘A Christmas Festival’, performed by Peter Nero and The Philly POPS featuring Ann Hampton Callaway; and ‘Carol of the Bells’ (Starchild Excaliber Drumadelic Remix) performed by the London Festival Orchestra.
Beginning on Jan. 11, ‘Winter Wonderland’ by Johnny Mathis will be the solo song for each show running nightly through Feb. 25, the release also states.
Other nightly activations debuting in the Square include Ben on the Rocks, which boasts a variety of hand-crafted cocktails, classic and spiked hot chocolate, seasonal beers, and wine to be enjoyed by the outdoor fire pits or inside the indoor heated tent beginning at 5 p.m. For food, visitors can also check out SquareBurger, which will be open both during the day and night.
Speaking of daytime activities, Franklin Square Park will be operating the Philly Chilly Mini Golf, carousel ($4 per person, adult or child, but guests 2 years of age and younger are free), plus the playgrounds during those hours for families to enjoy.
Winter will also hold a few special nights at the Square, including Nutcracker Night with the Philadelphia Dance Academy (Nov. 19), a Hanukkah Celebration with Old City Jewish Arts Center (Dec. 10), a Kwanzaa Celebration with the African American Museum in Philadelphia (Dec. 29), Ice Princess Night (Jan. 27), Chinese New Year Celebration (Feb. 10) and more.
Santa himself will also be on-site on select dates (Nov. 24 and 25, Dec. 2, 16, and 23), and there will be a specific “Santa Paws” days for four-legged friends (Dec. 16). And anyone interested can also inquire about hosting corporate and social gatherings for the holiday season.
For more information on Franklin Square Park, visit historicphiladelphia.org
