Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show at Franklin Square

Holiday Light Show at Franklin Square

‘Magical Holiday Enchantment for Kids of All Ages’ 

Lights take over Franklin Square during this festive 2019 holiday season!

The Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show at Franklin Square, November 14 to December 31, is one holiday attraction for the whole family to enjoy and not miss. This holiday light show features an unexpected design (no Christmas trees here…) which honors the legacy of Benjamin Franklin with a giant kite and key of lights, and over 80,000 LED lights choreographed to dance in unison to holiday music from The Philly Pops.

This free attraction features a 10-foot-tall kite made of lights that sparkle and spread down a custom 250-foot kite string and hundreds of feet of holiday garlands, which will cover the Square.

Weather permitting, these lights are set to dazzle you eight times daily, every 30 minutes, between 4:30 to 8:00 pm Sunday through Thursday and until 9:00 pm Fridays and Saturdays. You can experience two different seven-minute shows that will alternate throughout each evening.

The holiday light show isn’t the only attraction at Franklin Square. The kids can ride the carousel, play Philly-themed mini golf, enjoy Santa, food from SquareBurger, dine on seasonal fare from some of Philly’s best food trucks and enjoy local beers daily from 4:00 to 8:00 pm and until 9 pm on Friday’s and Saturday’s.

During this holiday light show, guests can decorate gingerbread, make your own s’mores, cuddle up with a winter libation or gourmet hot chocolate by the firepits, and take a ride on the Parx Liberty Carousel. With Santa and the princesses from Frozen and much more, there are plenty of nights of fun ahead. 

In addition to the Parx Liberty Carousel and Philly Mini Golf, additional holiday entertainment includes #FranklinSquareFridays, The Grinch, Thankful Friday, the arrival of Santa Claus, Star Wars, The Nutcracker, Frozen, Hanukkah/Kwanzas Celebration, Santa Saturdays, Seasonal Sounds on Sundays, Jingle and Mingle with Santa, Santa PAWS, Lightning Bolt Holiday Express train rides around the Square, and the traditional family-friendly Kid’s New Year’s Eve Countdown and Dance Party.

Opening Night of the Franklin Square Holiday Festival ~ Nov 14

Thursday, November 14 starting at 4:30 pm: Join Historic Philadelphia, Inc. to open the Holiday Festival with tastes of everything to come this season. Greet Ben Franklin, take a ride on the Lightning Bolt Holiday Express Train, and try out Ben’s Sweets & Treats. Musicians from The Philly Pops® and The Philly POPS® Festival Chorus entertain the crowd and help countdown to lighting the first showing of the Franklin Square Electrical Spectacle presented by PECO at 5 pm. Benjamin Franklin, The Grinch, and Frozen Princesses will be joining the celebration, and SquareBurger will also debut its seasonal additions to the menu. The Franklin Square Holiday Festival kicks off the Historic District Days and Nights with tree lightings, menorah lightings, celebrations, and shopping, culminating with the Rivers Casino New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront. The Historic District Holiday Present Pass Powered by PECO is the ticket to festive fun this holiday season.

Bonus: A volunteer from the audience will be selected to “ignite” the 4:30 pm show each day.

For all special events during the electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show, click here.

Lightning Bolt Holiday Express

Take a ride on Franklin Square’s Lightning Bolt Holiday Express, a fun train ride around the square on Saturdays and Sundays from November 10 thru December 30 from 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm. Tickets for this ride cost $5 for adults and $4 for children.

FREE Selfie Photos With Santa – There will be visits from Santa on Friday, November 29 and Saturdays from November 30 through December 21 from 4 pm – 5 pm for photos, along with holiday music and special activities. 

Winter Beer Garden ( nightly)

Relax by the outdoor fire pits and enjoy a variety of seasonal beverages, local craft beers, wine, and specialty cocktails.

Kids’ New Year’s Eve Countdown

Tuesday, December 31, 4 – 8 pm

FREE – The final night of the Franklin Square Holiday Festival concludes with the most family-friendly New Year’s celebration in town! Enjoy music and crafts beginning at 4 pm before the Square Drop from atop SquareBurger at 6 pm and Rivers Casino New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront, viewable from the Square. The indoor Franklin Square Pavilion will host a Kids’ Dance Party until 8 pm for the final Electrical Spectacle of 2019. 

2019 Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show at Franklin Square

Location

Franklin Square
200 N 6th St (6th & Race Streets)
Philadelphia, PA 19176

Dates

November 14 – December 31, 2019
Closed Thanksgiving Day & Christmas Day

*Please note: there is no 4:30 show on November 14, and no 6:00 show on December 31.

Hours (for light show) – Park opens at 4 pm

Monday – Thursday  |  4:30 pm – 8:00 pm  |  Alternating shows every 30 minutes
Friday & Saturday  |  4:30 pm – 9:00 pm  |  Alternating shows every 30 minutes

Cost

Free to attend the light show – Pay-As-You-Go

Web Site

Photo by Jeff Fusco for Historic Philadelphia, Inc

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