Experience Holiday Lights - and Detours!
November 30, 2022
The Philadelphia Holiday Experience is the home of new and traditional holiday experiences throughout the Greater Philadelphia region. From dazzling light shows and a show-stopping tree lighting celebration to a diverse nighttime holiday parade, waterfront fireworks, menorah lightings, and more – Philadelphia has something for everyone during the holiday season, no matter what holidays you observe. The Philly Holiday Experience’s mission is to promote Philadelphia as a must-visit destination during the holiday season – for area residents and visitors alike – with no shortage of holiday fun happening throughout the city. For more information visit phillyholidayexperience.com.
The Philadelphia Holiday Experience culminates with the show-stopping holiday tree lighting celebration on Thursday, December 1 at 7PM on the Wawa Holiday Plaza located at the northside of City Hall. Guests are encouraged to come as early as 6PM for free giveaways. The celebration will also be broadcast live exclusively on 6abc. More details on the tree lighting ceremony can be found online. To get here on SEPTA - hop the Market-Frankford Line or Trolley Routes 10, 11, 13, 34 & 36 to 15th Street, the Broad Street Line to City Hall, Bus Routes 2, 17, 33, 38, 44, 48, 124 or 125 (watch for detours) or Regional Rail to Suburban Station. Plan your trip HERE.
The holiday programming continues Saturday, December 3 with the VISIT PHILADELPHIA® Holiday Parade celebrating all winter holidays – Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and the Chinese New Year. The parade will kick off at 5PM at 2nd and Market Streets and end at City Hall. Parade-goers are encouraged to enjoy the parade all along the Market Street route. More details on the parade programming can be found online. We recommend hopping Regional Rail to Jefferson Station, the Market-Frankford Line to 2nd, 5th, 8th, 11th, or 13th Street Stations, Trolley to 13th Street, or Broad Street Line to City Hall Station to get a prime spot along the path! Plan your trip HERE.
Road closures and parking restrictions will be necessary in the vicinity of the event venue as dictated by conditions. Residents and visitors should always obey posted signs and instructions from the Philadelphia Police Department.
Below is a summary of planned SEPTA detours that will be in effect during the Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Parade.
Thursday, December 1
SEPTA Bus Routes 4 and 16 will be detoured from their regular routes beginning at 3PM on Thursday, December 1 through approximately 12AM on Friday, December 2.
SEPTA Bus Routes 17, 31, 32, 33, 38, 44, 48, and 124/125 will be detoured from their regular routes beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 1 through approximately 9PM.
Service is subject to change. Customers should refer to System Status for updates to routing throughout the day.
Saturday, December 3
SEPTA Bus Routes 5, 17, 21, 33, 42, and 48 will be detoured from their regular routes beginning at 9AM on Saturday, December 3 through approximately 7:30PM.
SEPTA Bus Routes 4, 16, 23, 27, 31, 32, 38, 44, 45, 47, 47M, 57, 61, and 124/125 will be detoured from their regular routes beginning at 4PM on Saturday, December 3 through approximately 7:30PM.
Service is subject to change. Customers should refer to System Status for updates to routing throughout the day.
SEPTA detour information and updates or changes to service will be published on SEPTA’s System Status page. Customers can also use TransitView on the SEPTA app to see current bus status.
Have fun - and don't forget KIDS UNDER 12 RIDE FREE!
