Franklin Square Holiday Festival
Holiday fun now until December 31! Franklin Square opens at 10 am daily | Franklin Square Holiday Festival 4 - 8 pm (Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day)
November 25, 2014 (WPVI) -- Experience the magic of the holidays and celebrate traditions new and old at the Franklin Square Holiday Festival. From November 13 - December 31, dazzle in the lights of the Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show; warm up with comfort food, local beers, and hot beverages at Ben's Bites & Brews; and shop for handmade, artisanal gifts at the Holiday Market.
Electrical Spectacle
"Benjamin Franklin's imagination lives on in this amazing light show. Bundle up and take part in this new holiday tradition at Franklin Square." - WHYY NewsWorks
Inspired by Benjamin Franklin's electrifying imagination, the Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show is the key to holiday fun in Franklin Square. Marvel at more than 50,000 lights as they shimmer, dance, and illuminate the Square to a soundtrack of holiday classics performed by The Philly POPS in two alternating shows every 30 minutes (4:30 to 8 pm, November 13 - December 31). Every evening, one lucky audience member will be selected to "ignite" the 4:30 pm show. Visit historicphiladelphia.org to find a list of special guest "igniters."
Philly Mini Golf
Holiday warming stations will keep golfers warm as they putt around the only Philadelphia-themed miniature golf course, featuring the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Ben Franklin Bridge, Chinatown Gate, Liberty Bell, and other landmarks.
Adults: $9, Children 3-12: $7
Parx Liberty Carousel
Hop on this spectacular all-American style carousel playing holiday music through December 31.
Ages 3+: $3 per ride, Children 2 and under: FREE
Lightning Bolt Holiday Express Train
Saturdays & Sundays, November 15 - December 28, plus November 13 & December 31, 4:30 - 7:30 pm
All aboard for a special holiday train ride around the magnificently lit Square!
Adults: $5, Children: $4.
Ben's Bites & Brews
November 13 - December 31, 4 - 8 pm
Warm up in-between light shows with comfort foods and hot beverages. Relax by the outdoor fire pits, and enjoy a selection of seasonal beers at the Barren Hill Brewery Beer Garden presented by Old Eagle Tavern.
Food and beverage available daily. Beer Garden open Thursdays - Sundays; open daily December 26 - 31.
Franklin Square Holiday Market
November 28 - December 23, 4 - 8 pm
Shop for the perfect gift at the Holiday Market, featuring an array of artisan made goods including clothing, jewelry, and toys. The Franklin Square Holiday Market is produced in collaboration with PHAIR.
Franklin Square Holiday Gift Shop
Daily, 4 - 8 pm
Stop in for a selection of gifts to help warm and light up the night including hats, gloves, and LED novelties.
Seasonal Sounds on SUNDAYS
Sundays, November 16 - December 28, 4 - 8 pm
Listen to a collection of seasonal tunes, as performed by local musicians, during selected Electrical Spectacle intermissions. FREE
November 16, 4 - 6 pm: The Valley Choral Society
November 23, 5 - 6 pm: Play on Philly
November 30, 4 - 5 pm: Vicki Rogers, Ms. Senior Pennsylvania
December 7, 4 - 8 pm: The Baldwin Singers
December 21, 4 - 8 pm: A Cappella Pops
Visit historicphiladelphia.org for the latest schedule of performances.
Kids' Craftivity Hour
Mondays - Thursdays, November 13 - December 30, 4 - 5 pm
Bring the kids to Franklin Square to make a variety of FREE holiday-themed crafts.
Homecoming TUESDAYS
Show your local college spirit and join students, alumni, and families for an evening at Franklin Square!
November 18- Pennsylvania State University
December 2 - Drexel University
Ugly Sweater Adoption Extravaganza
Saturday, November 22, 3 - 8 pm
Bring a favorite four-legged friend, both person and pet, dressed in a favorite ugly sweater and join local animal shelters to help find loving homes for some adorable, adoptable pets. Sponsored by Citizens for a No-Kill Philadelphia and the City of Elderly Love Rescue.
Food Truck FRIDAYS
Fridays, November 28 - December 26, 4 - 8 pm
Stop by the Square on Friday evenings and enjoy delicious bites from a revolving list of local food trucks. Visit historicphiladelphia.org for a schedule of participating food trucks.
Santa SATURDAYS
(Sponsored by Di Bruno Bros.)
Milk & Cookies with Santa
Saturdays, November 29 - December 20, 4 -5 pm
Enjoy milk and cookies with Santa as he tells some of his favorite stories in the indoor, heated Pavilion.
Tickets: $10. Available online at historicphiladelphia.org or by phone 215.629.4026.
Jingle & Mingle with Santa
Saturdays, November 29 - December 20, 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Santa returns to Franklin Square to pose for photos and collect wish lists! Be there for Santa's special arrival in the Square on Friday, November 28! FREE
101.1 More FM Holiday Fun Days
More FM, the official radio partner of the Franklin Square Holiday Festival, brings music and games to Franklin Square throughout the season. FREE
Thursday, November 13, 4 - 6 pm: Featuring Jenn & Michael from the More FM Morning Show
Sunday, December 7, 5 - 7 pm
Sunday, December 14, 5 - 7 pm
Sunday, December 21, 5 - 7 pm
Wednesday, December 31, 4 - 6 pm
Kids' New Years Eve Countdown
Wednesday, December 31, 3 - 8 pm
Enjoy music and crafts beginning at 3 pm. Watch the famous SquareBurger Square Drop at 6pm, followed by the SugarHouse New Years Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront, viewable from the Square. The indoor Pavilion will host a Kids' Dance Party and the park will remain open until 8 pm for the final Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show. FREE
Holiday Parties in Franklin Square
Holiday music and dcor, and the Electrical Spectacle Holiday Light Show make Franklin Square the premier venue for corporate, social, and family events! Book your birthday and office parties, or catered dinners, in the indoor, heated Pavilion! Affordable and easy-to-book packages allow you to personalize your event and enjoy all that the Square offers, including Philly Mini Golf and the Parx Liberty Carousel.
Contact events@historicphiladelphia.org or 215-629-5801 ext. 221 to book your event today!
Getting to Franklin Square
PHLASH Holiday Evening Loop
Take the new PHLASH Holiday Evening Loop to Franklin Square from other holiday attractions, November 28 - December 28, 6 - 10 pm! Buses run every 15 minutes. Look for Stop H1 at 7th & Race Streets. $2 per ride, $5 all day ticket. Phillyphlash.com
Parking
Discounted parking is available after 4 pm at the PPA Autopark at Independence Mall, located below the Independence Visitor Center. Entrances are located on 5th and 6th Streets between Arch and Market Streets. Discounted chaser tickets are available at the Franklin Square ticket office. Sun. - Thurs: $7.50, Fri. - Sat.: $5
Visit historicphiladelphia.org or call 215-629-4026 for tickets and information about Franklin Square, the Betsy Ross House, Liberty 360 3D Show in the PECO Theater, and Tippler's Tour: Cheers & Beers.
Franklin Square's Holiday Festival and Electrical Spectacle are funded by a grant from the William Penn Foundation
Special thanks for contributing to Franklin Square's Holiday Festival
William Penn Foundation, IBEW Local 98, MJK, PECO, More FM, 6 ABC, The Philly POPS, Di Bruno Bros., Event Quip
Franklin Square opens at 10 am daily
Franklin Square Holiday Festival 4 - 8 pm
(Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day)
215-629-4026
#electricalspectacle
