Winter in Franklin Square Lights Up Old City with 200,000 Lights for 2022/2023

The Experience

The seasonal Franklin Square outdoor holiday event features special events, activities and more. What’s in store for visitors? Twinkling lights, magical mini-golf and plenty of holiday fun.

Electrical Spectacle Light Show

Winter in Franklin Square’s centerpiece attraction is the free Electrical Spectacle Light Show presented by PECO , illuminating the historic park with more than 200,000 lights that twinkle to a soundtrack of seasonal tunes nightly with shows every 30 minutes from 5 pm until closing.

— Photo by J. Fusco for Historic Philadelphia, Inc.

Visitors can’t miss the enormous kite that serves as an ode to Benjamin Franklin’s famous kite-and-lightning experiment, hovering above the square’s centerpiece fountain. LED lights dance to music all along the kite, spreading a holiday glow throughout the park.

Mini-Golf, Carousel & Ben’s Sweets and Treats

Decked with lights and winter characters, the 18-hole Chilly Philly Mini-Golf course showcases Philly landmarks such as the Liberty Bell and the Chinatown Friendship Gate.

Guests can also take a spin on the nearby Parx Liberty Carousel and enjoy classic holiday tunes as they go round.

— Photo by J. Fusco for Historic Philadelphia, Inc.

In between all that fun, folks can relax at Ben’s Sweets and Treats , which serves comfort foods, local beers and toasty beverages (including spiked hot chocolate!). Outdoor fire pits and an indoor heated tent are available for seating and hanging out.

Seasonal Events

Franklin Square celebrates the holidays with special programming every year, including:

• Santa on Black Friday (November 25, 2022)
• Hanukkah Celebration (date TBA)
• Jingle and Mingle with Santa (December 3, 10 & 17, 2022)
• Kwanzaa Celebration with The African American Museum in Philadelphia (date TBA)
• A Kids’ New Year’s Eve Countdown (December 31, 2022), and
• Ice Princess Weekend (January 20-21, 2023).

Stay tuned to Franklin Square’s official site for more details on these happenings.

For more information about Winter in Franklin Square, click the button below.

Getting There

Franklin Square is located in Philadelphia’s Historic District near the northeast edge of Chinatown .

The park is a short walk from SEPTA bus and subway lines and is also conveniently located near many of the city’s top attractions .