Philadelphia families have a bright new date to circle this holiday season. Holidays in Franklin Square returns to Franklin Square, at 200 N. 6th Street, from November 19, 2026 through January 3, 2027, closing out the park’s 20th anniversary year with more lights than ever before.
The heart of the celebration is the Electrical Spectacle Light Show presented by PECO, a free show inspired by Benjamin Franklin’s famous kite-and-key experiment. Every 30 minutes from 5 p.m. until closing, hundreds of thousands of shimmering lights dance around the square’s historic fountain to a seasonal soundtrack, turning one of William Penn’s original squares into a glowing winter gathering place.
There is plenty to do before the lights come on, too. Franklin Square is open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., with family favorites all season long: a spin on the Parx Liberty Carousel, a round of Chilly Philly Mini Golf, street curling, and the playground. Admission to the square and the light show is free, with pay-as-you-go refreshments and attractions. Santa joins the fun for Jingle and Mingle with Santa on November 27 and 28 and December 5, 12 and 19. The park is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, and closes early on December 24 and 31.
Run by the nonprofit Historic Philadelphia, Inc., Holidays in Franklin Square is an easy, joyful and budget-friendly way for families to start the season together in the heart of Philadelphia.
Photo: J. Fusco for Historic Philadelphia, Inc., via Visit Philadelphia
