CNBNews

PHILADELPHIA REGION LIGHTS UP FOR HOLIDAYS WITH TOP TREE LIGHTING CELEBRATIONS BY MANAYUNK, ROXBOROUGH, FISHTOWN, NEW HOPE, PHILADELPHIA ZOO AND FESTIVAL OF TREES LOVE PARK

Philadelphia, PA - Mark your calendars and get ready to rock around the Christmas tree. Philadelphia's top neighborhoods, business districts and tourist attractions are back with the biggest and best Christmas and holiday tree lightings in the region. Santa, Mrs. Claus and a cast of holiday characters are about to wave their wand, descend from firetrucks and meet all the families as they help light trees around the city - including Manayunk, Roxborough, Fishtown, New Hope, Philadelphia Zoo and Festival of Trees. Each celebration will feature family fun, photo opportunities, special dignitaries and tons of holiday cheer. Manayunk kicks off the season with their tree lighting on Main Street on Thursday, November 14th - and festivities continue into December with Roxborough on Friday, December 6, 2024. Please check local times and websites for any changes to programs and final lighting times.

1) Manayunk Tree Lighting Ceremony + Debut of Manayunk Gets Lit
Thursday, November 14, 2024
By Manayunk Development Corporation
Canal View Park, 4418 Main Street
Festivities start 5:30pm and runs to 7:30pm

SNOW IS COMING: Manayunk is ready for its Hallmark Movie Moment! Main Street will be transformed for the holidays with a giant holiday tree, dozens of buildings will be lit up, and there are even snow flurries in the forecast!

Manayunk lights up for the holidays on November 14th from 5:30-7:00 p.m. with the annual tree lighting ceremony at Canal View Park (4418 Main Street). The night will host special guests and live performances by The City Belles, John Gilbride, Emily Drinker, Santa Claus! There will be tons of family fun with letters to Santa, ornament decorating, hot cocoa, North Pole Elves, and a Santa meet & greet in front of the tree. This year, Manayunk is debuting a brand new tree with festive lights, ornament, and topper. There’s a good chance Santa will be bringing some magical North Pole snow too, so get ready for a Manayunk winter wonderland! With the Eagles game following the Tree Lighting at 8:15 p.m., Santa will lead an Eagles cheer, and guests are encouraged to wear their Eagles green by the Manayunk Tree! Better yet, the most spirited Eagles fan decked out in gear will win a $100 Manayunk gift c ertificate and swag. November 14th also marks the official launch of the Annual Manayunk Gets Lit Decorating Competition between 50+ businesses in the district.

Tree Lighting Schedule

5:30PM | SJU City Belles
5:45PM | Santa Fire Truck Arrival
6:00PM | John Gilbride
6:30PM | Emily Drinker
7:00PM | Tree Lighting & Manayunk Gets Lit Kick Off!

2) Flamingo Tree and Butterfly Tree Lighting at LumiNature

In Our Neck of the Woods also debuts and voting starts! 

Philadelphia Zoo 

Thursday, November 21, 2024,

5:00pm to 8:00pm

3400 W Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 

 

Philadelphia Zoo lights up one of the region's most unique and iconic holiday trees during opening night of LumiNature on Thursday, November 21st. Come out and celebrate on season opening night as grand opening festivities include the lighting of the pretty in pink Flamingo Tree standing at 25 feet tall and featuring 1,500 recycled pink lawn flamingos. Additionally, the Zoo will also light up the 22 foot tall butterfly tree covered in 4,000 butterflies and visitors can cast their vote for In Our Neck of the Woods holiday tree display with trees created by local community partners - with the winner announced later in the season. Tickets for opening night festivities are adults ages 12+ are $22 to $29, children ages 2-11 are $18 to $24, and children under 2 are no charge. Purchase Anytime Tickets ($32 for adults and $27 for children) and visit LumiNature any operating night without advance reservations. Zoo members receive a discount on all tickets. For tickets and membership information, visit philadelphiazoo dot org/luminature. Philadelphia Zoo is located at 3400 W. Girard Ave. Parking is available in nearby Zoo parking lots for an additional cost.

 

3) New Hope Annual Christmas Tree Lighting

Presented by Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce and Logan Inn
Sunday, December 1, 2024,
5:00pm to 8:00pm
Logan Inn, New Hope, PA
Corner of S. Main St. and Ferry St.

Join us for the Annual Christmas Tree Lightning that has been happening in the heart of New Hope for 40+ years. Surround yourself with the sounds of holiday melodies, the comfort of hot chocolate and apple cider, and the delight of cookies-all while awaiting Santa's grand arrival. It's an evening to weave new memories and uphold the warmth of our community's holiday traditions. This event is brought to you by the Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce and the Logan Inn.

Festivities begin at 5pm on the patio of the Logan Inn. The Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce, also known as Visit New Hope, is co-hosting the annual Tree Lighting with the Logan Inn. Festivities include music by Sam Ryan, carols by the New Hope Solebury High School Choir, and sweet sounds from other surprise local musical guests. Santa and Mrs. Clause will arrive in style via fire truck courtesy of the New Hope Eagle Fire Company and will then be available for photos with children. Please consider bringing an unwrapped toy for the Fisherman’s Mark bin located at the Logan Inn.

~Notice for NO PARKING & ROAD CLOSURE on West Ferry Street~ New Hope Tree Lighting ~ December 1, 2024. On Sunday, from 3:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., there will be NO PARKING on West Ferry Street (between South Main & the SSgt Karol Bauer Memorial Bridge). West Ferry Street will also be closed to all vehicular traffic during those times, so plan your route accordingly. At approximately 6 p.m., the New Hope Eagle Fire Company will be escorting Santa & Mrs. Clause into the borough to light the Logan Inn Christmas Tree. Their route will be North Main Street to South Main Street to West Ferry Street.

4) Evil Genius Beer Company Fishtown Tree Lighting
Thursday, December 5th from 6:00pm to 9:00pm, lighting ceremony 7:30pm
Evil Genius Beer Company
1727 N Front St, Philadelphia, PA 19122

Philadelphia's most festive brewery Evil Genius Beer Company is back with all its festive glory at The Lab in Fishtown, at 1727 N Front St, Philadelphia, PA 19122. Celebrate the start of the official season on Thursday, December 5th with a Evil Genius Beer Company Tree Lighting Party titled Twas an Evil Christmas, which is open to the public, from 6:00pm to 9:00pm, with the tree lighting at 7:30pm. Evil Genius will light up the nearly 20 foot tree inside, and feature decorations across the The Lab for the holidays.  While Santa may be making an appearance earlier in the month, this day is the official celebration for the return of Evil Genius Beer Company's famous holiday beer, Santa!! I Know Him! which is a festive Saison, 7.2% ABV, now in cans everywhere Evil Genius is sold. Look for live music, Christmas carols, over-the-top decorations, photo stations and other surprises - and of course the tapping of America's #1 Santa beer!

5) Festival of Trees Opening Ceremony

Love Park 

Wednesday, December 4, 2024

5:00pm Ceremony

The Festival of Trees will once again take over the LOVE Park Welcome Center (1569 John F Kennedy Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19102) from Thursday, December 5 to Tuesday, December 24, 2024.  Come out the night before it opens for a special lighting and opening ceremony on Wednesday, December 4 at 5:00pm - with local dignitaries, ribbon cutting, lighting and complimentary cocoa for the first 50 people. Watch for a full press release on season details for this - coming later this week. 

 

For the Festival’s second year, the event returns even bigger with more trees, more bling, new designs and a special augmented reality tree lighting. The stunning collection of Christmas trees will feature the creative talent of local artists, makers, designers, and community volunteers. Each twinkling masterpiece will feature the glow of holiday lights, along with everything from original art pieces, themed ornaments, whimsical keepsakes, show-stopping stars and toppers, and much more. Visitors will be able to vote for their favorite design by making a donation to the 2024 charity partner, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). This year, awards will be given for People’s Choice, new Media/ Influencers Choice and new Judge’s Choice. 

6) Roxborough Tree Lighting Ceremony and Happy Holidays from ROX Kick-Off
Friday, December 6, 2024- Tree Lighting Party starting at 5:00pm through 8:00pm
Friday to Saturday - Holidays from Rox - Both days
Presented by Roxborough Development Corporation
Roxborough Pocket Park (6170 Ridge Avenue) 

Roxborough Development Corporation presents Happy Holidays from ROX and the Annual Roxborough Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Roxborough Pocket Park (6170 Ridge Avenue). The festivities will kick off at 5:00 PM on Friday, December 6th, when Colleen and Philip D’Agostino, local business owners and 2024 Roots of Roxborough awardees, will lead Roxborough’s annual holiday tree lighting with three holiday trees. During the ROX annual tree lighting ceremony, visitors can craft their own ornaments for the special wishing trees! This unique tradition invites attendees to add a personal touch to the celebration by creating ornaments that carry their hopes and dreams for the coming year. These ornaments can be added to our two wishing trees displayed in the Pocket Park, bringing a festive and community-centered touch to the season. Each ornament represents a hope or wish, creating a beautiful tapestry of shared dreams from neighbors and friends in the heart of our holiday celebration’s a wonderful way for families and community members to connect, decorate, and celebrate the season together. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this heartwarming experience! The tree lighting ceremony will be followed by a festive holiday party featuring live music, delicious holiday drinks from New Ridge Brewing Co., a holiday market, and seasonal entertainment. Stay tuned for more details about the tree lighting party and opening night festivities, and also for more information about festivities on Saturday, December 7th, including music, smores bar, Santa arriving on a fire truck and more.