Thanksgiving weekend activities for families around Philadelphia (2026)
Checked · Covers Nov 25 – Nov 29 · All times are local Eastern Time
We list 5 family events around Philadelphia for Nov 25 – Nov 29. Each listing links to the organizer's own page.
Thanksgiving week events
LumiNature at the Philadelphia Zoo
- When
- Wed, Nov 25 – Sun, Nov 29 (Select nights Nov 19 – Jan 9 (closed Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1; open New Year's Eve)) · 5–9pm
- Cost
- Advance online reservations required: general admission $27–31; anytime admission $29–34; parking $22
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
An interactive holiday light experience through the Zoo, with seasonal performances and views from the 110-foot Philly Zoo Pherris Wheel.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Holidays in Franklin Square
- When
- Wed, Nov 25 – Sun, Nov 29 (Nightly Nov 19 – Jan 3 (closed Nov 26, Dec 25 and Jan 1; closes 8pm Dec 24 and 31)) · 5–9pm
- Cost
- Entry to the Square is free; mini golf, street curling and the carousel need tickets
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Franklin Square turns into a winter wonderland with the Electrical Spectacle Light Show presented by PECO, Chilly Philly Mini Golf, street curling and seasonal treats. Opening night (Nov 19) has free choir performances, free hot chocolate and cider and the season's first light show at 6:30pm.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Christmas Village in Philadelphia
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 – Sun, Nov 29 (Preview Nov 21–22, then daily from Thanksgiving (Nov 26) through Dec 27) · Sun–Thu noon–8pm; Fri–Sat noon–9pm; Thanksgiving 9am–5pm; Christmas Eve noon–5pm
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
A German-style holiday market of wooden vendor booths and holiday lights, with an illuminated 65-foot Ferris wheel, the double-tier Christmas Village Carousel, the Kids Train and Santa Claus for wish-taking and photos. Rides and food cost extra.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
6abc Dunkin' Thanksgiving Day Parade
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 · 8:30am–noon (30-minute pre-show, then the parade)
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
America's longest-running Thanksgiving Day parade starts at 20th Street and JFK Boulevard, heads east to 16th Street, turns onto the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and ends at the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps, with Santa on the final float.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Jingle & Mingle with Santa in Franklin Square
- When
- Fri, Nov 27 – Sat, Nov 28 (Nov 27 & 28 and Dec 5, 12 & 19) · 5–7pm
- Cost
- Not stated. See the official page.
- Ages
- All ages · Outdoor
Meet Santa in Franklin Square and take your picture with him on select nights during Holidays in Franklin Square.
✓ Checked Oct 31, 2026 on the organizer's official page
Frequently asked questions
What can families do around Philadelphia over Thanksgiving weekend?
We list 5 family events for Nov 25 – Nov 29, including LumiNature at the Philadelphia Zoo (Philadelphia, Nov 25 – Nov 29), Holidays in Franklin Square (Philadelphia, Nov 25 – Nov 29) and Christmas Village in Philadelphia (Philadelphia, Nov 26 – Nov 29). See all 5 above.
Which Thanksgiving weekend events near Philadelphia need tickets or registration?
1 event on our list says on the official page that it needs advance tickets, timed entry or registration: LumiNature at the Philadelphia Zoo (Philadelphia). Book through each official page.
Our weekend search covers Phoenix Metro & Arizona for now, and more areas are coming soon. This guide is hand-checked the same way.
How we build this page: each event comes from the organizer's official website and shows the date we checked it. An event is called free only when its official page says so. Read how we verify listings.
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