Holiday Happenings Philly Style

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- In Philadelphia and The Countryside®, families partake in old and new traditions to make happy holiday memories. Here are just 10 of the classic Philly customs that make the region a daytime and nighttime wonderland during the holiday season:

1.  A Philadelphia tradition since 1956, the free Christmas Light Show at Macy's in Center City illuminates the Wanamaker building, a National Historic Landmark, with almost 100,000 LED lights and finishes with sounds from the Wanamaker Organ, November 26-December 31. 1300 Market Street, (215) 241-9000, wanamakerorgan.com

2.  Starting on November 26, the picturesque Franklin Square lights up to brighten the season -- literally -- and provides a holiday backdrop for visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus on select weekends. 6th & Race Streets, (215) 629-4026, historicphiladelphia.org

3.  On select Saturdays in November and December the elegant Swann Lounge at the Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia presents Tea in Wonderland. Young attendees can visit with Alice herself and watch excerpts from The Nutcracker ballet performed by students from the Rock School for Dance Education. 1 Logan Square, (215) 963-1500, fourseasons.com/philadelphia

4.  The holidays go red, white and green at Longwood Gardens during A Longwood Gardens Christmas, November 25-January 9. Hundreds of thousands of lights, strolling carolers, daily concerts, sing-alongs and ice skating performances brighten the gardens' vast grounds and conservatory. 1001 Longwood Road, Kennett Square, (610) 388-1000, longwoodgardens.org

5.  Please Touch Museum® presents the Enchanted Colonial Village, which called the Lit Brothers department store from 1962 until 1975. The intricately restored Colonial scenes depict the Bakery, Blacksmith Shop, Toymaker, Tailor Shop, Watchmaker and others, on display November 12-January 2. 4231 Avenue of the Republic, (215) 581-3181, pleasetouchmuseum.org

6.  Philadelphia's free high-tech holiday show, The Comcast Holiday Spectacular at the 57-story Comcast Center amazes people of all ages. The 2,000-square-foot, 10 million-pixel LED wall in the building's lobby shows original holiday imagery set to the music of a 64-piece orchestra. The 16-minute show occurs at the top of the hour, 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. (except on weekdays at 5:00 p.m.), from Thanksgiving to New Year's weekend. visitphilly.com/comcast

7.  History and holidays collide during Washington Crossing the Delaware River, a free, annual reenactment of that December 1776 day staged at 1:00 p.m. on Christmas Day at Washington Crossing Historic Park. A full dress rehearsal, set for 1:00 p.m. on December 11, is accompanied by family-friendly activities starting at 10:00 a.m. and continuing throughout the day. Routes 32 & 532, Washington Crossing, (215) 493-4076, ushistory.org/washingtoncrossing

8.  A miniature winter wonderland amid the evergreens awaits visitors to Morris Arboretum, November 26-December 31. The Holiday Garden Railway display includes a quarter-mile of model-train track featuring seven loops and tunnels with 15 different rail lines, two cable cars, nine bridges and bustling trains that cruise past replicas of Philadelphia-area landmarks made from natural materials. 100 E. Northwestern Avenue, (215) 247-5777, morrisarboretum.org

9.  While holiday shopping at Peddler's Village, decked out with decorations and lights, visitors stand in awe of lots of sweet creations during the free 30th Annual Gingerbread House Competition and Display, November 19-January 1. Route 263 & Street Road, Lahaska, (215) 794-4018, peddlersvillage.com

10.  This year, partiers along Penn's Landing ring in 2011 with twice the fireworks, twice the fun. Dazzling shows will illuminate the night sky at 6:00 p.m. -- a very family-friendly hour -- and during the traditional 12:00 midnight show. Along Columbus Boulevard, delawareriverevents.com

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) makes Philadelphia and The Countryside® a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases business and promotes the region's vitality.

For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit visitphilly.com or uwishunu.com, where you can build itineraries; search event calendars; see photos and videos; view interactive maps; sign up for newsletters; listen to HearPhilly, an online radio station about what to see and do in the region; book hotel reservations and more. Or, call the Independence Visitor Center, located in Historic Philadelphia, at (800) 537-7676.

SOURCE Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation