We found seven Christmas parades and tree lightings in and around Philadelphia with 2026 dates: three parades and four tree lightings and lighting nights, all free to watch. Each one has the date, start time, price and a link to the organizer’s page.
By date
Filter to what fits your evening, then tap one for its time, price and kid notes.
Tree lighting · 4:30–10pm26NovThu6abc Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade
Parade · 8:30am pre-show27NovFriDoylestown 112th Annual Tree LightingTree lighting · 5–8pm29NovSunNew Hope Christmas Tree LightingTree lighting · 5pm29NovSunWinterfest Tree Lighting at Blue Cross RiverRinkTree lighting · 6pm4DecFriWest Chester Hometown Christmas Parade & Tree LightingParade · Tree lighting 6:30pm6DecSunNew Hope Holiday ParadeParade · 4pmNothing matches that filter yet.
Christmas parades
Start time, price and what to know with little kids, from each organizer’s own page.
20th St. and JFK Blvd. to the Philadelphia Museum of Art · Center City
Good to know: Eakins Oval and Logan Circle are good spots to watch. Metered parking is free on Thanksgiving.
Historic Chester County Courthouse steps and downtown West Chester · High St., West Chester, PA 19380
Good to know: The tree goes up on the courthouse steps on High Street, then the parade rolls through downtown. It happens rain or shine, with no rain date.
Know one we missed?Send us the organizer’s page and we’ll check the date and add it.Suggest a parade
Tree lightings
Most lightings are short and happen at dusk, often with Santa, music or cocoa.
Peddler’s Village · Lahaska
Blue Cross RiverRink · Penn’s Landing
Before you go
SpotGet there earlyA curb spot near the start means little ones see everything and you can leave before the end.
WarmDress for standing stillWatching is colder than walking. Bring a blanket for the stroller and an extra layer.
TimingCheck the start timeLighted parades start after dark. Daytime parades are easier for nap schedules.Every year
Each of these comes back every year. Its page keeps the last confirmed dates, and the new ones go up there once they’re posted. Every year in Philadelphia
Keep planning
November: things to do in PhiladelphiaEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in PhiladelphiaEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in PhiladelphiaFree days, free events and places that never charge
Free museum days in PhiladelphiaFree days, Museums on Us and EBT discounts, with who gets in
Indoor play in PhiladelphiaIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in PhiladelphiaBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Ice skating in PhiladelphiaHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in PhiladelphiaParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in PhiladelphiaKid-friendly countdowns, home by napChristmas trains in PhiladelphiaPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in PhiladelphiaBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in PhiladelphiaChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursChristmas break in PhiladelphiaWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1Birthday party places in PhiladelphiaStarting prices, ages and what’s included
This week in PhiladelphiaDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
6abc Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade: Thu, Nov 26, 2026, 8:30am pre-show; parade at 9am (Center City). West Chester Hometown Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting: Fri, Dec 4, 2026, Tree lighting 6:30pm; parade 7pm (West Chester). New Hope Holiday Parade: Sun, Dec 6, 2026, 4pm (New Hope).
Grand Illumination Celebration at Peddler’s Village at Peddler’s Village: Fri, Nov 20, 2026, 4:30–10pm; lights on at 6:15pm. Doylestown 112th Annual Tree Lighting at Downtown Doylestown: Fri, Nov 27, 2026, 5–8pm. New Hope Christmas Tree Lighting at New Hope: Sun, Nov 29, 2026, 5pm. Winterfest Tree Lighting at Blue Cross RiverRink at Blue Cross RiverRink: Sun, Nov 29, 2026, 6pm.
All of the ones we list are free to watch: Grand Illumination Celebration at Peddler’s Village, 6abc Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade, Doylestown 112th Annual Tree Lighting and New Hope Christmas Tree Lighting. Some charge for extras like Santa photos or rides, and each card says so.
Daytime ones are easiest with toddlers: 6abc Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade. Evening ones start after dark and are colder, so bring layers and a blanket for the stroller. Get there early for a curb spot near the start so little ones can see.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 26, 2026, and we recheck them every week through early December. How we choose and check.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Philadelphia that weekend, parades included.
6abc Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade