Miracle on South 13th Street
When it comes to the holiday season, the Delaware Valley knows how to celebrate. These festive displays — all run by local residents, businesses or organizations — are beloved by community members and visitors alike.
Philadelphia
South Philly
The 1600 block of South 13th Street won’t attract a crowd during most of the year, but it’s a local sensation when residents set up the annual Miracle on South 13th Street display. Through Jan. 1, the stretch of rowhomes illuminates with strings of colorful lights, inflatable characters and music. Over at the 2700 block of South Smedley Street, the Smedley Street Christmas Light Spectacular, through Jan. 6, packs an impressive amount of cheer in just one block.
Tacony
A small block with big holiday ambitions, residents have kept the Greeby Street Christmas spectacle alight for two decades. The 4200 block is decked out with lights, festive displays and even Santa sightings.
Bucks County
Doylestown
The Jolly Old Elf and his crew set up shop at Santa’s Doylestown House at Hamilton & State Sts. through Dec. 24. Photos are free, but you’ll need to bring a camera. Well-behaved pets can pose with the Big Guy, too.
Perkasie
Don’t call it a comeback: The town’s tree lighting ceremony has been here for 110 years. Now the country’s oldest community event of its kind, the ceremony, held at the town center Dec. 7, features horse-and-carriage rides, a barbershop quartet performance and a visit from Mary Poppins.
Chester County
East Bradford
The Corrado family fill the front yard of their 2-acre property at 1102 Nobb Hill Dr. with a massive display of fun inflatables and plenty of lights. Each weekend through the first week of January, passersby can also meet Santa, who doles out candy canes. Be sure to bring a toy to be delivered to kids at the Chester County Hospital.
West Chester
The creators of the West Chester Griswolds, also known as the Plummer family, festoon their home at 304 Dutton Rd. with 103,000 lights that change throughout the evening. The show, which runs through Jan 1, is fully computer-controlled.
Delaware County
Media
Explore Rose Tree Park’s Festival of Lights, through Jan. 1, where you’ll find dozens of decoratively lit trees, cheery displays, illuminated walkways and kid-favorite figures such as Charlie Brown and the Peanuts crew and Santa and reindeer.
Montgomery County
Abington
The Light Up the Night display lives up to its name: Run by the Kaye family at 1075 Arbuta Rd., the spectacle grabs the attention of passing cars with a whimsical mix of characters, inflatables, decorations and 10,000 twinkling lights.
Skippack Township
Skippack Village plays host to Illuminaire Nights, Wednesdays and Fridays through Dec. 18. Lights adorn the town’s sidewalks, leading visitors to stores and restaurants that boast special activities, refreshments, sales and a few surprises.